I have an 04 F-150 with Audiophille, 6 CD and controls in the steering wheel. I read about the PIE and bought one this p.m. I got to thinking that maybe I would be money ahead to purchase an 06 Ford headunit which I understand has the power to play mp3 on CD's. Also does the new headunit show the songs on the screen. I guess it may cost around $500.00, but an Ipod, PIE and cradle are almost as much.

Any advice would be appriciated.

 

I have the standard 6 disc mp3 (non - audiophille) it plays my burned mp3 cds, and my burned wma cds and shows titles/artists, or what ever the "file" is listed as!
I know these units are all over the classifieds on here, and on ebay. $100.00 - $200.00. plus if you did that, you would keep a "cleaner" look inside the truck!
Just my thoughts!

 

Thank you Scottibe. Last question, if I get a used 06 headunit, does it have to be Audiophile or does the extra power come from an amp?

 

There are allot of 05 audiophile head units out there for sale, I'd got that route. My 05 audiophile does all that Scottibe's 06 does and with the PIE unit it works great. Are the PIE units compatiable with the 06 head units ?

 

What I am trying to do is avoid the PIE wiring althougher and just use MP3 disks in a new headunit (although I understand that the PIE does work with all from 04-06). Presently, I have a Audiophile that does not play MP3. If I get an 06 headunit which I hear plays MP3 cd's, do I have to get a Audiophile 06 headunit or does the extra power come from an amp, or to put it another way, are there differences in he headunits between the regular 6 disk and the Audiophile 6 disk?

Thanks.

 

You can get an '05 "Preimum" HU that has the 6 CD with the MP3 Player....my brother's '05 Lariat has that - it is not new for '06. He also has the Audiophile set up (as do I) and the sub is powered by it;s own amp - not the head unit....so you should be able to find a '05 Preimum HU and it will work with your audiophile and sub unit. I have the "Non-Preimum" Audiophile system on my '05 Lariat and it I don't miss the MP3 at all - my system sounds better than my bro's '05 Preimum Audiophile unit.....I also have te PIE unit for my XM radio and it's great - no issues whatsoever and it is nice to be able to use the "AUX" feature.....

 

Thank you Hotlap. That is what I needed to know. Dare I ask, where the hell did you get that handle?

 

You are going to want a unit with 3 plug-ins on the back to work with your audiophile sub woofer. The premium 6cd mp3 unit that is non-audiophile (only 2 plugs on back) will not hook up to your sub woofer.