I guess it's my turn for radio issues, basically my cd player is shot . won't read cds, mine or factory. To add to it my usb stick that has worked in every ford for the last ten years won't work in this one (can't play protected content?) so I'm going to replace the radio. I've just started looking online, anything to stay away from, good or bad experiences . not really looking for a major upgrade but I do want to retain steering wheel controls which is questionable on some. any InSite or advice throw it at me, and thanks. JIm

 

For steering wheel controls you will need the Maestro module. Look for units that are compatible with that and you're golden. I have it in my truck with an Alpine system. I used the fitment wizard over at crutchfield.com to configure everything that would work with my truck.

 

ya, thanks. been reading, I think I'll price an oem replacement. That may scare me back to Crutchfield!!

 

I would think any scrapyard would probably have a few for sale....unless you really want to upgrade the sound then it will cost extra ??

 

Do you have the small 4" stereo screen in the dash controls above the a/c controls?

Like this....

 

yes just what you pictured

 

I'm seeing a lot of different part #, how important is an exact match for plug and play on an oem replacement?

 

The main difference I'm aware of is the little screen, I believe the 14 had the back up camera view there where as the 2013 like mine has the rear view mirror cam view. The only other difference I'm aware of is if you have single or dual zone temp control and maybe one has satellite reception where the other may not.

 

You may want to check out Sonicelectronix.com. I've used them for years and they have very competitive pricing on everything. They also have very quick shipping. In most of my orders I could order on Wednesday and have it at my door on Friday or Saturday without having to pay overnight shipping.

 

thanks, I'll check it out. Jim

 

The stereo/cd player unit sits behind the face plate as a separate component, The whole thing is actually 3 pieces, radio, face plate, 4" screen. I sold my screen but still have the other things.



You'll need that piece on the far left. That's the stereo/cd unit. If you were local I'd tell ya to drop by and you can have it. I have no use for any of that stuff any longer. I put this in my truck in it's place.

 

appreciate that, still trying to decide stock or something similar to yours. I think I'm going to take another run at a usb drive to do the work of the cd player first. Hoping a new laptop and fresh thumb drive might work but every thing I.ve tried in the past works in every vehicle but this one?

 

well small victory, used a new thumb drive and a lap top recently purchased and it works so I'm back in business for now. Kick back and see what breaks next

 

I really like the looks of your new system. It'll probably be springtime before I'm ready to undertake it as a project though....

I'm looking for a spacer and your faceplate might be the answer. We driving my wife's Expedition when a load shifted due to an emergency braking event. The load hit the tuner button on the radio, crushing the white spacer/extender that holds the inner "Tuner" button in place. Would you know if that's a part that can be ordered and if so, how? Or be willing to extract the spacer from your now obsolete faceplate and selling/mail it to me?

 

The face plate is just a piece of plastic, the tuner and ac ***** and what not are attached permanently to a circuit board directly behind and screwed to the face plate. The only way to repair is to replace the entire assembly.

During my quest to add an oem like nav unit to my truck pre Alpine restyle, Is when I discovered how all of that is integrated. I was going to use an oem nearly identical face plate that has the 8" touch screen except using an 8" android tablet. When I got to test fitting everything is when my idea went south.











Even the fricken ***** are part of the circuit board and no way to replace them individually, at least not with my circuit board modification skills. That's when I bit the bullet and shelled out the coin for the Alpine system. Took me maybe 20 mins to install the whole thing and done.