Wiring Harness For Head Unit?

[elchivo21]

Good day,
I want to buy aftermarket radio for my black beauty but I do not want to loose the Bose system. Yeah, I just want to get rid of the stock RADIO head unit. I know I read some where using a VW wiring harness will do the trick. Is this true? I’ve heard a lot of different stories from the local shops telling otherwise. Thanks

[leomd]

You can easily retain the Bose system by using the VW wiring harness, however you will want to make sure you match the output or at least reduce the gain if the unit you are putting in is powered. The Bose amp likes 4v in, i think Alpine has a few decks that will match that but most do not. The sollution is to buy a product that will reduce the gain - or match the voltage .

The risk you can run is blowing the bose amp if you feed it too much power from your HU - this is rare but can happen if you just crank it and leave it at "beyond distortion". The other problem if you dont match the line levels is that you will have an overly sensitive volume..i.e. you turn up 1% and its already loud.

I just installed a Pioneer D3 (which I love) and I used a Schoche (sp) amplifier matching gain adjuster for around $20. Search on threads from Firefox, he has a great imformative post on wiring up a aftermarket HU and links to the amp matching dillema (http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...post-w210.html)

You will also need to purchase the VDUB harness, a euro antenna adapter and wire into the cigarete lighters power and light dimmer lead (explained in firefox's thread). Crutchfield can be very helpfull - especially when they include everything you need with a HU purchase including the keys that pull out the stock stereo. It takes a bit more effort and research to install a aftermarket unit - but i think its worth it, and its really not difficult at all if you take your time.

I am just finishing up a Pioneer D3 (doubledin) install in my E55 and am very happy with the results. I added a bluetooth module that I wired the mic into the stock E55 mic on the mirror console and it works/sounds great. The added ipod full integration, the nav, dvd player and the 6 disc changer put the stock comand system to shame. I have on order the European Pioneer W210 steering wheel control adapter which will enable control of the unit from the steering wheel buttons. (Pictured without final trim)

[Fallbangskid]

Great post, very informative!

FBS

[realien]

Originally Posted by leomd

You can easily retain the Bose system by using the VW wiring harness, however you will want to make sure you match the output or at least reduce the gain if the unit you are putting in is powered. The Bose amp likes 4v in, i think Alpine has a few decks that will match that but most do not. The sollution is to buy a product that will reduce the gain - or match the voltage .

The risk you can run is blowing the bose amp if you feed it too much power from your HU - this is rare but can happen if you just crank it and leave it at "beyond distortion". The other problem if you dont match the line levels is that you will have an overly sensitive volume..i.e. you turn up 1% and its already loud.

I just installed a Pioneer D3 (which I love) and I used a Schoche (sp) amplifier matching gain adjuster for around $20. Search on threads from Firefox, he has a great imformative post on wiring up a aftermarket HU and links to the amp matching dillema (http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...post-w210.html)

You will also need to purchase the VDUB harness, a euro antenna adapter and wire into the cigarete lighters power and light dimmer lead (explained in firefox's thread). Crutchfield can be very helpfull - especially when they include everything you need with a HU purchase including the keys that pull out the stock stereo. It takes a bit more effort and research to install a aftermarket unit - but i think its worth it, and its really not difficult at all if you take your time.

I am just finishing up a Pioneer D3 (doubledin) install in my E55 and am very happy with the results. I added a bluetooth module that I wired the mic into the stock E55 mic on the mirror console and it works/sounds great. The added ipod full integration, the nav, dvd player and the 6 disc changer put the stock comand system to shame. I have on order the European Pioneer W210 steering wheel control adapter which will enable control of the unit from the steering wheel buttons. (Pictured without final trim ring)

I can't tell in the picture but what did you mount the D3 to trim wise, a new piece of plastic or the stock ash wood ? Can you post or email me a bigger picture. My car doesn't have nav but I'll be doing a double din setup like your soon for that factory look.

[leomd]

The picture shows a plastic trim piece that I cut out to match the D3 face perfectly - its actually just sitting on the face of the D3. The actual D3 sits in the inner plastic reinforcement bracket and you will need to make some brackets (ears) to hold the unit to the reinforcement bracket. To do a double din conversion you will need to replace both the outer "wood" trim and the internal reinforcement bracket. I took this pic yesterday because i had to fabricate some brackets...so it was a work in progress. Today, I just finished the brackets and completed the install - I will make a formal post tommorow with better pics as all I have now are poor quality pics from my cellphone. The D3 is beyond words - the sound quality is amazing - works better then I had ever imagined and the features are just insane...I could'nt be happier.

Its a fairly straightforward install if you take your time. Because the opening of the wood panel is at a bit of an angle as compared to the inner bracket I had to adjust the brackets a bit - till I got the unit to sit perfectly flush and at the right angle. I will try to post a "how-to-guide" for this Double-Din conversion and aftermarket install. I think with the technology in todays aftermarket systems you cant even compare it with the old school comand system..not to mention the price is much much less.

[SaMaS]

looks very nice , wish that wood trim would come flush with head unit.

[FrankiE55]

I think you'd have to go factory comand to get the type of fit you're seeking.