Upgrade radio with this kit?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
08 C-Class (sold)
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
W204
I just refinished my pocket, and this is prior to making the cutouts for the switches. You can see where I mounted an aux audio/USB jack. I will mount them to the left of it.
Last edited by rtr2; Sep 9, 2015 at 12:06 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
RT2-so you just took the switches out of the panel assembly and relocated them to the top and removed the old screen and made a pocket out of it and extended the AUX ins? Did you use 1/4" or 1/8" sheets to form the pocket?
Nice!
Nice!
Last edited by Sincity; Feb 27, 2015 at 09:31 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
Just got the Scosche wiring kit in. The yellow wire from the kit needs a constant 12V source to the fuse box and does not come from the stock wiring connector. Were you guys able to tap into a constant 12v source among the bundle of wires in the center dash area?
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
W204
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
W204
I extended it, found a grommet through the firewall above the pedals and ran it out to the fuse box.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
W204
Use a test light and find an open fuse location that is a constant fuse location and not ignition powered only, and use it. Be sure to use the fused side of the location and not the powered only post so that if the fuse you place in it will protect your circuit and that will do it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
Purchase one of these w204 radio displays, remove the display (you can get them on eBay sometimes for $50), take a black ABS plastic sheet and glue two small panels into the pocket where the display was, take a dremmel and make a cutout for your buttons, extend the wires for the switches, run the wires up the back of the radio/vent cavity to the pocket area, install the switches into the back wall of the pocket, and you now have a functional pocket with your switches.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=331475153721
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=331475153721
It must took a lot of effort for both of you to squeeze the new headunit in with all of that wiring. The stock unit is not as large as these double-DIN units and you really have to press down on the wiring before putting the stock radio back in.
I just may go the single-DIN route using a radio with a small 3" display. Also, remove the stock display and put a 5" display where the stock one was to have a simultaneous video output.
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
W204
That's not going to work. I took apart the heater switch panel assembly and those buttons are mounted on a PC board that is as wide as the entire trim piece. One alternative is move the entire button assembly into the glove box by having the wires extended.
It must took a lot of effort for both of you to squeeze the new headunit in with all of that wiring. The stock unit is not as large as these double-DIN units and you really have to press down on the wiring before putting the stock radio back in.
I just may go the single-DIN route using a radio with a small 3" display. Also, remove the stock display and put a 5" display where the stock one was to have a simultaneous video output.
It must took a lot of effort for both of you to squeeze the new headunit in with all of that wiring. The stock unit is not as large as these double-DIN units and you really have to press down on the wiring before putting the stock radio back in.
I just may go the single-DIN route using a radio with a small 3" display. Also, remove the stock display and put a 5" display where the stock one was to have a simultaneous video output.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
Well if it doesn't work then I must have dreamed we did it. We soldered ribbon wire to the switch base and extended it, but the whole switch panel can be installed in the back of the pod if you do not want to do that, and yes the wires can be extended. Also no it did not take a lot of effort if you ran your RCA's correctly and placed everything as you are supposed to. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, then live with the old radio. I am happy with the mods I did, and enjoy my new toys.
I now understand what you did with the micro-switches.
I couldn't find the grommet you described above the pedals. I did find a grommet on the passenger side (I think it's where your battery goes on the non-C63) that goes straight into the passenger compartment behind the trim panel below the glove box. Also, I will be tapping into fuse #31 (horn) in the front fuse box for the constant 12v.
EDIT: Found more info on what double-DIN radios will fit the Metra kit from an eBay seller. Radio has to be less than 180mm x 100mm and radio opening on the kit is 173mm x 98mm. That really restricts what radios will fit.
Last edited by Sincity; Mar 8, 2015 at 11:39 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
W204
Can't live with the old radio because after upgrading to the Infnity speakers, the 2 ohm rating is killing the RT channel. Must have bad components on that channel (I posted in the upgraded speaker thread). It started with the RR channel and now the RF channel is also affected.
I now understand what you did with the micro-switches.
I couldn't find the grommet you described above the pedals. I did find a grommet on the passenger side (I think it's where your battery goes on the non-C63) that goes straight into the passenger compartment behind the trim panel below the glove box. Also, I will be tapping into fuse #31 (horn) in the front fuse box for the constant 12v.
EDIT: Found more info on what double-DIN radios will fit the Metra kit from an eBay seller. Radio has to be less than 180mm x 100mm and radio opening on the kit is 173mm x 98mm. That really restricts what radios will fit.
I now understand what you did with the micro-switches.
I couldn't find the grommet you described above the pedals. I did find a grommet on the passenger side (I think it's where your battery goes on the non-C63) that goes straight into the passenger compartment behind the trim panel below the glove box. Also, I will be tapping into fuse #31 (horn) in the front fuse box for the constant 12v.
EDIT: Found more info on what double-DIN radios will fit the Metra kit from an eBay seller. Radio has to be less than 180mm x 100mm and radio opening on the kit is 173mm x 98mm. That really restricts what radios will fit.
Last edited by rtr2; Sep 9, 2015 at 12:06 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
That is hardcore. Tks for taking the time to post the pics. I ended up with a Pioneer AVH-X2700BS double-DIN. still need to figure out how I am going to approach the heated seat buttons. I really don't want to use the kit's relocation panel (the one that replaces the stock monitor lid for those that didn't know) or relocate the entire seat heater panel to the glove box. I need to see how much "***" the relocation panel looks like. I think my wife will want to keep the stock lid so she can store her sunglasses in there.
Last edited by Sincity; Mar 11, 2015 at 07:03 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
Got the radio in. Routed the USB cable to the center console box but still haven't messed with the heated seat controls. Now having issues with the reverse camera. I'm using the Scosche harness. When I start the car and go into reverse, it doesn't immediately go to the camera screen. It goes into the camera screen after I back out, drive a few feet, and when put it into R, then it switches. Not sure if it's the Scosche harness (with one with the steering wheel controls). I used all of the wires on the Scosche harness except the VSS (vehicle speed pulse signal) wire because I don't know where it goes and there isn't a corresponding wire on the Pioneer harness. Have you guys wired it differently?
