atoy74

I can strongly recommend either an MTX Re-Q or Re-Q5.

 

I just installed a Re-Q (L/R/S outs) in the wife's Edge to add an amp and sub, see http://www.fordedgeforum.com/index.php?showtopic=3421. And I've had a Re-Q5 (F&R L/R/S outs + iPod in) in my '02 300M for 14 months running about 2KW of amps and speakers - it most definitely hits!

 

The Re-Qs compensates for both factory head unit EQs beautifully, at least my ears think so... In my experience, you MUST disable any EQ in the amps and let the Re-Q do it's job. Check http://www.reqsound.com/ for more details.

Whew...Just took a deep breath. This is promising. If it wasn't for sync I'd just get an AVIC Pioneer system and be happy but Sync just offers too much to throw it away.

Can you verify that I wouldn't really need the Re-Q5...just the RE-Q. I have the same speakers all around so I wouldn't think I needed to get so granular. The Re-Q should handle everything in the car, right?

Also, did you have a factory sub? I have a 4channel amp to power the speakers but was going to leave the factory sub on it's own. It's an experiment but I dont want to re-buy everything.

Just for those of you interested...

 

My original thought was to add some nice door speakers and an aftermarket sub to replace the stock 8" but keep the stock navi...

 

well that just wasn't going to work for me, basicaly the front and rears are crossed over from the head unit so tapping into those for the sub wouldn't work, the stock head unit also cuts the bass off when you turn it up, for protection i'm sure.

I see there are units that process the facory signal to stop the bass "roll off" but i'm sceptical about those.

 

So..... I tore it all out and put in an AVIC-F900BT, 682.9cf's in the doors and a JL Audio Stealthbox with a Pioneer 300watt AMP.

 

All I have to say is... WOW! I had the Kappa's hooked up to the stock ford navi unit and the difference is night and day, and thats without the sub!!

 

Throw the stealthbox into the mix and WOW!!! That thing is perfect! great low end, for all music not just bass heavy songs.

Also not so much bass that I sound like a teenager BOOMING through the streets, you can barely here it out side of the vehicle, even when turned up pretty good.

 

Not to mention you can't even see the sub, same location as the stock 8". the amp is under the driverside back seat.

 

It took me the better part of two days to put everything in, i'm sure it can be done MUCH faster but I took my time soldering all the wires

and making everything nice and neat, plus I hooked up a Sirius adaptor and a module to retain the steering wheel controls that works perfect.

 

Needless to say i'll be selling all the stock stuff to offset the $$$, I have no idea what i'll get for it all.

So you're saying that if I wanted to convert the speaker outs on my factory headunit to RCA's and run the entire system off an amp that the HU's crossover will still interfere???? If I read that correctly then this is highly disappointing.

I have an issue while having my i-pod hooked up and jamming to some tunes......I receive a call via bluetooth , radio shuts off and the rings begin.....at end of conversation the person hangs up and the display turns back to the song but I have no sound.....it thinks its playing the song because the counter is advancing.....everything looks normal on the readout, just have no sound. I do not have nav. 2008 Limited AWD.

This has happened to me. I just hit the voice prompt button, say "USB" and the audio comes back.

Dave,

 

When I installed my hitch, I drove the rear of the car up onto ramps to give myself some extra room. Then I lowered the exhuast by unhooking the 3 rubber supports at the rear of the car. I found that if I let the exhaust hang down, it was stretching out the rubber hanger in the middle of the car too much. It might have been ok, but I was worred it would rip the hanger. I used a jack to support the exhaust near the middle of the car so that the stress was relieved from the middle hanger. It still left plenty of room to work on the hitch.

 

This might not be necessary if you try to install the hitch without elevating the rear of the car, but I think it was alot easier with the extra room.

 

Good luck if you decide to install one. I went with a Curt hitch and I'm happy with it. Very easy to install.

 

Rich

Thanks, this was one of the questions I had. What you described is exactly what I had in mind.

Another question was how difficult is it to fish the bolts + washers into the frame rail?

I installed a hidden hitch this afternoon, total piece of cake.

I'm just about to get mine. Any tips or suggestions?