I'm sure someone has installed one - how hard is it? How does it work with the anit-theft key PATS?

 

My understanding is that with pats you really need to have a proffesional install it. Before you get it installed you also need to get another key from the dealership. The installer will either tear the key apart for the security chip. or they have a box where they literally install the whole key in it. When i got mine installed they forgot to tell me that before i went there. so i went with only one key and they couldnt program the remote start. And you have to get the new backup key 1st or you cant program the new key you get from the dealer. (it takes your primary key and your backup key with the same chip to program the new key).

 

The less expensive option is to have the installer put in a "PATS Bypass" module. This only costs about 60 bucks and doesn't use up one of your keys. On another (related) note, I finally solved a problem with my starter. I bought the biggest, baddest remote starter I could find. It has a range of 1.25 miles. The problem was that it worked flawlessly sometimes and wouldn't work at all sometimes. I went back to the installer and he decided that it must be the remote, so he gave me a new one. No change. The problem persisted. I went back yesterday and laid down the gauntlet. Fix it or take it out and give me my money back. Two hours later, he comes back into the showroom laughing. They had replaced each part of the system, checking it out each step. When they had finally gotten the whole system replaced (one component at a time), and it still wouldn't work right, they called the manufacturer and described the problem. His first question was, "Is this, by any chance, a Ford Excursion?". He told them that the Ford Excursion PATF key will interfere with the two-way communication process if it is too close to the remote. Of course the remote is also a keychain, so my key was tethered to it. We took the key off of the ring and the system was immediately cured. It works perfectly now.

 

CommercialNuke,
So does that mean you have to keep your remote and keys separate all of the time?

 

I got one of those retracting key rings. You know, the ones with the little wire that reels out and then reels back in on a coil spring. I hooked that to the remote and put the Ex key on the ring. When I want to press a button on the remote, I just pull the key away from the remote and do it. Then I let the key go back to the remote. No burden.

 

If you use the accessory kits that Ford sells, you don't need extra keys. Once the wiring is done you just have to program the various options. Now for the install...NOT EASY. There were about 20 to 35 wire connections and splices to make at the steering column, under hood, under dash and even inside the driver door wire cover in the door jamb. Did it myself, took a weekend, but I soldered all connections.

 

I think my new key cost $20 at the dealership. So that dsnt seem to be less expensive. I got the Python 881XP. Mine isnt quite as cool as the one that starts from 1.5 miles. I think it is only good for about 1500 feet. I gues i will have to just muddle around with such a short range. Although i really have no idea why i would start my car from over a mile away. But i like all the extra features of when i lock the truck as i walk away all the windows roll up. It has the turbo timer and will run till turbo cooled and has the wait for glow plugs to start. So i always use my remote start now because i am to often to lazy to wait for the start light to go off.

 

I have a key left from my '00 F150 - could I have it reprogrammed for the X. I know it will not fit the ignition, but that's not the purpose. Plus if someone happend to get in the X, this key would not do them any good.

 

no programming the key is done through the Ignition.