muffins

Have an 08 STX, looking at different options for a remote start. I'm aware of the different brands, but pricing wise where can I get the best bang for the buck? Would a Ford dealer still be able to put a remote start in mine considering it's a 5+ year truck? I bought the truck used from a Chevy dealer, so I don't have a Ford dealer to call "home."

Keep in mind that I don't need anything fancy, just something that'll work. Don't need any crazy LCD fobs and whatnot. Just need a cheap reliable one. Also my brother works at best buy and I know I can get a discount off the unit and labor, but wondering if a factory one would be cheaper in the end.

Would like a one fob option compared to a two fob deal, but not a deal breaker.

Kamison

i ditched the stock alarm system and install a Viper with remote start. tossed in a window breaker sensor and tilt sensor. rolled over to the local best buy and they put it in for $100, which was a heck of a lot cheaper than Car Toys, they work on commission. look around, i got mine off amazon for a pretty cheap price and have had no issues with it. the range on the remotes are pretty good too.

muffins

Can you remember ballpark how much your units cost you? $100 for the install sounds reasonable, did not know they did that regardless of whether you bought the unit there or not. I know a lot of the installers at best buy as I used to work there. I think if I remember correctly the unit with the alarm and remote start and labor equalled out to $300 or so? But they needed a wiring harness and other stuff because the car they were quoting me on was a foreign brand car

Kamison

i hated the stock alarm, its a POS, so i replaced it with this... hopefully the link works! if youre just looking for a remote start, you can keep your stock system and go from there.

homer

I did the exact same thing as Kamison. The factory unit I had was "OK" (which is technically Astrostart from my dealer I believe). Mine didn't have alarm functions though.


I went with a Compustar P2W901 (their top model), glass break sensor, tilt sensor, shock sensor (included). I know that's not really what you asked haha. I've also wired my auxiliary to turn on my rear cab light for 2 minutes if I'm loading the quad at night. Additionally, I've made my remote start cut the stereo out as I have an aftermarket deck and I don't like Bluetooth connecting to my phone when I'm not in the truck (and the music playing for no reason).


I bought my mother a Compustar one-way and it was $169 for both the antenna + remotes, and the brain (Compustar sells them separately - not sure with Viper).


Between Viper/Compustar, I haven't used the Viper personally but I've never heard any bad about it. I'm not going to boast that Compustar is the best though as it has it's limitations too. I own the programmer and everything for the Compustar, very happy with the product but that was a personal choice.

I can't imagine any dealer is going to do it cheaper than a Best Buy , at least not in Canada (I could be wrong). The only downfall is I know some shops use T-Taps rather than soldering... I like to be cautious on this as they say many vehicle fires are related to aftermarket accessories being incorrectly installed. I've also recently fixed a friends where the actual fuses melted together (and I've kept them). The holder was cheap and poor that it actually created high enough resistance to melt the holder.


I can't really tell you price as I did my install myself. My unit was close to the $300-400 range though but it's Compustar's top model. The glass break sensor I think was around $30, and the tilt sensor was around ($30). I only went with the top model because I was installing it myself.

PNW EFFONEFIFTY

I got my Compustar Remote Start purchased and installed for $250 and that included the programmable ignition module that goes under the dash to bypass the key transponder/chip. Just starts truck, keyless entry which is all I want.

corey_lax

Hopefully you got two chip keys otherwise you aren't going to do this for cheap!

Kamison

Fact. without a second key, you will need to get a Clone device that bestbuy sells at their shop. i never had a 2nd key for my truck, so i had no choice but to use this. think that piece was about $45

PNW EFFONEFIFTY

You still need a second key to program the cloning device like I have. I paid a mobile locksmith $65 to make me a second key so I could program the ignition module to disarm the security feature in our ignitions. It won't break the bank to have it done if needed.

corey_lax

Where abouts are you? I need a second key and don't want to pay the dealer 150-200 to make one. Pacific Northwest is a vast area haha. I haven't heard of any locksmiths in BC that can program Ford keys...