changing dashboards/centre consoles

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jimbo87

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Watchet, ZummerZet! (Somerset for you non-westcoun
hey guys, when i bought the Landy the centre console was damaged, from someone trying to get it out to wire a sound system up (its the early dash/centre console from a 200tdi)

as you probably all know its a p.i.t.a to fit an aftermarket headunit in the consoles when it sits above the GB. as theres no room for the wires!, im thinking of changing all this and going for the later dash from the 300tdi, as it looks better, more room for the Head Unit, the centre console with the storage box/arm rest (be ideal for the iphone connection to go in there) etc. how difficult is it to swap the dashs?
 
How can you not fit an aftermarket head-unit ?

I jammed a Pioneer, ipod, bluetooth, parrot-hands-free-phone thingymabob into mine, single din units fit with ease

Edit; My bad you said 200tdi, I'd assume the space is similar though so the way to do it is play tetris with the wiring blocks or tag-tie the bits that wont sit
 
That's the problem, we've cut out a chunk of wiring as someone had butchered it, so now there is a standard modern iso plug, but then to go with that there is the iPod connection, in a space that is literally big enough for a head unit. which means with the iso plug being to big to be tucked/crammed anywhere the head unit doesn't sit down properly (bout an inch sticking up) that's why I want to put the 300 dash in - more room in them, as my grandfather runs an aftermarket hu in his with ease.


Sent from down in my workshop using Tapatalk
 
If I remember correctly (not always the case) the centre console can be moved back a little to provide a bit more depth for the hu allowing the connectors to sit behind. I am sure I have read threads on this somewhere when I changed the head unit in mine.

There isn't a huge amount of space in a 300 dashboard either, believe me I know!
 
alexdon said:
If I remember correctly (not always the case) the centre console can be moved back a little to provide a bit more depth for the hu allowing the connectors to sit behind. I am sure I have read threads on this somewhere when I changed the head unit in mine.

There isn't a huge amount of space in a 300 dashboard either, believe me I know!
Click to expand...

have attempted that tbh, but still struggles on space,

the main reason for asking the question is mostve the interior panels need changing, as someones fitted aftermarket boot seats, all the panels in the back are warped, the centre console is cracked & split, window switches panel doesnt clip in anymore, so thought, well may aswell replace the whole lot, door cards - everything, so it all colour matches, and im looking at the ES leather seats too, so why not go the whole hog and put in a new dash & centre console too! as the 300 looks better.

so is it possible?
 
Ok, simple fix is to change the head unit, I use a Pioneer one that has the Ipod connector on the front via USB

Or remove the iso and wire the cables directly into the radio using a small block connector
 
Dr_evil said:
Ok, simple fix is to change the head unit, I use a Pioneer one that has the Ipod connector on the front via USB

Or remove the iso and wire the cables directly into the radio using a small block connector
Click to expand...

Thought about using the front USB - but I keep that for my memory stick and the alpine HU has a dedicated cable that comes out the back for the iPhone/iPod connectivity. I also need room for the Bluetooth microphone wire that runs out the back of the HU.
I'd prefer not to do that to the wiring as it's a £250 head unit lol and i may put it into a different vehicle later on if I upgrade.


Sent from down in my workshop using Tapatalk
 
jimbo87 said:
Thought about using the front USB - but I keep that for my memory stick and the alpine HU has a dedicated cable that comes out the back for the iPhone/iPod connectivity. I also need room for the Bluetooth microphone wire that runs out the back of the HU.
I'd prefer not to do that to the wiring as it's a £250 head unit lol and i may put it into a different vehicle later on if I upgrade.


Sent from down in my workshop using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I'll swap you my pioneer for your alpine, I wanted an alpine but the shop only had pioneer in ;)

I've found a simple fix for the bluetooth mic on mine, if you feed the cable through the cage and then run it round the shroud for the front it sits in nicely then I just cut a piece of sticky foam to fit and put it on the underside of the mic

As to the USB get a USB splitter port for the front then you can run 2 USB's from the single port
 
Dr_evil said:
I'll swap you my pioneer for your alpine, I wanted an alpine but the shop only had pioneer in ;)

I've found a simple fix for the bluetooth mic on mine, if you feed the cable through the cage and then run it round the shroud for the front it sits in nicely then I just cut a piece of sticky foam to fit and put it on the underside of the mic

As to the USB get a USB splitter port for the front then you can run 2 USB's from the single port
Click to expand...

No chance :lol: love that alpine! served me well in the Astra!

Part of the reason I keep using the iPod cable is it runs under the centre console on to the tray behind the window switches. which is an ideal place for my phone, id prefer not yo have my iphone usb wire trailing over the centre console! (i hate seeing loose wires in cars) but my centre console has had it, so I want the 300 one with the arm rest/storage box, and if I'm doing that - I prefer the look of the 300 dash - the interiors changing due to most panels being fubared, so may aswell do the lot, plus while the dash is out may as well do the wiring for the CB into the dash undertray on the passenger side.


Sent from down in my workshop using Tapatalk
 
Have you considered drilling holes in the dash to feed the wires through then putting a metal trim round the holes ?

Or the use of rubber grommets to hide them ?


Theres a 300tdi disco being broken at the LR Spares garage near me with a full dash ;)
 
300 series dash is just as crap as a 200 one for fitting aftermarket audio, I struggled with my Kenwood screen!

I had to try cram in my iPhone connector, Bluetooth hideaway box, microphone, front/rear/sub preouts in it so far and I have yet to run RCAs for my sub aswell as my CB wiring! Discos just were not made for decent audio stuff :(
 
Regards the dash swap, physically getting it to fit will be little more than a few screws and brackets etc.

What you will struggle with is the fact that a 300 is a completely different car to a 200 electrically speaking.

Were talking different pod with electronic speedo in 300, electric windows system completely different (300 has window control module, switches not interchangeable) etc etc

Every electronic component on the dashboard will not connect to any 200 loom. The heater is completely different also.

Therefore you are looking at re-looming or custom looming the car. That will be a huge job.

200 is a better car through it's built in simplicity, 300 has refinements, but the two cannot go together that easily I'm afraid...
 
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