Anyone had any luck installing an aftermarket stereo in the FEH? I have the '06 with the stock stereo and WITHOUT nav system.

My first choice for a new stereo would be something that takes up the entire space of the factory one. To me, that means Double-DIN, but the guy at Crutchfield said that's not the case and I have to get a single din stereo with that LAME spacer thing underneath.

I'm going to try going to a true speciality car stereo place (HiFi Buys and Best Buy weren't any help) to see if I can get something like the Kenwood DDX7017 or the Pioneer AVIC-D1.

My absolute requirements are:

• Auxillary in
• XM or Sirius integration in the receiver...preferably supporting either
• Looks nice and takes up the whole space
• Can still use a CD if I want to

The dealer offered to install the New-For-06 upgraded stereo that has an AUX button and a single CD, but that was $440 plus $150 third-party cd-changer port to AUX cable....that seemed a bit steep to me. TIA

I am going to reply here just so I can track the replies. I hate the stock stereo that came with the '05 and '06. Before I traded my '04 Escape in I took the stereo out of it and put it in the '05. The '05 stereo went to the dealer. The CD player was never right in it anyway.

I won't put an aftermarket in unless it looks like it came with the vehicle. I don't want the filler piece. Looks like crap.

So I did it. My FEH didn't come with the nav system so I got one aftermarket. Opted for the Kenwood since my dealer said good things about it and I'm quite pleased. The UI on the nav system is awesome. It's very informative about upcoming turns...one screen initially just shows you really big if it's a left or right turn then you get a 3D view of the road with your green line getting closer to the intersection or off-ramp. If you miss the turn, it instantly recalculates the best route rather than berate you and tell you to make a U-turn like others I've seen. Has tons of POI's and it fits on 2 DVD's (one for east coast, one for west, and the middle is on both).

Kenwood could have done a much better job on the UI for the Sirius and FM tuner..small buttons on the touch screen with useless information instead of making the name of the station on the button and displaying the song title in the empty space on the screen. But I guess I have the map displayed the majority of the time anyway. Obviously does not do any of the Hybrid-specific features or MPG calculations, but the Message Center is enough for me.

So now I have...

• Kenwood DDX7017 Double-DIN monitor and DVD player... $1250
• Two built-in AV inputs, with one of them available on the passenger side..see pix
• Sirius receiver $100
• Add-An-Input (provides auxillary-in) $30
• Kenwood KNA-DV4100 navigation system $900
• Direct-Wire Smart Cord for Passport 8500 radar detector $30
• Installation $125
• ProClip mount for 3rd Gen iPod $65

And very happy with it. Total investment: $2600. As promised, here are the pictures....










The guys at Chicago Car Audio (here in Atlanta, go figure) were extremely nice and did a great job with the install. They had to dremel the plastic behind the center console slightly to get it to fit and had a little trouble initially getting the radio mounted correctly, but it worked out in the end. They wound up using the large mounting bracket after making some slight adjustments to the plastic and then using the included bevel around the outside of the video unit. If you're in the market for a new stereo, I was very happy with the installation and their professionalism. Phone number is 770-818-9700 and they're located right across from Dobbins ARB in Marietta.

Wow! I am jealous.

I know you're talking double din and don't like the spacer kits, but I did my '06 FEH with the single din Pioneer Premier DEH-P770MP and a Scosche FD1280A Dash Install Kit and love how it all turned out!

My head unit handles both XM and Sirius integration as well as iPod, has 3 sets of 4V pre outs, front direct access subwoofer control, plays MP3, WMA and Apple AAC format CDs and has a nice remote that fits perfectly in the Scosche tray pocket under the radio.

Here is a picture of it installed:

I have the '05 stereo audiophile package (no nav) and am going to be installing a Rockford Fosgate media streamer that syncs with my media streamer in the house.

Been getting my playlists together before I get everything installed in the FEH. I will post pics when I get it finished.

That Kenwood looks sweet!!!

Happy 4WD SUV Golf Cart Owner

I installed an Alpine IVA-W200 in my 06 FEH. I bought the iPod direct control cable for it which allows me to display and control the iPod from the head unit and stash the iPod in the armrest. The cable also charges the iPod so it's always ready if I want to take it with me when I travel. I also ordered the bluetooth and HD radio modules for it and I plan on getting the Blackbird portable GPS unit as soon as the interface dock is available for it. That will also transfer control and display to the head unit and allow me to stash the Blackbird out of sight. There's also XM and Sirius modules available for it if you're into that.

It's a nice double DIN unit that plays MP3 DVD's (it's so cool to fit 37 CD's worth of MP3's into 1 disc!) Very modular so you only get what you want for it and not have to pay for the things you don't. It's not the cheapest thing out there, but I think it's a great value based on the features and capabilities. I paid $950 for the head unit and $29 for the iPod cable.

I used a Metra AT-WHFD3 wire harness that I found at the local Advanced Auto, which I soldered up to the Alpine harness. All the color codes matched up so it was very easy. I also used inline connectors to tap into the brake pedal switch and the e-brake switch to enable the video functions while parked. I considered bypassing that with switches, but I don't plan on watch DVD's on it anyway so I didn't bother and just hooked it up the way it's intended to be done.

Here it is installed: (still need to fabricate a bezel for it)

Here's the back: (no shortage of ins and outs)

Here's the iPod interface cable:

My 4WD
Wife's 4WD

When I wanted to add Sirius to my '07 stock FEH Hybrid stereo (no Nav system), I was shocked to find out that it would cost $538 to have a simple Sirius tuner installed. When I said that it would cost me less to replace the stereo with a better stereo AND buy a separate compatible sirius tuner, the Ford Install guy at my dealership told me that if I did that, I would void the warranty on my vehicle.

I called Ford and was told that if I replaced the stereo at any place but an authorized Ford dealership that I would void the warranty in regards to any problems with the electrical system in the future that I could NOT prove without a doubt were not due to tinkering with the stereo system in the FEH.

Has anyone else who has replaced their stereo system checked it out with Ford ahead of time?

That is an out and out lie. Quite the contrary in fact....Ford would have to prove without a doubt that your change caused any problem that they want to deny warranty work on. The burden of proof falls upon the manufacturer. That is the way our laws are written. I don't have a link but someone else undoubtedly will.

-Tim

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD
Black with Pebble interior
Premium Package with Nav & Moonroof



Current ODO: 22,909
Typical Drive: 20 min crosstown in heavy traffic (3.5mi there and back twice a day)


457 Gallons of gas saved
That's 9,150 lbs less CO2

Just do a google search on Magnusson-Moss (sp?) or warranty laws. I believe that is where that issue should be covered.