[shanes]

Ok peeps, I did a little thinking which can be dangerous . Currently I have the Escape sound deaden in all four doors with 2 sets of JL 570 C2's. I will be returning the front set to get a set of C3 components for the front.
I've also decided to cut to the chase and go for a nav deck rather than clean up the signal of the stocker and adding an amp to it.

Two nav decks I'm interested in are and advantages to each I see are as follows:
Kenwood DNX6960
. 3 sets of 5v outs
. Garmin nav which I love
. Has 22 watts RMS for keeping me happy until adding amps later
. 2 year warranty on excelon products
. Seems to not have voice control for iPod but for everything else

Pioneer Avic x910BT:
. 2.2 v preouts
. 14 watts rms.
. Has voice control for everything.
. Seems to be a little less expensive

I like both these units because they have the exposed disc slot and rotary vol knob.

Anyone who has or knowsanything abouteither of these units please let me know which is actually better or anything else that might be good, I see JVC has a pretty nice one too. My only concern about kenwood is that I heard they had some reliability issues in the past. Pioneer has always been great.

 

[fourthmeal]

The X910 is more mod-able, but I'd probably try the Kenwood the next time around.

Alternately, you can also go with the AV-H series 3200 or 4200 and order the nav kit. I know I like my 3200DVD in my acura a lot more than the Avic 900 in my Tribute. A LOT more.

 

[shanes]

Thanks fourthmeal, I think after a little more research this afternoon it's looking more like the 910 is the unit of choice because pandora with my iPhone, and the better voice command for audio stuff. Tge kenwood seems to have some better performance features such as the higher preouts, rms wattage and better EQ. That Pandora is a big bonus that's leaning me away from the Kennwood, damn tough choice.

I noticed you got the oem piano black bezel, what else did you have to get to make the unit look really nice in the dash?

 

[shanes]

Also just found out that kenwood is about the only company left who is boot CEA compliant so after reading about what that means, its 22 watts rms and 5 v preouts could be rated at 14.4 instead of 12 volts.

 

[fourthmeal]

Mine just looks like this:

I don't know if I told you before, but it bears mentioning that this kit is not as strong as the stock plastic, therefore while driving the entire dash structure moves a little bit, and if you push with your hands, the plastic flexes a bit. End result: the weight of the unit (these are heavy) is probably too much for the plastic, while smaller units might be OK.

 

[shanes]

Its all ordered, I went with the factory piano black nav bezel from an online ford parts dealer, here it is for anyone who is interested:

http://www.partswebsite.com/fordpartsde ... chall=test

I also got the kit for 04 up F-150's for the trim ring that will match the hole in the OEM nav bezel.

Also I went with the AVIC x920BT, and the MS-FRD1 like sinistermob did, Crutchfield made a few concessions, got the MS-FRD1 for $99, and after the $100 rebate the AVIC will be $800, plus they threw in an ipod cable, free pioneer premier 6 1/2 speakers which I don't need, but I'll sell them. All with free shipping, and piece of mind that they have a great return policy for DOA's. I know I could of got the AVIC a little cheaper, but the freebies, and free shipping made it all work out. Crutchfield is usually pretty fast, probably have it all by Wednesday, and hope to get the bezel by next weekend and this will be all done by then. :yes:

For now I'll be running the JL C2's off head unit power, with the harness to the factory sub. I do want to drop in a set of JL components up front, then when the time comes it will be amp time with a decent sub.

4thmeal, I hope mine comes out looking as clean as your install, looks great!

Item Description Ship Qty B/O Qty Price Amount
130AVIC920 Pioneer AVIC-X920BT DVD/Navigation Receiver
What's Included 1 0 899.99 899.99
541MSFRD1 PAC MS-FRD1 Ford Sync Radio Replacement interface
What's Included 1 0 99.99 99.99
607SCC1 SiriusConnect SC-C1 Universal Vehicle Tuner
What's Included 1 0 49.99 49.99
130CDSB10 Pioneer CD-SB10 SiriusConnect to IP-Bus Interface
What's Included 1 0 69.99 69.99
469USB50V P.I.E. PIO/USB-50V iPod cable for AVH-P3100DVD/AVIC-Z110BT 0 1 0.00 0.00
120955812 Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Kit Late Models, DD 1 0 12.99 12.99
127SWIPS PAC SWI-PS - Pioneer and Sony Steering Wheel Radio Control Interface
What's Included 1 0 69.99 69.99
0000190014 Ford Escape 2008- MS 1 0 0.00 0.00
0000190139 FORD FULL SIZE PICKUP 04- MS 1 0 0.00 0.00
142FD1436B Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Ma Tribute Kit 2008-Up, I, DD 1 0 0.00 0.00
12040CR10 Chrysler Antenna Adapter Motorola M to OEM antenna F
What's Included 1 0 0.00 0.00

 

[fourthmeal]

Can you re-check your link to the factory part? I'm showing a dead link. I waited 3 months for this part to come out when I finally broke down and ordered the Metra kit. You guys have it easy you know... trying to install a system now is a cakewalk compared with how it was when this vehicle first came out. When it first launched, there was no wiring kit, no harnesses, no pac adapters that I know of, etc.

Its not fun being an "early modifier", IMO.

 

[shanes]

Can you re-check your link to the factory part? I'm showing a dead link. I waited 3 months for this part to come out when I finally broke down and ordered the Metra kit. You guys have it easy you know... trying to install a system now is a cakewalk compared with how it was when this vehicle first came out. When it first launched, there was no wiring kit, no harnesses, no pac adapters that I know of, etc.

Its not fun being an "early modifier", IMO.

Sorry about that, in the part search box just in "navigation bezel" you will see a choice for limited or xlt. Limited is the glossy black. I called them to verify and it is defiantly the piece we need.

Lol you are right, PAC seems be a great product. I am not a big fan of chopping wires in a brand new truck, I've installed a hand full of systems in the past, mostly Japanese cars and none of which that had CAN buses or RAP feature. Intact I remember when I had a 2001 jetta the dealer would not hook it up to their diag computer I'd an aftermarket HU was in the dash. They were in fear of an incorrect connection to the can bus that would blow out their unit I guess. I didn't even want to touch that car and stayed pretty happy with the monsoon system. Thank god for PAC is all I have to say, didn't know about them back then.

 

[shanes]

I just recieved the panel today and the part # is 8L8Z-7804302-EA. I installed the 920bt yesterday and everything came out STELLAR. I'll do a write up on it with the pics I took along the way this weekend.