possible to swap in later model RKEMs?

[hawkeye18]

I've been looking at my keyfob lately; it sucks. It has a range of - on a good day - about six feet, and the buttons have no positive engagement whatsoever. I drove a rental lately, a fusion, and its keyfob has buttons that click when pressed and are much easier to press; it also has a range of bordering on 100 feet.

Can I get the keyfob for the later fords and will it work? If not, can I swap in an RKEM module from said late-model ford? I'm quite handy with electrical work so different connector layouts and wiring differences are no problem, but is there a reason it can't be done that anybody knows of?

Also, what about the keys? Will new style keys fit in the SHO ignition locks? If they will, I'm going to try to get a setup where you can use the integrated key/keyfobs from ebay...

If nobody knows whether it'll work or not, I'm going to give it a shot and see how it works.

 

[Phoenix]

Mine has a six feet range too , but I blame the battery. Did you try that first? Aint there some older style keyless fobs on ebay?

 

[whiteman_01]

I just put a tumbler in my car from an 03 or 04 ford. Not sure exactly what it came out of, but its pretty new. I like the key cause it has the actual blue oval in it, as apposed to just being engraved in the key.

 

[hawkeye18]

So the ignition cylinders from newer Fords will fit? This is excellent news!

 

[itsstan]

The 6 foot range isn't because of the battery, i replaced mine and still get only about 6 feet. I think it has to do with where the antenna from the RKEM is placed.

 

[LJRuddy]

Since when is anyone able to open their doors from more than 6 feet away? I don't see the issue here with a 6 foot radius.

 

[hawkeye18]

I think I'm just gonna mount a 20 foot CB antenna to the RKEM module and be done with it .

 

[itsstan]

I don't see the issue here with a 6 foot radius.

It comes in handy when you're away from the car and somebody needs to get in it, like when the wife and kid beats you out of the house. Also helps when you actually need to use the "panic" button. Yesterday at one in the morning, my neighbor saw three punks checking out my car. He scared them away by activating his OEM Chrysler alarm from inside his house. His alarm worked last week when his car got broken into, window was smashed but nothing was stolen, alarm sounded when they opened the door. Why doesn't our car have an alarm built in? Seriously, how lazy was that?

 

[firebat45]

It would probably be easier (and more functional) to install an aftermarket starter. Some of them have ranges above 3000 feet, and the nicest ones can even be texted from a cell phone to start/unlock.

 

[Devin]

I think I'm just gonna mount a 20 foot CB antenna to the RKEM module and be done with it .

Yeah, but then when you screw around with the panic button 60 miles away it WILL go off!

 

[sholover719]

the nicest ones can even be texted from a cell phone to start/unlock.

im sry but thats just messed up being able to start, lock and unlock ur car with ur cell phone i think thats a little much for me.

 

[kevinatd]

Go aftermarket! Viper and Clifford have keyless/security/remote start options with two way communication and up to a mile range. add "smart start" available next month, and get unlimited range by using your iPhone as your remote! Yep, they have an app for that. LOL I already am playing with the app on my phone. Cant wait until it is actually available so it will work my SHO.

 

[hawkeye18]

Go aftermarket! Viper and Clifford have keyless/security/remote start options with two way communication and up to a mile range. add "smart start" available next month, and get unlimited range by using your iPhone as your remote! Yep, they have an app for that. LOL I already am playing with the app on my phone. Cant wait until it is actually available so it will work my SHO.

But a cheap CB antenna is $20...

 

[Howdy_Doody]

Mine has a six feet range too , but I blame the battery. Did you try that first? Aint there some older style keyless fobs on ebay?

Yep, I bought mine from there, nice clean white lettering. Still only works from 6 feet away.