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Double-din head unit in 996

andywill

andywill

PCGB Member
Member
Hi paul Hello and welcome to 996 ownership. I went down this route 18 months ago and eventually went with the Alpine ine-977 and I'm very pleased with the end result. The original PCM units are starting to give issues on a few members cars, also there Is no cheap solution re map upgrades. So like yourself I personally think this is the best way forward. Enjoy your 996.
 
Hi everyone - I'm quite new to 996 ownership and the forum, but I've loved cars for as long as I can remember and always wanted a Porsche 911. So here I am..

However, since buying my sans-PCM 996 Targa, I've wished for more connectivity, but as a stickler for originality I was very reluctant to swap out the original CDR-23. All the single-DIN options I've seen looked a bit out of place. I told myself that if I was going to do it then the replacement would need to look 'right'.

After some deliberation I decided I'd get the most benefit from a double-DIN head unit. I've seen some nice double-DIN installs on the forum(s) but was a bit worried about the need to create space by moving the other components. Not something I wanted to attempt myself, nor was it a job I was willing to entrust to a complete stranger at my local Halfords.

I came across the Pioneer SPH-DA120. What I liked about it was it's very clean, black facia and the absence of the chintzy buttons and brushed metal that I couldn't seem to avoid on other head units I'd seen. The 6.2'' touch screen is just the right size without taking over. Then there's the Apple CarPlay feature which, if you're an Apple sheep like me, is just genius. But it is compatible with Android and other smartphones, and has all the other connectivity you'd expect like USB, HDMI and Bluetooth.

Anyway, after deciding which head unit to get I then had to find a reliable and intelligent installer that had experience of 996's. Enter Air & Sound in Notting Hill. A thoroughly brilliant experience. Gerry, the owner, following a bit of consultation, fitted the unit beautifully and in such a way that I can easily reverse the process if I ever want to return the car to it's original state. My car also has Bose which he was able to seamlessly adapt to the new setup.

Goes without saying that I'm extremely happy with the result!

Cheers all - keep up the good work!

Paul


0457766974E64C2DBBD7CA7823E59649.jpg
 
Sorry to hack the post - I am actually in the process of doing the same thing, but my potential installer wants me to obtain (a) a facia/bezel for the double din unit, and (b) facia for the Climate Control unit which will be moved to the bottom of the centre console. Did you have similar requirements? I am having problems finding a Porsche facia for the unit (although I have seen aftermarket kits ) Wondered if anyone knows part nos etc? thanks
 
Hi Lyndon The "Climate Control unit" is an all in one unit and has four screws securing it into it's present position and can be located lower down without any issues. I installed my D/Din unit myself and the surround was supplied by the Alpine dealer.
 
If you move the aircon panel to the bottom slot you need a different surround, as the opening is tapered towards the bottom. You can see the taper in Paul's photo. The surround is only about £3 from Porsche (at least it was when I bought mine). Some of the smaller screen double-DIN units need a trim panel. Connects2 do a reasonably priced one. Nice job Paul. Welcome!
 
In my case the head unit doesn't have a CD player, so the installer suggested replacing the CD storage tray with the aircon unit and keeping the little cubby-hole in it's original position - this is different to other 996 double-din installs that I've seen where the aircon unit goes right to the bottom. As a result, the top of the aircon unit sits about 7-8mm above the lower part of the console (see pic). But for me it's a more practical solution and it meant that it didn't need a replacement/modified surround. The trim around the head unit itself I believe came with the fitting kit which was sourced by the installer. Thanks all - hope to catch some of you at one of the meets :)
 
Looks very neat - was there a specific fitting kit or did it rely on the ingenuity of the installer? J
 
Thanks, yes it's nice and clean, just as I'd hoped. :) There was a fitting kit. I didn't get to see it beforehand, but i think it included the electrical connectors, cage and black surround. Installer ingenuity helped with the repositioning of dash components and location of USB ports (inside the armrest). Paul
 
[attachment=IMG_20150727_193941.jpg] I fitted the same Pioneer Double Din to mine its fantastic it took me a while to figure out how to do the job it was a lot easier than I thought, I have now managed to get a facia in black leather from Boxterbits I'm going to fit

 
Hi Paul

I have just taken the plunge as well. My 2002 C4S has the CDR 23 and Bose upgrade. My Bose amp has just blown, so I have sourced a used one. But I am interested in your double din solution - looks great. How much was the pioneer and how much was the fitting/moving the air con controls?

Paul.

 
I've just managed to bag a Pioneer SPH-DA120 and was wondering where you positioned the GPS aerial?

Could post a photo of the location please?

 
Hi Alan

The GPS aerial location is under the shroud, in the middle of the dashboard below the windscreen.

Regards Andy

 
Hi Paul,

I first went to Sextons in Gloucester and they quoted me £250 to fit it and move the controls, sod that Ill have a go myself and it was easy, prize the plastic trim around the air con controls unscrew the screws and pull it out, take the sliders of either side of the unit , pull the bottom plastic cubby hole or tray out push the wires from where the controls were to the hole below plug the wires in air con unit and push it into the bottom hole screw it in using two of the screws that came out of the unit and put the new curved plastic surround you can buy of Porsche or eBay for £10 mine cost me £30 of eBay or give me a bell and ill talk you through it 07969782722.

This should take around half an hour or so.

Oh and I bought the Pioneer from Halfords £299 or ebay again Dynamic Sounds

[link=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pioneer-SPH-DA120-CarPlay-AppRadio-Touch-Screen-GPS-Bluetooth-iPhone-Android-/371181176881?hash=item566c1f4831]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm...81?hash=item566c1f4831[/link]

Surround on eBay

[link=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-996-Boxster-Trim-Surround-For-A-C-Controls-New-/252023680540?hash=item3aadc82e1c]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm...40?hash=item3aadc82e1c[/link]

 
A couple of good threads here on double din options the dynavin kit would appear to be plug and play with the bose fibre amp

[link=http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=99434]http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=99434[/link]

[link]http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=104355[/link]

 
paulossie said:
...... the new curved plastic surround you can buy of Porsche or eBay for £10 mine cost me £30 of eBay ........

Surround on eBay

[link=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-996-Boxster-Trim-Surround-For-A-C-Controls-New-/252023680540?hash=item3aadc82e1c]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm...40?hash=item3aadc82e1c[/link]
Click to expand...

They are £3.64+VAT from Porsche, part number 996.552.339.00.01C

 
Hey Paul

Sorry about the late reply!

I paid £600 all-in (inc the unit + fitting kit etc.). The unit itself is about £329 and fitting kit about another £35. So labour-wise it's probably a bit more than most fitters would charge but I wanted a thorough job and knew they would do it right first time. Took them about a day to fit.

Cheers

Paul

 
paulthorpe said:
Hey Paul

Sorry about the late reply!

I paid £600 all-in (inc the unit + fitting kit etc.). The unit itself is about £329 and fitting kit about another £35. So labour-wise it's probably a bit more than most fitters would charge but I wanted a thorough job and knew they would do it right first time. Took them about a day to fit.

Cheers

Paul
Click to expand...
Nice one they look perfect in the 996.

 
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