[PolarisFlyer]

It's time to swap out the original stereo for a new double-DIN stereo/Nav unit. I've combed this entire forum, several *other* forums, eBay, Crutchfield.com, Amazon, and several other sites. It's difficult to determine which brands/models are the latest and greatest, let alone which ones have which features and which of those features are desirable and/or necessary and/or... Holy crap!


So here's the question, for April 2011... Which brand and model do you like, assuming the following:


1. I'm capable of modifying the car as necessary, both physically and electronically to fit any standard system.

2. GPS is required, and should be easy and affordable to upgrade year-to-year, (this is a tough one as far as I can tell).

3. Satellite radio and iPod/iPhone are not necessary. I have no desire for either, although USB/HDD/AUX would be great for my MP3 player.

4. Bluetooth sounds interesting, but I don't know that I need it in a cabriolet?

5. I'm not seeking audiophile quality - the stock speakers will probably be fine, and I don't need additional amps, subs or crossovers.


Ideas?

Hello all!  So glad to have found this thread.  I have been contemplating the installation of an Android Auto 2.0 head unit for a near future purchase of a 968 cab.  I have seen example photos of dashboards with double DIN head units installed, but what I could not determine was if they used some custom (or prefab) mounting kit.  How are you all doing it?   I went to Crutchfield and much to my chagrin, they did NOT have the 968 listed as one of the Porsche models, so I could not benefit from their prefab mounting brackets and wiring harnesses..  Is this going to be a do-it-yourself hack job?     Also, where did you all mount additional amps? I will also be looking through the other threads for recommendations for speakers and subs...  Look forward to your thoughts and insight.


Cheers!

JC

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[type968]

Hello all!  So glad to have found this thread.  I have been contemplating the installation of an Android Auto 2.0 head unit for a near future purchase of a 968 cab.  I have seen example photos of dashboards with double DIN head units installed, but what I could not determine was if they used some custom (or prefab) mounting kit.  How are you all doing it?   I went to Crutchfield and much to my chagrin, they did NOT have the 968 listed as one of the Porsche models, so I could not benefit from their prefab mounting brackets and wiring harnesses..  Is this going to be a do-it-yourself hack job?     Also, where did you all mount additional amps? I will also be looking through the other threads for recommendations for speakers and subs...  Look forward to your thoughts and insight.

Cheers!

JC

 

Search for 944 too, interior is the same in case you are not familiar with that.

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[flash]

it will all be custom.  there is no pre-fab stuff for a double din install in a 968.  you will need to remove and modify the brackets yourself, and cut the wires and splice them in yourself.

 

amp mounting varies.  i have installed them in the glovebox, under the glovebox, in the rear cubbies, in the spare tire well, and in the storage boxes.  it really depends on the amp and what it will be driving

 

speakers are personal preference and budget.  you can go from just swapping them out for newer units, to modifying things and installing bigger ones in different locations

 

the first thing to be done with ANY system is to install dynamat extreme all over the car.  this will maximize what the components you choose will be able to do.  it is a HUGE difference.  even the stock system sounds a LOT better.

 

there is a lot of info here.  spend some time reading

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[jimham968]

Crutchfield does list the 944 but states that double DIN head units won't fit.  That's only partially true.  The 968 had a double din opening if you remove the clock and storage bin assembly.  Unfortunately there's a u-shaped bracket behind the console & head unit opening that provides some structure for the console.  It's pretty easy to unbolt the bracket and modify it with cutting & grinding so that a double DIN unit fits.  I'm convinced that even with what I cut & ground out there is no significant impact on the structural strength.

 

For the double DIN bracket I ordered a Pioneer double DIN mounting kit from Crutchfield, even though I was mounting a Sony head unit.  You gotta love international standards as the Sony fit perfectly into the Pioneer bracket.

 

I bought a small 4 channel amp from Crutchfield and mounted in under the passenger seat, replacing the stock unit that came with my hi-fi sound equipped car.  I could have used a larger amp but ordered the one I used before I took the seat out and saw the available room.  I recently measure the little indentation where the amp goes when I had me seat out for another reason and it could take an amp about 11.5"x7'x1.5+' comfortably with a little trimming of the carpet.

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[PolarisFlyer]

 Excellent input Flash and Jimham968 ! Thanks!  Looks like this is going to be a fun project for the spring !  It has been a LOOONG time since I cut up a dash to custom mount a radio.  Let's hope I get it right the first time!


Thanks to you also, Type968!  I'll look for either 968 or 944 brackets and wiring harnesses, even though it looks like it will mostly be a custom job.

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[PolarisFlyer]

Jimham968,  I found the following Pioneer double-DIN kit.  Is THIS what you used???

https://www.carid.com/pioneer/pioneer-do...45400.html

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[flash]

that kit is worthless.  it fits the deck, but it does not line up with anything in the car.

 

i've been through this.  i've put at least a dozen systems into 968s, including double dins.  you have to do it custom.  it isn't all that hard, but you have to cut up some stuff, and splice in.  remember too that german wiring is backwards of japanese wiring.  stripe is negative.

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[jimham968]

Yes, Polaris, that's the kit I used.  For clarification I was installing a Sony head unit that a friend had given me that didn't have any brackets with it.  Primarily what I needed was the mounting sleeve, and the brackets that attach to the head unit to lock it into the sleeve.  The Pioneer kit was exactly what I needed and it worked like a champ.

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[jimham968]

Just to be clear, I only used the kit for the mounting of the head unit. My previous owner had already cut out the original wiring harness so I rewired mine from scratch. Crutchfield doesn't have a wiring harness to plug into the stock stereo harness.

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[flash]

any new deck should come with that kind of bracket kit.  all of the pioneer double dins i have bought have.

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[type968]

Part of the problem is the angle, it is steep and runs quickly into the top of the torque tub tunnel.  The bottom where the cubby is, is not full depth like the top.  

 

You really just have to open it up and start digging around in there to get a good idea.

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[ron1688]

Flash is correct that the bracket to mount the head unit will need to be custom. I have also done this a couple of times.  I currently have the AVIC 8200NEX installed. see the not so good  photo

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