[MrCreosote]

Want to see if same part number used for standard w/o sub and premium sound w/sub.
Thanks

 

[bluto]

The version with sub has a third plug on the back where the sub is connected. The ACM will work fine without a sub connected to it.

 

[MrCreosote]

The version with sub has a third plug on the back where the sub is connected. The ACM will work fine without a sub connected to it.
View attachment 3241

Thanks for the pic.l
I removed the entire Audiophile Sound from an 08 Mariner: ACM, Speakers, Sub assembly thinking I would install all that in my 2010 XLT to get the upgrade.

But The Problem is that when I checked the As Built parameters, the 08 had something like 4 addresses specified where my 10 had maybe 16 - so I'm suspecting they are different and swapping won't be possible even if I tried to set the AsBuilt with FORscan

However, The Solution might be that Ford used the same ACM for all sound systems meaning I could hook up the sub, and switch some AsBuilt param in my 10 OE ACM and be in business. I know that with the sub, the EQ will have to be changed since the basic system has "boomy" bass in the doors.

I would post on the FORscan site but you have to buy the unit or sign up for a time limited free trial. I don't want to buy if it won't work, and I'm moving very slowly on this, so the free trail period would most likely expire before I could figure out my options.

 

[Squirrel]

Thanks for the pic.l
I removed the entire Audiophile Sound from an 08 Mariner: ACM, Speakers, Sub assembly thinking I would install all that in my 2010 XLT to get the upgrade.

But The Problem is that when I checked the As Built parameters, the 08 had something like 4 addresses specified where my 10 had maybe 16 - so I'm suspecting they are different and swapping won't be possible even if I tried to set the AsBuilt with FORscan

However, The Solution might be that Ford used the same ACM for all sound systems meaning I could hook up the sub, and switch some AsBuilt param in my 10 OE ACM and be in business. I know that with the sub, the EQ will have to be changed since the basic system has "boomy" bass in the doors.

I would post on the FORscan site but you have to buy the unit or sign up for a time limited free trial. I don't want to buy if it won't work, and I'm moving very slowly on this, so the free trail period would most likely expire before I could figure out my options.

It isn't worth all that. Go aftermarket. The factory is at best, mediocre.

 

[MrCreosote]

P&P had a sale $5 for radios and speakers. got everything for $30 (they charged me $5 for the entire sub enclosure w/speaker and amp. I got the correct color sub interior trim panel for about $10

I get a kick adding factory options.

I don't like blowing $$$ on a sound system and then it goes with the car.

Mediocre is fine, if it's significantly better than the base system, I'll be happy.

What I don't like about the base system is that they tuned it for boomy door bass which I totally hate because it is muddy AF. I have the Bass set at -50% (adjustment range I'm calling -100% to +100%)

Even if I would add an aftermarket sub, I'd have to solve the door problem with the deep, boomy bass. Have to buy probably EQ box and wire all that in. NO NO NO (But there may be a FORscan As Built setting for the ACM that will have EQ for the Premium Sound w/Sub.)

 

[bluto]

I removed the entire Audiophile Sound from an 08 Mariner: ACM, Speakers, Sub assembly thinking I would install all that in my 2010 XLT to get the upgrade.

But The Problem is that when I checked the As Built parameters, the 08 had something like 4 addresses specified where my 10 had maybe 16 - so I'm suspecting they are different and swapping won't be possible even if I tried to set the AsBuilt with FORscan

Do you have SYNC? I think that might be the only major obstacle for running an '08 ACM in a '10 Escape. In my '08 I did the unofficial Sync upgrade that required a '09+ ACM in order for Sync to work. There are no issues running this newer ACM in my '08. So going backwards is probably OK as well. Also if your '10 radio has Sirius you will lose that as well since in '08 the Sirius receiver was in a separate module under the passenger seat.

So as long as the Audiophile ACM does not require the external amplifier for the main speakers I would say go for it. The only real headache will be installing the wiring from the sub to get the sub connector to the back of the radio area.

Don't get too worried about setting the AsBuilt data in the '08 radio. The AsBuilt enables/disable software options in the radio mainly for optional features. Stuff like whether or not the steering wheel radio control buttons are installed or not. This is 99% likely already turned on for a Audiophile setup. If your '10 does not have the buttons on the steering wheel, the ACM won't complain, there just will be a DTC set that indicates a circuit failure for the buttons. And then you have another project to swap the steering wheel to add another factory option!

 

[MrCreosote]

Do you have SYNC? I think that might be the only major obstacle for running an '08 ACM in a '10 Escape. In my '08 I did the unofficial Sync upgrade that required a '09+ ACM in order for Sync to work. There are no issues running this newer ACM in my '08. So going backwards is probably OK as well. Also if your '10 radio has Sirius you will lose that as well since in '08 the Sirius receiver was in a separate module under the passenger seat.

So as long as the Audiophile ACM does not require the external amplifier for the main speakers I would say go for it. The only real headache will be installing the wiring from the sub to get the sub connector to the back of the radio area.

Don't get too worried about setting the AsBuilt data in the '08 radio. The AsBuilt enables/disable software options in the radio mainly for optional features. Stuff like whether or not the steering wheel radio control buttons are installed or not. This is 99% likely already turned on for a Audiophile setup. If your '10 does not have the buttons on the steering wheel, the ACM won't complain, there just will be a DTC set that indicates a circuit failure for the buttons. And then you have another project to swap the steering wheel to add another factory option!

I don't have SYNC in my '10 (but my neighbor's '12 does and I wouldn't mind having that (!)
I do have SIRI but don't use it.

Running a newer ACM in an older car might be more likely to work - less parameters used in the early car. The 08 As Built params have 4 addresses set, my 10 has around 16. Even if it wouldn't work, I'm curious to buy the FORscan device to see just what stuff I can change in mine.

Audiophile system does not have an external amp, but the 08 ACM unit has diagonal supports to hold the back up (I've seen videos of people removing ACM's and they do not have these supports. So the 08 ACM might be different possibly having more power for system.

Yeah, I'd have to do the wiring from the sub. I have the EO looms to get connectors from. I even took the entire sub harness for the 08 - was bitch to remove the SIRI connector which snaked around brackets and console.

I do have buttons on the steering wheel. So the 08 may not support these?

I strongly suspect the ACM is the same part number for both audio systems.

• The basic system has powerful boomy bass in the front doors, I'm pretty sure this is not the case with the powered sub present so no extra power needed.
• If Audiophile system had more power, that would brag about that in the sales brochure (they don't.)
• So the only change would be an EQ setting in the AS Built. I read a post in an F150 forum and they had something like 6 different equalization choices in an AB variable. Having various EQ settings in ACM would not add much cost to it - not worth having new part # for Audiophile/Premium sound.
• Since sub powered, more power from ACM not needed
• I have a request for someone to check the ACM part number(s) for the '10 XLT - that will tell a lot.

 

[bluto]

I think you are right that there is not a separate part # for the audiophile version. My '08 originally came with a 6 disc changer ACM (no sub or the third connector for it) and no steering wheel buttons. Based on that I am going to say that there were three part numbers for the non-nav ACMs in '08: 1. Single disc, 2 6-disc w/o sub, 3. 6-disc w/sub (audiophile?). And maybe the audiophile upgrade is just some different speakers (separate tweeters in the front doors) along with a tweaked EQ setting in the AsBuilt data? Unfortunately I can't seem find much info what can be changed in the AsBuilt settings for Escape ACMs of '08-'09-'10 vintage.

As you noted a '10 ACM is somewhat different/more advanced. '08 was a transitional year for the Escape and many things were one off for that year only (the V6 engine and transmission being the most significant). In '09 they started supporting Sync, included the Sirius radio receiver inside the ACM, etc. so that accounts for the extra AsBuilt params.

But I still think an '08 ACM would work in a '10 given that these systems are very primitive when compared to a current model vehicle. The physical connectors are all the same and the only dependencies the ACM has is to the radio controls button module and the FDIM for display readout. They all just talk on the MSCAN bus and don't interact with any other modules.

Oh and also be sure to change the 'Welcome String' in the FDIM so you can start enjoying the Audiophile experience before you start swapping parts . My now says "FORD ESCAPE AUDIOPHILE" when I turn the key on and I swear that makes the system sound better without even having a sub

 

[MrCreosote]

I think you are right that there is not a separate part # for the audiophile version. My '08 originally came with a 6 disc changer ACM (no sub or the third connector for it) and no steering wheel buttons. Based on that I am going to say that there were three part numbers for the non-nav ACMs in '08: 1. Single disc, 2 6-disc w/o sub, 3. 6-disc w/sub (audiophile?). And maybe the audiophile upgrade is just some different speakers (separate tweeters in the front doors) along with a tweaked EQ setting in the AsBuilt data? Unfortunately I can't seem find much info what can be changed in the AsBuilt settings for Escape ACMs of '08-'09-'10 vintage.

As you noted a '10 ACM is somewhat different/more advanced. '08 was a transitional year for the Escape and many things were one off for that year only (the V6 engine and transmission being the most significant). In '09 they started supporting Sync, included the Sirius radio receiver inside the ACM, etc. so that accounts for the extra AsBuilt params.

But I still think an '08 ACM would work in a '10 given that these systems are very primitive when compared to a current model vehicle. The physical connectors are all the same and the only dependencies the ACM has is to the radio controls button module and the FDIM for display readout. They all just talk on the MSCAN bus and don't interact with any other modules.

Oh and also be sure to change the 'Welcome String' in the FDIM so you can start enjoying the Audiophile experience before you start swapping parts . My now says "FORD ESCAPE AUDIOPHILE" when I turn the key on and I swear that makes the system sound better without even having a sub

View attachment 3256

Thanks for the info.

The Mariner '08 that I tool the entire Audiophile system from obviously had the 3 connectors on the ACM.

But how do you tell if it has a single of 6-cd changer?

It's possible the .08 ACM is a bastard. Yes there may be 3 variants, but they may not be upward compatible.

And I've seen pics of ACM that do not have the sub connector. So I'm guessing my '10 will not have it.

I'd still like someone to answer my post regarding the ACM part numbers for 2010.

 

[danfbh]

Hello All,

Now I do have a question... I have an 08 with 6cd changer with mp3... I want the sync feature on my 08, so the question is, besides the actual unit (radio) what else do I need to pull from a 09-12 to make it work? Also, mine doesn't have the steering wheel buttons but could I just swap the latter model steering wheel with audio control and will it work ?
I have also updated the Welcome Screen message on mine and I too swear the sound is better, even if I had not updated any speakers on the car itself hehe

 

[MrCreosote]

Hello All,

Now I do have a question... I have an 08 with 6cd changer with mp3... I want the sync feature on my 08, so the question is, besides the actual unit (radio) what else do I need to pull from a 09-12 to make it work? Also, mine doesn't have the steering wheel buttons but could I just swap the latter model steering wheel with audio control and will it work ?
I have also updated the Welcome Screen message on mine and I too swear the sound is better, even if I had not updated any speakers on the car itself hehe

I ran across threads of people adding SYNC. Seems to be a lot more popular than upgrading to Premium Sound (!)