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2014 Fusion SE Aftermarket Radio Install


Bryson Dahlin
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Hey everyone,

 

So I got some questions about my 2014 Fusion SE. I really want to put in an aftermarket radio in my car but I'm having an extreme amount of trouble actually finding a large touchscreen radio and a faceplate, along with wiring, to fit into my car. I currently have the small non-touch screen (4x2in or something like that) radio with the all the buttons underneath the radio. Is there any aftermarket radios I could fit into my car? I would love some guidance from anyone who knows more than me (currently a 20 year old just trying to customize my car a little). Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. 

 

~ Bryson

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I have researched this topic for a while now and i think I can help. It boils down to how much money you're willing to spend. Fair warning tho: its not cheep.

 

Now, if you want a straight to the point aftermarket head unit, Metra offers the 99-5841B Turbo Touch dash kit. This kit swaps the entire face of the center console, replacing the HVAC controls & other buttons with a touch screen where the original 4" display would be. Below that is the cutout for the aftermarket head unit. Being a kit, It comes with all the harnesses and accessories to do the swap. Now, the kit AND ONLY THE KIT cost a little less than $500 on ebay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Metra-99-5841B-Turbo-Touch-Kit-for-Ford-Fusion-Models-2013-Up/401406635704?epid=20005090161&hash=item5d75b32eb8:g:K-wAAOSwAO9ZXU2O) the radio would be an additional cost of course.

 

If that is not an option, you can get Chinese Android head units on AliExpress.com. So far I've found two styles: an 8" display with the factory HVAC controls bellow and 12.1" touch screen that replaces everything. Prices range from $360 to $660 give or take. It depends of features, seller, software etc. You have to search them for a Ford Modeo (the Chinese market version of the Fusion) and you will find them quickly.

 

The last option but most expensive would be to upgrade to a Sync 3 system with an 8" inch touch screen by 4Dtech.com. Its fairly new to the market but looks great in my opinion. Downside is that it cost close to $2000... you can see a video of the product and installation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNXLvZAil6s

 

I haven't found any feedback from people who have any of these options as well many are not willing to spend that kind of money or simply haven't posted it. I myself have an audio system on my 2014 SE based on the factory radio and an Audiocontrol LC7i line output converter. While it still need some fine tuning, I'm happy with the sound it gives and the bass.

 

The reason I have done all this research is because I want a back up camera. Also there is a youtuber named EmGeeRandomTV that has documented his audio system build with a very interesting workaround to the aftermarket head unit, so you might want to check it out. 

 

Best of luck.

 

 

Edited by Jlcg
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  • 2 weeks later...

I went the Metra Turbo Dash Kit route with no regrets. PM me and I can tell you where to get the kit for $400 no tax free shipping. The problem with upgrading to the 8" HU is, AFAIK it also does not have pre-outs so you're stuck with the onboard amps. Better and cheaper to use the Metra, although there are some issues with the "Heated Seats" on the Metra unit that they are "working on" to fix.

 

There is an entire thread dedicated to the Metra kit on the 2gfusions forum.

Edited by Gregavi
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On 12/22/2017 at 11:39 PM, Thomas R said:

Hey Jlcg, where can I see info on how to install the Audiocontrol LC7i line output converter?

Thx

 

Hey Thomas, there are plenty of videos on youtube explaining the features and installation of the LC7i. The ones I used where by 5 star car audio. AudioControl also offer free PDF of their products for download on their site. 

 

But install is very straight forward. Firstly you'll need a 12v constant source and ground since this is an active crossover. Inputs will be your factory level signal and output will be RCA. Finally, you can add a remote in to turn on or turn on with the signal. 

 

http://www.audiocontrol.com/car-audio/factory-system-upgrade/lc7i/

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On 12/22/2017 at 3:40 AM, Gregavi said:

I went the Metra Turbo Dash Kit route with no regrets. PM me and I can tell you where to get the kit for $400 no tax free shipping. The problem with upgrading to the 8" HU is, AFAIK it also does not have pre-outs so you're stuck with the onboard amps. Better and cheaper to use the Metra, although there are some issues with the "Heated Seats" on the Metra unit that they are "working on" to fix.

 

There is an entire thread dedicated to the Metra kit on the 2gfusions forum.

 

Gregavi do you have pictures?

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On ‎12‎/‎24‎/‎2017 at 11:35 PM, Jlcg said:

 

Hey Thomas, there are plenty of videos on youtube explaining the features and installation of the LC7i. The ones I used where by 5 star car audio. AudioControl also offer free PDF of their products for download on their site. 

 

But install is very straight forward. Firstly you'll need a 12v constant source and ground since this is an active crossover. Inputs will be your factory level signal and output will be RCA. Finally, you can add a remote in to turn on or turn on with the signal. 

 

http://www.audiocontrol.com/car-audio/factory-system-upgrade/lc7i/

 

For what it does, the LC7i is ridiculously overpriced IMHO. Summing the channels and then splitting them out again just introduces distortion. You are better off just using a simple line output adapter and allow the headunit equalizer and balance circuits to do the sound processing.

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On 12/24/2017 at 8:35 PM, Jlcg said:

 

Gregavi do you have pictures?

Here are some photos. I have a Pioneer 4200NEX DVD head unit, NVX 5 channel amp (bridged to 3 ch) and Focal speakers in the front doors. I have had many nice car audio systems over the (many) years I have owned cars and this is by far the best sounding system I have owned. 

BTW, The heated seats issue apparently has been resolved by the engineers at Metra. I have't had a chance to implement the new firmware yet, but one of the owners of the kits who had the heated seats issue has reported that the firmware update has solved the problem. 

Metra 1.jpg

Metra Installed.jpg

Edited by Gregavi
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  • 5 weeks later...
On ‎12‎/‎24‎/‎2017 at 11:35 PM, Jlcg said:

 

Hey Thomas, there are plenty of videos on youtube explaining the features and installation of the LC7i. The ones I used where by 5 star car audio. AudioControl also offer free PDF of their products for download on their site. 

 

But install is very straight forward. Firstly you'll need a 12v constant source and ground since this is an active crossover. Inputs will be your factory level signal and output will be RCA. Finally, you can add a remote in to turn on or turn on with the signal. 

 

http://www.audiocontrol.com/car-audio/factory-system-upgrade/lc7i/

 

On ‎12‎/‎22‎/‎2017 at 2:40 AM, Gregavi said:

I went the Metra Turbo Dash Kit route with no regrets. PM me and I can tell you where to get the kit for $400 no tax free shipping. The problem with upgrading to the 8" HU is, AFAIK it also does not have pre-outs so you're stuck with the onboard amps. Better and cheaper to use the Metra, although there are some issues with the "Heated Seats" on the Metra unit that they are "working on" to fix.

 

There is an entire thread dedicated to the Metra kit on the 2gfusions forum.

 

Hey everyone, didn't expect to actually get some replies so thank you all for the info and help. Here's another question for you. Since I don't have a lot of money, I've been doing some research on how to do this a lot cheaper. Could I go to a scrap yard and pull the trim, head unit, wires, computer, ect (all other stuff I would need) from a Fusion with the 8' display? I found a really good guy on YouTube with a lot of tutorials and this was one of his tutorials. Maybe check it out and let me know if its do-able?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQzPtT6EcWg

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Im not sure swapping the 8inch from another car is possible since that vid is for the aftermarket upgrade kit buy 4Dtech.com. 

 

That looks good Gregavi.

 

As for the LC7i it does a great job and im happy with it. I had a passive LOC on my previous car and  I could tell the diference inmedietlly after installing the LC7i.

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