Double DIN

[iwannaford]

Is there much work involved in installing a DINDIN headunit?

[Umineko]

Originally Posted by MRJUCY

The prices vary a lot it's hard to pick one as they all have pros & cons. I’ve seen ones I like from under a grand to closer to 3.
I like the idea of the Pioneer one as I'd miss not having an indash stacker, a lot of the stores claim it's unnecessary as they all play MP3s & have USBs, aux inputs etc but I couldn’t be bothered mucking around with all that, I have the CDs I might as well play them. I’ve seen it for around $1300 which is about average you can get ones on fleabay from HK for half that but it's a bit of a risk.

I have the pioneer unit and swear by it, it will also play mp3s and all that so you can jam a hell of a lot of music into it over 6 disks, yes there is the aerial issue but as I seldom use the radio I just put a simple isolator switch into the aerial control wire so it stays down when I don't want it

[Umineko]

Originally Posted by T3man

I think they are confused with the AU (series I). There is no problem at all with AUII and AUIII which are identical.

The later double-DIN units will not fit into a Series I car without modifications - but the mod is quite minor and does not have any bearing on the structural integrity of the car - just a small portion of a dash support has to be cut/filed to give the necessary 3mm extra space that is needed to fit the double-DIN unit in.

Huh??? I have a series 1 and fitted the double din pioneer HU he's talking about with no mods to the dash at all

[BLACKAUXR8]

My double din unit runs the aerial and everything and had 3 pairs of rca preouts and can run 2 other tv screens. Its capable of watching tv on one screen a dvd on the other and sat nav on the screen in the dash. all at the same time. If you shop around you can get a good one for a reasonable price. I will get some model numbers from mine so you can look it up.

[Umineko]

Originally Posted by MRJUCY

The prices vary a lot it's hard to pick one as they all have pros & cons. I’ve seen ones I like from under a grand to closer to 3.
I like the idea of the Pioneer one as I'd miss not having an indash stacker, a lot of the stores claim it's unnecessary as they all play MP3s & have USBs, aux inputs etc but I couldn’t be bothered mucking around with all that, I have the CDs I might as well play them. I’ve seen it for around $1300 which is about average you can get ones on fleabay from HK for half that but it's a bit of a risk.

I posted up pics of my pioneer HU a while ago in this thread the only real issue is the dash curvature which I got around by making a frame to go around the HU to blend it in, Mine is a series 1 but the dash contours in this area are much the same

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=97666

[MRJUCY]

That's a neat setup you've made, would look great in the "raindrops" pattern in my TE, I've actually decided on a single for now but I'd like to go a screen at some stage down the track still.

[T3man]

Originally Posted by Umineko

Huh??? I have a series 1 and fitted the double din pioneer HU he's talking about with no mods to the dash at all

I was referring to the Ford factory units - aftermarket HUs would all vary in size so depending on the particular unit some may fit and some may not. The fact remains that there is less depth behind the fascia in Series I cars than there is for Series II and III.

[StealthAu]

Not only that but the dashes are different in the povo packs compared to the lanes

[StealthAu]

Glade I didn't have the cash for this now, seller has been left negative feedback as he has not contacted the buyer.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=230145006868

[jones_aus]

Originally Posted by stockoau

Glade I didn't have the cash for this now, seller has been left negative feedback as he has not contacted the buyer.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=230145006868

told you so.......

[Rebel]

I'm looking at changing mine too! I have an AUII with Premium Sound. Does the factory sub run off the head unit (ie: will the replacement require a seperate sub output), or is sub powered from the rear speakers?

[StealthAu]

There's a how to around here somewhere on replacing the headunit and keeping all speakers working for cars with premium sound. If it was me I'd just replace the lot anyway.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by stockoau

If it was me I'd just replace the lot anyway.

Yeah, I used to be one of those guys who wasn't really concerned about car stereo sound quality.

When I got my Ghia I was quite impressed with Premium sound... then I got a lift somewhere with my daughter's boyfriend. He has all bells and whistles sound in his car and I can tell you, Premium sound is ordinary in comparison.

So, I bought a decent head unit, a 4GB mp3 player (ipod type thing), front splits, 12" subby, a couple of amps, wiring etc, fitted it all up and it does make a substantial difference to our driving pleasure - particularly on long trips.

[Rebel]

Thats fine if I wanted to spend $2k plus. The quality of the Premium Sound IMO is excellent for me. My only issue I have is the CD player is playing up and it cant handle MP3's. I would be happy if I could have a quality auxiliary input fitted, than I would just plug in a MP3 player!

[StealthAu]

This may be worth a look then.
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=53838

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by Rebel

Thats fine if I wanted to spend $2k plus.

Yeah well, Im cheap ;) Ended up costing me somewhere around $900 (ebay, forums, classifieds)

Originally Posted by Rebel

The quality of the Premium Sound IMO is excellent for me.

Don't have a listen to an upmarket system then, lol. I was the same as you but for me the big mistake was coming across a system that highlighted what I was missing.

[StealthAu]

The more you spend the better quality the sound will be, but thats not always a good thing. I've got some cds which are of a poor recording quality, and with the factory system it sounded fine, now you can hear all those little imperfections.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by stockoau

The more you spend the better quality the sound will be, but thats not always a good thing. I've got some cds which are of a poor recording quality, and with the factory system it sounded fine, now you can hear all those little imperfections.

Yes, that's true.

But on the flip side I've heard stuff (extra little guitar bits or voices in the background etc) that I've previously not heard on stuff I've been listening to for 40+ years.

It's all down to personal choice and finances. My stuff was worth around 4-5 grand when it was new. Would I pay 4+ grand for better than Premium sound? No way!

If you're not desperate and are prepared to hunt for what you want it's not difficult or over the top expensive to upgrade to something that makes the effort worthwhile.

[Umineko]

Originally Posted by Rebel

I'm looking at changing mine too! I have an AUII with Premium Sound. Does the factory sub run off the head unit (ie: will the replacement require a seperate sub output), or is sub powered from the rear speakers?

Sub on the premium sound is powered via a splitter built into the amp IE no seperate cables for the sub just the pair for the rear speakers. so no you won't require a seperate sub output unless you want to put in a different amp

[BLACKAUXR8]

im not 100 % sure how the premium sound runs in the AU's but i know in the E series they ran an amp on the drivers side in the boot which ran your speakers and the sub. If you run a different head unit you may just have to run a set of rca leads for the amp as ford usually have there own special cables which wont plug into anything aftermarket.

And when it comes to premium sound in the AU's it is a substantial difference to the standard but as stated above it is no comparison to a decent set of front splits and a nice amp running a sub. All up my stereo was over 5000 new it's alot of mone but i would spend it all again as you cant beat the sound quality