Question about Swapping Factory Stereo

[Ratchet81]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some knowledge about swapping factory stereos and programming requirements. I have a 2008 Explorer Eddie Bauer with the stock cd stereo (non touch screen), with XM (separate module..?). I am curious about swapping this unit out with a factory touch screen unit from the same era. I like the factory look, and the aftermarket deck I tried a few years ago was glitchy with the steering wheel controls. The problem is, I have no idea if the standard CD decks and touch screen decks are swappable with the same factory harness connectors, or if I would then need to have the touchscreen unit programmed at the dealer after install.

If this is not an option, are there any aftermarket units that work like factory with the steering wheel controls (no having to press buttons on the unit to hang up a call), and maybe a way to reuse the factory microphone?

 

[I bleed Ford Blue]

I have the factory touch screen with nav in my 2010 and I hate it. With buttons down both sides and across the top and a cd slot what could have been a 7" touchscreen is down to about 5.25 to 5.5" the small screen makes it hard to read and hard to use.

Talk to Critchfield and tell them what you want and what you have and they can set you up with everything you need. The modern steering wheel interfaces are lightyears ahead of what they were just 5 years ago. You can even get an interface to use the original sync system if you want to.