Hey Everyone! I finally installed the kenwood DNX5120 w/Sirius SCC1 in my 05 escape thanks to the great advice of many of you here and as promised I'm creating a basic install guide with pics. So here it goes!
First the tools:
1. Dremel
2. Philips Screw driver
3. Small Shop vac
4. Garbage Bags
5. Credit card
6. Ford Stereo removal tool
Okay so the first pic is the whole where the factory stereo use to be. I outlined the whole with a plastic garbage bag to keep all the plastic chips from getting all over the place when dremeling. I dremeled the top part of plastic behind the initial whole. I made it even with the initial whole. I also dremeled out 2 notches on the left side so that the screws holding the brackets on the side of the kenwood unit could get by. It is a very tight fit!
Next I had to attach brackets to both sides. I bought a SCOSCHE FD1428B Ford install kit. Its not really meant for this vehicle but with a little modding you can make it work. I used the brackets that came with it and just cut about .5" off the top and bottom, I also cut the plastic around where the fan on the kenwood unit is to make sure the unit wouldn't over heat. I used the screws that came with the unit.
Next I mounted both the GPS antenna and the Sirius antenna. First the GPS went on the dash right in the center in that little nook, the cable was pushed down behind the dash between the dash and the window using a credit card, its real easy to just push it down in there, and then it is routed all the way over to the passenger side and in an opening on the passenger side door.
The Sirius antenna is mounted on the front passenger side. The cable is routed in the weather strip between the body and class all the way down the front and passenger side of the escape and then in through the passenger side door. Again I used a credit card to push the cable in the weather stripping.
Okay here is the passenger side dash where all the wires are routed too. There is a lot of room here so this is where i bundled up all the excess wire and wire tied them together. Then I wire tied them to the frame of the vehicle. Where the dash curves down towards the floor is a nice little gully or ravine for lack of better words. This is were I mounted the Sirius SCC1 tuner. I used double sided velcro to hold SCC1 to the dash here. Finally this is also where I grounded the parking brake (so my wife can change routes while driving). The frame support here has a few little wholes where you can simple use a little screw and nut to ground the wire.
From this point I had to route the GPS antenna and Sirius wires to the back of the unit. This was pretty simple to do, by running it behind the the glove box and right up the back of the kenwood unit. I used some wire tires to keep it neat and ran it right were the AM/FM antenna runs.
Finally I had to dremel or shave away at the bezel that came with the SCOSCHE FD1428B kit I bought from best buy. This probable took the longest because I wanted it to look good so I took my time. Plus the the top part of the bezel had to be shaved down pretty thin to make it fit. I'm not completely happy with the bezel and found one that I think will fit a little better its from an American International kit FMK552 so as soon as it arrives I'll try it out. I got it off of ebay.
And finally some pics of the final install!!!
And a pick of my new escape for good measure!
Okay now for the bad news! It was cold out so I wanted to do the work inside a garage. My wife has our garage filled with junk so that was out. My parents garage was the next best place so that's where i started the work. Got to the parents, no one home, so I pulled in and started the work. I had all my tools in the back so I opened the hatch and left it open so I can go back and grab what I needed. Mom came home not knowing I was in there and opened the garage, well with the hatch open and the garage being a smaller garage the support bar that pulls the garage door up put a nice scratch straight up the back tailgate! Moral of the story, make sure if your going to use some ones garage that they know your going to use it!
Well I hope this helps some out there! Thanks everyone who gave me advice and help!
