[968TDG]

So, I missed the German Autofest (sorry Flash). Oh, what it must be like to have a better grasp of time. On the upside, I did finish my the install of my new radio.

   

This is the high end 7" screen Pioneer AVIC-z110bt Navigation, Bluetooth, Parrot, Ipod interface radio.

I was trying to choose between this and the Kenwood DNX-9140, and although the Kenwood unit has Garmin, it just seemed like Pioneer had much more usable software, which is what really matters to me when I'm driving. Although I've used Garmin for years on everything NAV i've owned, it seems they have some real competition.

I didn't want to install it using a sleeve, didn't seem permanent enough for such an expensive piece of equipment, so I fabricated a bracket that links between the dash and the floor, and a surround fascia to make it look pretty.

Once the bar between the upper din for the old radio and the cubbyhole/clock is removed, the resulting space is actually larger than a double din. This is one of the reasons why I cut out my own surround. The depth of the space left after the massive factory radio bracket is removed is more than enough for the radio and the bird's nest of wires.

I'm really pleased with how it has turned out. The job took a bit of custom work, bending some stock aluminum and drilling holes, but most of the time way spent getting everything aligned exactly to drill the holes in the correct place.

The really cool thing is that the radio is well supported, and the bracket I made actually has holes in it to screw the center console/gear shift surround to it, so the fit and look is pretty good.

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[968TDG]

Here is the radio in place with the bracket. I used the stock bolts and holes at the bottom. At the top I used stock holes, but due to the radio conflicting with the hole, I used studs instead of bolts here, and simply tightened them through the hole in the aluminum bracket, against the side of the radio casing.

   

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[flash]

looks great - love the unit (wish it had a hard drive - don't want to use the i-pod)

when it is open to insert a disk, how close does it get to the shifter with it in 1st, 3rd and 5th gear?

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[968TDG]

When the radio opens to accept a cd or an sd card, the face rotates and slides forwards. I was worried it might hit the gear shift, but I figured I'm normally lucky. It clears in all gears.

   

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[968TDG]

Working space is so much tighter in the 968 than my Triumph. I keep finding that out.

   

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[flash]

nice - it looks like it might even clear with the short shifter - not with my hand on it though - as long as i didn't need to change a disk and shift a gear at the same time, it would be fine

but again those danged gauges would need to go somewhere..............

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[968TDG]

I don't think I'll ever take the Ipod out of the car other than to update the music. The interface is seamless, no delays, and no need to touch the Ipod. It does have that sd card slot as well, which I'm sure could fit your whole Abba collection and more. I just leave my Iphone in my pocket, seems to link up with bluetooth quickly, and the A2DP comes in clearly as well as another option. I haven't even tried DVDs or other music cd formats yet.

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[flash]

my problem is 3 cars - no way i want to move the ipod from car to car - nor do i want 3 ipods - i'm also not a fan of having to unplug the thing every time i get out of the car (ragtops), or having to leave the glove box locked

so, i need to store the music on each deck

hence the 2 Z2 units (which each have a hard drive) and the new JVC (which has a huge 40 gig drive)

the ipod would likely only go on really long road trips, and probably limited to the denali - the hard drives can store enough music for any other driving - if i needed more, i would just carry a couple of MP3 disks

i'd install another Z2 in the 968 but for the gauges - i really prefer the pioneer nav software, and like the touchscreen, but i can't figure out what else to do about those pesky guages

but i like the look of the 110 installed - very clean - nice job on the mounting too - good and solid

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[968TDG]

Thanks, it was quite a bit of effort. What gauges do you have again? I remember seeing them, but i can't remember what they were. I know you don't want to pillar mount them...

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[flash]

i have 3 2" VDO gauges in the space below my deck - i can lose the clock, but need the vacuum and oil temp

but we can chat about that on the phone or in another thread - let's keep this all about your install

how did you make the faceplate?

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[SILVY968]

Nice! I have the Pioneer AVIC D3 with the blue tooth. Love the unit. Put the antenna on the dash at the window (cab) and the mic at the top center of the instrument cluster. Really updated the car!
Clean install. By the way, did you install the tach wire? I used the mounting kit that included the front bezel.
Brian

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[968TDG]

yep, on topic again, I measured the space with a tape measure, and used a piece of stock 0.075" plastic, scored the edges, and broke them off until the outside was the right dimension. Then i did the same thing for the inside edge around the radio, though the breaking off thing was a bit more delicate as you might snap your final piece in half. It was pretty close after this, but I had made the cuts a bit conservatively to be safe, so I sanded it for the final fit to clear the radio and the console. I think it took about an hour to do.

The space actually tapers a bit on the sides as it goes down, so it is wider at the top.

I'm happy with how it turned out, I'm going to space it out slightly to make almost flush with the screen, it should make the whole thing look a bit less modular.

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[968TDG]

I installed the mic below the trip reset button, inside the vent, I'll post a pic, it just disappears. I haven't installed the antenna yet, it's actually floating around somewhere in the back on the floor and it works well there, haha, but I am planing on roof mounting it directly in front of the Antenna, routing the wire under the trim, and on the opposite side from the antenna wire as the directions say not to bundle them.

I actually looked at your install before doing mine. It was helpful, thanks for posting it (-:

I haven't done the speed wire yet, is it meant to make the GPS more accurate?

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[SILVY968]

I think that in a cab the vent would be too far away, but it's a good place to hide it!
The antenna really needs to be on its metal base to work well.

Glad that my post helped. This mod is only second to the steering wheel change for dressing up the interior, IMO.

Flash has done the wire, but I do not know if it is that much more accurate. Mine works just fine, but I will attach the wire per flash's post, this winter.
Brian

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[rhudeboye]

Also a D3 owner. I think you made a better choice going w/ Pioneer as I have read of many who went from Pioneer to Kenwood and instantly noticed an inferior audio output. The controls are also not as user friendly. Funny, most switched for the Garman NAV.

I routed my antenna behind the drivers floor carpet then between the door leading up to the rubber window seal and tucked it under the seal, lead it up the window and across to the center of the roof where the wire pops out and travels about 1/12" in front of the sunroof.

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[flash]

mine is sitting on top of the dash, shooting through the windshield - works great

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[968TDG]

I just finished installing the gps antenna. I was planning on putting it on the roof just in front of the stock antenna, but when it came time, I just couldn't do it, haha. I did it on my subaru, and eventually It scratched the paint. I like how clean the car looks right now, and I only want to do things that will clean it up even further. So, I installed it below the roof inside of the roof trim behind the sunroof. It is attached to the little metal plate it came with, which has an adhesive on the back of it. I drove around and it seems to work really well, which does not suprise me as it worked just fine this past week upside down laying on the floor behind the driver's seat without the metal plate. The best part is there is no sign of an antenna. This will make my double din blanking plate with an old cd player facade glued to it all the more convincing (-:

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[SILVY968]

<!--quoteo(post=81590:date=Oct 10 2009, 09:09 AM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Oct 10 2009, 09:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->mine is sitting on top of the dash, shooting through the windshield - works great<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ditto
Brian

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[rhudeboye]

I never ran the speed wire in my D3. Works OK w/o it but I have noticed that the icon is a few3 car lengths behind where my car actually is. Not much of a problem until I come across multiple exits all within a short distance of each other. Then I must pay closer attention to the signs on the road and the text on the unit.

Not sure why my TomTom is so accurate w/o an external antenna and these units aren't.

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[968TDG]

I've had a chance to use the nav a bit, and I'm really pleased. I'm sure with the speed wire it would be even better, but it does seem to be pretty close. The software interface is really spot on too. It's easy to look down and know what's going on. There's nothing worse than a nav system that confuses you...worse than just guessing which way to go because it's distracting.

-Phil

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