Single DIN conversion - useful info.

[flashp]

Just thought I'd post some useful info regarding my single DIN conversion with OE parts. I came from an RNS510 for info.

I used a VW single DIN fascia (1K0857058A1QB £27.18) which has a storage compartment under. It's a one piece affair (no pop out pocket) and is the standard of finish you'd expect, particularly with the fitted rubber tray insert (1K08581699B9 £5.66).

I also used the Connects2 steering wheel interface (CTS VW002.2 with steering wheel lead CTKENWOODLEAD2 @ £43.98 for both parts) which correctly supports all buttons on the MFSW. It's worth noting that the original Autoleads part I used (PC99-505) did not support the right hand set of buttons correctly. It wouldn't show an 'audio' menu therefore when displaying any menu and using the up/down arrow buttons to navigate not only would it change the display it would change radio station, for instance, at the same time.

I know single DIN isn't everyone's cup of tea    but I thought I'd share this since I think it's as good as single DIN conversion could be and maybe this info will be useful for somebody who had considered it but dismissed it due to non OE finish with a poor quality fascia.  

[Fastmonkey]

That's really useful thanks for that, I am viewing a car Friday and will go this route if it is a purchase !

Do you have hands free off that HU, if so where have you routed the mic too ?

[flashp]

That's really useful thanks for that, I am viewing a car Friday and will go this route if it is a purchase !

Do you have hands free off that HU, if so where have you routed the mic too ?

Sorry for the delay in updating!  
Yes, it has handsfree and I put the mic at the top of the A pillar trim. Have to say it works very well too.
Goes off to enable 'Notify' 

[zed4]

This is interesting, I didn't know you could control these stereos with the steering wheel controls. Does it display radio stations, song names and phone info in the highline computer display?

[flashp]

No, the highline display only shows the title 'Audio'. My head unit happens to have a more comprehensive and configurable display that that of the oe head unit or dash display so I'm OK with the lack of info there. I use my highline display for Polar FIS 95% of the time so less of an issue for me.

[bustamo]

I find the official VW Single DIN part is really underrated.

I had one when I had a single din HU, and the finish from my mates Autoleads Fascia is one of those small things that half bugged me 

[Bigjimknickers]

Looks very smart that.

[An0NyMOUs]

Took your advice and got an OE single din unit. All fitted up today;
 
From this


To this


You'll have to excuse the fingerprints and dirt all over it.

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[flashp]

Looking good! I like the simplicity of the fascia on that. 
I've been doing some work to mine that's been waiting for more than a year. I had a bracket made to fit my Brodit mount which takes the round Garmin mount directly. I also dropped a USB lead in through the small opening at the back of the cubby hole.
Second job was to add a relay that is controlled by the remote power on lead from the head unit. This relay has a constant live on it and it feeds power to the antenna amplifier. It allows the radio to work properly without having the ignition on.

I got a local trade paint supplier to mix an aerosol of the same colour of the dash to paint the bracket with. Quite happy with the result.

[An0NyMOUs]

Looks good! I think that satnav would be too low down for me though. I need to get a USB cable sorted for mine, also a DAB aerial. What type of aerial have you used for yours?

[flashp]

I was a bit concerned over that but, for me at least, it's OK. Not too different to looking at the RNS510 that used to be there. It may even be easier as the screen is angled towards me.

The antenna is a Hirschmann which I got from here http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Hirschmann_AUTA_16_V_II_DAB_car_aerial.html
Up until last weekend I had a Calearo equivalent which had been a problem with poor reception from day 1. The Hirschmann is leagues ahead in terms of reception quality. There's a thread here where another member has had issues with a Calearo http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,105339.msg1038873.html#msg1038873

[An0NyMOUs]

That's a shame, I don't have a roof aerial on my car so I'll need a windscreen one or a splitter. Thanks though


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[chimp400]

Thinking of going this route on mine as I have a spare pioneer single din lying around. Can you remember which harness/aerial leads you used, save me removing and checking mine!
I currently have an rcd500 in there.

[flashp]

It's all in this thread 

[chimp400]

Ok thanks