2003 LS Navi. System and DVD

Wicked_LS

Wicked_LS

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I have an 01 LS8 and have recently purchased the stock Navi. system from a 03 LS. has anyone made the swap and also will it play normal dvd's as well??? if not how do i get it to play normal dvds???? does anyone have what i need???? lol
Thanks
A1C Davis
USAF
 
You won't be able to watch dvds with the navi system. It says its dvdROM and that only plays the dvd navi disc. You can use the navi screen to watch dvds if you get this module called NAV-TV and it converts your existing screen into a screen where you can watch DVDs with a separate souce with a switch. The NAV-TV unit runs around 4 to 5 bills
 
Not to burst your bubble, but FYI I don't think the 03 nav system is plug-n-play compatible with the 01 system/connectors. You may have a lot of work ahead.

Best of luck though.
 
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's not even remotely close to plug-n-play on an '03 that didn't come with the Nav system, let alone on an '01. There are some who say it can't be done, but most agree that the cost and difficulty make it prohibitive--with the expense and difficulty, you're better off buying an aftermarket unit.
 
i bought it from a friend who already installed it on his 01 but it got totalled so all the wiring harnesses and everything have been made. but i was just needing to know about the dvd part.
thanks though
 
I've been down this road....you had better get EVERYTHING. That includes all the wiring harnesses. If you go look at the wiring diagrams for the system you have and the NAV system, you are going to be amazed at the difference. There are other modules, shielded cables, different wiring for the stereo speakers, amp, etc. You have a lot of work ahead of you.
 
so you already installed it 2001ls8sport. pm me and tell me how you did everything if you can i would greatly appreciate it
 
no Wicked...I bagged the idea. I was going to do it for my wife's Aviator and my LS. Believe me...it's just not a viable option. I'm not saying it can't be done, but the cost to do it correctly was PROHIBITIVE! For example, on the Aviator, I would need a whole new main body harness. It has to match every option on the car perfectly...and it was something like $750 by itself. There really is a lot of engineering that goes into that system and to do it correctly, I felt it needed to be duplicated exactly. This included completely rewiring the amps and speakers. A Pioneer AVIC-D1 was a fraction of the cost, looks great...and has better features. Just makes more economic sense. BUT! If I could find a car that was factory equipped with NAV and could rob EVERYTHING, I would definitely do it! That's assuming it had the same options I had such as heated/cooled seats, etc.
 
ok i see your point. my buddy works at a stereo shop down here and said the same thing as you just did.
 
lexmarkz00 said:
Why can't you just take it to the dealership and have it done there?
Click to expand...

First, it's not a dealer installed option. They would have to piece it together just as you would. Then you would get charged the labor to do it all...and that would be a TON of hours. I would hate to guess what they would charge for the parts and labor...but off the top of my head it would easily top $5000.
 
Wicked_LS said:
ok i see your point. my buddy works at a stereo shop down here and said the same thing as you just did.
Click to expand...

Wicked...I see you're from Tampa. Check on the XM website and see if Tampa has XM Traffic. I'll bet they do. If they do, then the Pioneer AVIC-D1 has XM Traffic capabilities. That means it will automatically download the problem traffic areas to the NAV unit for you and offer you alternative routes, etc. Pretty darn slick!!!
 
thanks and yeah hes right i talked to lincoln and they told me that they dont install the nav unit they have to send it out to an aftermarket installer to get it done. when i asked them it felt as if i knew more than them lol
 
Wicked, you can install the AVIC-D1 yourself without too much difficulty. You have to get past the double din mount in the dash, but there are a few options discussed here to help you. Then, you need to do a little "modification" to the wiring harness to give you full access to all the NAV functions while driving. Again, it's very easy to do and discussed here and other chat boards.
 
fwiw I have the factory NAV/THX and it's OK but not anywhere near as nice as some of the aftermarket units. If I was buying another LS I'd buy without it and go aftermarket (eclipse)
 
yeah I did. I think my post was deleted after the hack. no more than $100 and A LOT of work. In retrospect I'd definitely go with one of the kits (like nav2dvd). Or better yet an aftermaket unit alltogether that plays dvd's. Seriously -
 
nav2dvd is just so expensive. 600 for the module. what did you use. i appreciate your help
 
2001LS8Sport said:
First, it's not a dealer installed option. They would have to piece it together just as you would. Then you would get charged the labor to do it all...and that would be a TON of hours. I would hate to guess what they would charge for the parts and labor...but off the top of my head it would easily top $5000.
Click to expand...

Well, I can't speak for all of them, but I know my dealership works with a place that specializes in Ford and whatnot, who would install the kit. And that's only $2,000 more than what the THX/Nav kit would cost, so that's not too bad.
 
lexmarkz00 said:
Well, I can't speak for all of them, but I know my dealership works with a place that specializes in Ford and whatnot, who would install the kit. And that's only $2,000 more than what the THX/Nav kit would cost, so that's not too bad.
Click to expand...
$2,000 in labor and parts in addition to the cost of the unit? That'a lot of money for what you're getting--for the price of the labor, you're in the range of a decent aftermarket unit with more/better features...
 
lexmarkz00 said:
Well, I can't speak for all of them, but I know my dealership works with a place that specializes in Ford and whatnot, who would install the kit. And that's only $2,000 more than what the THX/Nav kit would cost, so that's not too bad.
Click to expand...

IT IS NOT A KIT!!! That's the problem! You will have to buy each and every little item separately. Go price just the head unit and the DVD player. Then start looking at ALL the wiring harnesses needed, mounting brackets, modules, etc, etc, etc. I actually found a pretty complete set up on eBay once, but it was missing a module and a few other odds and ends...like the rear view mirror (this one used voice and the microphone is in the mirror) But no wiring harnesses. So I thought I would just build the harnesses. Nope. The harnesses have shielded cables, twisted pairs, etc that just can't be duplicated at home. Even if you thought you could get away without those, you need the connectors to the components and other systems (it MUST be tied to the ECM and accessed through the ALDL connector) and you cannot buy all the connectors you need. Ford just doesn't list them all separately. Therefore, you would need the proper harnesses anyway for the connectors. If you have the time and money, it can be done....but not economically feasible. Now, that's not to say you couldn't make it work without some of the factory engineering. But it wouldn't be "factory" that way and access, diagnosis, and performance, could be seriously affected.
 
I just thought of something....Ford DOES indeed offer a dealer installed NAV kit for many of their cars. It is NOT anything whatsoever like the factory THX system. Not even close...so don't be confused.
 
hey wicked I bought an NTSC-RGB decoder (Ebay, $15 IIRC) and a PC KVM switch. Then bought a DVD player, and 2 PC HD15 cables. Several hours to install and you'll use lots of solder.
 
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