Swapping OEM radios

[justafiesta]

I have access to a CD/MP3 player factory radio (mine is a S model and has no CD). anyways anyone done this yet?

Is the 2011 model radio supposed to have a USB input in the center console like the 2012 models with Sync?

[Audrey]

I have an SES so I've not done this, but it's probably fairly easy if you have the right faceplate. In my old car I had to buy a different faceplate when I switched the tapedeck out for a CD player.

The USB input is below the shifter, between it and the parking break. So it's in the middle of the car, but not a part of the center console in my opinion. Example: http://www.wekop.com/wp-content/uplo...a-interior.jpg

[justafiesta]

yeah I actually have a couple options... from what I see the info read out screen on the base model is only 2 lines of info or so and has a smaller area for text compared to the models with sync... or so it appears to me.

Ugh... this is one of those hard decisions as I can get a CD/mp3 only without the screen or go all out with Sat radio with the new screen... just wonder if ford will have made it difficult by leaving out wiring or what...

Neither come with the USB bezel so I have to locate one... UGH lol

Just looking for info if anyone has done it yet. (also the back doors don't come with speakers on the S model... so I am deciding, drill holes like the fron doors have for the speakers (as in 100 little holes) or try and find door panels... finding them with crank holes will probably be impossible...

[Norm201]

What you're going thru is one of the negatives of buying the base model. It seems to be too stripped down. Where as the high end model tends to have too much glitz (and too much price tag for that glitz). I usually end up with the mid trim models. it seems to have the best of both worlds. It's all the same car and I don't think you get any better quality one way or the other. Others can correct me but if you're big into modding then the base model is your best bet I think. And if you want all the bells and whistles without regard to price then the SES or SEL model is fine. Of course the deal you make with the sales guy is what counts in the end. I bought the SE and don't think I missed out on anything. If I could or had the choice I might swap out a few things. For instance the Sync GPS for accent interior lighting would be nice. The heated seats is a maybe for say the interior lighting. That's my take on things.

[BondiBlue]

If you go with the radio that comes in the SE that is CD/MP3 with just the aux jack, it has the smaller screen so you wouldn't have to mess with the bigger one from the "premium" audio with Sync and USB. This is just a guess, but I would think doing that would be pretty plug and play in comparison to going from the lowest end to the highest.

[justafiesta]

Originally Posted by Norm201

What you're going thru is one of the negatives of buying the base model. It seems to be too stripped down. Where as the high end model tends to have too much glitz (and too much price tag for that glitz). I usually end up with the mid trim models. it seems to have the best of both worlds. It's all the same car and I don't think you get any better quality one way or the other. Others can correct me but if you're big into modding then the base model is your best bet I think. And if you want all the bells and whistles without regard to price then the SES or SEL model is fine. Of course the deal you make with the sales guy is what counts in the end. I bought the SE and don't think I missed out on anything. If I could or had the choice I might swap out a few things. For instance the Sync GPS for accent interior lighting would be nice. The heated seats is a maybe for say the interior lighting. That's my take on things.

Actually that's not it at all. So ya know.

I have a habit of working on cars. Nothing stays stock and I'm actually very happy with my car as it is. But wonder what options there are out there.

If I had my way, I'd put my touch screen DVD/nav unit from my previous car in it as well as my subs, door speakers and amps too. But I swore I wasn't going all out with the stereo again. (my cube had about $5000 worth of audio upgrades and my aerio had about $3500).

Just don't feel like chopping the dash all up to accommodate the double din set up.

My past two cars interiors have been completely stripped and sound deadening installed floor to roof. And the list goes on.

I'm just trying to decide it I want to mess with anything or if I should leave it alone (which I'll probably do).

My SVTF which had EVERY option available on the 2002 model even got some upgrades... That was first real stereo upgrade (more than just a head unit). It got subs and replacement door speakers (even though it had the factory 8" sub).

Something about taking a car and making it "yours" has always appealed to me... always been fun making them fit my style and preferences...