View Full Version : Mk3 Stereo swapping, best route?
I've seen a few people put a new HU under the steering wheel on a cupra. Some have suggested a ribbon cable to a faceplate in the visor and some remove the centre vents.
If I put in a new HU, will the old one have to be completely disconnected?
Can someone who has done this recommend anything?
Is it possible to buy a new centre trim section and 'butcher it' removing the old HU and putting a new one in its place, but still retain the climate display?
Any help on putting in a new HU would be apprepciated, or it it good enough if I just add a cd changer? Bear in mind I currently have a Pionner HU with Alpine V12 amp, uprated speakers and a 10" sub.
:cheers:
boyracertimmy
23-12-2003, 15:17
ok how about this?
remove the buttons that control the music side of the standard head unit but keep the heater buttons and knobs (remember to switch off the headunit first so it only displays the date. disconnect the speaker wires and aerial from the standard HU.like you said before you could butcher the cover that surrounds the display so the the holes are covered, spraying it any colour you want. then perhaps mount the new head unit in the hole thingy forward of the gearstick. and re-wire it with the wires that were removed previously, or just rewire it completely did a pic, not a great quality but you can see what i mean.
What you reckon?
Tim M
Dormouse
23-12-2003, 18:23
There's a dirty great steel box behind the facia. good luck!
2 routes. There's a company in portugal or spain that can do the modification for you and retain the climate control etc (KPSPORT)
Ask Saul, he did this conversion, but some rectal invertabrate nicked his radio...:(
Cheers
Dor.
commiemidget
24-12-2003, 09:36
Hi There
I have a MK3 and i have gone down the route of putting it in the space under the steering wheel.
I had a comapny called 'Unique' in Lightwater (Surrey) build me a custom unit using the original part that detaches under the steering wheel. It was a very professional job.
It meant that the oringinal radio and its consul are still there. Which means no pikies no i have a decent head unit which they could nick.
It also allowed me to attach subs,amps and decent 6"x9s.
I have pics which i can post if you like?
cheers
Commmiemidget
:cheers:
Originally posted by commiemidget
I have pics which i can post if you like?
Please mate, that'd be great. The only problem I have about putting a hu under the steering wheel is that I won't be able to see it myself!
I've seen on another thread that the standard hu might not have a phone mute, is that right? I need one!
Originally posted by Dormouse
Ask Saul, he did this conversion, but some rectal invertabrate nicked his radio...:(
***cough*** do you mean the one I now own and have further modded???;)
pics in my sig
used to have mine installed under the steering b4 this mod too.
That's pretty much what I'm planning Deejay. I want something that looks stock.
Anybody know of a decent cd head unit that has the same colour illumination as the rest of the car?
runepehrsson
26-12-2003, 13:39
pioneer peh9000r has red and green
ive tried the air vent mod and made a balls of it, you either need to be very patient with the isopon or pay someone else to do it. the under dash mod is easily within the capabilities of the average petrolhead,id say its a mornings work.the spain one is worth investigating too, but again your head unit is on display. agree totally that the underdash one can be a pain in the ass, what about a remote on the steering wheel,solving all the probs?
mines under the steering wheel-its fine to be honest, i have a infra red remote and a steering wheel remote, its no hassle at all. the wires are just spliced into the oring radio loom, so if need be, the orig one can just be plugged back in and all will be as normal.
Mark
i did mine under my steering wheel it tock me about 2 hours i find you need a remote with the hu its a lot easy when your driveing ive got my sub and 6x9 on it and the other hu still works but with no sound all i did was take all the cover off the front. Pulled out the big metal box. then i left all the wires in accept the speaker wires i run the speaker wires down to the hu. then bought sum wire and spilt coneters joined them to the wires on the back of the metal box and run them down to the hu and joined them to the block of my sony hu and once all joined then put the rest of my tune in. you my need a relay if the hu keeps cuting out when u turn it up.
well , i'm going the whole way and putting a 'carputer' in mine :) see www.mp3car.com for more details on carputers. its a great but expensive way of controlling all multimedia in your car. i am replacing the central screen with a 7inch lilliput touchscreen, having a computer in the back, wireless keyboard and mouse up front. webcam in the boot for reverse parking :) and lots of other things! sounds really over the top, but it will be amazing. wireless internet and gps are in the plans ithink aswell.. plugging my amp directly into my computer, so that i have maximum control over it, and not bothering with a new HU..
m15try_1
20-06-2004, 17:28
:-o what can i say Cus :-o
worth a try isn't it :) i didn't realise how easy it will be. obviously its the wiring which is gonna be the hard bit, and also putting the touchscreen in, the cheaper option will be a normal 7inch widescreen and to use the bluetooth on my phone to control windows media player :) as a remote.. i can also use a mic to change things. if anyone else wants to go down this ruite, i would seriously check out mp3car.com.. and remember anything is possible
m15try_1
20-06-2004, 17:43
are have a look
how will you control the aircon though?!!
guess work.. think about it.. i dont need to know what the setting is at do i? i can judge perfectly well if its too hot or too cold in my car, OR if there aren't many wires to the screen, i can always put the screen somewhere else, but i will have a look :) its all fun and games.
Deejay! How did you do that?
Deejay! How did you do that?
with vast quantities of glass fibre,filler,paint,blood,snot.....
involves relocating the silver controls box and basically cutting a bloody big hole in the SEAT fascia and making in look nice.
Currently dont have many luxuries in my car due to a change in setup