Originally Posted by
twincamsham
Ok for an Update
I have ordered a Clarion MAX 686BT Multimedia head unit
7" Touch Screen bluetooth etc. seems good value for money with everything i need.
I have had success with Clarion in the past and i find them a good match in a European car, aesthetically more than anything.I think most stuff is reliable these days,afterall it nearly all comes from china bar Bose or Harmon kar ")
Rang a local auto installer,
He said i need a facia plate & two units to match up the Can system and fitting so looking at 700+ dollars to install total. eek
I cant understand this when its a basic oul stereo with an ISO connector on the back? CAN basically means instead of twenty wires you have maybe two that send digital pulses. with the basic vw stereo you still have all the wires as any old system. im sure that its possible to join it into the CAN but not entirely necessary.
So i got on ebay - bought a touareg/Transporter T5 facia kit
Comes with double din adapter plate . Antenna Adapter and ISO fitting with blank wire ends for the grand total of 25.00 US delivered to QLD
Plastic Quality looks ok- its black and quite thin anyway and im sure its the same as what the installers use .
I also bought 4 x vw stereo removal keys for 8.00 US free postage from Hong Kong.
This appears to be everything needed to fit the system.
I had a look online and found a diagram stating all wire functions and colours from an ISO connector so i reckon it could be a case of an hour with a soldering iron and job done.
My Guess is if the car starts with no warning lights on when i remove the OEM stereo then it has nothing to do with the CAN and i save my self roughly 700$ fitting costs and theres always that satisfaction of doing something yourself.
At the end of the day this is a diesel work/slightly leisure van-i also want to fit a reverse cam and a seperate 7inch screen and speakers in the back at a later date so id rather know the ins and outs of it all myself.
However if it does not start or has warning lights when i remove old stereo i wont even attempt the job and eat my straw hat !
Will post some pics when work commences in april.