Fellas:

I have read a boat load of past posts about installing the power windows and locks on an STX. I see some of the guys are replacing their aftermarket power window kits with Ford factory parts. For the guys that have made the switch, was it worth the extra money for the OEM parts? How was the install? I just want to see whats new. Kinda one of those "if I knew then what I know now" threads or would you have just bought the XLT and been done with it?

TC

 

The choice was not between the XLT and the STX for me. It was between a brand new STX or a three or four year old XLT, since I don't finance cars/trucks and I only wanted to spend 15k including tax license, etc.

The STX sold for 10,379 dollars below sticker. The XLT sold for 5,000 dollars below sticker. Sticker on the most similar XLT was 3,500 more. So it would have cost me just a smidge under 10,000 more.
What would I have got for the 10,000?

Power windows. (I installed mine for 48.00)

Power door locks, no remote.
They would have put in a very cheap remote system for 600.00 more. My Powercode deluxe alarm/keyless with extras that ford did not offer (tonneau and tailgate locks) cost me well under a 100.00 for everything.

Power mirrors. I put those in for less than 120.00. Stock mirrors were OK, I just enjoy modding.


Power seats. I put those in for a net of 105.00. That is buying seats, swapping pedestals and then selling the manual pedestals with the other seats.


Tachometer. I put in an FX4 cluster for total of 200 bucks.


If I was doing it from scratch I would put in the power windows/door locks with keyless, total retail cost about 150.00 and not bother with the power mirrors (although I like them, they really were not needed) and I would not bother with the tach as an Edge or Scangauge is a lot better.

Anyone that wants a tach on an STX or XL should just get an Edge. Tach, mileage, lots of info, plus a tuner for just the cost of a tuner.

Most of the 30 or so other mods I have done on my STX I would have done on an XLT.
And my total is still way under the base with discount/rebates on any XLT.
Fold-a-cover (my most expensive mod)
Lariat 18 inch wheels/tires.
MagnaFlow Catback.
Brute Force intake.
Bed Extender.
Tailgate power lock.
Backup Camera.
DVD in dash.
Pioneer speakers.
Clarion SRV303 woofer.
Leather seat covers.
Lariat vents.
ScanGauge.
Homelink.
Express up/down windows.
Kleenwheels.
Ventvisors.
Rear Ventvisor.
Diablo Predator.
Chrome handles.
Keypad door handle.
Harley Grille.
Sound deadening.
Tweeters.
'Trunk lock' for front panel of Tonneau.

That is all I can think of right now, but with all of those mods I still have about 6500 bucks in my pocket that I wouldn’t have for an XLT.

 

Chris:

Thanks for the reply. I am basically where you are at right now. We drove a red STX SC 4x4 for a bout 15 minutes and then immediately drove a red XLT SC 4x4 for another 20 minutes after that. They stickered about $3100.00 apart. I just cannot see the $3000.00 difference. It will end up my wife's truck (cool truck chic) to basically go back and forth to work and hall the kids once in a while. When I first started talking to my dealer, he wanted $800 over invoice. I laughed so hard, I dropped the phone. He still has the same STX and he calls me like twice a week.

I spec'd out a new STX on-line today and I did not realize that you can get the audiophile system (CD-6, subwoofer) with Sirius in an STX. For the cost of those two items, I am half tempted to order the truck the way I want it and then just add the power windows and door locks like so many others have. Your posts have been invaluable to my research.

I wonder what my chances are of having my dealer find an STX with the audio system in it? Probably not good. Does anybody else have an 06 STX with the audiophile system and Sirius in it? I need to do something within the next couple of weeks. My wife is driving nuts over this.

TC

 

I hope you are not paying anywhere near sticker.

Most big lots put one or two 'leader' trucks, usually an STX on sale once a month. You have to be there first thing in the morning the day of the sale, but it is worth it.

That is the main reason for getting an STX, sale prices.
They may put an XLT on sale.
You may not get choice of colors, etc. Or you may.

If you pay sticker or order a truck, none of that applies. Then you might as well get the XLT as there is usually only about 2000-3000 difference. For power windows/locks/mirrors plus the XLT console (if equipped) 2000 is sorta fair.

On the sound system, any six disk changer from Ford means you are taking a chance on losing the ejector.
I’m certainly not a Ford basher by any means, but hundreds of posts and other evidence suggest the 6 changers are not always a winner.
Got a dead one here on the desk right now...
Save bucks on the head unit and replace the speakers and headunit with a good aftermarket. If you really want a woofer, look into the little Clarion SRV303. While no substitute for even a single 10 with a Kicker, it is much like the Audiovox woofer. Only a lot cheaper...
These are just friendly suggestions, of course.
Chris

 

I bought an XL 4 x 4 last year to use as a work truck. I didn't want or need to spend the extra money on the power options. Then I found this forum. This find has emptied my bank accounts and has my wife talking to an attorney threatning divorce, but doing the mods and upgrades has been a blast. Power windows was one of the first things I did. I bought an aftermarket set off eBay. They were fine at first, but I have since ordered the factory regulators. They should be here later this week. From reading what others have posted on the installation of the OEM regulators, it sounds pretty easy since all the wiring is already done.

 

I've had both an aftermarket kit and the OEM regulators and I would HIGHLY recommend the factory equipment. In a nutshell, the aftermarket kit worked like it promised and was really cheap but it was also flimsy, loud, slow, and alot harder to install. IMO you would be much happy spending the extra $100 or so for the factory stuff, at least I was. BUT if you want it I still have my SPAL universal kit in my garage!

 

I have seen a few '06 STX on the dealers lot where I bought mine with the Power package on it that added about $1200 to the price. That adds power locks/windows/mirrors and wasn't offered on the '04 and '05 STX models. So if you decide to order your own STX, you may want to look into that as well.

 

I just got on fordvehicles.com and built an STX. Where are you guys seeing this power package or is this a dealer installed option?

On a side note, is it possible to purchase the OEM regulators and then an aftermarket switch kit. What would be a good switch kit?

Thanks for posting Chris and Kanigit. I follow your posts pretty carefully as you guys have pretty much done everything that I would like to do. Chris's truck should be a dealer option with all the stuff that he has done. NICE!!!!

Ultimately I would like to get the red STX SC 4x4 that we are looking at right now. It has the standard radio sytem in it but it does have the Sirius installed so I wouldn't have to mess with it. I would like to install power windows and locks and then upgrade the speakers and install an amp which I have already done a few times. I have a Basslink installed in our 2000 F-150 SC with an LMI seat lift kit. It fits perfectly under the rear seat and is plenty of bass. I see LMI has a new rear seat lift kit available for the new body style SC and supercrew. I will probably go this route again. Install larger tires on the stock machined aluminum wheels and call it a day (or exhaust, intake and controller).

TC

 

I bought and installed the Ford Factory power window regulators. They work great. Yes you can install aftermarket switches to the factory power window regulators. I bought the power window switch kit shown below and mounted the switches on either side of my cigarette lighter. The switch kit came with all of the wire i needed to hook up to my power regulators.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

You are the man Mr. B.

Thanks.

 

The secret to being satisfied with slightly slower power windows is express up and down.
You can buy a simple cheap module for 30-55 bucks on e-bay, or stop by a salvage yard and get the original Ford modules, four for about 6-10 bucks.

Just FYI to anyone considering kits;

The Colibri kit is much heavier than the SPAL, though not as fast as the factory units. It is also not loud or flimsy.
You could use the mechanism to clobber someone, and then still install it.

SPAL, Dakota and several other generic units are light duty. They work and are very easy to fit in, but they are noisy due to the bead on a string design.
The generic Colibri kits sold cheaply on e-bay seem to be a bit slower than the actual Colibri branded kits. May be a second line, may be a design change to cheapen them up. Dunno.


If you can get the factory units for 200 plus 35 for switches it may be worth it. However, my Colibri kit, not generic, was 48 bucks shipped new. A lucky buy. That included switches. My express modules cost between 1.25 and 1.50 each for 4.
And after 18 months of use I can not seem to justify replacing them. If someone gave me the factory units I guess I would put them in, but I don't think I would spend 20 bucks a side, much less 100 to upgrade.
Your mileage may vary, of course.
Chris

 

How do you get the manual crank off the door panel?? I am going to be taking my off and doing some of the same upgrades. Thanks for the help.

 

i personally have owned both trucks. an 05 STX and my new 08 FX2. both are regular cab flaresides. i loved my 05 great truck. had the 4.6L manual windows 6 disc changer all that jazz. i sold it to buy my new 08 because of the warranty problems i had with it. i just didn't feel comfortable knowing that a lot of the major items had been replaced or repaired. i bought my new 08 and i couldn't be happier. there are a lot of little things that you notice after driving one for two years then getting into a new XLT/FX2 model. first, power windows and locks. don't get me wrong i don't have anything against manual windows or locks as my 79 bronco and my 68 cougar both have them. next, autolamp features, key less entry, when i spray washer fluid, the wipers wipe twice then wait a moment and wipe again to get anything that may have drifted up the windshield. i also opted to go with the 5.4L and the 3.73 gear ratio this time around. i initially test drove both when buying my 05 and couldn't really tell a difference. but after driving my gutless 4.6L for 2 years and now driving my 5.4L its night and day. one of the biggest things... sound deadening. my new 08 FX2 is ten times quieter than my 05 STX. i dynamated my entire interior on the STX and this truck is just as quiet without the deadener. hell, i can even open my hood and see how much more deadener is on the firewall compared to my 05. last thing is resale value. no matter what you do to your STX... its still and STX. i got lucky with who i sold my truck to and he paid full asking price, didnt even test drive the truck. but had i had an XLT i could have sold it for a couple thousand more.

i think its all based on what you can afford and what makes you happy. i know my new truck does. and i wouldn't even think about buying an STX again.

 

I am looking to do the same thing on my stx, i was woundering if there was a good place on the internet to get them, and do they just bolt on like a crank window ones? and where is a good place to get swithches. I want a 3 switch one. And where is a good place to wire it for the power?