Ram,

Please let us know about the prewire harness, I'd buy one tomorrow if I could. I'll use the RCA inputs (assuming it has them) to hardwire my 40gig iPod into the Aux in.

 

jsut FYI, I just replied to FX4triton on this same Q. I spoke with our Rail program manager today reagarding this. He will find out the date the wire kit will be available. One Q remains. will it be available just to order with new trucks, or get as a "service part"

i hope to know tomorrow or monday dec 15 hopefully.

 

rambunctious

I wouldn't worry too much about that rather rude and ill informed comment from ....
Play Deep.

It is pretty obvious to all of us that use these boards regularly that you are genuinely trying to supply useful information., while being actively involved in development and production of this useful accessory.


...... I for one did not for one moment get the impression that you were "selling " !

(And I don't suppose that is your brief anyway!)

 

I agree with Lenny... it is people like you that add to the usefulness of this site. I know I follow all the rail posts I see to see what my future options are going to be on the rails so Thank you

 

rambunctious, I have an idea to share with you.

What is your email address? If you don't want to post it, send me an email at deep6blue@yahoo.com and I'll respond.

 

Lighten up folks, it was in jest. I dont flame. He was so incredibly knowledgeable I thought he must have inside info. And Rambunctious aknowledged he may have gotten a little carried away.

Happy Friday!

 

OK....your (sort of) apology accepted.

Though in future if you are jesting it may be as well to find a way to make it clear !

With a or a

See !?

 

Got it!

 

My 'free' freeway storage system came in. pretty much useless.

I got two more compartments. each compartment holds about 1 or 2 sunglasses.

With the freeway package, you get a first aid kit, cd holder, and two snake lights.

first aid kit: a kids bandage and an instruction booklet on how to do cpr.
Kit is kinda molded plastic and has to be forced into the holder.

cd holder: not bad, but again, does not fit into the bin. must be forced very hard. Certainly one would not want to access it frequently, nor could the driver be able to take it our while driving.

snake lights: Where do you put them? Why do you have them? You need to strike a match to see the beam. they hold two aaa batteries [included].

Now added the two bins to the original bin [which must be relocated to the rear end of the chain, there is about a foot of rail showing. What could go there? Why is that space there?

I see no reason why they did not power the rail and not have to make you put a harness on it.

The whole freeway kit is worth what I paid for it. Nothing.

Oh and the extra bins, don't close too well, and you have to make a special effort to latch them.

I'm disappointed.

 

nhed
thanks for the input. it is valuable.

Admittedly, some of us gearheads on the team rolled our eyes at some of the first modules being launched. but I use the cd holders, they fit snug because we have to make the truck sound like Ford's commercial running across railroad tracks at 60mph and not a peep out of anything

I assume you put the thinner portion of the cd holder in first. I hadn't personally notice an issue with installation effort but i will look into it.
We did make one quality improvement shortly after production to move a tooling parting line and improve the latch. maybe your bins were from the very first batch of production. no big deal, just continuos improvement.

i have a sunglass bin holder that holds sunglasses, my cell phone sometimes, and the remote control for the DVD player. and the 110V power inverter module, plus DVD

we showcased 23 potential rail components at the SEMA aftermarket show this November, so hopefully in the near future, some of them will be usefull if the existing modules are not to some, and the good news is you can simple swap out for something that is useful.

Regarding powered rail. one of my engineers sole project in development is powered rail. we know the need exists and are working hard on the product. That doesn't help anyone today, I know.

regarding exposed rail, there is a smaller bin that comes with the DVD player. it could be added in the last space i suppose. or i may check to see if a 4th large module will fit. I just can't remember. Technically, the first one did not have to be moved to the rear, it's end cap actually slides off to keep chaining the modules together.

please keep the comments coming
thanks

Ramb

 

thanks for the reply ramb...,
I beg to differ on the no big deal if the latch in non-functional. Glad it's fixed for everyone else, but that leaves me with a cheap piece of non functional plastic.

Yes, I did put the narrower part of the cd holder in first. I beleive in snug, but again, non-functional as the driver could not possible put it in while he was driving. And having to force it in really does have the very real probablity of busting it.

I plan on wireing my gps unit into the first bin. It's actiually an IPAQ with Distinator equipment. What would be really nice is punch out holes for the wireing. I have to run a wire to the power plug and one antanna node to the rear view mirror. No good way to run out the wires.

As far as not having to relocate the first/original unit, I am confussed with what you said. The first unit on my truck is one piece. There was no end cap.

 

geez, ramb.. now you have me reconsidering the moonroof on my soon to be ordered 04 f150

 

Sounds like a bad time for those who want to install the DVD player after purchase without that wire harness.

What about the NAV system, Rambunctious?

Will the same difficulties occur without the wire harness?

And if so, would it be best if I ordered the DVD player with my truck, even though I don't want it, just so that the wire harness will be up there for when (it's WHEN, not IF, right!) the NAV system comes out that you're developing?

Let me know so I can order smart for future rail upgradeability!

 

nhed
by no means was I downplaying the concern of your module not shutting properly. I meant it was a simple change. by all means, if it does not function properly , please have the dealer replace it under warranty. The returned part will eventually end up 100 feet from my office and the rest of the rail team

regarding the end cap, here is hopefully some clarification

here is the module as from the factory
first factory module
the end cap is removeable
end cap removed

then add additional modules to the "train"
added module


then click on the endcap
end cap installed to last module

regarding the wirekit. The latest info is that Ford will add the wire kit in the beginning of model year 05.

 

comet flash

the DVD is quite an expensive option if you don't want it

the prewire kit is specifically for the DVD player in the event a customer wants to add the dvd later. it will still require the proper programming of our DVD to control the Ford CAN buss. it won't be rca jacks to add anything ( but we're working on somthing like that)

the NAV unit looks to be a stand alone application that is removeable. and the prewire kit or DVD won't really help.
the nav unit will only require power,ground,antennae leads unlike the DVD which has about 12 wires. this is development so I cannot guarantee anything. In fact it was quite distracting while driving because of it's placement, so we are still evaluating it's proper functionality.

all I can suggest is the DVD offers the most options for audio accessories TO DATE.

some pics of our NAV unit evaluation



Nav unit prototype

another nav pic

another