APX Apx7000 conversion to XE

[Asunakiyori]

Hello again,

I'm wondering if it's possible to get a 7000xe control top and swap it out with no need to flash or modify the plug in a specific way. I'm finding the tiny knob for channel movement to be a tiny pain in my you know what and I'm liking my xg200ps knob

 

[n3obl]

Have you tried using the fatter knob that will work on the normal control top? I have switched all my radios with the Non-XE top to the fatter knob.

 

[GTR8000]

APX - 5/6/7/8000 channel knob change

I’ve searched and searched and would like to confirm, after this I’ll try to limit the most likely stupid questions, I have seen a stubby short channel knob on the 8000, I am not sure if this is OEM from factory or a aftermarket mod but can you replace the narrow OEM channel knob on the 6/7000...

forums.radioreference.com

3675590B02 - Motorola APX KNOB, FREQUENCY - Fat

3675590B02 - Motorola APX KNOB, FREQUENCY - Fat

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[Asunakiyori]

Have you tried using the fatter knob that will work on the normal control top? I have switched all my radios with the Non-XE top to the fatter knob.

do those fit over that sleeve that that normal small one stops on?

 

[GTR8000]

Read the thread I linked to. It's a direct replacement for the skinny channel knob on any APX with a standard control top.

 

[MEDIC135]

Yes you can switch it over to an XE without flashing the radio, the “radio police” will say it needs to have the XE protocol in the flash but I’d say that’s more for resell. I switched my old 7000 over to an XE without issues.
You’ll need the XE top with screws, XE speaker grille and XE housing.

 

[Asunakiyori]

Yes you can switch it over to an XE without flashing the radio, the “radio police” will say it needs to have the XE protocol in the flash but I’d say that’s more for resell. I switched my old 7000 over to an XE without issues.
You’ll need the XE top with screws, XE speaker grille and XE housing.

so if i go the pricy way...maybe down the road i cant use the standard housing or the grill correct?

 

[MEDIC135]

so if i go the pricy way...maybe down the road i cant use the standard housing or the grill correct?

That’s correct, everything has to be XE specific as far as housing and grille

 

[MEDIC135]

T

so if i go the pricy way...maybe down the road i cant use the standard housing or the grill correct?

The most expensive part of the swap is the XE top itself, grille and housing is no more than $100 combined I believe

 

[Asunakiyori]

That’s correct, everything has to be XE specific as far as housing and grille

10-4 ty i'll see how i like the 7000 oversized knob first and decide later on the xe conversion

 

[n3obl]

10-4 ty i'll see how i like the 7000 oversized knob first and decide later on the xe conversion

Compared to the skinny knob I think you will appreciate it. It a definite improvement.

 

[Asunakiyori]

Compared to the skinny knob I think you will appreciate it. It a definite improvement.

2nd cheapest thing ive done to this thing lol

 

[W4UO]

One thing that people may run into. The back display assembly (has the keypad) nhn7003(original 7000 non xe) seems to be slightly interfering with the xe control top assembly 01009506009. Looking in the manual I see nhn7017 is shown for the xe .
The new xe housing will not sit down flat to the large back display with this interference.

Anyone else encounter this?

 

[MEDIC135]

One thing that people may run into. The back display assembly (has the keypad) nhn7003(original 7000 non xe) seems to be slightly interfering with the xe control top assembly 01009506009. Looking in the manual I see nhn7017 is shown for the xe .
The new xe housing will not sit down flat to the large back display with this interference.

Anyone else encounter this?

I never ran into this when doing my conversion, everything fit perfectly fine 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

[W4UO]

Mines probably has an early part. I see in both parts lists it shows nhn7017. Look at the compatibility list for the xe shows the nhn7017.

Lol probably just my luck. I think I have one to pull from though.

Looking at the top edge of the back display assembly the profile is the same as nhn7003 but the height of that top edge looks taller. This is what's forcing the housing not to seat and the assembly itself not to seat flat with the xe top fastened down tight.

Just wanted to share this observation.

 

[Echo4Thirty]

Yes you can switch it over to an XE without flashing the radio, the “radio police” will say it needs to have the XE protocol in the flash but I’d say that’s more for resell. I switched my old 7000 over to an XE without issues.
You’ll need the XE top with screws, XE speaker grille and XE housing.

All the XE flashcode option does is make the radio say APX#000XE at bootup. Literally. Thats it. We have some legit radios that got flashed to add a feature and Moto screwed up and forgot to put in the XE option when they made the flashkeys. We called to see what detriment this would have on the radio and thats what they advised us. So we just flashed away. Now the radios bootup and dont have XE on the end of their model number on the LCD. Everything else works fine.

 

[W4UO]

Mines probably has an early part. I see in both parts lists it shows nhn7017. Look at the compatibility list for the xe shows the nhn7017.

Lol probably just my luck. I think I have one to pull from though.

Looking at the top edge of the back display assembly the profile is the same as nhn7003 but the height of that top edge looks taller. This is what's forcing the housing not to seat and the assembly itself not to seat flat with the xe top fastened down tight.

Just wanted to share this observation.

Wanted to make a CORRECTION....


I sat down and looked at the control top and photos of a 7000XE control top. After 5mins it dawns on me whats wrong. It is NOT the NHN7003 that is the problem. What happend is I was sent a 6000XE (AN) control top assembly which has rubber around the control top that is longer, which in turn interfered with the new 7000XE housing.

So what I had to do is take a razor knife and cut the rubber down to the correct form like the 7000XE control top would be and it works perfectly. I would not recommend this, Just make sure you have the correct control top. Fitment of the metal part of the assembly is the same , everything else perfect.

 

[Asunakiyori]

Wanted to make a CORRECTION....


I sat down and looked at the control top and photos of a 7000XE control top. After 5mins it dawns on me whats wrong. It is NOT the NHN7003 that is the problem. What happend is I was sent a 6000XE (AN) control top assembly which has rubber around the control top that is longer, which in turn interfered with the new 7000XE housing.

So what I had to do is take a razor knife and cut the rubber down to the correct form like the 7000XE control top would be and it works perfectly. I would not recommend this, Just make sure you have the correct control top. Fitment of the metal part of the assembly is the same , everything else perfect.


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ty for the correction. its on my probably do later list