My 6 disc CD changer is on it's way out, so for my birthday my father agreed to buy me a new head unit ( up to $350ish) for my truck. While i'm at it, i want to gather opinions as to what other goodies go with it. The head unit has to match the stock green LED lighting, i have an iPod i need to interface it with, and i'd like a CD changer as well, is there a such thing? My bone-stock interior needs some sound attention, as the bass is non-existant and the sound quality is not that good. I want to upgrade a little. I don't want to win any shows, or have several subs in the back taking up space, however i would like to enjoy my music a little more, when i'm not listening to the stacks. I'd like something that doesn't take up space, behind the CC seat if possible. Can anyone give me some info on a reasonably priced, Better than stock system upgrade? I would also like the system to look near-stock, the space in the dash filled and nothing ugly hanging out. Thanks in advance FTE.

 

Sony AVIC-D3 the ipod interface on the touch screen is so amazing that you'll never consider using a CD again, put everything in your ipod and go. Oh yeah, theres navigation system, XM, CD player, and a radio

 

You mean the Pioneer AVIC-D3, right? That's a great NAV system but a little more than the $350 the OP wanted to spend.

 

Thanks, DAMN that looks awesome! Looked at a few, and that's way more than i need but exactly what tickles my fancy! That's alot of over-the-top stuff, just what i go for. The navigation, i could get used to. The only drawback is the price but i could foot some of the cost. Thanks for showing me that.... Anyone else?

 

If you can spring for it go for the Pioneer AVIC-D3, I've installed 4 of them (for friends and family) with Ipod and XM and have never heard a single complaint. It's a really slick system with an excellent interface.

 

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it (cough,cough) but the pioneer AVIC-D3 is awsome!!!

I love having the navigation, dvd, ipod interface, backup cams, and it's all very easy to use.
Here's Mine:

 

Thanks guys... Hmm that won't fit in the dash on my 02 lariat, will it? What is the overall dimensions of the area that goes into the dash? Anyone with a 99-04 SD have one?

 

I'm more of a Kenwood fan(DDX-8017, which has been replaced by the 8019 now) and the one I have can do everything mentioned above(although I don't have the Ipod piece, I went with the Music Keg which I believe to be better for just MP3 in the vehicle then an Ipod). Plus you can do either xm or sirius(but if you do XM and have the new Kenwood navigation you can do navtraffic). If your cell phone is bluetooth, there is a module to allow everything to work from the cell phone on the radio. But all these double din touchscreen radios are goign to be past the 350ish range. Alpine does make a radio that is specifically designed for the Ipod user, with a smaller screen(still bigger then an Ipod one) that is single din that gives you total control over the Ipod(much like these touchscreens) and I believe that it's close to 350 (Alpine IDA-X001).

 

I Really Wish that would fit my 03 SD. It looks great! Why is it, that it will not fit an 99-04?

 

It won't fit in the pre-05 dash because Ford used a din and a half radio in the 04's and older versus a double din in the 05 and up ('din' is what they call radio size).

If I recall I think some people have fit into the smaller din opening by trimming the dash. Do a search on here and on http://www.avic411.com/forum/ you should be able to find some installs into the pre-2005 dash.

 

Kenwood isn't bad, but my experience has been that the screens they use are of poor quality as are the maps when compared to the Pioneer units.

 

i love alpine but avic is a pretty sweet unit

 

Have you compared the ones that are their exceleron line(that's why I went with the DDX-8017, that and Kenwood had other options at the time that I liked over the others, although I'm more of a Kenwood Alpine person to begin with)? With what I can tell they look pretty comparable in viewing quality, not 1080p(although I'm sure that's coming) but to me they are equal.

 

The Pioneer's aren't 1080p, no doubt about that. The maps and and the way the are displayed (color choices etc.) are simply crisper looking on the Pioneer units.

 

i have a 2004 250 and i put an eclipse double din touch screen Navi in with no problems.....$1500.00