Stereo base 4.3" head unit upgrade: Ideas? Plans?***

[aggieStang]

Also, i just ordered my screen and apim. Gonna see if its plug and play or a nightmare. I know all the connections are the same, but im worried the harnesses are different. If so, i may be investing in the service manual and making my own jumper to replace what is missing from my harness

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[Valley Boy]

last night I went to a dealer, saw a 2015 6 cyl...this was on the sticker:

AM/FM CD/MP3/SAT CAPABL W/ AUD INPUT JACK...the salesman and I got in the car turned on the radio...no sirius xm...went to the service dept...manager says he has to call the factory...waiting for an answer.

Sat capable just means it needs to be activated in the computer. thats the kind of stuff im working on right now. Unlocking all of the features in the BCM

Wrong. If you want to add satellite radio, you need to change the head unit out, and run an additional antenna. I have just been through this, and it wasn't nearly as easy as they make it sound. you can't just activate it in the BCM, or plug in a module.

 

[zackmd1]

Also, i just ordered my screen and apim. Gonna see if its plug and play or a nightmare. I know all the connections are the same, but im worried the harnesses are different. If so, i may be investing in the service manual and making my own jumper to replace what is missing from my harness

Excellent! I am thinking that the screen will be missing its harness. Other then that you would only need small things like the GPS antenna and SD card reader (if nav). If you don't mind me by asking... How much is this costing you?

 

[aggieStang]

Wrong. If you want to add satellite radio, you need to change the head unit out, and run an additional antenna. I have just been through this, and it wasn't nearly as easy as they make it sound. you can't just activate it in the BCM, or plug in a module.

Was yours already sat capable though? I know my ford truck was not sat capable and required all the extras, but i assumed if it said capable it just needed to be activated.

 

[aggieStang]

Excellent! I am thinking that the screen will be missing its harness. Other then that you would only need small things like the GPS antenna and SD card reader (if nav). If you don't mind me by asking... How much is this costing you?

The screen and apim replace the black sync module. So the base plugs are the same as the premium, but idk if all the pin outs are the same.

costs:
$230 - premium panel
$145 - screen+apim

Thats it so far.

 

[zackmd1]

The screen and apim replace the black sync module. So the base plugs are the same as the premium, but idk if all the pin outs are the same.

costs:
$230 - premium panel
$145 - screen+apim

Thats it so far.

Where the hell did you find them so cheap!? The cheapest I have seen just the panel was $540...

 

[Valley Boy]

Was yours already sat capable though? I know my ford truck was not sat capable and required all the extras, but i assumed if it said capable it just needed to be activated.

Yep, mine also said satellite capable on the window sticker. No one at the dealership seemed to know what needed to be done to actually add the satellite radio. It took a couple of days, and a lot of phone calls, but they finally figured it out. Apparently they had never done it before. The faceplate stays the same, but they actually had to change out the head unit behind it.

 

[Ericc B]

Sub'd

 

[davekro]

Does 'Speaker Only' mod give significant sound quality improvement?

Have folks doing 'speaker only' mods to base stereo units noticed a significant improvement in sound quality? I have strong concern that GIGO (garbage in garbage out) would be a big limiting factor.

Can someone with a better understanding of our base OEM head units theoretical sound quality out put to that of a quality aftermarket radio (like Pioneer AVIC-8100NEX) give a laymans example of the probable difference?
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...X/AVIC-8100NEX

I plan to have my Mustang for 12+ years so I may be open to the more expensive route, even if I have to wait a year. But is the possible sound quality difference really worth the wait and extra expense.

The Chinese Ebay screen option seems interesting, if it turns out to exist. And at $400 ish cost, way better than +/- $1,000for an actual stereo head unit PLUS $400 ish for a maybe down the road bezel w/ (wiggy?) A/C controls.

But my main reason for considering a V6 base stereo change was to get better sound quality and control to push higher quality speakers. The 'idea' of more visual capability and audio options is nice, but...

I wanted to post here, as opposed to the speaker only change thread to get opinions of people who seem already set on keeping the OEM head unit and it's sound quality.

 

[aggieStang]

Yep, mine also said satellite capable on the window sticker. No one at the dealership seemed to know what needed to be done to actually add the satellite radio. It took a couple of days, and a lot of phone calls, but they finally figured it out. Apparently they had never done it before. The faceplate stays the same, but they actually had to change out the head unit behind it.

Good to know. Thanks

 

[aggieStang]

Where the hell did you find them so cheap!? The cheapest I have seen just the panel was $540...

Just find one of the ebay listings that didnt sell and messaage the seller an offer. Thats what i did.

 

[zackmd1]

Just find one of the ebay listings that didnt sell and messaage the seller an offer. Thats what i did.

Ahh got it. Thanks for the info! Looking forward to what you find.

 

[aggieStang]

Ahh got it. Thanks for the info! Looking forward to what you find.

I hope it comes in before the weekend. If so, there will be a major update. I got the tracking info today. Just gotta wait for it to update. If u want one of the panels, i will throw the next good one your way.

 

[davekro]

I'm hoping for a lot of options as far as double-din installs go since this is not a global car and I'm sure the european and asian markets will have something as well.

Guessing you meant... "is now a global car."

I hope the new over seas markets help create aftermarket base stereo upgrade options. Maybe when those markets have had Mustangs for a year and the U.S. for two years by this time next year, we hopefully see some stuff come available. :shrug:

 

[ronnieb1958]

Yep, mine also said satellite capable on the window sticker. No one at the dealership seemed to know what needed to be done to actually add the satellite radio. It took a couple of days, and a lot of phone calls, but they finally figured it out. Apparently they had never done it before. The faceplate stays the same, but they actually had to change out the head unit behind it.

so, does the dealer do the work of changing the head unit?...do you have to order from the factory?...how does much does the dealer charge?

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