JuicedMB

I finally have all of my components for my stereo replacement (HU, amp, speakers, sub).

Now I would like to know about the best way to access and remove the stock radio. My ride is a 04 clk320. Since some of you have successfully replaced your stock radio, I'm hoping that you will share your knowledge with us.

Also, any insight on the best location for running the cables from the dash to the trunk area would be greatly appreciated.

2MCHCAR

If you pull up the carpet on the passenger side, you will find a metal plate on the firewall you can run your cables behind. (Passenger side)Then pull the door sill cover, remove the seat, seatbelt, rear seat, pull up the carpet and you will see where MB runs the wires (inside a plastic corridor). If you carefully pull up the rear seat trim, you can snake the wires into the trunk.

Dash removal:
Remove the gearshift lever
Carefully pull up the trim, there will be a ring holding the shift knob, twist it a half turn and pull out the shift knob. Unplug the wiring.
Remove the ashtray housing
There's 2 torx screws holding the ashtray housing in the shift knob area you just took out. Pull out the ashtray housing and remove the wiring.
Remove the center console
In the area of the ashtray housing you just removed, there are 2 more torx screws holding the center console trim. Remove the screws and you can now pull out the center console, make sure to remove the wiring from the AC controls etc.

Sorry, I have to run to work, but if you want me to elaborate further or have other questions, I'll answer them when I get off.......

JuicedMB

Thanks for the info. This is great so far.

Are there any "watch-out for" items when removing the seat, seatbelt, rear seat, rear seat trim? Are all of the fasteners visible, or are there some hidden fasteners for the items listed above?

Also, is fiber going to the radio in a daisy chain. In other words, once I remove the radio, do I need to connect the fiber to some other component in the chain in order for the rest of the devices on that network to work? I understand that I will not have the radio function, but I want to make sure that the rest of the devices on the fiber network remain functional.

2MCHCAR

For the Items listed above, they are fastened by big bolts, so nothing is hidden.

When removing the seat, move the seat all the way forward, remove the bolts, then move the seat all the way back and remove the remaining bolts. Remove the wires and the plastic clips on the bottom of the seats (go easy on the plastic clips, they break easily.......I should know.....).

You need a #40 torx bit to remove the seatbelt bolts.

Yes the fiber is going to the radio in a daisy chain. This is a concern if you have a phone or other component that uses the fiber network. I believe that you can buy a fiber bypass at the dealer for under $5 (I'm not 100% sure because I didn't have any other fiber component I wanted saving).

Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

JuicedMB

I don't have a phone, but I still want the monitoring/settings system in the dash (odometer, malfunctions, settings, etc.) to work properly. I also don't want to get a malfunction errors to show up either.

If there is no other components downstream of the radio, then I'm assuming that everything before it will work ok. Is this the case?

JuicedMB

I forgot to say thanks for the info. You're proving why forums such as this one is so valuable.

v12

This may answer some of your questions regarding wiring etc...


https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...o-upgrade.html

2MCHCAR

This link is broken, has it moved?

Removing the radio/CD changer/Amp etc. from the fiber network will not disable functionality from the dash or add any malfunction messages. The only difference you will see in the dash; it will no longer display radio information such as CD track number or Radio frequency, it will always show "---". You will also lose any radio steering wheel controls unless you add a adaptor that works with the MB wiring and your specific radio.

v12

Don't know what was wrong, but it works now...

JuicedMB

Again, thanks for the info. I believe that I have enough to get started. Now, I just need to find enough free time to get started on this.

Once I start, I will take pics and share with the forum my learnings as well......

2MCHCAR

Good Luck! Make sure to take lots of pics and if you in need any more info during the install, make sure to add the question to this thread.

JuicedMB

Well, I basically finished most of the install today. I installed the HU, amp, sub (although I plan to go with a different box). My aftermarket amp is powering the original speakers (Bose). Even with those speakers, the system sounds better. I will be changing the speakers out sometime this week.

I took some pictures, but have not downloaded them from the camera yet. I had so much going on today (system install, installing new kitchen appliances, powerwashing exterior of house) I'm too tired to mess with the camera.

Anyway, I will post another thread about my install later, but I will list out my components:
Alpine IVA-w203 w/ nav
Alpine PDX-5 amp
RE SR10 Sub (right now is sealed inclosure, plan to go ported).
ID CTX65cs component speakers

More details and pics later.......

2MCHCAR

Sweet! Can't wait to see how it turned out......

Big HRH

Just bought my clk and about to put the alpine I-305 head unit in. How did you find taking the dash apart; any major dramas? Is there an easy way to run the trailing iPod cable into the glovebox as well?

v12

I found the clk to be one of the easiest cars to work on when it came to taking the dash/glovebox apart. Very easy

2MCHCAR

No major dramas, it's just as described above. I'm not sure if you have the CD changer in the glovebox, but if you do; there is a plastic corridor between the glovebox and dash/radio area that the CD changer uses for its electric/fiber connections. You can slide the iPod cable down there, that's what I did.....

Big HRH

Many thanks for your replies - am just waiting for my fascia adaptor to come through and then i'll be cracking on. Have any of you managed to retain the steering wheel controls or central display functionality?

v12

It is possible to retain the controls, however most adapters will just display "pioneer" or "alpine" and not actual track listings.

These adapters are also very expensive for what they are so many people don't go with them.

Are you in the UK?
Have you gone with an autoleads fascia or a celsus ice one?

I have the celsus ice one and it doesn't fit right and will be swapping it over with the shop i got it from once they get an autoleads one in.

astropat

I'm planning on going with the Kenwood DNX8120 HU and Robb from midcity engineering said they have something to retain steering wheels controls. I'm not sure what the display will be like, but track change and volume control are the functions I want to keep. More info on this thread.

https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...market-hu.html

JuicedMB/2MCHAR, what double din adapter kits are you guys using and where did you get them? I saw the Celsus and autoleads one v12 was talking about, but I don't know if the fitment is different between US and UK stereo systems.

http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/conne...es-p-1243.html

Should I expect to pay around $80 for all the parts I need?

v12

Note : Most double din units come with the complete fitting kit and you will ONLY need the fascia panel...this will save you $$'s

Yes, stereo fitment is universal worldwide thankfully!

Big HRH

Not sure of the make but i've gone for this panel

http://shop.audioimages.co.uk/merced...el-p-2238.html

I am in the UK, yes

v12

You'll see what i mean if yours doesn't fit right, the bottom lines are perfect.
The top curve isn't quite right and it actually protrudes from the MB surround panel.

JuicedMB

I used the Scosche MZ2340B dash kit. I ordered it from Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=330241150053

It fit great for me. I have on 04, so it had the old single din radio with the pocket under.

JuicedMB

Also, PAC does sell devices that are suppose to integrate the steering wheel controls with the aftermarket radio. You have to buy two PAC items. The SWI-CAN and then the second PAC device for the brand of HU you've installed. For my Alpine, I need the SWI-JACK.

I have not purchased this yet. I probably will some time in the future.

v12

pic of the f900BT :