Just wanted to share, for those who might be doing the same searching I was recently....
The wife set me up with XM Radio for Christmas; love it, can't wait to use it towing to the track this summer.
The one thing that bugged me was the sound quality I got using the built-in FM modulator (SkyFi 2) in my Excursion. It was OK, but not nearly as good as I knew it could be. (She also got me the home stereo cradle, so I KNOW the potential....)
I did my research on several forums, including this one. I have an early '03 Excursion with the in-dash 6-disc changer and rear audio controls. I pulled the radio, and it's an 815-series radio. (For the record, the full number is 1C3F-18C815-AB)
Nervous about some stories of the adapter not working, yet reassured with the ability to return with no questions asked, I ordered the PIE FRDN-AUX adapter from myradiostore.us.
I received the PIE adapter yesterday (placed the order on Monday afternoon, it made it from New York to Iowa in 3 days via ground Fedex) and hooked it up last night.
It works perfectly. CD changer still works, steering wheel controls still work, but I've got one more option - DJ, which grabs the audio from the XM unit.
If you have spent the money to get XM radio, you owe it to yourself to try one of these adapters. The improvement in quality from the FM modulator to the PIE adapter is like you just pulled earplugs out of your ears. Seriously. It really IS that big of an improvement!
Not affiliated, blah blah blah.....just a VERY happy XM listener who wants to reassure those doing research.
Yeap the PIE is the way to go as an auxiliary audio input device for the best clarity.
It'll work with 2000-2004 and 2005 Excursion stock stereos as the pinout configuration did not change.
"DJ Track 1" will be on the display when you hit the CD button a second time for the secondary audio source.
Bill
__________________ 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3L 4x4 XLT 9th Annual Powerstroke Rally this Oct 3-5 2008 in Caddo Mills,Texas CLICK HERE for more Information & Register Here
Lexus suv, Lexus version or Toyota 4 runner with V-8 and ever posible option you never new you needed [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] I got it for my wife after unsesfully trying to get her inyo an X. 6 months later... she wanted a X [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img], and got one. Now I have a $55k Lexus sitting in the garage [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] But I got a X [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vulnerable.gif[/img]
It does come in handy for all the little Ford recals that ties up the X for [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] days [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Cary
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95 f250 4x4 xlt Excab Lb. white, BTS Trans, 4.10ls, Dana 60, ORU RS kit DR 4"front 5" reas springs!, Bilsteins, Centerline 18x9", 37" Toyo MT's,H2e, Tapercore IC,3" Billet intakes, Tymar 4" exhaust,intake and HX mod,Beans 2's, Stealth and Fuel system and DI studs, JS's IDM mod, TW 4 pos chip,TSM Rear Disks, 198k miles.
2004 EB 4x4 6.0 X born 05/18/04
white, LS,premier group, tow package, dvd. centerline 18x9" w/ 35" Toyo MT's, Edge 4.5" Lift, V's & custom B codes 37k miles 3rd turbo 6 5150 Specialy valved Bilsteins!
1976 EB Exploration daily driver
1971 EB Hard Core Crawler
2006 Yamaha FJR1300
2005 Suzuki King Quad
A Lexus okay I gotchya [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]I'm sure the one you have in the garage will hold it's value for a good turnover.
At least she has an Excursion,hope she enjoys it alot,you've done some good work to it [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
Naw, if I buy something no mater how popular the next day no one wants it. I tried to sell it for a couple of months for $44k no go so *cre* it. Now I have something to drive when I go somewhere by myself [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img], I get a little tired driving a truck 25k miles a year [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]
Cary
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95 f250 4x4 xlt Excab Lb. white, BTS Trans, 4.10ls, Dana 60, ORU RS kit DR 4"front 5" reas springs!, Bilsteins, Centerline 18x9", 37" Toyo MT's,H2e, Tapercore IC,3" Billet intakes, Tymar 4" exhaust,intake and HX mod,Beans 2's, Stealth and Fuel system and DI studs, JS's IDM mod, TW 4 pos chip,TSM Rear Disks, 198k miles.
2004 EB 4x4 6.0 X born 05/18/04
white, LS,premier group, tow package, dvd. centerline 18x9" w/ 35" Toyo MT's, Edge 4.5" Lift, V's & custom B codes 37k miles 3rd turbo 6 5150 Specialy valved Bilsteins!
1976 EB Exploration daily driver
1971 EB Hard Core Crawler
2006 Yamaha FJR1300
2005 Suzuki King Quad
Ok another dumb question...If I have the factory rear dvd/tv AND use the cell phone harness (hands free...I hear the phone call thru the speakers..the radio auot mutes when i get a call, etc) can I still use this PIE adapter that you are referring to.
My thoughts were that all the extra inputs were already used (dvd/cell phone)
Am I to understand that when you press the cd source button you have another source when this is plugged in?
__________________ 2004 6.0l 4WD Limted Excursion
Road Armor Stealth Bumper with Titan Guard, BFG AT 305's, AR Mojave Teflon's, Tint, Stereo, Remote Start Alarm, Strobes,MBRP Turbo Back T-409 Stainless Steel Exhaust System, AFE Pro Guard 7 Mega System, Edge Insight, Coolant Filter, ARP Studs, Hybrid Turbo, EGR delete http://bbonepics.shutterfly.com/ 1999 Ford F250 CC LB 4x4 7.3L
DP F5, MBRP 4", AFE Satge II,Garrett Power Max Ball-Bearing Turbo,80hp injectors DM 3 pod, 95 Gallon Transfer/Toolbox Chest, BGF AT 295's, AR Mojave Teflon's,Tint, Road Armor Stealth Base Front Bumper with Lonestar Guard
I just took a peek at the 20 pin plug and it appears that the CD changer source and Cell Hands free source pins are separate independent circuits so you indeed should be able to use both according to the schematic.
And yes,press the CD button a second time to allow the auxiliary audio source to come through the stereo,in fact there's a adapter harness for the stock stereo you can connect up to 3 additional audio sources like,XM,Sirius and IPod for example.
Bill
__________________ 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3L 4x4 XLT 9th Annual Powerstroke Rally this Oct 3-5 2008 in Caddo Mills,Texas CLICK HERE for more Information & Register Here
Mine came in today and when hooked up to a 2004 6disc indash it doesnt work...well it does work but I loose the ability to hear the dvd player thru the head unit...also the sat radio sounds like crap..much better the way it was before (fm modulated)
I did use the directions and even called the tech support who verified part numbers and that it was correctly installed...go figure.
Question now is for those who do have 2003 or older with thte PIE, do you have the factory rear dvd? The instructions say 2003-2004 INdash cd changers will not work with this.
__________________ 2004 6.0l 4WD Limted Excursion
Road Armor Stealth Bumper with Titan Guard, BFG AT 305's, AR Mojave Teflon's, Tint, Stereo, Remote Start Alarm, Strobes,MBRP Turbo Back T-409 Stainless Steel Exhaust System, AFE Pro Guard 7 Mega System, Edge Insight, Coolant Filter, ARP Studs, Hybrid Turbo, EGR delete http://bbonepics.shutterfly.com/ 1999 Ford F250 CC LB 4x4 7.3L
DP F5, MBRP 4", AFE Satge II,Garrett Power Max Ball-Bearing Turbo,80hp injectors DM 3 pod, 95 Gallon Transfer/Toolbox Chest, BGF AT 295's, AR Mojave Teflon's,Tint, Road Armor Stealth Base Front Bumper with Lonestar Guard
[ QUOTE ]
Not to steal the thread but I have a quick question:
What does the cell phone harness do? Is it a factory part?
Thanks,
[/ QUOTE ]
Chris that'll put your cell phone audio over your stereo speakers [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
You can order that from your Ford dealer parts or 1stfordparts.com for example.
Bill
__________________ 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3L 4x4 XLT 9th Annual Powerstroke Rally this Oct 3-5 2008 in Caddo Mills,Texas CLICK HERE for more Information & Register Here
I bought the harness from Here. It automatically mutes your stereo audio source (AM, FM, CD, iPOD, Tape, etc) and lets the cell phone call be played over the speakers. I love it. There have been some people who figured out which wires to tap into but I took the lazy route [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
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West Deptford, Gloucester County, Southern New Jersey
2002 Black Excursion XLT 6.8L V10 ( Pics) - Timbrens, 2WD Lift Gate Struts, PIE adapter, Cell Phone Harness. 2002 Ford Explorer - Wifey's ride. 1999 Sunline T24 Saturn 25' TT (Pics) - Every option avail at the time.
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