Installing a factory navigation unit in an 04 to 08 F150
08-28-2015, 07:02 AM
#1
Moderator (Ret.)
Thread Starter
Installing a factory navigation unit in an 04 to 08 F150
Buying a stock radio/navigation unit from an 06 to 08 F150 (or other Ford vehicle) and installing into your 04 to 07 F150 is an easy swap. It requires the head unit (radio/navigation system), the GPS antenna, and possibly a radio antenna adaptor, as the 2006 and up radios changed the antenna plug that's used. If you have a 2004 to early 2006 F150 and buy a radio or radio/navigation unit from a late 2006 and up F150, you'll need this radio antenna adaptor, easily available at any stereo installation shop or online store for about 12 bucks.
As to the reprogramming that some posts have mentioned about with these factory navigation units, there's lots of confusion here. I've bought navigation units from an F150, and from a Lincoln. The difference is going to be what shows up on the screen as the unit powers up. The screen may show "F150", or the Ford oval logo, or possibly other model names such as "Lincoln", but this does not effect the units operation at all, just the momentary screen on power up.
Also, the options that came with the unit may or may not be "turned on", and if wanted, may need to be flashed to enable. The radio/navigation units with the F150's were primarily just that: radio and navigation, however, there were additional options that could be enabled, and these are what folks talk about that require that the radio be "flashed" to enable them. The radio/navigation units that came with a Lincoln may have had these other options already turned on, such as DVD capability to the overhead console screen for the rear passengers, and/or hands free (Bluetooth) capability to sync with your cell phone, so they will work in your F150. There may be other options as well.
These factory Ford radio/navigation units were made by Pioneer, and as such, sold as Pioneer AVIC units to the general public that could be installed in any car that accepted a double DIN radio.
As to the purchase of a GPS antenna, buying one for a Pioneer AVIC will work in your F150, as long as it has the special "pink" connector to plug into the back of the radio (for some reason, the radio/nav units made by Pioneer for Ford had a different GPS plug then those sold as the Pioneer label). You can buy a genuine FoMoCo GPS antenna (available on eBay), and this type has clips that allow you to mount it over by the gauge cluster area under the dash. You can also buy a non FoMoCo OEM GPS antenna off of eBay with the special "pink" connector that has a magnetic base that will adhere to a magnetic surface. I used one of these for awhile, but found it had a difficult time picking up GPS satellite signals in a quick timeframe. Be aware that getting the most GPS satellites (3 required to "lock" your current position) requires a good sight of direction to the sky. Tinted front glass will hinder this ability to locate and lock in GPS satellites.
I found that getting the best amount of GPS satellites to register and lock to your GPS was best done by placing the GPS antenna on a flat piece of metal plate. I used a 3x3 inch plate of thin steel, placed the GPS antenna on it, then mounted this under the center dash tray. The metal plate helps in obtaining the signals from the satellites; without it, I would only get 2 satellites in about 30 seconds of powering on the unit, and the third required satellite needed to "lock" in your position would fade in and out, and take a real clear view of the sky, and about 45 seconds more. With the thin plate I fabricated, I get 4 to 5 satellites easily, and within about 15 seconds. The FoMoCO OEM GPS antenna that has the clips on each side (that's intended to hold it on a bracket by the instrument cluster area) fasten to the thin plate I made by cutting two slits into the plate with a dremel tool and cutting disc, and then snap the OEM GPS antenna into it. Or, if you buy a magnetic GPS antenna with the correct "pink" connector, it will hold onto the plate. Much easier to locate the GPS antenna at this location (under the center dash tray) rather then under the dash by the cluster area.
You can check the amount of satellites you are connected to by performing the following:
1) Turn on the radio
2) Press the 3 and 6 radio station preset buttons at the same time.
This puts the radio into a diagnostic mode: the first thing it checks is the speakers, and the sound will be loud, so be prepared to accept to move on to the other diagnostic modes!
3) You will see a diagnostic modes menu with several items to test. At the lower left, there will be an option for the GPS; press that (on screen).
The screen will show you how many GPS satellites you are registering with (satellite number); you need at least three to lock your position.
4) When done, select return at the right of the screen, then exit diagnostics at the right of the screen
7) Your back to the "normal" radio screen. Press the map button at the right top of the radio, select accept at the lower right of the screen, and your navigation map should now have your current position
As to the reprogramming that some posts have mentioned about with these factory navigation units, there's lots of confusion here. I've bought navigation units from an F150, and from a Lincoln. The difference is going to be what shows up on the screen as the unit powers up. The screen may show "F150", or the Ford oval logo, or possibly other model names such as "Lincoln", but this does not effect the units operation at all, just the momentary screen on power up.
Also, the options that came with the unit may or may not be "turned on", and if wanted, may need to be flashed to enable. The radio/navigation units with the F150's were primarily just that: radio and navigation, however, there were additional options that could be enabled, and these are what folks talk about that require that the radio be "flashed" to enable them. The radio/navigation units that came with a Lincoln may have had these other options already turned on, such as DVD capability to the overhead console screen for the rear passengers, and/or hands free (Bluetooth) capability to sync with your cell phone, so they will work in your F150. There may be other options as well.
These factory Ford radio/navigation units were made by Pioneer, and as such, sold as Pioneer AVIC units to the general public that could be installed in any car that accepted a double DIN radio.
As to the purchase of a GPS antenna, buying one for a Pioneer AVIC will work in your F150, as long as it has the special "pink" connector to plug into the back of the radio (for some reason, the radio/nav units made by Pioneer for Ford had a different GPS plug then those sold as the Pioneer label). You can buy a genuine FoMoCo GPS antenna (available on eBay), and this type has clips that allow you to mount it over by the gauge cluster area under the dash. You can also buy a non FoMoCo OEM GPS antenna off of eBay with the special "pink" connector that has a magnetic base that will adhere to a magnetic surface. I used one of these for awhile, but found it had a difficult time picking up GPS satellite signals in a quick timeframe. Be aware that getting the most GPS satellites (3 required to "lock" your current position) requires a good sight of direction to the sky. Tinted front glass will hinder this ability to locate and lock in GPS satellites.
I found that getting the best amount of GPS satellites to register and lock to your GPS was best done by placing the GPS antenna on a flat piece of metal plate. I used a 3x3 inch plate of thin steel, placed the GPS antenna on it, then mounted this under the center dash tray. The metal plate helps in obtaining the signals from the satellites; without it, I would only get 2 satellites in about 30 seconds of powering on the unit, and the third required satellite needed to "lock" in your position would fade in and out, and take a real clear view of the sky, and about 45 seconds more. With the thin plate I fabricated, I get 4 to 5 satellites easily, and within about 15 seconds. The FoMoCO OEM GPS antenna that has the clips on each side (that's intended to hold it on a bracket by the instrument cluster area) fasten to the thin plate I made by cutting two slits into the plate with a dremel tool and cutting disc, and then snap the OEM GPS antenna into it. Or, if you buy a magnetic GPS antenna with the correct "pink" connector, it will hold onto the plate. Much easier to locate the GPS antenna at this location (under the center dash tray) rather then under the dash by the cluster area.
You can check the amount of satellites you are connected to by performing the following:
1) Turn on the radio
2) Press the 3 and 6 radio station preset buttons at the same time.
This puts the radio into a diagnostic mode: the first thing it checks is the speakers, and the sound will be loud, so be prepared to accept to move on to the other diagnostic modes!
3) You will see a diagnostic modes menu with several items to test. At the lower left, there will be an option for the GPS; press that (on screen).
The screen will show you how many GPS satellites you are registering with (satellite number); you need at least three to lock your position.
4) When done, select return at the right of the screen, then exit diagnostics at the right of the screen
7) Your back to the "normal" radio screen. Press the map button at the right top of the radio, select accept at the lower right of the screen, and your navigation map should now have your current position
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); 08-28-2015 at 07:23 AM.
09-07-2015, 01:54 PM
#2
Senior Member
Buying a stock radio/navigation unit from an 06 to 08 F150 (or other Ford vehicle) and installing into your 04 to 07 F150 is an easy swap. It requires the head unit (radio/navigation system), the GPS antenna, and possibly a radio antenna adaptor, as the 2006 and up radios changed the antenna plug that's used. If you have a 2004 to early 2006 F150 and buy a radio or radio/navigation unit from a late 2006 and up F150, you'll need this radio antenna adaptor, easily available at any stereo installation shop or online store for about 12 bucks.
As to the reprogramming that some posts have mentioned about with these factory navigation units, there's lots of confusion here. I've bought navigation units from an F150, and from a Lincoln. The difference is going to be what shows up on the screen as the unit powers up. The screen may show "F150", or the Ford oval logo, or possibly other model names such as "Lincoln", but this does not effect the units operation at all, just the momentary screen on power up.
Also, the options that came with the unit may or may not be "turned on", and if wanted, may need to be flashed to enable. The radio/navigation units with the F150's were primarily just that: radio and navigation, however, there were additional options that could be enabled, and these are what folks talk about that require that the radio be "flashed" to enable them. The radio/navigation units that came with a Lincoln may have had these other options already turned on, such as DVD capability to the overhead console screen for the rear passengers, and/or hands free (Bluetooth) capability to sync with your cell phone, so they will work in your F150. There may be other options as well.
These factory Ford radio/navigation units were made by Pioneer, and as such, sold as Pioneer AVIC units to the general public that could be installed in any car that accepted a double DIN radio.
As to the purchase of a GPS antenna, buying one for a Pioneer AVIC will work in your F150, as long as it has the special "pink" connector to plug into the back of the radio (for some reason, the radio/nav units made by Pioneer for Ford had a different GPS plug then those sold as the Pioneer label). You can buy a genuine FoMoCo GPS antenna (available on eBay), and this type has clips that allow you to mount it over by the gauge cluster area under the dash. You can also buy a non FoMoCo OEM GPS antenna off of eBay with the special "pink" connector that has a magnetic base that will adhere to a magnetic surface. I used one of these for awhile, but found it had a difficult time picking up GPS satellite signals in a quick timeframe. Be aware that getting the most GPS satellites (3 required to "lock" your current position) requires a good sight of direction to the sky. Tinted front glass will hinder this ability to locate and lock in GPS satellites.
I found that getting the best amount of GPS satellites to register and lock to your GPS was best done by placing the GPS antenna on a flat piece of metal plate. I used a 3x3 inch plate of thin steel, placed the GPS antenna on it, then mounted this under the center dash tray. The metal plate helps in obtaining the signals from the satellites; without it, I would only get 2 satellites in about 30 seconds of powering on the unit, and the third required satellite needed to "lock" in your position would fade in and out, and take a real clear view of the sky, and about 45 seconds more. With the thin plate I fabricated, I get 4 to 5 satellites easily, and within about 15 seconds. The FoMoCO OEM GPS antenna that has the clips on each side (that's intended to hold it on a bracket by the instrument cluster area) fasten to the thin plate I made by cutting two slits into the plate with a dremel tool and cutting disc, and then snap the OEM GPS antenna into it. Or, if you buy a magnetic GPS antenna with the correct "pink" connector, it will hold onto the plate. Much easier to locate the GPS antenna at this location (under the center dash tray) rather then under the dash by the cluster area.
You can check the amount of satellites you are connected to by performing the following:
1) Turn on the radio
2) Press the 3 and 6 radio station preset buttons at the same time.
This puts the radio into a diagnostic mode: the first thing it checks is the speakers, and the sound will be loud, so be prepared to accept to move on to the other diagnostic modes!
3) You will see a diagnostic modes menu with several items to test. At the lower left, there will be an option for the GPS; press that (on screen).
The screen will show you how many GPS satellites you are registering with (satellite number); you need at least three to lock your position.
4) When done, select return at the right of the screen, then exit diagnostics at the right of the screen
7) Your back to the "normal" radio screen. Press the map button at the right top of the radio, select accept at the lower right of the screen, and your navigation map should now have your current position
As to the reprogramming that some posts have mentioned about with these factory navigation units, there's lots of confusion here. I've bought navigation units from an F150, and from a Lincoln. The difference is going to be what shows up on the screen as the unit powers up. The screen may show "F150", or the Ford oval logo, or possibly other model names such as "Lincoln", but this does not effect the units operation at all, just the momentary screen on power up.
Also, the options that came with the unit may or may not be "turned on", and if wanted, may need to be flashed to enable. The radio/navigation units with the F150's were primarily just that: radio and navigation, however, there were additional options that could be enabled, and these are what folks talk about that require that the radio be "flashed" to enable them. The radio/navigation units that came with a Lincoln may have had these other options already turned on, such as DVD capability to the overhead console screen for the rear passengers, and/or hands free (Bluetooth) capability to sync with your cell phone, so they will work in your F150. There may be other options as well.
These factory Ford radio/navigation units were made by Pioneer, and as such, sold as Pioneer AVIC units to the general public that could be installed in any car that accepted a double DIN radio.
As to the purchase of a GPS antenna, buying one for a Pioneer AVIC will work in your F150, as long as it has the special "pink" connector to plug into the back of the radio (for some reason, the radio/nav units made by Pioneer for Ford had a different GPS plug then those sold as the Pioneer label). You can buy a genuine FoMoCo GPS antenna (available on eBay), and this type has clips that allow you to mount it over by the gauge cluster area under the dash. You can also buy a non FoMoCo OEM GPS antenna off of eBay with the special "pink" connector that has a magnetic base that will adhere to a magnetic surface. I used one of these for awhile, but found it had a difficult time picking up GPS satellite signals in a quick timeframe. Be aware that getting the most GPS satellites (3 required to "lock" your current position) requires a good sight of direction to the sky. Tinted front glass will hinder this ability to locate and lock in GPS satellites.
I found that getting the best amount of GPS satellites to register and lock to your GPS was best done by placing the GPS antenna on a flat piece of metal plate. I used a 3x3 inch plate of thin steel, placed the GPS antenna on it, then mounted this under the center dash tray. The metal plate helps in obtaining the signals from the satellites; without it, I would only get 2 satellites in about 30 seconds of powering on the unit, and the third required satellite needed to "lock" in your position would fade in and out, and take a real clear view of the sky, and about 45 seconds more. With the thin plate I fabricated, I get 4 to 5 satellites easily, and within about 15 seconds. The FoMoCO OEM GPS antenna that has the clips on each side (that's intended to hold it on a bracket by the instrument cluster area) fasten to the thin plate I made by cutting two slits into the plate with a dremel tool and cutting disc, and then snap the OEM GPS antenna into it. Or, if you buy a magnetic GPS antenna with the correct "pink" connector, it will hold onto the plate. Much easier to locate the GPS antenna at this location (under the center dash tray) rather then under the dash by the cluster area.
You can check the amount of satellites you are connected to by performing the following:
1) Turn on the radio
2) Press the 3 and 6 radio station preset buttons at the same time.
This puts the radio into a diagnostic mode: the first thing it checks is the speakers, and the sound will be loud, so be prepared to accept to move on to the other diagnostic modes!
3) You will see a diagnostic modes menu with several items to test. At the lower left, there will be an option for the GPS; press that (on screen).
The screen will show you how many GPS satellites you are registering with (satellite number); you need at least three to lock your position.
4) When done, select return at the right of the screen, then exit diagnostics at the right of the screen
7) Your back to the "normal" radio screen. Press the map button at the right top of the radio, select accept at the lower right of the screen, and your navigation map should now have your current position
09-09-2015, 10:05 PM
#4
Senior Member
08-04-2017, 03:18 PM
#5
Yes but not about sync. I got a Pioneer AVIC from a 2008 Lincoln MKX for my 2007 F-150. Plugged right in. Powered right up I heard disc motor do something when it got plugged in but nothing on the screen when I start truck. I can push and hold power button but that only makes it show THX certified logo. Nothing more. Then shuts off. I can hold load and it expects a disc.
06-28-2020, 05:53 PM
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Memphis, TN, Earth, Milky Way
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IDK why a moderator put this thread about '04-13s in the Pre-1997 F150 > How-To Section . But you'll get more help if you post your questions in the discussion forum for your truck's year-range. And put all your truck's details into your signature so everyone can see what you're asking about.
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04-25-2023, 09:18 PM
#9
To everyone trying to put Lincoln head units into an F150:
You have to program the as-built data from an F150 into the ACM for them to work. I was able to get one from a 2007 MKZ to work in my F150 by putting it into a 2009 expedition (forscan wouldn't read the ACM in my f150, as far as I understand the F150 does not connect the can bus to the ACM), connecting to it with Forscan, and entering the as-built info from a 2008 F150 with factory nav. Everything works as it should now.
It's possible that as-built data from other models will work as well, but I was not able to confirm. I tried as-built data from 3 different 2007 expeditions and a 2007 edge (I figured I had to as my ACM was a 2007MY) and it would not turn on when installed in the F150. seems that anything with rear entertainment would probably not work.
You have to program the as-built data from an F150 into the ACM for them to work. I was able to get one from a 2007 MKZ to work in my F150 by putting it into a 2009 expedition (forscan wouldn't read the ACM in my f150, as far as I understand the F150 does not connect the can bus to the ACM), connecting to it with Forscan, and entering the as-built info from a 2008 F150 with factory nav. Everything works as it should now.
It's possible that as-built data from other models will work as well, but I was not able to confirm. I tried as-built data from 3 different 2007 expeditions and a 2007 edge (I figured I had to as my ACM was a 2007MY) and it would not turn on when installed in the F150. seems that anything with rear entertainment would probably not work.