Rambunctious... Thanks for your inside info, but how in the hell is the driver (or passenger) going to see that Nav. unit and still maintain safety and confort? I would think that thing should be made to swivel, and/or lock in 1 of 3 positions... 1) either straight (as in the pic), 2) turned toward the driver or 3) turned toward the passenger.

Or another idea for the placement of the Nav. unit. How 'bout installing a "flip-up" type unit on the top of the dash (in place of the tray).

Also, regarding the availability of a harness for the DVD to connect to the AUX... I intend on purchasing an aftermarket system with the monitors in the back of the headrests and in the passenger visor. Will that be made to accommodate such a configuration? It seems it would simply run from the center console.

 

wing...

exactly. you guys are seeing this stuff on the fly. I'm probably showing more than I should so don't tell anyone about this stuff

your insite is exactly what we discovered so we are prototyping something next that can swivel into position. my concern is still that the angle of my sight to this location is too far off my line of site down the road. regardless if the screen is strait on to me.
(hey, I almost rearended a semi, that's about as close to hitting a barn as you can get!!

it may need to be located in the front fixed console (by the lights) instead of a module.

regarding the wirekit. it is for our integrated DVD hookup with Ford CANbuss control. I think you will need an FM modulator for your application.


thanks for the input

 

Thanks again for your insite...

To where are you referring when you say front fixed console (by the lights)? IMO, I think the top of the dash would be a great location and would love to see that happen.

RE: DVD - I was afraid of that. I'd like to avoid an FM modulator, if possible, so I can make use of the AUX function.

 

wing....

specifically "front fixed overhead console"

the dash (I/P or Instrument Panel) would be the best place, or , as in the chrysler Pacifica, the instrument cluster near the speedo.

Our company designs and manufactures the entire interior, but I work specifically in overhead Product development and we are looking at one potential application of NAV that can be easily added to the vehicle, our Rail Sytem. It might not be the ideal location.

thanks

 

Will there be a cowboy hat holder similar to this one that fits into the overhead rail?

http://www.windstormranch.com/page2.html

Or will other companies be designing parts that slide right in?

 

txpintail

that is a great idea!!! we haven't pursued that idea yet.

i did buy a hat holder like that for my little sister one year , and actually mentioned it to my wife regarding my nephew's 16th birthday this year. but didn't make the connection with the rail.

we are working with aftermarket suppliers to product products that will attach to our rail. (skipping our markup and Fords)
I will present this idea to our "product champion" who is traveling the country side signing up potential suppliers

i think i will prototype one first and put it in a King ranch truck and show it to ford.

thanks

Ramb

 

Rambunctious,

I recently purchased a 99 F150. Is this rail system going to be offered as an aftermarket item for older trucks, and if so where would I look for it?

Nick

 

pony express

at this time we are only offering the rail system as part of a total overhead system (visors, headliner, grabhandles, etc) to oem customers. sorry

(psssssst , ford hopes this will make you go buy a new truck )

not sure what the future will hold. this product is in it's infancy, but no plans to date for retro fits.

 

rambunctious, thanks for your posts.

 

Look at what toddh did with his rail system.
any plans for something like this?

 

Nice execution

I'm not sure about the Incredible hulk.... but.....

we just spent the week showcasing the following modules to OEM Executives at our private showroom at the Detroit Autoshow
to determine/confirm interest:

DVD
Satellite Radio
TV tuner with 9" Screen
Garmin GPS removeable unit
Digital Camera docking station
Wireless Game Cube system
Ipod interface module
"PHAT Noise" music/video hard drive (80 GIG) stores 50 hrs of video and 1000's of mp3 songs
lockable bins
bluetooth hands free phone module
intercom system
homelink module
second video screen
etc.

Most of these were interfaced together with a module we call IRIS
it will select which device plays through the radio and/or which you see on the video screens. it also broadcasts 4 audio channels simultaneously to 4 channel wireless headsets.

so lots of things in the works, and TONS of interest by the OEM executives and engineers we talked with. my voice is trashed..... but worth it....

we are also currently at the CES (consumer electronics show) in Vegas showing similar prototypes.


I just listend to a satellite radio device for my three hour drive to detroit from west michigan to listen to the sound quality with it's FM broadcasting device to the radio (channel 88.1 MHz)
Tuesday we will integrate it with my DVD which has the direct aux line level input to the radio to hear the sound quality diference.

thanks for the interest


Ramb

 

(-) DVD
(+) Satellite Radio
(-) TV tuner with 9" Screen
(+) Garmin GPS removeable unit
(-) Digital Camera docking station
(-) Wireless Game Cube system
(+) Ipod interface module
(+) "PHAT Noise" music/video hard drive (80 GIG) stores
50 hrs of video and 1000's of mp3 songs
(-) lockable bins
(+) bluetooth hands free phone module
(?) intercom system
(?) homelink module
(-) second video screen
etc.

My F-150 is an SCAB so little use for visuals, comes with Homelink and what the heck is intercom for?

Just my 2 cents

 

jstevens

the intercom could be an easy integration of two of the products. the blue tooth phone module (has a microphone) and the audio control module with headphones.

one scenario. kids are all listening to somthing on headphones, dad comes on the intercom and says - " we're stopping at Burger king, what do you want to eat.

remember, this rail product is also going on minivans and sport utes with third row seats.


Homelink is our patented product ( the three buttons on the visor that are programmable garage door openers or gate openers, or light switch remotes, door locks remotes, etc)
jsut a quick and easy way for someone to add homelink if thier vehicle did not come with it

thanks for the rankings, this is great consumer research info we need

Ramb

 

The iPod docking idea into the rail is great. I think iPod name recognition and popularity will attract alot more attention and sales than the more obscure "music keg."
Of course, just having a generic minijack line-in aux input to the factory stereo so you could attach "whatever" would also be great and maybe even better.
If it were possible to synch the 50 hours of video with a Tivo or even a "Windows Media Center PC" I think it would go over much better than coming out with some completely new video device that no one would have heard of.
Another good idea for video in the overhead rail would be live DirecTV as soon as they can get the size of the external antennas down.

 

As Johnson Controls owns Homelink let me suggest that "they" also offer wall switch options.

On the "their" web site it appears that they only offer wall outlet interfaces. I have refrained from getting one or two because all my lights coming in from the garage are controled by wall switches.

As Homelink appears to be an X-10 compatible process this should not be hard.

Just asked the same question on the homelink site also.

Thanks