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**cameron20020** · 12-07-2015, 14:27

I did this on mine, to keep the trip computer and clock settings, etc.

Spliced into the wiring loom at the rear of the head unit and ran a total of 8 pairs of wires from the head unit to the amp located under the passengers seat.
4 pairs from the head unit out to the amp
4 pairs from the amp to the wiring going to speakers at back of the headunit.
Used 2x2ch high to low level converters, and a compact 4ch class D amp.
Ran power cable through cable bundle grommet near the brake booster servo.
Don't forget a fuse as close to battery as possible.

Replaced all speakers except dash tweeters.
Front speaker housing basket will need to be dremeled or melted to house decent speakers. (my replacement speakers were 65mm depth i think... If in doubt measure your self)

Rear speakers are riveted in, drill out the rivets and vacuum all the metal shavings out of the body cavity so there are no rattles.
I used folded threaded U shape metal to screw in rear speakers and bathroom silicone on mating surfaces to reduce unwanted rattle.

Took inductors off the crossovers and soldered directly to speaker terminals. Make sure to observe amp/speaker polarity or the phase will be wrong and sound bad.

Also, buy a bunch of interior panel clips, a few might break when working on it.

After all the work, totally worth it. Can turn it up pretty load now without distortion, and has much punchier bass.

**MARK.A** · 12-07-2015, 20:21

I have an after market jvc dab radio and I've got a connects 2steeribg wheel interface I can still get into trip computer settings and adjust the clock date feature

**MARK.A** · 12-07-2015, 20:24

Or speak to dangerfish I know Joni's car has a standard head unit with amp and subwoofer.

**mikeandsazzle** · 12-07-2015, 21:10

Same as MARK.A
I have an aftermarket jvc with connects 2 adaptor . Sound is a vast improvement from the stock unit .

**geoff3** · 12-07-2015, 21:45

Thanks for your answer, very very helpful. I have several meters of 8 core screened cable that might come in useful!
Did you investigate to see if there was any room within the centre consul for the amp?
I note that you used speaker level to line level convertors, some of the amps I have been looking at seem to have speaker level inputs as well as line level inputs, why did you decide to use the level convertors?
What power amp did you use? Any amp you can recommend or speakers?
Cheers (again)

**geoff3** · 12-07-2015, 21:52

Thanks Mark. Its just that I want to keep the OEM look and the standard head unit works so well (blue tooth etc) I just think it need a helping hand

I don't know dangerfish but it would be interesting to hear how he went about it. Many thanks.

**cameron20020** · 13-07-2015, 07:48

Originally posted by geoff3 View Post

Thanks for your answer, very very helpful. I have several meters of 8 core screened cable that might come in useful!
Did you investigate to see if there was any room within the centre consul for the amp?
I note that you used speaker level to line level convertors, some of the amps I have been looking at seem to have speaker level inputs as well as line level inputs, why did you decide to use the level convertors?
What power amp did you use? Any amp you can recommend or speakers?
Cheers (again)

Good choice, screened cable will be great for shielding alternator/ignition noise.
Didn't seem to be much room behind the center console/dash... Though if you have a very small amp, you might be able to mount it under the glovebox (RHD model here).

I only used external line converters, because I couldn't find a compact decent powered amp with any (inside of budget) at the time I was looking for them.
If you can get an amp with high level inputs built in, then go for it - Built in high level inputs are more reliable.

Amp I used was:
http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PLBA430FR...ews/B006ZOIH82
Inside, it has 2x2ch Texas Instruments class D 300wRMS per channel amplifier chips. Quite powerful indeed.

Speakers were:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...ries/TS-A1605C
They sound great, but only if you make sure to use the crossover. So if you keep the factory tweeters, at least wire the crossover for these woofers.
You will have to cut up the front speaker mounting basket to fit these. It's worth it.

As for the rear speakers, I also used the pioneers, But, this was after I realized how deep the mounting hole is. Because it's going into the vehicle body you can fit some pretty deep rear speakers in if you wanted to.

Only downside to my setup is that you miss out on advanced equalizer settings and other stuff after market units have, but because I play music from my phone most the time I just use the phone equalizer.

**cameron20020** · 13-07-2015, 07:49

Originally posted by MARK.A View Post

I have an after market jvc dab radio and I've got a connects 2steeribg wheel interface I can still get into trip computer settings and adjust the clock date feature

This sounds interesting,
Can you still set the time? or will the old radio have to be re-connected every time the battery is disconnected for whatever reason?

**MARK.A** · 13-07-2015, 07:58

Originally posted by cameron20020 View Post

This sounds interesting,
Can you still set the time? or will the old radio have to be re-connected every time the battery is disconnected for whatever reason?

No can still set the time adjust a few other things on the computer the only thing I can not do is shuffle through the modes like you could on factory radio so before I changed radio I set it to trip computer. Then disconnected oem radio put in Jvc. Unit. Now display shows. Trip commuter and as I side can excess. Other menus turn drls on off activate /deactivate. Rear wiper etc
What radio screen do you have I used to have the basic screen ( A screen ) had radio in car about a year ago but taken out for some reason couldn't tenner if you could adjust anything then to be honest. But I now have the (c screen ) fitted and had I said I can adjust 95% of the menus. You do access it different. Has you access it through the steering wheel controls Instead of pressing buttons

**Dangerousfish** · 13-07-2015, 08:19

Like this?

http://www.ds3club.co.uk/showthread....hout-Connects2

**MARK.A** · 13-07-2015, 08:31

Here's a demo of my radio into menus using steering wheel controls

https://vimeo.com/133321706

**mikeandsazzle** · 13-07-2015, 19:42

Originally posted by MARK.A View Post

Here's a demo of my radio into menus using steering wheel controls

https://vimeo.com/133321706

That's interesting MARK.A I have the a screen and can use the trip and wiper etc . But can't set the time . Was the c screen easy to fit.

**MARK.A** · 13-07-2015, 19:46

Alternative to replacing the Head unit

Yes mate straight swop over you need one from a dsport or dsport plus had all the options. Are already activated. If you go on the how to guided I put up a how to Guide

**mikeandsazzle** · 13-07-2015, 20:40

Top Man .I will have a look

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Alternative to replacing the Head unit

Alternative to replacing the Head unit

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