03 Stereo replacement option.. Should I try it?? (1 Viewer)

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costalcat

costalcat

Joined
Oct 16, 2014
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I recently replaced my speakers on my 03 and while I'm really happy with the sound I really have been trying to figure out a way to do something with the head unit. Would like hands free and blue tooth along with Sirrus XM etc... I have read a ton of post in here and pretty much had given up on it. Then I'm at a shop last week getting my wife's windows tinted and had some time to burn so I stopped into the audio shop next door to chat.

The owner said he could leave the nav, bypass it and add a Pioneer head unit with apple play and Sirrus. He could use the existing amp and speakers I installed. I was leery, but then he said the one thing he would need to do is cut the dash where the buttons are for the defroster and rear AC then relocate those buttons. At this point, it sounded like he actually knew what he was talking about since he was not looking at the truck at the time.

This is the unit he suggested since it has nav, apple play XM etc.. Also will tilt up, which he recommended since it will be down low.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/NEX/AVIC-7100NEX

My question is: does this even sound feasible?????

I figured I could relocate the buttons down near the shifter console and it looks like there is room if that area below the head unit is cut into. I certainly don't want to experiment with hacking up the truck electronics, he had references for some folks with very high-end rides. It would be great if it worked and seems like a reasonable approach, but maybe I am missing something about why this would not work?

Thanks in advance....
 
I think it is only problematic if you want to get rid of the factory system, because in addition to the audio and nav, the screen on the 03+ models also controls the climate control. It is tough (so far impossible?) to get rid of the factory system and still have control of the AC and heat.

It sounds like you are talking about adding a new aftermarket stereo to provide audio and nav functions, while keeping the factory system to operate the climate control. I think this should work fine.

Simply stop using the stereo and the nav on the factory system and unplug the line level outputs from the factory system. Plug the line level outputs into the new pioneer system. The wiring will be more complicated than I make it sound, but it should work fine if your installer knows what he's doing.

Instead of replacing the factory head unit, you are adding another separate aftermarket system to provide sound and nav while keeping the old system to run the climate control.

http://sweetsounds.com/html/lx470_34.html

Not sure if the climate control provides any audio feedback through the speakers (does it beep through the speakers when you adjust the temperature?). This is the only functionality that would be lost if you go ahead with your plan to add an aftermarket stereo in addition to the factory head unit, which will be retained in order to control the AC and Heat.
 
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One more thing, I think the nav on the factory system will stop working if you disconnect the factory head unit from the amplifier.

Should not be a problem if you plan to use the NAV on the new pioneer unit, or just use your iphone.

You could have both NAV systems working simultaneously if you leave the factory amp connected to the factory head unit, and just add a whole nother parallel system (head unit and amp) to drive your speakers.
 
redjet is almost there with I think an 02. Check out the thread started by pfran "pre 03 nav to double din conversion" just down the home page. He has the climate controls in and functioning. Thinks it can be done on a 03+ truck as well.
 
@marshotel Thanks for the comments you are right I was planning on leaving the factory head unit and adding another by taking out the tape deck and buttons down lower. Good thoughts on keeping the amp I was wondering if the Nav display would stop working with that gone but to your point I could leave it add an aftermarket one in... That link you added is very similar to what I was thinking but it would be a little different due to the difference in the LC vs LX

@cap80 Thank, I will check that out if that could be done that that is what I would love to do... I probably didn't dive into that thread since it was pre O3...
 
As I've pointed out many times the wiring exists in the in the newer trucks to mate with non-nav dash. As RedJet did with the 02 you could do with an 03+... replace and reconfigure the exiting wiring.

Now if you just want to replace the head unit (audio) it is stand alone. The Nav will continue to function normally. The MFD (nav) audio feeds directly to the amplifier.
 
Coastalcat,

I bought my 2003 LC with Nav a few weeks ago and have been trying to figure out the best way to upgrade the audio. All the speakers were bad (foam deteriorated), so I replaced them and was thinking about adding an aftermarket head unit like you mentioned in order to gain Bluetooth/iPod/Auxillary inputs.

What amp did you install? Did you have to use Line Out Converters?

I am very interested to see how this turns out. What shop in NC are you using?
 
RobRed said:
As I've pointed out many times the wiring exists in the in the newer trucks to mate with non-nav dash. As RedJet did with the 02 you could do with an 03+... replace and reconfigure the exiting wiring.

Now if you just want to replace the head unit (audio) it is stand alone. The Nav will continue to function normally. The MFD (nav) audio feeds directly to the amplifier.
Click to expand...

Thanks @RobRed I was thinking just keeping the nav screen just replacing the tape deck with a double din that has nav sync with the phone Bluetooth etc... If I just disconnect the head unit will it affect the touch screen at all? Like @marshotel said I should only lose audio controls, but I wouldn't need those with the new unit. I think taking on the entire swap is too much for me right now from a time perspective...
 
ncmarine said:
Coastalcat,

I bought my 2003 LC with Nav a few weeks ago and have been trying to figure out the best way to upgrade the audio. All the speakers were bad (foam deteriorated), so I replaced them and was thinking about adding an aftermarket head unit like you mentioned in order to gain Bluetooth/iPod/Auxillary inputs.

What amp did you install? Did you have to use Line Out Converters?

I am very interested to see how this turns out. What shop in NC are you using?
Click to expand...

Hey @ncmarine ! are you here in Jacksonville?

Here is what I have done so far. I replaced all the speakers with a Crutchfield set up for a total of $99 shipped to the house. You have to do some bracket mods but it is easy. Right now I have kept the amp and I had the sub reconed. Sounds great but I really want bluetooth, XM, phone sync and a backup camera which is why I am looking at a new head unit.

If your in Jacksonville or close to EI I'm happy to help with the speaker swap. PM me and let me know

The Tint Wizard on western blvd in Jacksonville has a new audio shop next to it. He also has bronze tint for your front windows if you want to do that, pretty hard to find that match so you should jump on it...
 
I am in Newport, so pretty close to Jacksonville and EI.

I installed my speakers a couple of weeks ago, but thanks for offering to help. Now, I am looking to add an amp, subwoofer, and would love to replace the tape deck with an aftermarket unit. In lieu of an aftermarket head unit, I will add an Audio Control LC8i that includes an aux input.

Who reconed your subwoofer?
 
My buddy has a car place in Wilmington and he knew a shop there. I have the receipt somewhere I will get it for you if you want to give him a call
 
RobRed said:
The dificulty with a double DIN replacement is where are going to put it. A single DIN unit can be slid into place of the OEM.
Click to expand...
Yep exactly right. So this is the basis of my original question. The guy at the audio shop is saying that he can relocate the buttons cut down and have room for a double din in there. That is the issue, I'm not sure there is going to be room behind there as I have never gotten into the dash I can't tell. I would hate to give this a go end up with a hacked dash and then it can't be done well.

A double din is 7x4 right? as a single DIN is 7x2? Here is a picture

radio copy.jpg


I think it would work, but I am worried about depth... Then I would have real nav with my google maps. back up camera and XM Bluetooth etc.....
 
Also, I heard that the condenser for the air conditioning is integrated into the factory tape deck.

Really, I am not making this up.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/pr...e-din-climate-knobs-conversion.459310/page-16

I guess it is no problem to relocate the tape deck (which is also the AC condenser) to under the center console, but you have to leave it connected to the MFD if you want the air conditioning to continue working.

Again, it seems like installing an aftermarket stereo while keeping the MFD to control the climate control should be no problem for an experienced installer who is familiar with the vehicle. But like RobRed said, it will be a custom job, and I would not trust Best Buy or Circuit City to do it right.
 
marshotel said:
Also, I heard that the condenser for the air conditioning is integrated into the factory tape deck.

Really, I am not making this up.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/pr...e-din-climate-knobs-conversion.459310/page-16

I guess it is no problem to relocate the tape deck (which is also the AC condenser) to under the center console, but you have to leave it connected to the MFD if you want the air conditioning to continue working.

Again, it seems like installing an aftermarket stereo while keeping the MFD to control the climate control should be no problem for an experienced installer who is familiar with the vehicle. But like RobRed said, it will be a custom job, and I would not trust Best Buy or Circuit City to do it right.
Click to expand...

The tape deck is not required. HVAC is a separate module.
 
RobRed said:
Those buttons are on a PC board not individual switches. The factory deck is also not full depth. This will be highly custom all the way.

If it were me I'd opt for single DIN.
Click to expand...

@RobRed Thanks that was actually the answer i really needed. Given that I will go with a single DIN.. I'm thinking this, it gives everything the double does just a motorized single din version...

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X7700BT/Pioneer-AVH-X7700BT.html

Based on your answers to @marshotel & @3D FJ I should be able to pull that unit out and not effect the others..

Question: I'm pretty sure this is something I can handle, I was going to splice into the the existing wiring and use the current amp. Am I better off using a new amp or can I keep the existing for now and then upgrade that later?

Thanks again for the insight here ....
 
Question: I'm pretty sure this is something I can handle, I was going to splice into the the existing wiring and use the current amp. Am I better off using a new amp or can I keep the existing for now and then upgrade that later?

Thanks again for the insight here ....[/QUOTE]

Have you swapped out the tape deck yet? If so, how did it turn out and who did the work?
 
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