Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera

screen and a DVD slot.

the system im fitting will be a full PC. this will let me do music, DVD, phone, GPS basicly everything you can do on a computer. I like the riv's radio as you can plumb the sound into it easyly.

anyone else interested have a look at MP3car.com or www.digital-car.co.uk

or even www.centrafuse.com

Nigel

Sounds interesting. Could you keep us posted on progress and some pic's please. I'd like to see what's involved.
How much do you anticipate on spending for the whole set-up.??
Technically with a PC in the car and dash monitor you could run tuning software without the need for a laptop. That would be very cool.
It opens up a whole lot of potential things that can be done.

My buddy had a little PC he put under his drivers seat in an 05 vibe. It was pretty sweet having a computer inside the car. What I was worried about was my cd player has the screen built into it and when you turn your car on the screen automatically comes out and tilts up. Is that going to be a problem with the dash hanging over the cd player area ? I have seen some people put it where the cd holders are and thats what i am wondering, do i have to do put it down there ?

Ryan,

I would be tempted to place the CD player in the lower position as the closer to the wind screen the harder it is to see the LCD screens (during the day)

I would hazard a guess the screen would miss the dash board but there is a lot of work fitting to find out it does indeed hit the dash!.

good luck

Nigel

A 7" screen would be a double DIN size, correct? (7"w x 4"h)

When you pull open the area where the CD holders and ashtray are I think you will find it sized right for installing doubledin stuff. You may even find blind holes. I suspect you have to make your own face plate though.

ALbertj

It is a dual model # XDVD710. Im pretty sure its a 7x4. I seen the posts in there and they were both just the screen. My screen comes out at you and then tilts upwards. I was worried when it tilts upwards if it was going to hit the overhanging dash. I will just put it down where the cd holders are. It will just be the safe way of doing it, i just have to make sure when i start my car and its in park that the screen wont come out and hit the shift knob.

I want to put it where stock cd player is but i just dont know if it will hit the dash or not. Thats why i wanted to see if someone had a 7inch up there. I may try it just to see and probably end up putting it where cd holders are.

Anyone in Ohio with experience taking apart dash want to help ? I will meet you and pay you to help install ! Thanks !

Ok here we go PC install....

just a test fit of a home made bezel in the old 2 DIN mount that used to accomodate the CD player, ash tray and ciggy lighter.



more will follow...[/img]

befor picture

A cut up CD, cig lighter and ashtray mount

Home made bezel for 7" computer screen

super glue the two together!

fill and sand till nearly there - bondo is your friend

test fit

then photograph the big bit of passenger dash and cut to fit

will continue in a bit!!!!


Nigel

AA,
Why not keep Nigel's PC install in a separate topic.
I know I would like to be able to find this install in the future. I think it would be valuable by itself especially when he gets into the PC installation and programming part.
Just my $0.02

Would it really be hard to find if it's here with the other 4 double DIN write-ups? (search "Double DIN")

How is it valuable by itself? See: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/board-news-f2/multiple-threads-not-necessary-t2245.htm

I did wonder, i did actually start a new thread but can see the merrits of one thread "double din" i will keep posting on this thread.

Nigel

Thanks for understanding, Nigel. Your write-up is much appreciated, and very important to the forum (see + integrity votes given). For the best organization, it makes most sense to keep similar topics combined. This way someone looking for Double DIN installs can find it all in one place, so less digging involved.

FYI, I resized the images in your write up. A good dimension to use is 10 x 7.5" @ 72 ppi (720px,540px). Any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks again for posting the info! Can't wait to see when you're finished.

Ok so i have mainly finnished fitting the LCD monitor to the center console there is some electronics i need to add as there are some 8 buttons and a few leds but i probably will add an on/off switch so it will either come on with the ignition or manually or just stay off. This switch will probably go next to the trunk (boot) switch in the glovebox.


and closer!


The next stage for me is the easy bit, the electronics like computer etc. All the items i use will be off the shelf but specialist to the car PC world.

First we need a stable and regulated 12V supply although you can use the 14.x voltage in the car just to be safe a regulator is best.

I will post some more info and pictures when available

Ok so a little further on .. for some reason the LCD screen died. I had to purchase a new screen and it wouldn't fit the old bezel its the new style LED back illuminated type. I have started a new bezel for this new screen.

I have also decided to add a new CD/Radio to replace the OEM fit. This will take the computer audio output and run XM radio. The head unit im using is the Pioneer DEH-P4100UB along with the Pioneer XM module and a SWI to feed the radio. In the future there will be a further module a CAR2PC interface. This takes the pioneer ibus data and inputs the commands into the computer for more control.

Some real problems reared thier heads over the last few days as i didnt read the boxes of the bits i got .. connectors and mounting kits were for the 1996 onwards! .. if you own a 1995 riv its so different to the later years for fitting of the radio. Here is the dash with the front removed along with the radio and A/C controler.

the connector required looks like this:-

and when connected (with SWI wiring)


Some moderate cutting and shutting will be required behind the radio to allow cables to be positioned .

More to follow......

Nigel,
Do you have a link or web address for the CAR2PC interface. I would like to read up on that unit. Interested in capabilities, spec's, etc.
Thanks

Edit: Never mind, all I had to do was Google it., DUH.

Well yesterday was a lot of hard work with not much to show for it! took the drivers seat out, the rear seat both seat and back, some pillar covers and maybe to day the head lining. All this was to get a cable from the dash to the boot (trunk for the colonials) as i wanted to run the cable under the carpet. The head lining off, is so that i can install a microphone above the drivers head for the computer and and hands free blue tooth operations.

I will attach some photos later. Are there any photos that people want specifically while the car is in this state? i have some panels off the side in the rear and the padding of the rear seat.

great job nigel. did you have to cut the back of the stock location to make room for the cd/radio?

Nigel,
Could you possibly document the removal and installation procedure for the headliner with pic's as you move ahead.
I don't believe we have a Write Up on that specifically. At least I haven't seen one.
So maybe you could create a seperate "Write Up" on Headliner Removal and Installation.
I personally would like to see all the mounting points and how it all comes apart and back together again.
So while it's out if you can take pic's of all the pertinent mounting clips and fasteners, etc. and write comments for the pic's that would be great.
Thanks

Ok, well the radio and steering wheel interface were fitted This photo shows the cut in to the dash giving more room for the cabling to be accommodated.



some other photos of interest
The cable runs for the computer and XM radio run from the centre console along the middle of the car under the carpet, under rear seat and up the back of seat where the computer and XM unit are located. Feeds going are :- 12 volts - switched 12 Volts (acc) - monitor cabling, USB wiring for touch screen and the IP BUS cable for the radio to XM unit.


Radio fitted but still needs adjusting as its off centre!


The computer (PC) will be fitted on the rear of the rear seat. External devices will be fitted in with the high level rear brake light. This means they will be hidden from view. Devices fitted are - a blue tooth dongle for connection to my phone, the USB WIFI dongle for internet connection and war crafting!!, the USB GPS receiver for sat nav.

A nice feature of this pioneer head unit is it has two aux inputs one on the front 3.5mm jack the second is via the IP BUS this is where you connect cd multi player unit or XM sat radio unit. I fitted XM so will use the IP BUS pass through for the audio from the computer. As the satalite module is fitted under the parcel shelf it makes the connection so much easier.

I still have to take the head lining out so i can wire in and mount a microphone for the hands free operation of the phone and voice command of the computer. I will try and post some more pictures when that happens.

Some more will follow.......

i see a bunch of different types and grades of systems put into the riv and i am wondering? is the size of most cd/radio players standard?
crutchfield practically has a coronary when i call them asking for a direct fit system...

There are several sizes, they are referenced as "a din" the Pioneer in the picture is a 1 Din the original is 1.5 times taller so is 1.5 din and a 2 din is twice its height. The width is generally the same for each Din and the front to back can also vary i have a picture of the 95 original against this 1 Din pioneer unit.

dang!