I am looking at a remote start system and was wondering what had to be done for an aftermarket. Viper uses xpresskit to interface with the truck. Does the Xpresskit give you the plug and play like the factory/OEM system? Or does it hardwire into the transponder to bypass the interlock like the old systems?

 

The Viper is not plug-n-play. It is hardwired in. The only kits I know of that are PNP are the Ford kits. Depending on which Viper kit, most of them will have more user options and greater range. The smart phone integration kit is pretty sweet just because you can lock/unlock/RS from your phone. However, I went the cheap and easy route and installed the 2-way Ford PNP kit.

 

Hi Watt-Maker, Where would I find this PNP kit and was it easy to install? did you get mechanic to fit?

Thanks

 

I too went OEM, if you have a 2011 up I believe you can order it from Ford accessories. They make 3 different ones, one comes with two keys just like the OEM keys but with the remote start buttons the other two are key fobs. You have to have the dealer activate the remote start so just have them install it. All three are very easy installs that you can do yourself but without the dealer activation they won't work. I liked the fact of having two extra keys and went that route but the distance to start is about 100 feet. the other one have greater distance to start if that is important to you.
http://accessories.ford.com/vehicles...ote-start.html

 

I did the viper and it has the express kit but its just a bypass. It is hard wired but I paid a sound place that's been around a while to do it right.

Range is incredible.

 

I have no problem doing it myself. I mostly wanted to get the auto climate control that comes with the factory systems. They can activate my heated or cooled seats and set the interior temp. But, I can do the same maybe with a little Arduino (electronic development platform) I have to find out if there is a way to manually (with relays) activate the blower and A/C and change the vent positions.

 

I installed a Viper 5704 myself after about a month of research and 2 full days to install. There are outputs to control the heated/cooled seats, ac, etc but you'll need a trained trunk monkey to change the vent positions (or servo motors). I just leave my climate control to auto.

The plug'n'play kits are only for '11 and newer trucks. I think you still need to splice a few wires on the '11. The batteries for the remotes on the factory 2-way lasts about a month or 2. The Viper remote is rechargeable with a mini-usb cable.

And, as Res4cue mentioned, the range is incredible.

 

Sticker500 made a Viper Remote Start 2 way w Smart Start App as a one off. All in one little box, just add power, nothing else. Maybe he would make another.
He sold it to me for my 2013 Plat and it's flawless, starts from anywhere in the world with two-way confirmation and heated/cooled seats too. Took me 25 minutes to install.

 

I had the Viper 2-way installed in mine. Range is incredible. I had them wire in the rear defrost also - he said it was very complicated to do and is not sure if works or not. I had them do this because the truck sits outside and I wanted the mirrors to defog. I have manual climate controls - so I try to remember to leave it where I want it.

 

myself, I've got the viper smart start since nov 26, 2011 on my 2010 f150.

if my phone is in cell service, and my truck is in cell service, it'll start.

it's great cause I can be half a hour away from my truck in a semi, hit the start button and vola, I've got a warm truck before the other driver even gets to lay eyes on his. lol

the GPS locator is great.