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#2 ·
How are you having the APIM reprogrammed to add navigation? So far the only way I was aware to add navigation was to swap APIMs from a wrecked focus that came with navigation.
 
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#4 ·
dbsimms63 said:
I found someone on the Explorer boards who says he can. Send me a PM and I'll give you his email.
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I'd have to doubt this very much (being able to reprogram the apim to enable navigation), since any time someone has asked a dealer to try the dealer could not do it because when they reported the vehicle information to Ford, it was not permitted to install the software.

The only known way of adding navigation to cars that didn't have it so far is to replace the APIM from an identical model with navigation.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
suss6052 said:
I'd have to doubt this very much (being able to reprogram the apim to enable navigation), since any time someone has asked a dealer to try the dealer could not do it because when they reported the vehicle information to Ford, it was not permitted to install the software.

The only known way of adding navigation to cars that didn't have it so far is to replace the APIM from an identical model with navigation.
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Reported the vehicle how, with the VIN? I have my VIN from my 13 still if he needs it, but he hasn't mentioned a need for it.
 
#6 ·
dbsimms63 said:
Reported the vehicle how, with the VIN? I have my VIN from my 13 still if he needs it, but he hasn't mentioned a need for it.
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To pull down the as built data. Given the mismatch in vins between cars (since initially they tried to use the VIN from the car with NAV, but it didn't match the car being worked on Ford would not send the data.

Essentially they were trying to download the data for the wrong car to a new/ blank APIM. Ford won't let them do that it seems.

E.X.
I spoke with my dealer about this in a MFT learning session and the very experienced tech who happens to own a Ford Edge with MFT provided me with the following answer. You should know that he has actually tried to activate the Nav in his vehicle with no luck and he knows how to reload the system and tell it that it is in a different vin number auto...

Nav is set up at the factory. Ford does not provide any path to add it to the vehicles as a post factory mod. The system uses the vehicle vin to determine if the car is eligible for the Nav and will not allow it to work (even if you have everything else installed and functional) unless the car is a designated as a "Nav" system car via the vin. At the time I talked to him, he said he was unaware of any plans to allow for post factory upgrades in the future.

So, stick with your iPhone or Android or pick up a TomTom or Nuvi and let them use the stereo to tell you where to go while using their screens for the visuals. I have been doing that for years with my iPhone and it works incredibly well.

(Note: I have the Navigon app on my iPhone so I can navigate when I am in areas with no cell service. If you go with the native app on your iPhone or Android, you should expect to lose Nav services when out in the boonies even though your phone still gets a GPS signal.)
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http://www.fordfusionforum.com/topic/9258-adding-navigation-didnt-order-it-in-mft-system/?p=63948

There are also references to trying it on FF as well, but they were from 2012-2013.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
I remember the early days of Ford's EEC IV computers and everyone saying it couldn't be hacked to gain performance through the computer. Well that was done, so I believe if you are smart enough, have the proper skills and equipment, nothing is un-hackable.
 
#8 ·
I am the one dbsimms63 has been talking to. I have been able to convert non nav units to nav. I just did a 13 Taurus Limited yesterday. Lots of $$, research, etc into figuring out how to do it but simply put....yes it can be done.

Jason
 
#9 ·
dbsimms63 said:
I remember the early days of Ford's EEC IV computers and everyone saying it couldn't be hacked to gain performance through the computer. Well that was done, so I believe if you are smart enough, have the proper skills and equipment, nothing is un-hackable.
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jmr061 said:
I am the one dbsimms63 has been talking to. I have been able to convert non nav units to nav. I just did a 13 Taurus Limited yesterday. Lots of $$, research, etc into figuring out how to do it but simply put....yes it can be done.

Jason
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With the right tools anything is technically possible, however those who have tried to do so before have all failed and had to resort to living without navigation or to pull parts from a wrecked car that had navigation already.

Ford clearly does not want people to be able to install navigation once the car leaves the factory or they'd make an easy upgrade path through their dealer network.

I don't have the navigation software installed on my Focus ST with MFT, and I haven't really wanted it, though it would be nicer than trying to use a portable GPS or one's phone as it's not reliant on cellular signals which can be few and far between in many places, so I could see adding it at some point just for those reasons.
 
#10 ·
jmr061 said:
I am the one dbsimms63 has been talking to. I have been able to convert non nav units to nav. I just did a 13 Taurus Limited yesterday. Lots of $$, research, etc into figuring out how to do it but simply put....yes it can be done.

Jason
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If you have indeed figured it out you should have lots of demand. As a sales manager at a Ford dealer, I can't count the number of times we had the perfect vegicle for a customer with the exception of it not being orderd with navigation on the MFT. It would be great if there was a way to offer an upgrade to the existing unit. Is this something that the APIM can be pulled and shipped out to you for? Or do you need the vehicle?
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
MattE_Sales said:
If you have indeed figured it out you should have lots of demand. As a sales manager at a Ford dealer, I can't count the number of times we had the perfect vegicle for a customer with the exception of it not being orderd with navigation on the MFT. It would be great if there was a way to offer an upgrade to the existing unit. Is this something that the APIM can be pulled and shipped out to you for? Or do you need the vehicle?
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This was the exact reason I almost didn't buy my car yesterday, but after some web research and the hell of a deal I made on my 14, $330/mo. payments with 0 down, I couldn't pass it up. It is a shame Ford is so one sided that they won't even allow their dealer networks to perform this upgrade for customers who want it and are willing to pay for it. It is not the customer's fault that the dealership ordered the car without a "feature", there are very few "special order" cars these days. Most cars are purchased from a dealer's existing floor plan. Ford should realize they are hurting their dealer networks by NOT allowing this kind of after the sale upgrade to take place. It can only do good in both sales of existing inventory and building good, long lasting customer relationships and promoting brand loyalty.
 
#12 ·
Ford is shooting themselves in the foot by not allowing after the purchase upgrades for certain features. Many options can be added after the fact by reprogramming but Ford chooses to not allow it. I specialize in police vehicle "upgrades".

I am currently working on a bench setup to upgrade APIMs to NAV while out of the vehicle so once I get it setup yes I can do them "outside" of a vehicle...for the time being I have been doing it by installing them in my car....a Ford Taurus which isn't the easiest to get to the APIM.
 
#13 ·
#15 ·
MattE_Sales said:
If you have indeed figured it out you should have lots of demand. As a sales manager at a Ford dealer, I can't count the number of times we had the perfect vegicle for a customer with the exception of it not being orderd with navigation on the MFT. It would be great if there was a way to offer an upgrade to the existing unit. Is this something that the APIM can be pulled and shipped out to you for? Or do you need the vehicle?
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Once I get my bench setup up and running and tested feel free to pull and send those APIMs to me!
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
I wanted navigation, but this was the only 14 the dealer's in my area had, and they discounted it a lot, so I figured it had everything else, I could hopefully add the nav after what I had read here on the forums.
 
#18 ·
I followed this thread and serously looked into getting a NAV apim. The problems people had are when getting an apim out of other vehicles (eg. Escape). If you find a Focus apim w/nav and all the features you have it seems to work perfect.

That thread even has links to junk yard part finders with apims as low as $100. Great resource.
 
#20 ·
I know with the 8" screen and MFT it can be frustrating, but for my non-MFT I just use a CD slot magnetic cell phone mount and a 5.5" cell phone for my navigation... for line of sight, it sits right below the stock 4.3" display and I can still reach the buttons behind it... It even swivels toward me so I can see it very easily... My phone pops right on and off magnetically as I enter/exit the vehicle. Best $15 I've ever spent on a car accessory.
 
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