Adding "Factory" Navigation - It can be done!

[Aaleck]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to write up a little piece on my experience with adding "factory" navigation to MFT on my 15 Mustang. What it really boils down to is the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module). There are a few different options that you can do to accomplish this but in the end I chose to go with Jason from www.fordpimods.com since it was the easiest and most convenient route.

Out the door with shipping and an A6 navigational SD card (which holds the maps, etc) it was less than $600. The process is really straight forward. You take apart a part of your dash and remove the 8” screen and remove the APIM module that’s screwed to the back of it and mail it to Jason and he’ll do it work (all software – no hardware changes) and send it back right away. I shipped mine out and got it back with USPS in under a week.
After you get it back you install it back in your car you will notice that it will have the standard Ford blue oval start up that replaced the pony logo; Jason will also include a USB flash drive which you will need to install the 911 assist feature and also a file to reinstall the pony logo. This process is straight forward also. It’s just a matter of inserting the flash drive, going to the install application option and it takes care of everything for you there.
After this has been completed and you put your dash back together you’ll have navigation exactly like how it came from the factory. Normal updates and resetting the unit will not remove the navigation but if you take it in to Ford and they update it or anything there you could run into having to send your unit back to get it fixed up; I believe he will do it at little to no charge (besides shipping) but I’m not 100% sure on that one.

So if you’re looking for an easy way to get navigation this is what I would recommend. I’d be happy to answer any questions for anyone of if you wish you could email Jason at [email protected] and he’ll set you up; very nice guy!


(I included some photos; I will add a "after" picture tonight once I take one)

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[zackmd1]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to write up a little piece on my experience with adding "factory" navigation to MFT on my 15 Mustang. What it really boils down to is the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module). There are a few different options that you can do to accomplish this but in the end I chose to go with Jason from www.fordpimods.com since it was the easiest and most convenient route.

Out the door with shipping and an A6 navigational SD card (which holds the maps, etc) it was less than $600. The process is really straight forward. You take apart a part of your dash and remove the 8” screen and remove the APIM module that’s screwed to the back of it and mail it to Jason and he’ll do it work (all software – no hardware changes) and send it back right away. I shipped mine out and got it back with USPS in under a week.
After you get it back you install it back in your car you will notice that it will have the standard Ford blue oval start up that replaced the pony logo; Jason will also include a USB flash drive which you will need to install the 911 assist feature and also a file to reinstall the pony logo. This process is straight forward also. It’s just a matter of inserting the flash drive, going to the install application option and it takes care of everything for you there.
After this has been completed and you put your dash back together you’ll have navigation exactly like how it came from the factory. Normal updates and resetting the unit will not remove the navigation but if you take it in to Ford and they update it or anything there you could run into having to send your unit back to get it fixed up; I believe he will do it at little to no charge (besides shipping) but I’m not 100% sure on that one.

So if you’re looking for an easy way to get navigation this is what I would recommend. I’d be happy to answer any questions for anyone of if you wish you could email Jason at [email protected] and he’ll set you up; very nice guy!


(I included some photos; I will add a "after" picture tonight once I take one)

Glad to here you got it working! I have a request though! Could you by any chance take some pictures of the connections to the lcd? Maybe even the APIM connections? I am tying to see if there are any additional connections that the premiums have that the base models don't have.

 

[jmr061]

All MFT APIMs have the same connections regardless of what vehicle they are in. There are no extra connections based on the vehicle type.

If it has MFT they are all the same.

 

[zackmd1]

All MFT APIMs have the same connections regardless of what vehicle they are in. There are no extra connections based on the vehicle type.

If it has MFT they are all the same.

And this is why I am requesting pictures.... I want to see what the connections are to see if it is possible to swap the MTF into BASE model cars. Cars without MTF.

 

[jmr061]

Direct plug and play.....no. It would entail rewiring the interior of the car and undocumented programming changes to the vehicle. It would be a big undertaking.

 

[zackmd1]

Direct plug and play.....no. It would entail rewiring the interior of the car and undocumented programming changes to the vehicle. It would be a big undertaking.

I understand this... That is why I am asking for pictures... I want to see if there are just add-on harnesses (between screen and APIM) that can be added or if the entire dash harness is different. I am thinking the latter is true but would like to confirm. I doubt there would need to be any programing changes to the car itself.

 

[jmr061]

I understand this... That is why I am asking for pictures... I want to see if there are just add-on harnesses (between screen and APIM) that can be added or if the entire dash harness is different. I am thinking the latter is true but would like to confirm. I doubt there would need to be any programing changes to the car itself.

I suggest going to fordparts.com and pull up the different dash harnesses available for the 2015 Mustang and also getting access to the online service manual for it which has all the vehicle wiring diagrams.

You will have your answer rather quickly.

 

[Aaleck]

I'm with jmr061 on this one... but I did have these on my phone

 

[jmr061]

49 different dash wiring harnesses for the 2015 Mustang.

 

[ETCH]

Damn it, and I just spent 150 bucks on a Garmin wen I could have puled my dash apart, sent the unit back and waited a week...

im being sarcastic but I wouldn't use navigation that much to go through that much work and expense when a Garmin works just as well...

 

[Aaleck]

Damn it, and I just spent 150 bucks on a Garmin wen I could have puled my dash apart, sent the unit back and waited a week...

im being sarcastic but I wouldn't use navigation that much to go through that much work and expense when a Garmin works just as well...

It's all about perspective. Most people can justify $2000+ on wheels when their stock wheels work just as well; merely for aesthetics

 

[Blk2015GT]

It's cool you can do this.

Personally, Id be more interesting in something like Lockpick for cheaper allowing a smartphone to display on the MFT and use Google Maps which is always up to date.

Factory nav doesn't make much sense and goes out of date very quickly where you need to buy a new map SD card for $100-150 every year or 2. I understand more convenient, shows gas stations when you're low on fuel etc etc. Still not appealing though

 

[Lowrider]

It's cool you can do this.

Personally, Id be more interesting in something like Lockpick for cheaper allowing a smartphone to display on the MFT and use Google Maps which is always up to date.

Factory nav doesn't make much sense and goes out of date very quickly where you need to buy a new map SD card for $100-150 every year or 2. I understand more convenient, shows gas stations when you're low on fuel etc etc. Still not appealing though

Actually.. the factory nav has a 5 year trial Sirius Xm turn by turn traffic guide...So that is a big plus...Its not just a standard nav.

 

[Sc00ter]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to write up a little piece on my experience with adding "factory" navigation to MFT on my 15 Mustang. What it really boils down to is the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module). There are a few different options that you can do to accomplish this but in the end I chose to go with Jason from www.fordpimods.com since it was the easiest and most convenient route.

Out the door with shipping and an A6 navigational SD card (which holds the maps, etc) it was less than $600. The process is really straight forward. You take apart a part of your dash and remove the 8” screen and remove the APIM module that’s screwed to the back of it and mail it to Jason and he’ll do it work (all software – no hardware changes) and send it back right away. I shipped mine out and got it back with USPS in under a week.
After you get it back you install it back in your car you will notice that it will have the standard Ford blue oval start up that replaced the pony logo; Jason will also include a USB flash drive which you will need to install the 911 assist feature and also a file to reinstall the pony logo. This process is straight forward also. It’s just a matter of inserting the flash drive, going to the install application option and it takes care of everything for you there.
After this has been completed and you put your dash back together you’ll have navigation exactly like how it came from the factory. Normal updates and resetting the unit will not remove the navigation but if you take it in to Ford and they update it or anything there you could run into having to send your unit back to get it fixed up; I believe he will do it at little to no charge (besides shipping) but I’m not 100% sure on that one.

So if you’re looking for an easy way to get navigation this is what I would recommend. I’d be happy to answer any questions for anyone of if you wish you could email Jason at [email protected] and he’ll set you up; very nice guy!


(I included some photos; I will add a "after" picture tonight once I take one)

Thanks, Nick.

Once it's all back together, please let us know how long it took you to pull apart the dash, yank the module, then reinstall and add the pony+911 back and reassemble the dash.

And congrats on the update!
Scott

 

[Aaleck]

Attached is the after with "navigation" replacing "information"

Taking the apart the dash and yanking the module doesn't take that long...maybe 20 minutes. Maybe removing a dozen or so screws and pulling out a bunch of clips. Reinstalling 911 couldn't be easier, basically does it by itself. The whole process is very simple.

Thanks, Nick.

Once it's all back together, please let us know how long it took you to pull apart the dash, yank the module, then reinstall and add the pony+911 back and reassemble the dash.

And congrats on the update!
Scott

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