My 2009 FX4 lux package should be here any day now. All said and done I regret being a bit of a cheapskate and not getting the factor Nav/Audio upgrade.

I realize how much I have enjoyed the factory system in my 2005 Odyssey and the portable TomTom thingy I thought I would be fine with in the new truck just will not compare.

Thats water under the bridge. I am well past the point where I can request a build change. My build date was last week.

Do I have any decent aftermarket choices to upgrade the factory system and add better sound and a nav system while still keeping the sync functions and a clean / oemish look to the dash?

Would just a speaker upgrade to the base audio system suffice? I am no audiophile. I guess an in-dash DECENT nav is more important to me than anything. My current drive does not have a separate sub and I am plenty happy with that. I value the flat floor space in the rear so I don't want that taken up by a sub or a pile of amps.

Any ideas?

 

If your willing to spend about a grand, the Kenwood DNX-8120 is a NAV unit, killer head unit, has external USB and IPOD receptables. Furthermore, it has two video in's so you can hook up a rear camera or external device and Bluetooth built in to boot. I had this system in my FX4 until I bought my new Platinum and now it resides in wifes Mustang. Installation is easy and is far better than the OEM Sony NAV.

 

I don't know of any system or adapter that will allow you to keep the Sync functionality with an aftermarket HU. Many of them have great Bluetooth features though so I'm not sure how much you would miss the Sync. Might be an acceptable trade-off. Another consideration is the functionality of the 09's steering wheel controls.

 

You'll lose the Sync functionality, but otherwise, the Kenwood DNX8120 is a phenomenal unit. you'll also get the added ability to play Video from an iPod, something the Factory Nav will not do.
It may just be what I was used to, but I preferred the Garmin Nav in the Kenwood to what I have now in the factory unit. I purchased the FM Traffic module, and benefited from the voice prompts warning me of upcoming traffic delays. (another thing lacking in the Factory Nav).
Plus, if you are so inclined, it's easy to get around the "No video in drive" limitations with the Kenwood.
not trying to knock the factory unit, it's pretty great, but the Kenwood is a fantastic alternative, and with a good install, will look almost OEM.

 

YOU WILL NOT LOSE SYNC. I REPEAT, YOU WILL NOT LOSE SYNC. Metra makes a kit for the 2008 Ford Focus (which I think was the first Ford vehicle with Sync) which will allow you install an aftermarket radio will retaining sync. My girlfriend has a 200 ford focus coupe and she was thinking of going this route so I know for sure its available.

Look Here

Also give Metra a call, then thank me for providing this wonderful information, lol.

 

According to Metra, you will lose Sync with the 2009 F150 last I talked to them about three weeks ago. They dont have an interface that works with the 2009.

Maybe an installer with some experience can chime in and confirm one way or the other for sure.

 

Hmm.. perhaps losing sync isn't as much of a deal as I might have thought. Although it sure seems like if Metra has a compatibility kit it will eventually be able to hook up with the 09 F150 even if it does not now.

I think that LCD display they have there is cheezy though.

If the Kenwood and other aftermarket stereos have bluetooth capability and will sync up with my ipod, what exactly am I losing?

I guess I haven't tried out the voice recognition yet. The voice recognition on my Odyssey was a novelty while it was new but I nearly never use it any more. Steering wheel audio controls I use all the time. Would be a shame to lose that. Where is the Sync microphone mounted? Is that still usable.

I guess it might be a wasted 400$ or so for Sync if I have to lose the function to get a good Nav system but at least I'll have it to try it out.

The PHONE answer button would also be a shame to loose.

 

FYI, The kenwood unit will auto answer the phone for you and if your phone allows for voice commands, the kenwood will dial upon your voice request.

The ONLY reason I don't have the kenwood in the new 09 is because metra does not have a wood grain mounting kit.

 

I emailed them about 4-5 weeks ago and they said that kit would work...

I'm about to the point of just pulling the factory radio, hookup my old Eclipse unit from my old truck and see what happens. I've already done some poking around in the dash and it seems like SYNC is an entirely seperate unit in the dash and it might just connect to an aux input without that adapter.

 

The standard stereo system in my XLT is fantastic. I can't imagine wanting or needing to change it.

 

Ask and you shall recieve.

If you have Sync in your truck WITH the factory NAV, your SOL. As of now to my knowledge no interface exists.

If you have the non-NAV deck, metra produces a harness that retains the SYNC. The part number is AFSI-01.

 

Thanks for the information.

For those that have the factory nav, what is in the location where the display is for the regular radio? Is it just a cover plate there?

 

probably not because it still probably displays the Temp, compass and the bad *** "F-150 Built Ford Tough intro screen" lol

 

Yep...Nothing there but a storage shelf.

 

If this is true then I am all set! I've got no factory NAV and would like a head unit with a decent NAV.

Guess I will wait for a while to ensure that everything works fine before getting this mod in. Dealers have a tendency to blame failures on mods if it looks remotely like it could be corelated. If my sync stops working and I have a aftermarket head unit, won't doubt they will tell me they can't cover it