Anyone have a summary of removing dash to replace radio?

Great job!

Thanks for making the time to capture everything and share with us.

Question please: Did you upgrade your speakers too?

If you did can you kindly share how you did it & what speakers you chose?

Thanks again.

Dan

 

I didn't upgrade my speakers. There was a considerable upgrade in sound quality just by upgrading the head unit. I may upgrade them in the future. Back speakers look pretty easy. I think you can just remove the grilles, unscrew the old ones and screw in new ones. The fronts look like you need to disassemble the door to remove the speakers. I know there are screws under the speaker grilles on the doors but I'm not sure what else needs to happen to disassemble the doors.

 

Thanks for the info.

Is your car a California T? Mine is.
Did you have the High Power HiFi Option?

Yes, I have replaced my rear speakers already. Super easy.
Next is the door speakers and dashboard speakers so Im trying to figure out how.
Dashboard speakers are so dang difficult to replace. I cant even pop out the speaker grills...........It wont give.......

I have a copy of the workshop manual but it doesnt go down to the level of detail need.

Thanks.

Dan

 

Mine's an original California. I don't believe Power HiFi was an option!

 

Wow... Amazing information, I wanted to upgrade my radio but after reading this I changed my mind. Bluetooth adapter it is .

I love the #1. DONT DO IT

 

Do you lose all details in the left dash display? Engine temp, tire pressure?

 

No only the radio station that your tuned into ( which is displayed on the head unit anyway )

 

Hello Andrew,

I am new to the forum and appreciate all your input on this topic. Fantastic job on your car! I have a 2014 California and considering undergoing this project. The factory head unit is so dated and I am starting to have a lot of problems connecting with bluetooth. I've been doing a lot of reading and research. I've even been able to find the car's service manual with disassembly/assembly instructions. It seems like it will take some work and time.

I'm a bit confused regarding the above post. I understand the canbus controller connects to a box to help it communicate to the Pioneer head unit. I do have a factory rear camera. How do you connect both the Connects2 and Unican boxes at the same time? If I decide not to use the navigation and only use Apple Carplay do I still need the Connects2?

 

The connects 2 box does not work as intended, the uni can box fixes the issues
Cheers

 

Question for you:

1. The module that you have where by the ashtray was that an OEM option? Very cool and wish I had one.
2. I notice the aluminium plates on the floor mats. Where these custom and can you show more pictures?
3. Steering wheel controls: Is there a way to add this after the fact and what are parts to do this?

 

Hi,
1 - No i had the assembly made - see my post on the subject.
2- i again had them made - there are plenty of photos already posted when i fitted them
3- Yes you can fit steering wheel radios controls - Factory or aftermarket - any decent audio shop can provide this service, it’s pointless listing the parts to you as you will not have the coding capability for the Canbus, OEM parts will be $4-5K (second hand) aftermarket $1-2K

Cheers Andrew

 

On the original California, the parking camera connects to the NIT Harness via pins 3,4, & 5. on the E040 Connector. So if you are replacing the Ferrari OEM Head unit, you will just need a harness adapter for camera control. As for steering controls, The Meastro is a self learning box that will program itself to the steering wheel buttons for you. That one seems to be the easiest.
I would suggest you contact Mike from Scudera Audio and speak with him. Because if your going to go that far, then replace the head unit with something better than the panasonic. I'd go with an alpine. Then also replace the AMP and speakers and add a sub.

 

Got it done!

Thank you to everybody on this thread. I learned a lot from everyone, especially Andrew and DaEagle.

I have a 2014 California. I updated the head unit to a Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX. Unfortunately, I found out afterwards that these motorized screen units do not have enough space to move/open in the enclosure like DaEagle mentioned. No problem, since I don't plan on using CD/DVD. Also, the mic input for Auto EQ is behind the screen as well. I am not planning on taking it back apart to replace at this point and happy with the results.

This project took quite a bit of time, about 8 hours over two days. Not for the faint of heart, since it involves practically removing most of the front dash. I had a copy of the Ferrari service manual, but there were quite a few screws that were not listed. Is it worth it? I think so, it pretty much updates the head unit from the 90's Chrysler technology to today with wireless Carplay. The phone works so much better with the updated microphone. I placed it to the right of the speedometer. I also placed the USB extension in the glove compartment. Wiring things correctly and using the Paser Unican module everything works perfectly-steering controls and factory rear view camera. The only quirk with this Unican unit is that there is a note the sometimes the canbus leads are reversed and you have to switch the green/white wires. That was the case in my car and as soon as I switched them the unit light turned green and communicated with the canbus. I did not need to pull ignition power from the lighter. It worked properly with the Unican. I did order the Connects2 module, but had no use for it. I used a lot of the items in DaEagles post to complete the job. A few items took some time to arrive since they came from across the pond.

I used the Pioneer Unican module with the Chrysler II harness
https://automotive.paser.it/en-gb/Steering-Wheel-Command/For-Aftermarket-Radios/Paser/Unican-Pioneer-p448c62c63.html

This harness to connect the back up camera
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N8YO8JE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was not able to find the Pioneer to ISO harness, so I spliced the one that came with the radio to this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L4H1Q9P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The faceplate also was not perfect and needed modification. I used mounting tape to stick the front bezels to the enclosure.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00133VQWE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


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I am thinking about putting in one of these 9 inch android head units. The measurements actually line up perfectly with the outer leather trim, meaning you would take out the silver Ferrari surround piece.

https://www.amazon.com/Joying-Newest-Universal-Navigation-Ultra-Screen/dp/B0B3SWJHQY/ref=sr_1_6?crid=20AABM368700K&keywords=joying%2B9%2Binch%2Buniversal%2Bandroid&qid=1664647935&sprefix=joying%2B9%2Binch%2Buniversal%2Bandroid%2Caps%2C51&sr=8-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3&th=1

Most of this post is about the Pioneer unit, but if I go with one of these, are there different parts I need to connect the Canbus and the main wiring harness?

Below is picture of one of the 9 inch android units installed. I think it looks really clean and the newer ones like I linked above actually have a volume knob which is much more user friendly.

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Actually the 9 inch is too big. I have been working on a solution for Mike at Scudderia Audio for an Android Radio Replacement.
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I have the Kenwood Excelon DNR1007XR. Floating. I also added the front camera and dashcam. I kept the silver trim.

 

The one in your pictures is a California T. This thread is about the original California and the measurements on mine seem to be almost an exact match for the outer leather frame. I'm going to give it a shot and report back, but first wanted to clarify if I can get the canbus to work with this and what I need.

What you did there on the T looks great though!

 

I believe the dimensions are the same. Harman made both systems. I personally dont care for the floating screen look. If you are going that route, then go with a bigger screen.

 

It wouldn't be a floating unit. The 9" android dimensions look like they would fit almost perfectly into the leader surround. Here is a youtube video of one of these installed so you can see it from all angles. Looks like it tucks in really well and flush to the leather trim. Thoughts anyone?

 

I've been looking into both options, but not quite sure what I want to go with yet. I think retaining the factory trim definitely keeps it looking more OEM, but you get the downside of those black bars on both sides, which ruin the look a bit already. Not to mention, it seems like those kits come with cheap plastic intended for a Chrysler. I'm leaning towards having the "floating" screen, but I'm struggling to find a high quality video of it so I can really see it clearly from different angles.

 

This is the one I'm thinking about that should almost exactly tuck into the leather surround and not be floating on the outside. Its new this year and gets pretty good reviews on youtube.
https://www.amazon.com/Joying-Newest-Universal-Navigation-Ultra-Screen/dp/B0B3SWJHQY/ref=sr_1_6?crid=20AABM368700K&keywords=joying%2B9%2Binch%2Buniversal%2Bandroid&qid=1664647935&sprefix=joying%2B9%2Binch%2Buniversal%2Bandroid%2Caps%2C51&sr=8-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3&th=1

 

I looked into that one, the dimensions still didn't quite work, unless you are willing to make the opening a bit larger and adjust the leather.

 

I've also heard that there are other issues with that exact joying unit, such as randomly crashing and restarting. The steering wheel buttons may also function strangely. Aa/carplay also need to be manually launched.

I'm thinking of going with the Pioneer DMH-W76NEX.

 

What are the dimensions of the screen that you have on that unit for the T? It does look nice and I'd be curious to know if it would work on the regular Cali. How's development coming along?

 

It will definitely work on a regular Cali and FF. Thats why Mike is funding the project.

I dont have the exact measurements. It is an 8.8 inch or so screen. I did need to alter the frame on the inside just a bit. Development is going well. It is integrated with the steering wheel buttons nicely. I had to make that interface myself since none of the other after market products work reliably and are 3 times more expensive than a simple arduino. I want to integrate with the oem microphones and antennas, so still need to figure those out. Last thing I want is an aftermarket microphone sitting here, and SAT antenna there.

Currently, I am working on the remote volume control that integrates nicely into the cup holder. I was using a wifi connection between the remote volume controller and my arduino canbus decoder, however the lag was too much for my satisfaction. So will be creating a wired connection between the two instead. That will increase the responsiveness and also makes the power supply easier. Just means you need to run a thin 4 wire cable between head unit and this remote.

I was also thinking about simply placing a double din 6 inch touchscreen inside the OEM head unit controls, but not sure anyone would want to keep such small 6 inch screen when you can fill the entire area with an 8.8 inch screen. Although that wouldn't require the remote volume control.