Metra 2010-2014 Ford Mustang 99-5839CH Dash Kit Review

When it comes to car stereos, a system is only as good as its install. An amazing system will only be good with a terrible install. For a great install, you need the right accessories and connectors. And you also need them to be good quality, as well as keep up with the changing car environment. A company known for this is METRA. And up for review today is their 99-5839CH, a dash kit for a 2010-2014 Ford Mustang.

   

Features and specs:

• ISO DIN radio provision with pocket
• ISO DDIN radio provision
• Painted charcoal with a matte black center
• Touchscreen interface for climate and personalization features
• Two included trim panels allow the aftermarket radio to be mounted in top or bottom locations
• Provides accessory power (12-volt 10-amp)
• Retains R.A.P. (retained accessory power)
• Provides NAV outputs (parking brake – reverse – speed sense)
• Retains factory steering wheel controls
• Retains SYNC
• Retains the factory AUX-IN jack
• Provides an aftermarket backup camera input
• Can be used in both amplified and non-amplified models
• Retains balance and fade
• Micro B USB updatable

Wiring and Antenna Connections

• Harness
  • Axxess interface and wiring harness included
• Antenna Adapter
  • 40-CR10 (sold separately)
• Steering wheel control interface
  • ASWC-1 (sold separately)

This kit allows installation of an aftermarket stereo into a newer Ford Mustang. The kit came in a great looking printed box. Included in the box were the instructions, multiple trimplates, brackets, pocket, clips, screws, touchscreen display assembly and wiring harness. It’s everything you need in a simple kit. Materials used were mostly plastic. Quality of materials used was very good.

When it came to the install, it was quite simple. The included instructions were easy enough to follow. It took a little bit of time, but the kit worked great. I loved the stock look of the trimplates. And even better, I loved the touchscreen display! It allow me to control the climate control, and maintains all your factory controls like steering wheel controls and SYNC. It also gives you access to your data for your car on screen, such as engine RPM. I loved the steering wheel button programming. Not only does it keep the use of your steering wheel buttons, but it also allows you to custom program what the buttons do! The remapping even allows you to dual assign buttons, giving two functions to a single button. Got an aftermarket back-up camera? Metra has you covered with integrating it. Have a NOS kit for your mustang? You can integrate that as well.

The newer vehicles more typically have a lot of controls integrated into the dash. Buttons for features such as climate control, heated seats, back up camera, etc are often found right on the dash. The manufacturers make it really convenient, except for when you want to use an aftermarket stereo. Being able to use an aftermarket stereo often requires an extensive aftermarket dash kit. And finding a dash kit that retains all the functionality and use of the features assigned to the factory buttons is difficult. But to have a dash kit that does that, as well as provide additional functionality, such as integration of a NOS kit? I didn’t think that was possible. But that’s just what Metra did with their 2010-2014 dask dit. And I think I’m in love!

At the end of the day, we buy a product for what it promised to do, and we expect the product to deliver on that promise. The Metra 2010-2014 Ford Mustang dash kit claims a lot of features. As expected, Metro delivered. It worked well, giving a great looking stock look. And the touchscreen display worked in spades, giving a clean look and great control. Based on its design features, and performance, the Metra 2010-2014 Ford Mustang dash kit has earned our Editor’s Choice Award. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.metraonline.com.