my 04 fx4 came with the basic message center. is there a way to upgrade to the full system? cost alot? dealer install the best way? thanks.....

 

I don't think they will do it. Could be wrong, but it would cost you a bundle, I think. If not, please post the info as others would like to do it.
I use a Scanguage to access the info plus other things while I'm driving. A 129 dollar solution.
Chris

 

Shoulda just spent the extra few grand and gotton the Lariat and extra goodies...

 

dzervit, I have to ask, why didn't you spend the extra money and get a king ranch? Or why the heck do you drive a truck, why not spend the extra money and have a limo with a driver? Or better, how about a helicopter. You can pick up a good one for about 1.9 meg, and a good pilot only charges about 120-160k a year, to have on standby.



Come on, he bought the truck he wanted, now he just want's to play with it. Like all of us...

Chris

 

Besides, the wood trim in those Lariets, can we say tacky?

 

I suppose it could be done, assuming the wiring is in place, which I don't know whether it is or isn't. At the least, you'd need a Lariat instrument cluster, the instrument cluster surrounding trim and the message center buttons. If the wiring isn't there, then you're talking big bucks to swap and route the appropriate wiring harness throughout the dash. D wasn't saying "shoulda bought a Lariat in the first place" to be a smart *** or anything, practically speaking, if you're dead set on having the message center, it'd probably be easiest to get a truck that already has it.

 

Just curious Quintin, what's in the message center? How many things does it access?
Thanks
Chris

 

The KR wasn't released until '05.

I like to drive, so being a passenger in a limo just wouldn't be any fun day after day. I enjoy running old ladies and moms with strollers off the road.

A heli would be cool, but all that damn paperwork and logging my trips to work with the FAA really is a bother. With my short commute I wouldn't be saving that much time, plus the noise and such...

I like to harass others, that's my MO... mmmmmmmm kay? I got the Lariat becuase of ETAC and the cluster.. that's about it. I wouldn't have gotten an FX4 then tried to add this stuff...

 

Fuel Econ
Trip odo
Miles till empty
Outside Temp
Timer

Not much, but it sure is pretty!

 

Not too much info, for the bucks. Ten times that in the Scangauge, and my wife's car almost computes your taxes.

dzervit I know you like to poke things, just to watch em wiggle, but if you read a lot of these threads, the 'you should have bought something more expensive' gets kinda old.
Half the fun is upgrading, or finding out what will work.
My wife's ETC is faster than any of these trucks, and more comfortable. But not as much fun to tinker with...

Upgrading is more fun that buying, frankly.
Chris

 

Hey, I'm all for mods, but the good stuff... jamin' stereos, blowers, pulleys, intakes, tuners, whatever... but swaping out stock parts is kinda boring. Buy the base to start with and go nuts!

The FX3½ joke is never going to be old....

 

i made a list of all the things i would like on my truck and was originally thinking of an xlt.....then i pulled into the dealers back lot right next to the truck i really wanted! love the color and the flareside and the fx4 package! all the extras i would have liked were on this truck except a full message center. while my heater controls are being replaced i am driving a loaner taurus with a full message center and find the avg fuel mpg a great feature....thats the jist of it guys! besides, look what is behind the truck! gotta have priorities! LOL just wondered if it was easy to do/get done.....thats all.....thanks.

 

Just get a Scangauge and be done with it. Scangauge does much more for the money than the message center does anyway.

 

where do you get a scanguage? how much? what does it do then?.....thanks for all the input.

 

Scangauge Site

I'm gonna get me one after I put on my Airforce 1 intake...