2006 OEM Navigation in a non-stock navigation Explorer?

[4seamed]

I have a 2006 Explorer XLT, and it didn't come with a navigation. Can I buy a used OEM navigation unit for a 2006 Explorer and just plug and play now?

 

[banditxp]

from what i have read its no plug and play and your better off getting a double din aftermarket one that will be way better then factory nav and sound quality.

 

[4seamed]

I completely agree, but I'm going to pay more than double what I have found the OEM (used) navigation for. Don't think I have a choice though, unless someone on here has some magic tricks.

 

[matsavol]

If you find used OEM nav unit that is taken from Explorer having same audio system and same steering wheel control buttons then it probably works as plug and play. (Don't forget you need to get GPS antenna too.)

I have put nav unit taken from Fivehundred and it required reprogramming to get the steering wheel buttons working.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

If you find used OEM nav unit that is taken from Explorer having same audio system and same steering wheel control buttons then it probably works as plug and play. (Don't forget you need to get GPS antenna too.)

I have put nav unit taken from Fivehundred and it required reprogramming to get the steering wheel buttons working.

It might get tricky because the clusters on the explorers have coded parts numbers as w/message center w/o nav, w/message center w/nav, w/o message center w/nav and w/o message w/o nav..... after all this work you may end up with something ford cant program and a truck that cant run.... even the cheap-O nav double dins for $300 and under is a better option because you know what the outcome will be.... Im just going to go with the jensen VX7020

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_77219_Jensen-VX7020.html

 

[4seamed]

It might get tricky because the clusters on the explorers have coded parts numbers as w/message center w/o nav, w/message center w/nav, w/o message center w/nav and w/o message w/o nav..... after all this work you may end up with something ford cant program and a truck that cant run.... even the cheap-O nav double dins for $300 and under is a better option because you know what the outcome will be.... Im just going to go with the jensen VX7020

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_77219_Jensen-VX7020.html

Exactly- and I'm rolling w/o steering wheel controls, w/o message center, and w/o navigation, so plug and play likely isn't an option. Do you need a separate antennae with the Jensen VX7020? That looks like a great option.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

Exactly- and I'm rolling w/o steering wheel controls, w/o message center, and w/o navigation, so plug and play likely isn't an option. Do you need a separate antennae with the Jensen VX7020? That looks like a great option.

it comes with gps antenna and hands free mic for phone.... I bought the lower end model for my Girl Friend's trailblazer almost same thing but no navi and it has worked flawless... I want the navi and the 10 band EQ plus this one has 6v preouts and the lower one only has 4v preouts...if you buy from sonic they throw in the dash kit for $1. you will also need antenna adapter "Scosche CRAB / CRA" for $4.99... do not buy the Axxess XSVI-5521-NAV addon unless you need to retain steering wheel controls "$49.99" I have a thread where I added back retained accessory power "RAP" with adding 1 wire, instead buy "Metra 70-5520" $7.99 this works on all 06-10 explorers... I bought it when I put my single din into my 2007..... you can get these 2 things for a few bucks less off ebay... but its better for all the items to be in the same box so you can install right away

 

[08Exploder]

i did this recently on my 08 same as 06. i got an eBay navigation radio it was for an 08 f150 paid 300 for it. i bought an aftermarket gps antenna on eBay for 25 mounted it above the radio under the pass airbag light. The only complication you will have is you have to pay 100 to ship it out to a company called united radio there was a eBay posting for it actually you pay shipping out though and they program it as built to you vin so it will communicate with all the modules if you don't do this you won't have dim feature lights on the radio steering wheel controls and aux input if have it and radio won't update time and date and won't be able to store stations cause its stored on another module.

so for like 450 you get a factory radio and looks much better than a half a** aftermarket with cheep wires and connectors.

Tom

 

[MotorCityFats13]

spending over $450 you can get kenwood, pioneer or alpine navi unit that look hands down better than the stock heads... jump it up to $600 and get headunit with app control and features that no stocker offers... some people want a very budget friendly route and function is paramount over form

 

[08Exploder]

That will last 2 years before your iPhone no longer will work with it do to updates in os I have aftermarket 2k watt system in my grandprix and every 2-3 years have to replace the head unit do to failing or have to trace a wire that has wiggled free from a butt comector does it sound great o yeah it does but is it worth the head ache idk anymore I'm all for stock because when your car doesn't start anymore and you take it to a shop and they see you hack jobed the wiring on your radio they will say take to dealer and when you take it to dealer they will say well we need to replace the unit with the correct head unit before going any further. I never said this was the route that someone had to go but simply answered the question can it be done yes. If someone wants to spend 400 to put in a aftermarket so be it but if they want that factory look and reliability and be able to buy map updates last kenwood I had I bought 3 years ago and guess what stopped support for iPhone 5 only 4s and back worked and I I didn't buy the one with navigation cause I used my phone navi and put it through the screen couldn't do that anymore at least with ford every year they come out with an updated map disk and to my surprise I was able to get it for 50 bucks compared to 250 from ford.

Tom

 

[MotorCityFats13]

you are right about that.. i didnt figure in "hack" installs... most people can revert back to stock by just unplugging one pigtail and popping the stock headunit back in

 

[08Exploder]

Well when you start buying harnesses and special modules to retain steering wheel controls on top of spending 600 for a car play head unit and taping into the phone button and using the mic in the rear view mirror which I wouldn't even know how you could so you would have to remotely mount a little mic somewhere and if you install a back up camera how you going to tap into reverse lights with out a special harness with out that you have to cut into it and it gets to be a head ache to be able to use all the features it offers now if this was a 2000 explorer it's much easier no can bus systems and hard to figure out modules. And in some cars you take out the head unit when you leave headlights on that noise to tell you that you left it on when you leave car actually talks to the radio to send a audio signal to the driver speaker and same with turn signals it's just a world of trouble when you do things aftermarket sometimes we luck out I know I did doing that rear diff it turned out to be a direct fit I did use a ford part though but it was for a 2003 mustang. Not everyone is going to be going for the perfect repair I was reading on this form someone stuck a dowel in the hvac to get the vents open is that a repair yeah would I do that no but for a temp fix to get me through a winter yeah it's a great idea we all have our thoughts and opinions and hopefully someone can make a decision based on 2 sides not just 1 and that's what is good about these forms there is more than one way to fix something.

Tom

 

[08Exploder]

But yeah I wouldn't do a hack install my Grand Prix has a separate harness for the radio and I have my stock unit sitting in a box if I ever want to back to it or sell it etc some people man I seen wires twisted together and electricl tape around it someone did that to my 97 explorer on the maf sensor it drove me nuts to figure out till I started tracing wires and saw that man I lost it lol

Tom

 

[MotorCityFats13]

if you dont care or have SWC's the harness for 02-10 fords only costs $4.99... and RAP can be added back for less than $1.00... I didnt fall for all the over priced BS and I have not 1 wire spliced

 

[08Exploder]

I have used the aftermarket harnesses to find pins pulled through the comector do to poor manufactured parts when your spending 1 dollar for a harness when ford spends way more than a 1 dollar gets you thinking. I just spent the last hour removing an aftermarket alarm system which I have no idea why it was installed to begin with all it was was just an extra alarm well guess how the wires where installed! Spliced with a razor and then twisted over it and electric tape guess what will happen in 7 years when the wires corrode and start dealing with intermittent problems down the line there are no scematics from ford for installing aftermarket parts so when you have a problem 7 years from now and have to trace wires you messed with 7 years ago it's going to be a big head ache even if you use connectors and harnesses your going to tell me pins don't get loose?

All I'm saying is everyone has there opinion to you it may be bs but to others seems worth it the original poster wouldn't have thought of using an oem unit then if you ask ford to install this unit they want 1600 plus labor cause it's considered an upgrade which is practically they same price of you added it on new so in all consideration spending 450 to have an upgraded ford option sure beats 1600!

Tom