I wanted to give a report on installing an Avic D3 in my recently acquired 2002 Excursion. I do a lot of traveling and had a GPS unit, XM Radio, Ipod, radar detector. It was just too much stuff and I didn't like leaving it out when it was parked. The guy I bought my truck from left a nice Pioneer head unit and crazy loud competition subwoof/amp system in the truck. I sold those and took the money and bought a nice head unit that would do almost everything all my singular devices were doing.
I picked the Avic D3 because it supported XM, people liked the navigation unit, it does just about everthing and the price was right. My local best buy wanted $900 (on sale) but I googled it and found it for $629 delivered on the net. The next big decision was installation. It is a little intimadaing because of the vss wire (for navigation). There was also the workaround to get the DVD and nav input to work while in drive. I have to say I almost took it to a pro but after being told install would be from $400 to $600 I stepped back. I went back to google and found people that did the install themselves in 30 minutes or less. I got the unit and connected my units wiring harness to my ford after market harness. I had a couple of wire left over on the Ford side but everything worked fine. I soldered everything so it took me a little longer but I'd say in an hour the unit was in my truck and working. I didn't have time for the vss wire so I left it where I could find it and did my daily chores. The vss wire is to monitor vehicle speed and help the nav better place you. I have spent the last two days running around town with the nav on and I have to say that even without the vss wire connected it shows me dead on where I am supposed to be.
I also added the Pioneer bluetooth unit but it would not sync up with my Verizon LG phone. I did a Google search and this seems to be a phone and carrier that the BT unit doesn't talk to. I'm not to upset because I switch phone pretty frequently.
I posted this for any future Avic D3 buyers out there. Find the deals online and don't be afraid of the wires. $400 for install - HAH!!
PS - So far I really like the D3.

 

Glad you like it. Did you shave your dash opening? My g/f's dad has an 01 Ex. and he had Circuit City install his D3. They mounted it behind the stock dash opening. It looks pretty recessed. Check out www.avic411.com as there is a thread for compatible phones and a great resource for help with the AVIC series head units.