I am looking for a Double Din to replace the Ford Double Din that is a POS. One thing that I want to wire in is the backup camera. It must also have decent bluetooth and either have decent Nav or expandable for Nav and Sirius.

This is what I have tentatively so far:

Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS
http://www.crutchfield.ca/Pioneer_AV...130x5500bh.htm

A Metra Axxess ASCW for my steering wheel controls (any help would be appreciated on this. I do not want to lose any functionality.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/181231345171?...84.m1423.l2649

I am thinking something cheapy like this for the camera:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/181172591307?...84.m1423.l2649

And then to help:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/221295174461?...84.m1423.l2649

Thoughts, Suggestions, alternatives?

https://www.f150online.com/forums/he...placement.html

I've been researching the same thing for my 2006 the last month or 2.

I'm leaning toward the Pioneer AVH-X3500BHS which is about $100 less. The 5500 does have slightly larger and motorized display, also a little different spec on the preouts. Other than that the bascially have the same specs and features.

I like Alpine bu the closest comparable unit is ICS-X7HD and ads another $250 or so to the Pioneer unit. I don't think I'll go that route for double the $$ on a HU.

I really want to do the tailgate emblem camera. I haven't been able to find a spec on the OEM camera but they have one with a stepup in resolution at tailgatecamera.com. I realize there are many lower priced cams but not sure what will fine in the emblem so I'm leaning toward the one linked.

Anyway ......... anything is an upgrade over the stock HU .... good luck on your upgrade!!

That steering wheel adapter seems ridiculously expensive. I'm actually surprised Crutchfield isn't supplying that, but it seems like they aren't.

It certainly doesn't hurt to try a rearview cam that's 1/20 the price of the others. If it's garbage, you didn't lose much

The only thing I have read about the 5500 being better is I guess the screen resolution is 100,000,000% better than the lower models.

I love that emblem though, I may have to get one. They have NON-HD ones for $199 too!


It isnt so much the cost that surprises me as if it will actually work. I dont want to lose my HVAC controls or have to 'splice' wiring. I would spend the extra money and just get a plug and play unit for me if I could.

You won't lose AC controls no matter what. They aren't in the same wiring harness. But steering wheel controls you will lose without something. I don't have the steering wheel controls in my truck, and I hate wiring, so I don't know how that works.

I just installed the AVH-X4500BT in my truck and am very impressed with it. It really woke up the audiophile system. You must use the microbypass in order to operate Bluetooth phone controls or apps or videos without the parking brake engaged. The axxess is not very hard to install. You must splice into pin 18 & 19 on the factory harness. I just cut them and spliced into them while leaving enough of a lead to rewire it factory if I needed.

I went with the 4500 because I could care less about satellite and HD radio the 5500 offers and to get the full 7.1" screen over the 3500.

I will post some pictures tomorrow of my setup. I haven't added a camera yet nor do I know if I will.

-Curtis-

Depending on how often one uses nav, I feel purchasing one with Nav anymore is obsolete. I have app radio where I can use a nav app from the Iphone. I much prefer the $325 vs $1200 for this unit.

-Curtis-

Agreed. And I find Tom Toms, etc. or my iPhone better and easier to use than most (granted factory) nav systems in head units

Yeah, I agree with the apps, have the iPhone and like the MotionX, but I also like the reliability of seperate systems.

I guess I should say lose the AC controls on the steering wheel. I dont know if they are in the same harness.

That would be amazing if you could get a picture! One of the reasons I want a camera is that I hook up to my trailer a lot on my own as I am off every other Friday, so I get my trailer and then pick my wife up from work. It would save me a couple in/outs of the truck for sure.

Did you find the Axxess hard/useful? Did it program easy enough?


I like it but not for twice the price.

The one thing that is nice about a built in unit is that if the phone dies or I dont get data (say I drive into the US) it isnt a big issue. Not for that much money though.