I bought an 08 Expedition. It had a 2010 Mercury in dash Navigation, CD, Radio, BT. They call it a multimedia unit. It powers up and displays everything. The sound is very low. I have swapped out units to the 6 disc changer. The sound is normal. Is the Mercury head unit not compatible? I appreciate your assistance.
Tom

 

This is what came in the truck.

I ran the model number a d said it is out of a 2010 Mercury.

 

Do you have a bose system in there? Since the head unit has been swapped the speakers may have as well. Bose amplifiers require a 2 ohm speaker where as most (98%) aftermarket highs and mids are 4 ohm. Since the aftermarket speakers have twice the resistance, they only sound half as loud on a Bose amp.

 

I am not sure about the Bose amp. It was a stock XLT that had a Long Ranch front row, middle row, and front console put in it. How would I know or where would that amp "usually" be located?
I appreciate your help!
Tom

 

No problem. Not sure on the location, but they are usually buried somewhere under the dash or center console. You should see it on some of the speaker grilles if they are factory. Bose will make it known that their equipment is on board. I looked up the 08 Expedition specs on Google and according to Motortrend, Bose Speakers are standard.

 

Dumb this down for me... What are my options? Can I run the Mercury HU but need an amp? I appreciate your patience.
Tom

 

No problem Tom, I'm glad to try and help. I'm trying to rule some stuff out for you, but I'm not finding much on this unit. It is a Ford factory used radio and I did find one for sale that lists compatible Expeditions as 2009-2011, so it could be that it is incompatible. Also the one that I found listed for 2007-2008 looks different than yours. There is little spec info available on OEM radios unfortunately so I can't say for sure.

I also looked up the stereo wiring color code for your truck at ModifiedLife.com They show nothing for 2009 or 2010

I looked up the 2008 and 2009 Expeditions on www.crutchfield.com since that is where the divide seems to be and both vehicles require different factory adapters. Based on the above information it leads me to believe that the harnesses are just different enough to possibly cause an incompatibility.

All that being said, I am assuming that the only issue you are having is low volume. Is that correct? I would verify the wiring at each speaker. If they switched out to aftermarket speakers and they are wired improperly, it will cause the sound to be degraded. You can disconnect each speaker and connect them back up one at a time. If one is causing the issue you will notice the difference right away.

I would rule that out before looking at getting an amp. Adding an amp to a factory system isn't as straight forward as it used to be, but it is very doable.

 

I appreciate the information! I did put the factory 6 disc changer I found at a junkyard and it plays normal.

When plugged in the Mercury unit powers up and shows the Mercury display. Just the low volume issue. I will pull some door panels and see what is lurking.
Thank you!
Tom

 

I must have missed when you mentioned the CD player before. If it plays fine, then your speakers are likely good to go. It probably is an incompatibility issue. You may be able to use a line converter on the mercury and add amps, but no guarantees there either. An aftermarket nav unit may be the best way to go.

 

I was thinking of doing an Android tablet setup. I have seen a couple but am clueless as to how it all works. I don't listen to AM/FM much due to ads. I don't need 18" subs but would like to appreciate music over the kids bickering. 😆

Know anyone that needs a Mercury HU? I have one for sale. 😂

I will look into the crossover but not lost if there is not one.

The downside is living in the Phoenix area and it has been 111deg the last few days. What tablet is going to survive 160deg interior heat? I only know it is that hot because my AC has been giving me trouble. Stuck thermometer in the truck to see how cold it blows. Instead shocked by how hot it gets. ☠️☠️☠️

 

I don't know anyone that needs it, sorry.

My 65 f100 has no AC and Oklahoma has been hot this summer, but not quite that hot. I have the Challenger for uber hot days.

There are ipad dash kits that allow you to remove the ipad so you can take it with you. They snap in from the front. HERE is a link to what I am talking about. It would require fabrication into your dash, but it is very trick and looks very awesome. There are ways to hook them up using a radio to interface it or use it without the radio. It isn't the cheapest route, but it is possible and your tablet wouldn't need to be in the constant heat. If you were closer to me, the fab work isn't that hard.

And just for the record, everyone NEEDS 18's, some people just don't know it yet.

 

I do need 18"s to drown out the backseat. 😁 I lived in Oklahoma for a bit. Alva, Ardmore, and Bartlesville. Remember the humidity all too well. I will look into those options. I will let you know how I go so others can use it if needed.

 

Sold the Mercury HU for $20. Apparently I had forgot to add another 0 to make it $200 😆. Oh well at least it is gone and the kids didn't break it.

 

Someone got a great deal. Best of luck to you.