I bought an after market stereo, and i want to retain the existing steering wheel controls. I searched and searched but didn't come up with anything good/useful, so if someone could point me in the right direction it would be appreciated. Also do i need to buy a harness of some sort It's been a while since i bought a stereo.

 

Jay,

I don't know if it is too late but I just purchased this stereo unit:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/99-05-Ford-...97.m4902.l9144

Its AMAZING. The seller (wanaco100 on eBay) is an Excursion owner and he put together a FANTASTIC plug and play package. Took me about 20 minutes to install and the steering wheel controls all work (and are programmable). Quality is beyond any other Android car unit I have seen and I am very happy. I was going to post a "how to" based on my install for folks to show where I put the GPS antenna, the bluetooth mic and the wifi antenna and how easy the install is but I haven't had time yet.

 

 

Yeah, the only thing I didn't get that I wanted with the Android was SiriusXM but I got an in car cell phone wifi adapter (I'm on Tmobile so I got Tmobile's but other carriers have them too):

https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/syncup

Works AMAZING. Now I use the SiriusXM android app and wifi.

 

 

wanaco100 on eBay is a really nice guy and has a setup that will fit right in. He started by replacing his own radio and has since turned it into a side job of selling it to other Excursion owners. I went my own direction with a different Android unit but wanaco and I did share info that in the end helped us both.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...installed.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-install.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...9&postcount=63
2004 Excursion

 

You guys are killing me with that eBay unit. I looked at those awhile back and was really impressed with the seller....but never bought one. Glad to see good reviews....would be glad to see installs, etc..

 

Truck is in the shop for the next few days Matt but I'll try to make a good post with pix etc when I get her back. Its a REALLY great unit for sure.

 

He's a nice guy, but I see his links on the eBay page are not working. Write to him here:
https://contact.ebay.com/ebaymotors/...sted=wanaco100
Tell him you are from the Ford Trucks Forum and ask him what you want, he will answer. He and I worked on the rear console control issue but it is reliant on the original Ford Radio. Up to the 2004 EX does not need a steering wheel control adapter. Starting in 2005 Ford changed the system (CanBus) and an adapter is required for that.

 

I appreciate the input, but I don't have an android device, and don't want an android radio. I am after an apple play radio because I have an apple branded phone. I'd like to retain steering wheel controls but would like to avoid the $80 Axxiss system if possible. I was wondering if there were any alternative options.

 

Did you check with Pioneer and see if there is an adapter for the head unit you bought?

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...on-module.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120ASW...l-Adapter.html





This one is unavailable, but you might be able to research the maker and see if it's offered elsewhere.

 

Thanks for the info. the cheapest adapters I saw were $80-90, and I figured that just isn't worth it. However then I found this one: for $45 and free same day shipping, so I figured why not. Backup camera and harness arriving today as well, radio got here yesterday. I'll take pictures, hopefully it'll go smoothly.

 

Sorry to derail your thread, JaySVX...

I would be glad for any info on that unit from eBay. I did have a few emails back and forth with the eBay seller awhile ago and he was very helpful.

I was driving the Ex the other day, using my phone as GPS and it was a PITA. I'd also be glad to hook up the current BU camera that displays in the rear view mirror to a larger screen.

I suppose one concern is the fit of this unit. It looks good, but I wonder if the faceplate of this newer unit will cause rubbing, etc on the dash. (I refinished mine and don't want to have to do that again....)

 

The ebay unit link I posted fits like a glove in my '03 7.3 Limited dash.