Can I Put a 2007 Stereo in a 2006?

[Gzalot]

I just bought a Zephyr and it's perfect, except I really need to be able to stream audio from my phone. The 2006 doesn't have an Aux input, which makes this problematic. My factory unit is THX-Certified without navigation. I don't care about phone integration, I don't need to add a mic. If I get a call, I'll hear through the speakers and they'll hear me through the phone mic.

 

I've read a post in another forum where a guy said that he installed a 2007 factory unit in his 2006 with no problem, so I'm assuming that this is a possible solution.

 

Is it possible for me to swap my factory 2006 non-nav unit for a 2007 navigation unit by simply plugging it in with the existing setup? In other words, is the bezel/cutout the same size for nav and non-nav units and are all the plugs the same? I realize the nav won't work without the accompanying CDs with the data.

 

Although nav would be nice, the priority for me is to add a streaming option. I would also prefer a touchscreen to the interface on the non-nav unit, so even if I cant use the nav function of the nav unit, I would prefer the nav unit for that reason. I would love to get the nav working, but I don't know if the feeds (speed, location, etc.) in my factory non-nav vehicle exist or not. That is, I don't know if all that I'm missing for nav is the head unit with nav, or if there are other features required for nav which don't exist in my car.

 

I'm not interested in any FM modulator solutions, and I want to retain the THX-Certified functionality, using all 14 speakers (if, in fact, that's what it's got - I only see 10).

 

Here's a summation of my questions:

1. Can I put a 2007 non-nav unit in my 2006?

2. Can I put a 2007 nav unit in my 2006 which currently has a factory non-nav unit?

2a. If yes, will the nav work?

2b. If yes, will it fit in the 2006 non-nav space without modification?

2c. If yes, is any wiring modification required?

3. Has anyone added Bluetooth streaming capability to their 2006 or 2007? Any favorite solutions?

 

Thanks, everyone. If I can get this going, this car's going to everything I could want. It's nine years old so that might sound crazy but I'm coming from a 2000 Continental, which is a great car but its old and I had a 1/4"-to-cassette to get audio in that baby!

Edited June 5, 2015 by Gzalot

[JoeBrown]

I'm sure the only person that can answer this is someone who has actually done it. I'm think the odds are slim. :(

Edited June 5, 2015 by JoeBrown

[Gzalot]

I believe I've answered 2b, it appears a different bezel (2 DIN) is required. I can get a factory bezel for the nav version. I think this will work, but I'm not sure if the nav will be operational.

[drolds1]

WRT the navigation part of the question, experiences over at the Ford Fusion Forum have shown that a factory nav cannot be made to work in a non-nav car without huge expense and modification.  Almost nothing in these cars is plug- and-play.  The nav-equipped cars have a different wiring harness and other parts. 

 

From a Ford engineer:

 

t is not a simple job to just plug in a factory Nav system into a Fusion. The wiring will have to be custom made and many different modules have to have their software reconfigured to make it work.

You're better off going with an aftermarket unit if you want navigation.

[Gzalot]

Thanks, that's valuable information for me. If I go with an aftermarket unit and ditch the factory unit, I assume my THX-Certified features go with it, eh?

[Gzalot]

Aftermarket is an option but I don't want to lose the THX feature. Has anyone used a Maestro unit to retain THX with an aftermarket unit?

Edited June 5, 2015 by Gzalot

[Dannyh]

I'm in the same predicament as you!

I have a 2008 Lincoln MKZ with the standard factory radio. I went to a junkyard and found a cool factory lincoln radio which was touch screen and carried a navigation system. After taking out my base model radio and installing the new cooled looking radio I noticed that most of the wires plugged right in! The radio works great... other than the fact that I have no control of the volume. After going back to the parts yard I noticed the other vehicle having one extra plug that my car did not possess. This plug consists of two solid gray wires, one solid purple wire, and a yellow wire with a purple line... could this 4 wire plug be the issue of no volume control?

Everything else seems to work great.

Not a knob or command issue as the volume does appear to be giving command on the screen. The audible sounds remains at a constant high volume.

Any ideas?!

Dan