2013 Edge SE after market stereo installation

[Selman]

This is for you folks that might be looking for info on replacing the OEM stereo w/ sync with an after market system.

My Edge is the SE model with the very basic stereo (4 speakers) and the sync with the 4.3" screen.

 

I started by doing a lot of research on these forums and online. I found that there basically were two options to choose from:

 

1. Metra 99-5829CH dash kit that lets you keep some sync features (AX-ASWC-1, AX-FD02, AX-FDBOX2 also required)

2. Scosche FD6205CHB

 

For both setups you need to get a couple of antenna adapters (one for the radio, Metra 40EU-10, and one for SiriusXM, Fakra Plug with Male Center Pin in to SMB Plug with Female Basket). You only need the SiriusXM one if you have a stereo that has SiriusXM and you want to use the car's factory antenna.

 

The new head unit that I put in is the Pioneer AVH-4100NEX. (if you want SiriusXM you need the add on SiriusXM tuner, SXV300v1)

 

The Metra stuff costs about $100 - $150 more than the Scosche kit does. I went with the Metra kit first, but after several calls to their tech support and rechecking the wires several times I was not happy with the results. The dash kit fit nicely and the AX-ASWC-1 box did great for the SWC, but the AX-ADBOX2 sucked. Also there were some quality issues with the dash kit. So I returned the dash kit and will be returning the AX-ADBOX2.

 

The Sync features that were kept with the Metra kit are the clock, outside temp, and Bluetooth for the phone. I gotta say that it was not worth it for the extra cash.

 

I then bought the Scosche FD6205CHB on eBay and I wish I had done that first. It was a breeze to hook all the wires up to the stereo and install. The process for programming was very easy as all you have to do is pick from a few selections on the setup screen. I did have one issue where the front left and right speaker wires were swapped on their connector, but that was easily fixed.

 

The Scosche kit looks better and has all of the right controls for my Edge model unlike the Metra kit that had extra buttons and such that were useless for me.

 

Here are some pics of the Scosche setup.

Edited October 5, 2015 by Selman

[Atreies]

Nice info, thanks for posting it. Do you retain any sync functionality? I'm assuming a lot of aftermarket head units have blue tooth for phone integration so that doesn't really matter.

 

What about this kit?

 

http://radio-upgrade.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=81

 

Did you do any research on it before making your choice? It seems like it has more features for less but I'm not sure.

[Selman]

As I said in my post the only kit, that I tried, that keeps some Sync functionality is the Metra kit (Sync features that were kept are the clock, outside temp, and Bluetooth for the phone). The Scosche kit does not keep any at all. Like you said the aftermarket head units usually have Bluetooth so it does not matter.

 

I did look at the unit you have a link to, but did not want the Nav and all that. Also with those types of units you get what you get and will have to replace it all again if you want something different. I will say that the price is good if it comes with everything it says and works as advertised, but with no good reviews I would be worried about it being a cheap unit from China.

 

I had already pretty much settled on the Pioneer and went with what would make it work. The Pioneer unit I got was $550 on Amazon and the Scoshe dash kit was $307 on eBay. The Metra kit (and all of the required add on items) was $450 total.

 

As far as features the Pioneer can use your Android or iPhone to do navigation and more. So I guess you need to figure out if that is important or not. Android Auto and iPhone Car Play are both supported. I have used the Android Auto and can say it works pretty good.

 

So everything that unit can do the Pioneer or any other equivalent brand/unit can do.

 

I think it comes down to how much you want to spend and what features you are looking for.

[idreamer24]

Probably a dumb question, but can you still use the controls on your steering wheel to turn the volume up/down and skip tracks with the Scosche kit installed? When you installed the Pioneer head unit are you able to use the mic already installed when talking on the phone or did you have to add a new one on?

[Selman]

The steering wheel controls work for volume up/down & seek track up/down, but the rocker button does not do the push to talk thing anymore. Instead it cycles through the sources of the head unit. The other side of the rocker button changes the bands of the radio or SiriusXM (FM1-FM2-FM3, etc.).

 

If you use the Scosche kit make sure you follow the instructions very carefully. They say in several places to turn the ignition on 2x before doing anything else to initialize the kit. This is where the steering wheel controls get programmed. It is a VERY easy setup from there. Way easier than the Metra kit, though the Metra kit was more difficult because of keeping some Sync features.

 

I had to use the mic that came with the Pioneer. I ran it up the inside of the driver's door column and then across the inside edge of the head liner to where the mirror is. I then hooked in onto the dome light fixture. That way it is out of the way, but central to everything. If I knew which wires were for the factory mic I might work out some type of adaptor to use that instead, but honestly the other mic works great and nobody complains about its sound.

 

The only thing I sort of miss is the voice control over selecting songs and playlists. I don't think I can do it with the Pioneer and my iPod, but I think if I had tunes on my Android it would work using Android Auto. I just don't like taking up phone memory with music when I have an iPod.

I am still learning all of the features of the Pioneer head unit, but over all I am happy I did this. The sound is so much better and if worse comes to worst I can easily and quickly revert everything back to the factory setup in less than an hour. This setup is just that easy to do. It took more time to make sure I had all of the wires going to the right places than it did to remove the old and install the new. Just make sure you have the antenna adaptors and everything else you need before starting if you are doing this too.

[tintman]

Thinking about adding a JLAUDIO sub and an amp to the factory 12 speaker Sony system. Anyone done this? Any input would be appreciated.

[Selman]

I think if you look in other topics/posts you might find the answer there.

 

In doing my research I do remember finding a lot of topics about putting in subs and amps. So you might want to search the forums on sub/amp installation.

 

I posted this topic because I did not find a lot of info to help with replacing the entire system and specifically using the Scosche dash kit.