The FoMoCO OEM GPS antenna that has the clips on each side (that's intended to hold it on a bracket by the instrument cluster area) fasten to the thin plate I made by cutting two slits into the plate with a dremel tool and cutting disc, and then snap the OEM GPS antenna into it. With the thin plate I fabricated, I get 4 to 5 satellites easily, and within about 15 seconds. The metal plate helps in obtaining the signals from the satellites without it, I would only get 2 satellites in about 30 seconds of powering on the unit, and the third required satellite needed to "lock" in your position would fade in and out, and take a real clear view of the sky, and about 45 seconds more. I used a 3x3 inch plate of thin steel, placed the GPS antenna on it, then mounted this under the center dash tray. I found that getting the best amount of GPS satellites to register and lock to your GPS was best done by placing the GPS antenna on a flat piece of metal plate. Tinted front glass will hinder this ability to locate and lock in GPS satellites. Be aware that getting the most GPS satellites (3 required to "lock" your current position) requires a good sight of direction to the sky. I used one of these for awhile, but found it had a difficult time picking up GPS satellite signals in a quick timeframe. You can also buy a non FoMoCo OEM GPS antenna off of eBay with the special "pink" connector that has a magnetic base that will adhere to a magnetic surface. You can buy a genuine FoMoCo GPS antenna (available on eBay), and this type has clips that allow you to mount it over by the gauge cluster area under the dash. These factory Ford radio/navigation units were made by Pioneer, and as such, sold as Pioneer AVIC units to the general public that could be installed in any car that accepted a double DIN radio.Īs to the purchase of a GPS antenna, buying one for a Pioneer AVIC will work in your F150, as long as it has the special "pink" connector to plug into the back of the radio (for some reason, the radio/nav units made by Pioneer for Ford had a different GPS plug then those sold as the Pioneer label). The radio/navigation units that came with a Lincoln may have had these other options already turned on, such as DVD capability to the overhead console screen for the rear passengers, and/or hands free (Bluetooth) capability to sync with your cell phone, so they will work in your F150. The radio/navigation units with the F150's were primarily just that: radio and navigation, however, there were additional options that could be enabled, and these are what folks talk about that require that the radio be "flashed" to enable them. The screen may show "F150", or the Ford oval logo, or possibly other model names such as "Lincoln", but this does not effect the units operation at all, just the momentary screen on power up.Īlso, the options that came with the unit may or may not be "turned on", and if wanted, may need to be flashed to enable. The difference is going to be what shows up on the screen as the unit powers up. I've bought navigation units from an F150, and from a Lincoln. If you have a 2004 to early 2006 F150 and buy a radio or radio/navigation unit from a late 2006 and up F150, you'll need this radio antenna adaptor, easily available at any stereo installation shop or online store for about 12 bucks.Īs to the reprogramming that some posts have mentioned about with these factory navigation units, there's lots of confusion here. It requires the head unit (radio/navigation system), the GPS antenna, and possibly a radio antenna adaptor, as the 2006 and up radios changed the antenna plug that's used. Buying a stock radio/navigation unit from an 06 to 08 F150 (or other Ford vehicle) and installing into your 04 to 07 F150 is an easy swap.
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