me2 wrote:
"Personally, why shoot so low?"
If you Google around a bit, you'll see that OEM automotive radios are among the highest performance AM/FM receivers out there. Some are sensitive to -3 dBuV. None of the aftermarket or home receivers can match that. Aftermarket receivers are usually 8-15 dBuV. As I stated previously, my personal experience matches this.
What is the newest OEM radio that doesn't require a CANBus to run ? I can get connectors from an auto wrecker once I know what model to zero in on.
OEM units are CHEATING on the specs if they claim -3 dBuV.. Usually to get better sensitivity numbers they tend to do poor in SELECTIVITY.. You have to compare BOTH numbers to get a decent picture of the tuner performance..
Without good selectivity you will have issues picking out stations that are side by side.
As far as published specs on Ford OEM radios, I have never been able to locate that information, perhaps you can post that information (and YES, I DID "google" it)?
You do need to realize that car stereo manufactures over the years HAVE stretched the truth for many of their specs.. Up to a couple of years ago they could post most anything they wanted as far as output power.. Now they must post the REAL RMS power ratings..
But honestly, I cannot ever say that any of the OEM stereos have performed as good as the aftermarkets.. That is in the tuner section, amplifier section and even sound quality.
And as far as Ford's "sync" goes, it IS junk, do a search yourself.. You WILL find lots of complaints on the newer units ranging from losing audio randomly to turning on/off randomly and a host of other issues..
I ripped mine out the day I brought the truck home, sounded terrible, tuner couldn't get the station I prefer.. It is sitting on a shelf and will go back in the day I sell my truck.
As far as Canbus goes, I think you will have to go back to units made for 2009/10 or before (can't say for sure other than I know 2011 and newer ARE highly integrated with CanBus)and I doubt you are going to find much with navigation that won't have some dependency on Canbus.. Seems to me that Ford started Canbus around 2006-2008..
My 2013 with Sync, uses Canbus to power on/off, control the separate Sync module and the Sat Module and the Sync module handles the USB/player functions.. The radio and the Sync module talk through the Canbus.
On edit..
I should also note that my 2013 truck does not have a switched ignition power feed. The Canbus TELLS the radio digitally that the ignition has been turned on..
I had to find my own switched accessory power for my aftermarket radio..
I know Ford made this change somewhere around 2008 on most of their trucks as this is a common complaint I had found when I was installing my aftermarket in a 2013..
Without the Canbus, and since the radio does not have any switched ignition connection I would highly doubt you will get the radio to turn on via the front power button.
