[Bthoward]

I am looking into upgrading my head unit. I have a 14 XLT that is just the single disc player. It does had Microsoft sync along with the steering wheel controls. I am wanting a double din touch screen, that will work with my steering wheel controls along with the microphone that is above the visior. What I am saying is I want to keep all the features that I currently have, is this possible?

 

[wizbangdoodle]

Yes. Most double dins have those features. Steering wheel controls usually require an adapter, but it is easily done.

 

[Devilduck48]

Wiz is correct, the adapter wires right into the unit and you retain all the associated controls. I added one to my truck with a Kenwood unit, its a separate adapter but installs really easy, next to the rear of the unit.

 

[Bthoward]

Do you know what adapter you used? Are you able to keep the use of the microphone above the visior?

 

[Devilduck48]

I am not sure its the exact same or not but looks like it I believe.

Metra Axxess ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface

I think you can go to METRA website you can pull up model specific on some things. I don't know if different brands need other part numbers or not.

 

[wizbangdoodle]

What DevilDuck said.


I purchased all my stuff from Crutchfield, so they fixed me up with any and all accessory stuff I needed such as the steering wheel controls. If you really want to know what to get, call their technical support line.

 

[Bthoward]

So I've been checking out crutch field and it seems like they have some good options. I have found a few head units that will plug into the obII port to monitor different things. My questions is, I have a mini maxx installed and plugged into the port, is it possible to have them both plugged into the same port at the same time?

 

[Devilduck48]

I am not sure what would plug into the obdII, all the wiring replaces your factory deck and the harnesses plug into your factor radio harness. I have not ran across anything that plugs into an obdII besides dtc readers or performance tuners. All of my stuff wires in the dash next to the nav unit.

I have a Kenwood DNX-892 really nice lots of options and adjustments.

 

[Bthoward]

Were you able to keep the ford sync option with this head unit? Were you also able to keep the use of the microphone above the drivers side visior?

 

[Bthoward]

There is a pioneer unit that will plug into the diagnostic port and show things like tire pressure, temps, ect on the screen of the head unit.

 

[wizbangdoodle]

There are also bluetooth OBDII devices that can connect to your phone and then you mirror them to the HU. Not sure about how well it works.

 

[Bthoward]

I just spoke with two different reps at crutchfield and they both stated that if I upgrade my head unit that I would loose the ford sync technology. They stated that I could keep the steering wheel controls but would loose all the ford voice activated stuff. I was under the impression that the iDatalink retained the voice controls along with the steering wheel controls. Is what they told me correct?

 

[Devilduck48]

I don't have sync on mine, so I am unsure. my deck came with the mic but its possible the factory mic may be a plug that can directly plug into a new deck. Crutchfield knows their stuff so I am willing to bet they are correct.

 

[wizbangdoodle]

My truck is an '08 that did not have Sync. We also have a '13 Edge with all the Sync system stuff etc etc. My new HU will do everything that the Edge will do AND does it better IMO. The voice recognition is far better and using navigation with Android Auto is head and shoulders above the system in the Edge.

My opinion is, you're not really losing anything by losing the Sync system. As a matter of fact, it will be better.

 

[Cowcop]

Have to agree with wizbangdoodle. My SYNC was lost when I upgraded to a KENWOOD unit but it was not a "loss". The SYNC worked so poorly that it was a complete nuisance.

 

[Gummer350]

I just spoke with two different reps at crutchfield and they both stated that if I upgrade my head unit that I would loose the ford sync technology. They stated that I could keep the steering wheel controls but would loose all the ford voice activated stuff. I was under the impression that the iDatalink retained the voice controls along with the steering wheel controls. Is what they told me correct?

Ive seen 2 you tube vids that show voice and sync is retained with the idatalink....

Im trying to find a aftermarket radio too but i dont understand why there is 50 different touch screen kenwoods i cant even tell what the difference is other than some have nav others dont... there seems to be a very large grey area as to what will work and what don't

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[wizbangdoodle]

I had the same problem with Pioneer. It's not real clear why one unit is better than another. I just went with a unit that I felt had the options I needed, but none of the frills I didn't.

 

[Devilduck48]

I know my unit has a lot of additional settings I don't use but it has the GPS front and back camera options, dvd, Bluetooth, and soo much more.. I don't use half of the stuff optioned but if you are custom tuning your stereo and all that its got special tuning for that as well. It is all preference really.

 

[Bthoward]

I just went with the pioneer avic 7100nex. Mainly went with this unit because Amazon had them on sale for $750, they are $1200 at Best Buy. This unit has everything you could ever ask for. I used the idata link equipment and retained the factory sync and voice control options. It's actually pretty simple to do yourself.