Has anyone replaced the stock radio with a combination radio/CD/Nav system in a C5? If so how much did it cost and how much work was it? Also, can you still use the 12 disk changer and are any of the after market combo set ups XP capable?

 

I have the Pioneer AVIC X1R. I think the latest version in the US was the N3 although it may be discontinued now. A quick check showed one at as little as $650! I paid $1300 for my original N1. It's possible to DIY the fit but reasonably complicated. I posted a How To in the C5 Tech DIY thread. I think Kenwood has a similar system but you have to buy the nav system box separately so its a tad more expensive. You can also get a single DIN system which avoids the bezel mod but the screens smaller.

Its a good system and I have my Ipod plugged in with a simple mic/AV wire and mounted on a Pro Clip mount. You get radio, DVD, CD, AV input and nav. The unit is fine but I wouldn't say the audio quality is the best in the world. You need a mounting kit (Iused a Metra plate from Best Buy but humount produce a Corvette plate), an antenna adaptor ($5 at Autozone) and a Soundgate harness (I fitted the GM CRV1 but the CRV2 is the latest). The Soundgate harness allows you to retain the Bose speakers.

The only downside is that the screen blocks the vents when its extended. Even in the summer heat in Vegas I found I still had enough flow.

 

Post this up in the Audio/Electronics section and I'd bet you get a lot of responses. Have seen many posts here where the owner has swapped the stock radio for a Nav/CD/DVD/etc. one.

 

Pretty common mod.... Head unit ~1K DDMod on bezel 3-400 installation ~200

 

i am in the process of replacing the OEM audio system with the pioneer avic z110bt which is a full double din touch screen NAV and satellite radio capable system (in my case i am adding a sirius radio as i already have several sirius radios on a subscription) with a single cd player. you can not use the factory 12 changer with the aftermarket radio heads (not that you would want to as most can be set up to allow ipod use which in my opinion is far more flexible and better. if you are doing the work yourself, and just replacing the radio head, it is a bit easier than going the whole route. it all depends on your level of "audiophilia", lol.

be prepared to have a really good time removing parts of the center column "superstructure" as it seems to be riveted together with case hardened steel rivets that would make virtually anything you have tried to hack through before seem like warm butter. these things are really tough. some have used a saws-all, i chose the metal cut off wheels and a dremel to get into the tighter space. makes a real mess, but is easier in my opinion.

there are several harness semi plug and play devices available that make the wiring process goes a lot easier.

i would definitely get together with dennis from double d mods. he has been fantastic to deal with (and i recommend his work if you plan on going with a real double din set up). it was my personal preference for several reasons (all persion opinions). first i don't like the "surrounds" or frames that are necessary to mount a single din radio in the 1 1/2 din opening of the stock bezel, and 2 i don't like the fact that the pop up screens generally block the center a/c vents (not all that cool literally and figuratively when you live in south florida and generally use a/c 10 months a year).

i do agree if you look around the audio section you'll find loads of comments, threads and pictures of members who have undertaken the project on many different levels.

 

ditto

 

[QUOTE=DeeGee;1573386084]I have the Pioneer AVIC X1R. I think the latest version in the US was the N3 although it may be discontinued now. A quick check showed one at as little as $650! I paid $1300 for my original N1. It's possible to DIY the fit but reasonably complicated. I posted a How To in the C5 Tech DIY thread. I think Kenwood has a similar system but you have to buy the nav system box separately so its a tad more expensive. You can also get a single DIN system which avoids the bezel mod but the screens smaller.

Its a good system and I have my Ipod plugged in with a simple mic/AV wire and mounted on a Pro Clip mount. You get radio, DVD, CD, AV input and nav. The unit is fine but I wouldn't say the audio quality is the best in the world. You need a mounting kit (Iused a Metra plate from Best Buy but humount produce a Corvette plate), an antenna adaptor ($5 at Autozone) and a Soundgate harness (I fitted the GM CRV1 but the CRV2 is the latest). The Soundgate harness allows you to retain the Bose speakers.

The only downside is that the screen blocks the vents when its extended. Even in the summer heat in Vegas I found I still had enough flow.

DeeGee, did you leave the stock Bose speakers in place, and if so how do they sound. Also, am I to assume that you did not have to modify the bezel? And finally, if you had the remote 12 disk changer did it interface with the Pioneer head unit? Thanks.

I missed your reference to the DIY thread, and it answered most of my questions. Nice write up. Thanks.

 

I was also thinking about this mod but I too wondered about the sound quality with the stock Bose system.

 

...... Dennis is great to work with, he'll fix you up.

The dbl din looks stock and avoids the issues mentioned above.

Good Luck......

 

dennis at DDmods FTW.

 

I'm actually glad I went with the flip face for my nav/dvd (Clarion). Where to put stuff is at a premium already so having the ashtray to keep a remote in and lighter outlet for phone charger (rather than sticking it in the console) is great. As for blocking the vent, that is an issue but I can put my ipod on, close the face and proceed through tracks with the face closed. Plus, I can input an location and close the face. The nav will still give great audio turn-by-turn directions while allowing me to use the audio controls. It simply lowers the stereo when the voice comes on. GREAT unit for our purposes IF you don't want to go double din

 

You can still drill a hole or have dennis do it and add a 12v outlet where the ashtray flip lid used to be. You don't have to lose it if you go to a double din style.

 

i think you overlooked the fact that dennis will mod your bezel to true double din and leave you the option of removing the ashtray and lighter socket (as is shown above) or removing the ashtray and leaving a cut out for the lighter socket to be remounted, or if you prefer (and this was my choice for virtually the same storage of small stuff issue you raised) you can have it made DD and leave the ashtray and lighter, etc as original.

his work is fantastic. you won't be disappointed and the look is much more OEM than the wide "frame" used to mount single din radios in the stock bezel in my opinion. but, hey, that's why they make chocolate and vanilla and i will be the last one to say something like this is right or wrong vs the other side.

 

We modified this bezel... Not that hard really, but if I had to do it over again I might buy a double-din just to make converting back to stock easier. This was on my dad's old C5.

 

Like already mentioned, you can get the Dbl Din from Dennis with the ash tray, just like stock.

Here are the before and after pics from my install. Sorry the photos aren't great and the car was a little dirty, but you will get the idea..







Good luck.........

 

Here are the before and after pics from my install. Sorry the photos aren't great and the car was a little dirty, but you will get the idea..







Good luck......... [/QUOTE]

Looks very nice. I do have a question though. The bezel in the before picture blends very well color wise with the rest of the dash and console. In the after picture the modifed bezel seems to be a slightly different shade, or at least glossier. Is it so, or just an optical illusion or reflection? Thanks.

 

That's why I said the pics aren't too good.

If I remember correctly, the texture between the two is a little different, and that could be causing the flash to make them look different.

I think the new bezel, to the naked eye, looks as good and very similar, if not the same, as the OEM bezel.

Give Dennis at Dbl D Mods a shout. He can answer any questions you have. He's not only a good vendor to work with, he's a good guy too!

Good Luck.....

 

I went with an aftermarket single din system that plays DVDS / CDs and all forms of MP3. However, I have a backup camera rather than NAV as I already had a portable. I would not trade this backup camera for anything given my big butted convertible with limited visibility to the rear.