Advocate III
- 5,584
- First Name
- Michael
- Last Name
- Rose
- Member #
-
20990
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- W7FSB
- Service Branch
- US ARMY Retired
Background:
My 1989 Ford Bronco stock stereo headunit (single din) is outdated and in dire need of a face lift, as well as the rest of the instrument panel. My plan is a complete gut out of the stock interior from driver seats forward: building a new center console, dash rework, adding in an overhead console, replacing the front seats (for a second time), updated steering column, updating gauges (and adding in a few), relocating the climate controls, and adding in a couple of switch panels, getting a mobile Ham and GRMS radio, and a trailer brake controler.
Now onto the questions:
For the most part I have this build pretty well thought out. Where I am having problems trying to decide on what to do about my head unit.
First option (cheapest): use my current single din unit that I have in a truck I am going to take to the scrap yard. Then get a dedicated backup camera with display, and a stand alone used or cheap navigation device, and use my iPhone XR as a backup GPS.
(This option uses the most dash realestate, not very factory looking)
Option 2: Get a new Multimedia head unit, gps antenna, and a backup camera. (Not as cheap as option 1, as far as I can tell (somone educate my ignorance please) I cant use my own navigation software, can be made to look factory)
Option 3 (most expensive): an android head unit, gps antenna, and backup camera. Glitchy, most screens are hard to read in direct sunlight or with glasses on.
Option 4: get a dedicated wifi tablet with gps, 4 channel amp, bluetooth module, some kind of mic for hands free phone use (might be able to use the tablet mic), backup camera. Biggest drawback here is the backup camera probably needing its own screen.
All 4 options have their own strengths and weeknesses. I am leaning towards options 2 and 4 because I can make a clean factory installed look without a whole lot of extra work.
If you guys could give me some ideas on different products to look at, or options I havent thaught of yet, that would be great.
My 1989 Ford Bronco stock stereo headunit (single din) is outdated and in dire need of a face lift, as well as the rest of the instrument panel. My plan is a complete gut out of the stock interior from driver seats forward: building a new center console, dash rework, adding in an overhead console, replacing the front seats (for a second time), updated steering column, updating gauges (and adding in a few), relocating the climate controls, and adding in a couple of switch panels, getting a mobile Ham and GRMS radio, and a trailer brake controler.
Now onto the questions:
For the most part I have this build pretty well thought out. Where I am having problems trying to decide on what to do about my head unit.
First option (cheapest): use my current single din unit that I have in a truck I am going to take to the scrap yard. Then get a dedicated backup camera with display, and a stand alone used or cheap navigation device, and use my iPhone XR as a backup GPS.
(This option uses the most dash realestate, not very factory looking)
Option 2: Get a new Multimedia head unit, gps antenna, and a backup camera. (Not as cheap as option 1, as far as I can tell (somone educate my ignorance please) I cant use my own navigation software, can be made to look factory)
Option 3 (most expensive): an android head unit, gps antenna, and backup camera. Glitchy, most screens are hard to read in direct sunlight or with glasses on.
Option 4: get a dedicated wifi tablet with gps, 4 channel amp, bluetooth module, some kind of mic for hands free phone use (might be able to use the tablet mic), backup camera. Biggest drawback here is the backup camera probably needing its own screen.
All 4 options have their own strengths and weeknesses. I am leaning towards options 2 and 4 because I can make a clean factory installed look without a whole lot of extra work.
If you guys could give me some ideas on different products to look at, or options I havent thaught of yet, that would be great.