Looking at adding remote start to my 2013 XLT with eco-boost. Has anyone had any experience with the systems from Best Buy? Have some gift cards to cash in. Would appreciate any feedback.

 

OEM is the easiest and cheapest way to go.
You are looking at $125 in parts for the Series 100 and $225 in parts for the long range modular system, add $80 for a keyfob to make it 2 way.

All you need is to download Forscan, get a free license to program the truck and voila, you have remote start without having to splice into a single cable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/11-thru-14-F...-/161501215986

http://www.ebay.com/itm/11-thru-14-F...-/181567276239

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Ford...-/161465752016

 

it's already there. Check the FORScan thread. Super easy to turn the option on and buy the antenna and keys and you're done.

 

Is it possible to extend the range on the trucks that already have remote start?

 

If you have OEM or Series 100, then yes, you can extend the range using one of three options, 1,000 ft one way, 2,000 ft two way and Unlimited range using mobile access.


Follow the link below for more info:

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/ford-o...6/#post4208212

 

If you have the remote start on the key head, follow this link to extend range a good bit. https://www.f150forum.com/f38/2013-1...ge-fix-313713/

It's basically a longer antenna wire that allows you to move the main antenna from behind the glove box up into the head liner, very cheap and easy to do, I provided a pictorial how to in that thread.
.

 

I keep forgetting about the Antenna relocation. Thanks for remembering that rnlcomp.

 

Easy to forget it's been posted so long ago. Sort of a moot point for me since I added the vss and rmu for remote cell access. Get this though, ever since I added that remote cell access even my key fobs range has extended a good deal and are not interfered with by my dvr/dash cam system any more, go figure lol.

Before if I left my cams running, I had to get within 50' of my truck for the fob to work now they work as if the cams aren't on.
.

 

While it is super cool that these trucks have remote start pre-installed and one simply just has to activate it in the computer, and cut/program a key, and add the antenna... I found that for the same money I could have an aftermarket system installed FOR me.

I didn't have to do a single bit of work, got a lifetime warranty on it, have more range than the Ford system, and more features than the Ford system.

It's worth looking at both and making a decision.

 

Aftermarkets definitely have some benefits, but so does the factory and how it is integrated into the instrument cluster to easily change the options.

Definitely worth deciding which one is better for you.