I've searched the forums and I'm still looking for info on the following.

I'd like to replace the HU in my 05 Lariat with the plain cd radio.

1. Will I lose the message center if I replace the HU? Some say that the computer controling this is in the radio.

1a. If so, will I also lose the steering wheel climate controls?

2. Are there any after-market HUs that are compatible with the steering wheel controls.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

You shouldn't lose the message center, I know of people that have pulled the orig. hU on the lariat and it still worked. I'm not too sure on your "climate controls" I actually didn't know they came with climate controls on the steering wheel.

 

Yes, the Lariat has the fan and temp controls on the steering wheel as well as volume and skip.

Thanks for the reply.

 

They make programmable modules to go between the steering wheel controls and particular head units. I haven't seen them in person, but I know they exist.

 

not sure if you need it for a/c controls. dont know if it would work if u did but as for the vol and scan on steering wheel you need a pac swi-x. see link

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-C4frlYF...search=pac+swi

 

You can replace the factory HU and not loose the function of the factory steering climate control. You will need an adapter for the use of the steering wheel audio control....https://www.f150online.com/forums/li...pac-audio.com/

 

Thanks for the info. It looks like Alpine has some radios that will allow the steering wheel controls to be wired into the unit, rather than using the infra-red remote.

 

Buy the aftermarket plugs that plug into your stock harness. Like was said above, some of the Alpine's are compatable with steering wheel controls.

 

anyone know of any alpine mp3 players that wire into the unit? thx

 

Depends on how much you want to spend. Off the top of my head I know of the 9855 and the 9853...possibly the 51 as well. Check Apline-usa.com.

I'm looking to purchase the 9855 and possibly a Lariat steering wheel. Just not sure how the leather will look with my non leather XLT and I'm not sure I can get it to colour match either

 

Does the Lariat only come in leather? I've been considering that too because as much as I LOVE my 9855, I secretly long for steeringwheel controls everytime I drive my families Ascender. It's such a small thing that makes a big difference, not having to take my hands off the wheel to change stations, skip tracks on a cd, or turn up/down the volume.

 

I have the SWIX in my Honda Pilot controlling my Eclipse AV8132. It works pretty good but, not perfect. It is a great solution to not having the buttons work at all.

You will not loose the message center or the climate controls. I have not heard of any head units that will interface with the factory steering wheel controls but, there may very well be.

 

I believe it does. I went to ford.ca and looked through the "build and price" section and it doesn't appear to have an option for non-leather.

 

I am pretty sure that the Lariat model is with what the leather is. All Lariats have leather unless you get custom inside, so basically Lariat=Leather.

Colin

 

Is there a special bracket\bezel to be used when replacing the factory in-dash 6-CD HU with an aftermarket HU (Alpine)?
Appearance wise I am worried about the big gap\space left by the lager factory HU?

Note: on a 2003 SuperCrew.