I am hoping someone can shed some light on these questions about the 2006/2007 Explorer for me...

1) In order to get the Homelink with the 07 you have to get the Ultimate Group package with power pedals which I don't wnat or want to pay for. Does anyone know where the Homelink goes (overhead console?) and whether it can be bought from Ford part and installed later? Or, Ford lists in the 07 brochure an add-on rear-view mirror that has it built in... anyone seen these? Are they worth it? Or is there another clean way to get Homelink on an 07 Explorer?

2) What is the visible difference between a machine al wheel and a chrome-clad al wheel?

3) If I get the roff cross bars on the vehicle, can I remove them without any visible damage to the side rails? Is the install/uninstall non damaging? If they are only $60 it would be nice to get them, but I do not want them on unless I need them for a trip. Can the be installed/uninstalled easilly?

4) Is there a different size overhead used depending on whether you get the moon roof or not? Or is it always the same overhead console? Do I lose anything by getting the moon-roof?

5) They say the heated windoshield is not available with Nav system... I am installing an aftermarket Nav/head unit... is there any reason other than Fords packaging of the options that the heated windoshield would keep a nav system from working?

Thanks in advance for any input you have...

 

I do not have experience with the 2006 / 07 model but I have had an 04 and am planning to get an 06 / 07 soon. Some of what I am giving you is based on my experience with my 04, which I do not expect is too different than the 06 / 07 models.

1. Homelink is crap and pretty much has been for years. I guess if you have an older garage door or gate opener that does not use the newer revolving code system then I guess it would work. I know on both of my Fords the Homelink does not work b/c I have the newer revolving code garage door opener.

2. Chrome is shinny, machined aluminum is a bit dull, polished wheels are an in between.

3. Not sure about the 2006 / 07 models but on the previous models they are easy to remove. I have to ask, why remove them once they are installed; it’s just the cross bar, just leave it installed.

4. On the 06 / 07 it appears to be the same size. From what I have seen, it appears what is on it is different if you have the moon roof.
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5. I believe the problem is the metallic material in the heated windshields. I can only guess it disrupts the Navigation system some how. I know they (wind shield) can mess with the "EZ" Tag device used on toll roads.<O

 

On the cross bars - it's only a $60 option, but I'm adding them to my new '06 I got last week and its over $200 from the parts dept. Gotta have a place for the ski racks. Just back out the screws - looks like a spring nut / unistrut setup.

On the moonroof, you do lose about 2" of headroom. The aux. climate control costs you headroom in the back seat. My 6'5" kid found out about this after I bought it.

Are you going for the 3 valve V-8? It seems very smooth and looks like it fits in the engine bay without a shoehorn.

 

Alot of the 3 and 4 year old trucks I have seen with the chromed rims have moderate to severe peeling of the chrome plating. Looks like hell. I'm in the NE though, so depending where you are it may be no problem.

 

Thanks for the great input.

I was leaning towards the machined wheels... I am not into a flashy truck... only concern is that if all the rest of the chrome on the Limited is shiny, then the wheels may look better matching...?

I was going to get the cross bars for the same price reason... I think the truck looks better without them... not sure if they have any minimal impact on mileage... probably a tenth of a mile/gal?

I am going with the V-8... I like the great towing numbers on that... over 7000lbs!

Hmmm... metal in the windshield should not affect the nav system... it is solely based on gps data received from the rear mounted antenna... I am hoping it is either just a Ford "one or the other for no reason" thing or that the heated windshield controls take up the same spot as something else that is used with the nav system? I am going after market anyway, but just want to make sure that I do not have to swap out my windshield if I want to use a nav system.

I am still looking into the DRL question I posted elsewhere... hoping that I can just buy the part and plug it in like I did with my 96 Explorer...

Jeff