Bora Double DIN Upgrade

[Bernoulli]

Morning,

Had a Pioneer X3600DAB installed by a local car audio shop on the weekend, works brilliant until I realised I have no AM reception. Mostly white nose, with little audio coming through.

I rang the shop and they advised I may need an antenna amplifier, as this may have been part of the stock head unit which was replaced. Supposedly the cost is $25 plus labour. Naturally I’m a bit annoyed they didn’t test everything before handing over the car, but not a huge issue!

Does this info seem accurate? I had no problem with AM with a stock setup. My knowledge on this is absent so thought it worth checking for a second opinion!

Cheers,
Joe

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ORIGINAL POST BELOW

G'day all,

Going shopping for a double DIN head unit this weekend to replace my stock setup. I've done reading through threads here and on Vortex, but as I am clueless when it comes to this sort of thing - thought I'd quickly get some clarification on here.

I will be getting it installed through a car audio specialist here.

Do I need a fascia, or will the unit I buy likely come with one in the box? I'm assuming these are universal fascias?

Does the radio cage require any cutting/modding for the HU to sit flush in the dash? Some places I've read say this is needed, others haven't mentioned it!

Attached is a photo of my dash, if that helps.

[Stan]

all your variables really depend on what headunit you settle on. Size, depth, and whether or not a facia is needed. Some come with one, some don't, and depending on outside dimentions and finish you may not need one at all

[Bernoulli]

Thanks mate, will see how I go!

[Bernoulli]

Had one of these installed and it looks great, doesn't sit flush but very happy overall.

Have an issue with AM reception and thought it'd be easier to amend my original post, can anyone help?

[moda]

Had one of these installed and it looks great, doesn't sit flush but very happy overall.

Have an issue with AM reception and thought it'd be easier to amend my original post, can anyone help?

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, if the Bora is anything like the Golfs, it's because there are 2 antenna ports. One for FM and one for AM. In some models its a 2port cable block, and in others its 2 separate cables. What they probably did was just connect one of them to the Antenna port of your new HU.

What you'll need to get is a dual fakra adapter, to whatever port is used on the new HU. An amplified one would probably be a bonus too, you should be able to tap of 12v from the back of the unit.

You may want to double check before ordering anything, though.

[Bernoulli]

Doesn't sound like a huge deal then!

I booked the car into another shop for tomorrow (they said they can do it during my lunch break), as I wasn't too impressed by the attitude of the folk at the other shop. The guy on the phone said the antenna amplifier (or lack of) is likely to be the issue, but I'll keep in mind this dual fakra adapter also - I imagine they'd have these in stock anyway?

[moda]

Doesn't sound like a huge deal then!

I booked the car into another shop for tomorrow (they said they can do it during my lunch break), as I wasn't too impressed by the attitude of the folk at the other shop. The guy on the phone said the antenna amplifier (or lack of) is likely to be the issue, but I'll keep in mind this dual fakra adapter also - I imagine they'd have these in stock anyway?

Shouldn't be, it's typical of swapping to a nonOEM headunit though. Chinese units are especially notorious for poor radio reception, but even third party units like the Pioneer wouldn't be immune if they didn't adapt it properly.

It'll be one of these: http://www.discountcarstereo.com/ima...baadin2f_m.jpg (or whatever connector the Pio takes, in either the twin block or 2 separate cables like pictured). Blue wire goes to 12v.

[Bernoulli]

Had it sorted today - needed an antenna booster cable (assume this is the same as an antenna amplifier?). Thanks moda

Either way, all worked out. Ironically, the only AM station I listen to also broadcasts on digital radio. My Pioneer head unit came with a digital radio antenna, hopped in the car this morning unaware of this and selected digital radio, then scanned - and to my surprise I was able to listen to my normal station on digital radio.

First time I've listened to it, was blown away by the sound quality! Switching between from the AM and digital broadcasts shows a huge difference.