Town Car Navigation System

[Marauder]

Hey All,

I was wondering, the 2003+ Town car uses the same steering wheel controls for the radio and even uses an extremely similar radio as our cars.
http://www.lincoln.com/vehicles/vehi_tc/images/image08.jpg
http://www.lincoln.com/vehicles/vehi_tc/images/image06.jpg
I spoke to a Ford radio guy and he said 2003 and newer Fords use a new connector for the radio so he said most 2003-2004 radios are interchangeable as far as the connectors go.

I was wondering, can the optional Navigation system from a Town Car be retroftted into our car's dash boards?
http://www.lincoln.com/images/30022A-3_big.jpg

I tried searching and couldn't find any info on this...

Thanks...
Danny

[woaface]

That would be aaaawweeeeesome, and worth a try, IMO.

But just to make sure the install goes well, you might want to order it from the factory like that.

[Marauder]

That would be aaaawweeeeesome, and worth a try, IMO.

But just to make sure the install goes well, you might want to order it from the factory like that.
I'd be afraid to see how much it would cost from factory.

[Fourth Horseman]

That would be slick, though, wouldn't it? Does that unit handle all audio functions as well? I'm assuming it'd work with our 6 disc changers as well? You know, if it wasn't too expensive I'd consider it just for the cool factor.

[Marauder]

That would be slick, though, wouldn't it? Does that unit handle all audio functions as well? I'm assuming it'd work with our 6 disc changers as well? You know, if it wasn't too expensive I'd consider it just for the cool factor.cool factor!!!! :D I figure the only addition would have to be the GPS antenna.

[Donny Carlson]

That would be slick, though, wouldn't it? Does that unit handle all audio functions as well? I'm assuming it'd work with our 6 disc changers as well? You know, if it wasn't too expensive I'd consider it just for the cool factor.An added bonus, according to the Lincoln website... the navigation system also is Sirius satellite radio compatible. So, if this is retrofittable to our cars (and I don't see why not), you can add navigation AND satellite radio, all with OEM equipment.

Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio provides 100 streams (channels) of digital quality entertainment coast-to-coast including 60 streams of 100% commercial-free music and 40 streams of world-class sports, news and entertainment. A dealer-installed option, Sirius brings to Town Car a truly unique listening experience. In 2004, all Town Car vehicles equipped with the available Navigation System are Sirius Satellite Radio compatible.

Another interesting point... the Navigation unit has an >in dash< 6 CD changer...

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click to enlarge (http://www.lincoln.com/vehicles/vehi_tc/30022A-3.asp#)
</TD><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; BACKGROUND: #dbd8d2; font-color: #393329" vAlign=top>http://www.lincoln.com/images/spacer.gif

Vehicle Navigation System
Available on Ultimate and Ultimate L, this touch-screen DVD satellite navigation system uses a Global Positioning System and map-matching technologies to pinpoint your location and guide you to your chosen destination. Incorporating a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, the system is voice activated and can provide easy-to-follow directions both on-screen and through the speakers.


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That said, keep in mind, the FACTORY INSTALLED cost is $2495 MSRP!
If it were installed by the dealer, or a Ford authorised shop, you can expect it will be more. Would be interesting to see what a discounted price on it just as parts would be, no?

[Donny Carlson]

Okay, here's another interesting question. The Town Car roof console is very similar to the MM's (at least, the 2004 version), but offers some differences.
The compass spells out the words instead of abbreviations, and also has an oil life readout. Could you buy the console and swap it out for the MM's stock unit?

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--var SymRealOnLoad;var SymRealOnUnload;function SymOnUnload(){ window.open = SymWinOpen; if(SymRealOnUnload != null) SymRealOnUnload();}function SymOnLoad(){ if(SymRealOnLoad != null) SymRealOnLoad(); window.open = SymRealWinOpen; SymRealOnUnload = window.onunload; window.onunload = SymOnUnload;}SymRealOnLoad = window.onload;window.onload = SymOnLoad;//--></SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND: #dbd8d2" vAlign=top>
click to enlarge (http://www.lincoln.com/vehicles/vehi_tc/30021S-3.asp#)</TD><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; BACKGROUND: #dbd8d2; font-color: #393329" vAlign=top>http://www.lincoln.com/images/spacer.gif
Overhead Console
The convenient and stylish overhead console houses controls for available equipment like the power moonroof, as well as standard equipment including the Homelink® Universal Transceiver, a digital compass, oil life indicator and map lights.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--var SymRealOnLoad;var SymRealOnUnload;function SymOnUnload(){ window.open = SymWinOpen; if(SymRealOnUnload != null) SymRealOnUnload();}function SymOnLoad(){ if(SymRealOnLoad != null) SymRealOnLoad(); window.open = SymRealWinOpen; SymRealOnUnload = window.onunload; window.onunload = SymOnUnload;}SymRealOnLoad = window.onload;window.onload = SymOnLoad;//--></SCRIPT>

[Marauder]

An added bonus, according to the Lincoln website... the navigation system also is Sirius satellite radio compatible. So, if this is retrofittable to our cars (and I don't see why not), you can add navigation AND satellite radio, all with OEM equipment.

Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio provides 100 streams (channels) of digital quality entertainment coast-to-coast including 60 streams of 100% commercial-free music and 40 streams of world-class sports, news and entertainment. A dealer-installed option, Sirius brings to Town Car a truly unique listening experience. In 2004, all Town Car vehicles equipped with the available Navigation System are Sirius Satellite Radio compatible.

Another interesting point... the Navigation unit has an >in dash< 6 CD changer...

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="BACKGROUND: #dbd8d2" vAlign=top>




click to enlarge (http://www.lincoln.com/vehicles/vehi_tc/30022A-3.asp#)



</TD><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; BACKGROUND: #dbd8d2; font-color: #393329" vAlign=top>http://www.lincoln.com/images/spacer.gif




Vehicle Navigation System
Available on Ultimate and Ultimate L, this touch-screen DVD satellite navigation system uses a Global Positioning System and map-matching technologies to pinpoint your location and guide you to your chosen destination. Incorporating a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, the system is voice activated and can provide easy-to-follow directions both on-screen and through the speakers.





</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>WOW!!! Navigation, 6 CD, and Satellite Radio in an OEM in-dash package????? Get me a freakin blow torch!!!!! I'll make it fit!!!!!!! :D

[ADE 1000]

I would love to add this unit to my MM. Now quick, someone go try it.

[GarageMahal]

I would love to add this unit to my MM. No quick, someone go try it.
Me too! And tell me how much it cost ya ;)

[RCSignals]

If it is all contained in one unit, and only uses the same wiring harness as the radio, (which somehow I doubt) It might work.
the radio in a Town Car though installs in The dash differently than the Marauder. The Marauder radio has spring clips on each side that holds it in place. The town car has a screw plate tab on each side and is screwed down to the dash. The dash facia covers over this.

[SouLRioT]

you could ask ray thedealer and see how much it is from him. I'm not even sure if a dealer would even want to install it though, i'm due for an oil change soon and i'll ask them.

[sb2463]

Don't go to the dealer find out who does their radio work. All dealers send the cars out for different radio heads. I E the head for the 6 CD in some of the cars are different than one with 1 CD or Cassette only. When they order the cars they have to change them for some customers that want a different combo. The same guy does their repair on Heads, harnesses and speakers. Try the ford dealer too it will be the same Radio guy. There is a big mark up from the radio guy charges the dealer, to what the dealer charges the customer.

Back when the changers were 600.00 at Ford, you could buy one from the OEM guy for 320.00. There is usually one radio guy for an area.

[Donny Carlson]

If it is all contained in one unit, and only uses the same wiring harness as the radio, (which somehow I doubt) It might work.
the radio in a Town Car though installs in The dash differently than the Marauder. The Marauder radio has spring clips on each side that holds it in place. The town car has a screw plate tab on each side and is screwed down to the dash. The dash facia covers over this.
This may be a crucial difference. Even though the head units look identical in the MM and Town Car, the MM head unit has four holes that I gather correspond to the clips. The Town Car head unit does not. It may be that the Navigation head unit fits, dimension-wise, but lacks the ability for mounting because there is no provision for clips.

I doubt the head unit contains everything. My guess, the trunk contains both the tuner for the Sirius system, and a box that contains the brain and DVD unit for the navigation system. It could be that in stead of the CD changer, that's where this stuff is located, and whether or not the data cable is the same as the cd changer is unknown.

I tried to find a TC with the navigation system today, but no local dealers had one. Also, I spoke with Rickwood Radio, which does a lot of warantee and OEM installation work. The owner was not interested in even checking to see if the navigation head unit would work in an MM (he pissed me off, too, because he had never heard of a Marauder, and wanted to argue with me about the Alpine "audiophile" head unit being available "in the Grand Marquis") and pointed to aftermarket navigation/satellite systems he sold. I also went in to the parts department of Vulcan Lincoln Mercury, and the parts guy was completely useless, took 30 seconds to see if "there was a kit available" and when there wasn't, told me that if I ordered the parts through him, it would cost me "about $4,000." :bs:

Look, I think it could be made to work, but it won't be as easy as pluggin in a couple wiring harnesses. There has to be an antenna for both the GPS and Satellite radio, and there may be compatibility problems to overcome with the data cable and the steering wheel controls. And the biggest obstacle is price... because even though it would be cool to have a system that looks factory, if you could have the same thing for far less only its aftermarket, well...

I really do want both "hands free" DVD voice recognition navigation and satellite radio. I am not interested in DVD video (no kids). And I want it to look like it was designed for the car.