Fiat Ducato Radio upgrade

[Irish Rovers]

I have just taken delivery of a new (to us) 2018 Swift Bessacarr Motor Home. The Fiat radio appears to be pants. Has anyone upgraded to something that does Android Carplay? What did you go for? And how difficult was it to fit?
TIA

 

[Stealaway]

How good are you?

These are all singing and dancing but quite complex to fit because of it.

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[Realist]

Upgraded mine last year and to be honest the hardest part was finding cable routes for the GPS and DAB antenna.

You may need a cable kit to swop over the wiring harness but again no hardship.

Other than a few hours taking apart my dash, routing and replacing it all the jobs a good un.

 

[JohnJW]

See my 1st March posting on the forum "GPS navigation/recommendations for fiat ducato"
Don't buy the surrounds untill you have finished the installation as I did not use mine, used the one that come with the head unit. There are a number of postings on YouTube that help.

 

[10tenmen]

The fiat radio is a single din unit, if you decide to upgrade there is a small amount of trimming to the radio aperture needed to fit a double din one, I’ve done the upgrade on a 2016 Bessacarr and a 2020 Pilote both Fiat cabs if you don’t need navigation £200 if you want nav £500 +.

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[cmcardle75]

How good are you?

These are all singing and dancing but quite complex to fit because of it.

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Actually, they're typically easier to install, being mechless and having loads of space behind for wiring. Only complications are additional wiring for optional new features like DAB aerial and reversing cameras. Also, if your old one is single DIN, it can get complicated. However, it is often possible to buy a new Fascia with the bigger hole in, so need to get the hacksaw out.

 

[JohnJW]

The 2020 Ducati we have was delivered with no headset so during lockdown I decided to fit it out, after lots of web search and YouTube viewing I decided on a Pioneer DA250DAB. Package arrived so nervously took it to the MH and unpacked it, all good untill no ISO TO DIN arial adapter included so quick trip to Halfords (£2), No extra wiring harness required the DA250DAB plugged straight in to the MH wiring, connected the mike, USB and arial. Switched on and hey it worked. The MH arial was already fitted via the off side rear view mirror, Of course no DAB reception as no DAB arial but as the FM and the Android and iPhone Car Play all worked decided I was happy with what I had and didn't fancy installing a window arial and disturbing the panelling plus as I have a "A" type Motorhome was puzzled as to earthing the arial.
More research and I came across a FM to DAB arial booster for £12.99 from Amazon with not much faith I sent for it.
Fitted in 10minutes and switched on and up came hundreds of DAB channels.
Kit needed were a Connect2 CT23FT to fit Pioneer to my dash. Fansport DAB Arial Splitter Booster FM to DAB both from eBay or Amazon.
UPDATE The facia fitted came with the radio the one that came with the fitting kit from Connect 2 did not fit.

 

[Ridgeway]

Yes installed a double DIN CarPlay unit last a couple if years ago, works very well and wasn't too expensive

 

[Irish Rovers]

The 2020 Ducati we have was delivered with no headset so during lockdown I decided to fit it out, after lots of web search and YouTube viewing I decided on a Pioneer DA250DAB. Package arrived so nervously took it to the MH and unpacked it, all good untill no ISO TO DIN arial adapter included so quick trip to Halfords (£2), No extra wiring harness required the DA250DAB plugged straight in to the MH wiring, connected the mike, USB and arial. Switched on and hey it worked. The MH arial was already fitted via the off side rear view mirror, Of course no DAB reception as no DAB arial but as the FM and the Android and iPhone Car Play all worked decided I was happy with what I had and didn't fancy installing a window arial and disturbing the panelling plus as I have a "A" type Motorhome was puzzled as to earthing the arial.
More research and I came across a FM to DAB arial booster for £12.99 from Amazon with not much faith I sent for it.
Fitted in 10minutes and switched on and up came hundreds of DAB channels.
Kit needed were a Connect2 CT23FT to fit Pioneer to my dash. Fansport DAB Arial Splitter Booster FM to DAB both from eBay or Amazon.
UPDATE The facia fitted came with the radio the one that came with the fitting kit from Connect 2 did not fit.



View attachment 476427

Thanks for that. Your unit looks great. Decided to take the job on yesterday and wanted to check connections before ordering a new unit - can't even get the bugger out!!! I could get three corners removed ok but one corner refuses go let go. Considered sacrificing the old unit with a hammer to just get it out, but decided to hold off for a day and reconsider.
Really don't know if I should have another go. I'm fairly handy usually but really don't want to damage the fascia.
Thanks for your advice

 

[JohnJW]

You might need a removal tool thats u shaped a £5 from Halfords. Make sure you push it full home to engage then a good tug.

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[Irish Rovers]

You might need a removal tool thats u shaped a £5 from Halfords. Make sure you push it full home to engage then a good tug.

I'll order one now. Thanks

 

[Lenny HB]

I'll order one now. Thanks

Don't they are normally supplied with the head units, everyone I have bought has had them.

 

[Irish Rovers]

Don't they are normally supplied with the head units, everyone I have bought has had them.

Even better. Having had your new unit for a while, have you any reservations or any thoughts? Would you go with the same set up again?

 

[JohnJW]

The Pioneer DA 250 COMES WITH ITS OWN DESIGN and does not fit the older round type. Before you order one ask about, I found a set in my car manual wallet. Two small screwdrivers have been know to work.
Would go with the same unit again. Check uTube sites plus Pioneers own site for full spec it's also there latest unit only introduced last year.

 

[Lenny HB]

Even better. Having had your new unit for a while, have you any reservations or any thoughts? Would you go with the same set up again?

Mine is an old unit now I transferred it from the last van, it's a Clarion NX502e. Have been very pleased with it but keep thinking about replacing it with a Kenwood with Android Auto.

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[JohnJW]

SPH-DA250DAB - Car Multimedia Receivers

Discover the Pioneer SPH-DA250DAB Car Multimedia Receivers. Providing 2-DIN 6.8" Capacitive touchscreen multimedia player with easy smartphone connectivity via a simple USB cable supporting compatible applications including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and WebLink, Waze (via Android Auto or Apple...

www.pioneer-car.eu

Couple links for starters

 

[orridge]

I'll order one now. Thanks

Or cut two ends off wire coathangers and use that instead.

 

[Irish Rovers]

Success!!!! Managed to get the bugger out! Had to bend a couple of clips out of the way, but these belong to the original unit, so no loss there. New unit ordered. Will update with photos as I go

 

[pandas]

Panasonic double din unit that has Dab plus CarPlay- then you can see whatever navigation you have on you mobile on a bigger screen. Also does Siri and shows emails etc on the screen.

 

[Irish Rovers]

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This is the unit I'm considering. It has android car play, etc. and that's pretty much what I'm after. I just need to see what connection kit I need to convert from the connection block I have Link here

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[Aireworth]

Inspired by your example, I decided to fit the same unit to my 2020 Elddis 120. Wiring was not much trouble. I used a Connects2 CTSPG017.2 steering wheel control adapter, and I needed an adapter for both the FM and DAB aerials. The lead for the microphone was too short to go all the way around the windscreen to the area of the mirror - I needed an extension for that as well.
The fascia however was another matter. All the internet said Connects2 CT23PE17 or CT23FT21 (which Connects2 confirmed are the same part) was the correct fascia. And after I'd removed the original radio, my resulting hole looked very similar to yours, Irish Rovers. I cut out the lower half of the plastic to give a double DIN sized aperture, However the fascia wouldn't fit - bulged over its width and sat proud with an airgap visible down the sides. Turns out it was too wide, needed to trim it by about 3mm, especially at the very top and very bottom. Once I got the fascia sitting nicely I attached the new unit to it, only to find it now wouldn't fit again. This time it was the screws which attach the support plates to the fascia which were catching on that little plastic ledge at the bottom of the single DIN opening at both sides. Once those were trimmed, (several hours of fettling later, when I eventually established what the problem was) it all fitted nicely.
I can't be sure of how many Peugeot based units will have the issues I had. Connects2 were surprised I couldn't get it to fit without trimming. But overall, I'm very happy with the result.

 

[Irish Rovers]

Inspired by your example, I decided to fit the same unit to my 2020 Elddis 120. Wiring was not much trouble. I used a Connects2 CTSPG017.2 steering wheel control adapter, and I needed an adapter for both the FM and DAB aerials. The lead for the microphone was too short to go all the way around the windscreen to the area of the mirror - I needed an extension for that as well.
The fascia however was another matter. All the internet said Connects2 CT23PE17 or CT23FT21 (which Connects2 confirmed are the same part) was the correct fascia. And after I'd removed the original radio, my resulting hole looked very similar to yours, Irish Rovers. I cut out the lower half of the plastic to give a double DIN sized aperture, However the fascia wouldn't fit - bulged over its width and sat proud with an airgap visible down the sides. Turns out it was too wide, needed to trim it by about 3mm, especially at the very top and very bottom. Once I got the fascia sitting nicely I attached the new unit to it, only to find it now wouldn't fit again. This time it was the screws which attach the support plates to the fascia which were catching on that little plastic ledge at the bottom of the single DIN opening at both sides. Once those were trimmed, (several hours of fettling later, when I eventually established what the problem was) it all fitted nicely.
I can't be sure of how many Peugeot based units will have the issues I had. Connects2 were surprised I couldn't get it to fit without trimming. But overall, I'm very happy with the result.
View attachment 482306

Well done to you. I'm still waiting on my unit to be delivered. It's EXTREMELY frustrating. They advertise "5 units in stock" you place the order, then they say they don't have it
Really glad you shared your experience. Are you happy with the unit itself? Quality, sound and responsiveness, etc?

 

[Aireworth]

Unit itself seems fine. I've not really had a chance to test it in earnest, and I don't have hifi ears, so the niceties of sounds are a mystery to me. The controls are all touchscreen, and I have big fat fingers, so its taking a bit of getting used to, but I'm getting slicker. Nothing negative - apart from the wife reporting I sound quiet on the handsfree when I was testing by phoning her - I have to talk straight into the mic to be clearly heard. I bought mine from Halfords online and had it within 2 days (sorry).

 

[Waveski]

The Fiat U connect radio on my 2017 Ducati Is starting to falter; I’m planning to replace it it with a Kenwood unit. The Fiat radio is FM and AM only, but some models include DAB. Does anyone know if the standard vertical 50cms whip aerial on the roof over the cab is also suitable for DAB? I’m hoping that Fiat only fitted one type of aerial for both versions of their radio.
Also, will the Fiat standard rear camera and the built in standard hands free mike work with a Kenwood unit?

 

[orridge]

The Fiat U connect radio on my 2017 Ducati Is starting to falter; I’m planning to replace it it with a Kenwood unit. The Fiat radio is FM and AM only, but some models include DAB. Does anyone know if the standard vertical 50cms whip aerial on the roof over the cab is also suitable for DAB? I’m hoping that Fiat only fitted one type of aerial for both versions of their radio.
Also, will the Fiat standard rear camera and the built in standard hands free mike work with a Kenwood unit?

No you will need a dab aerial and these usually stick on the inside of the windscreen to one side. Assuming the Kenwood has inputs for a camera the fittings should be standard and should also have a mic input again assuming the Kenwood has bluetooth/handfree calling features.

Which Kenwood model are you considering?

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[Waveski]

I’m thinking of the Kenwood DMX8019DABS, but it’s early days. I’m looking for Bluetooth link to Apple CarPlay and that’s one model which fits the bill.
I’m trying to avoid a stick on windscreen aerial. I have Remi blinds fitted to the PVC which I don’t wish to disturb to fit the aerial; more research required!

 

[JohnJW]

I doubt the aerial already installed is DAB. THE BACK OF THE UNIT YOU DECIDE TO PURCHASE WILL HAVE 2 IMPUTS FOR FM and DAB ARIALS. However you can purchase from Amazon(and others) a Fans port DAB aerial slitter £12.99 once installed lays behind the unit and is working great for DAB and FM reception. The camera connection you unplug from your old unit should plug into your new unit but u may require an adapter again from Amazon. Finally you will probably require a connect2.co.uk kit to hold your new unit in place. Loads of YouTube videos to watch.

 

[Waveski]

Thanks for the quick response. I’ll probably try the aerial splitter route. I’m still curious as to where the Fiat DAB units get their reception. I’ll have to get my unit out and have a look, maybe I’ll get lucky?

 

[Aireworth]

My factory fitted radio had DAB as standard. (Continental VIP1 250). It had two aerial inputs, one DABS, one FM etc. I believe the DABS (and FM) aerials are in the passenger side door mirror.

 

[Waveski]

My van is a PVC and has the standard cab mounted roof whip aerial with spiral winding and I have now found out they are indeed DAB compliant. It seems that a powered splitter is the solution and others have found that to work. I believe that the aerials are put in the the door mirror if the original cab roof does not exist. Research continues!