Replacing radio/tape on a FIAT Ducato 2003 cab

[nicholsong]

I want to replace the radio/tape with a radio/CD in Ducato 'A' Class cab.


I assume the console is common to a standard cab.


My first question is, are all units on sale now compatible with the dimensions of the existing 'hole'? Or do I have to look for specific dimensions and if so what?


Next question is what recommendation for a mid-range/mid price unit? It will be utilising the existing speakers so nothing fancy required.


Thanks in advance.


Geoff

 

[Boringfrog]

Have look in Halfords, they have a wide range. I bought a Bluetooth compatible one that I can connect my mobile phone to. And be careful if you want to play CDs, lots don't have that facility.

 

[Stealaway]

Buy one with phone connection and you'll have hands free phone if you connect a micro phone. Buy one with a USB port and copy all your CD's to a memory stick
Mines a Pioneer and cost about £70

 

[JohnT UK]

first you need to have a look at the "hole" it will be either a single or double din. Caveat here is on my 2012 boxer the radio appeared to be a double din fascia, upon removal the radio was actually a single din fitting with lots of plastic. I replaced it with a double din android unit that required a mounting kit and some minor cutting of the dashboard. Best to remove the radio first before buying anything.
What you will need is a conversion harness to change over to an iso connector, I found the guys at connects2.com really helpful in identifying which cable set i needed (was actually the Ducato version rather than the Peugeot ) you can log an online support call with them detailing old radio and new radio and they will id the cable set.

 

[Jev88]

Check if you want DAB aerial upgrade at the same time

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[TheBig1]

My first question is, are all units on sale now compatible with the dimensions of the existing 'hole'? Or do I have to look for specific dimensions and if so what?

they are all standardised into single din, not exact but about 70mm tall and double din at double that so 140mm ish

If as I recall your van has a single din and a storage hole above or below, you can simply fit a single din or cut the small plastic divider and fit a double.

quality of even the cheap units these days exceeds the quality of what it's replacing even when new. I recommend the cheap android units with a screen. you can use it as a satnav and reversing camera screen, as well as hands free mobile phone and of course radio etc. as they run on android, you can load all sorts of applications, the same as a smart phone

 

[ianp]

they are all standardised into single din, not exact but about 70mm tall and double din at double that so 140mm ish

If as I recall your van has a single din and a storage hole above or below, you can simply fit a single din or cut the small plastic divider and fit a double.

quality of even the cheap units these days exceeds the quality of what it's replacing even when new. I recommend the cheap android units with a screen. you can use it as a satnav and reversing camera screen, as well as hands free mobile phone and of course radio etc. as they run on android, you can load all sorts of applications, the same as a smart phone

Are you sure about the 'plastic divider' and being able to fit a double din unit Big1?

 

[TheBig1]

yes

 

[ianp]

In a 2003 Ducato cab? is anything else required other than the removal of the divider?

 

[normanandsue]

Have look in Halfords, they have a wide range. I bought a Bluetooth compatible one that I can connect my mobile phone to. And be careful if you want to play CDs, lots don't have that facility.

Would you trust Halfords to fit it?

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[TheBig1]

In a 2003 Ducato cab? is anything else required other than the removal of the divider?

It depends on the head unit, but maybe a conversion cable and of course the double din cage, but many head units come with one in the box. The later vans need a fascia converter too, but the 244 has a flat fronted aperture from memory

 

[dave newell]

2003 ducato is single din.

D.

 

[TheBig1]

2003 ducato is single din.

D.

but with the useless box above or below blanking a second din

 

[Grianan]

Need to decide if you want DAB and if you also want CarPlay or Android Auto for maps etc. You can get single din/double din and some units also sit on n front like the Alpine if you want a touchscreen.

 

[Bob Morrison]

I work part time in a branch of Halfords and had the opportunity to buy and try many different brands and specs - I keep coming back to Sony or Kenwood because they seem to be better in many respects than Pioneer, JVC etc.
I would recommend, as others already have, going for a unit with bluetooth for easy hands free phone and DAB for decent reception.
Also suggest you get Halfords to use their system for finding part numbers of all the other bits you'll need eg adapter harness, aerial adapter and remote steering controls then go direct to Connects2 for the bits as Halfords obviously mark the prices up a bit.

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[ianp]

but with the useless box above or below blanking a second din

Mmmm not sure your thinking of the 2003 244 Big1..! The storage box is at the bottom below the rotary control knobs and the ashtray / cigar lighter. Below the radio are the press button switches !

 

[TheBig1]

on the last one I had it was a 3-4 inch deep cubbyhole below. maybe it varied on different models?

 

[dave newell]

but with the useless box above or below blanking a second din

Not in a 2003 x244 ducato there isn't. The radio sits high up in the centre of the dash, immediately under the lift up map/document holder and the hazard light switch, fog light switches etc immediately under it.

D.

 

[jongood]

Careful with a Kenwood Geoff, the later ones like ours came OE with a double din Kenwood and I don't think many people liked them. The 'garmin' satnav ran out of updates the radio is not terribly good and you can't see the screen to in anything other then shade so its not great as a rev cam. Oh and they overheat!

 

[Bob Morrison]

The OP will be limited to a single din unit - not aware of any touch screen single din ones apart from flip screen.
DAB definitely gives better/ more reliable reception in a motorhome.

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[Bob Morrison]

Had a quick look at work today and there is a single din unit that has touchscreen and all the whistles and bells!

 

[nicholsong]

I have only just caught up on the last few posts.

A lot of people have suggested whistles and bells whereas we just wantd to replace a Radio/Tape with a Radio/CD.

We have a phone with a satnav installed which can be mounted on the dash, with hands-free.

I do not anticipate having to change wiring/speakers etc. Hopefully just plug and go.

But thanks anyway.

Geoff

 

[KiwiGT]

Careful with a Kenwood Geoff, the later ones like ours came OE with a double din Kenwood and I don't think many people liked them. The 'garmin' satnav ran out of updates the radio is not terribly good and you can't see the screen to in anything other then shade so its not great as a rev cam. Oh and they overheat!

I’ve got a KENWOOD and it’s great. Not sure why your radio not good , try a new aerial. If it overheats it’s a bad fitting problem and should be looked at by a qualified auto sparky. Too many amateur fitters causing damage and electrical issues

 

[Happy1]

plenty on eBay whistles and bells for 30-70
Got a 30 quid unit arriving Monday will find out what quality is like!!

 

[tai70]

We are also wanting to change the head unit in a 2004 fiat rapido. We were looking at the android flip screens but have been told they won’t fit due due to the recessed dash. Anyone havre any thoughts which unit would fit or what we could do to make one fit?

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[Catpirate]

I fiited a double DIN unit in my 2003 ducato, it was a lot of work, the dash in the 244 (2002-2006) is only designed for a single DIN unit, most radios will fit, and as others have said are available at reasonable prices. Good idea to get bluetooth for hands free and if you want it to play CDs check the spec. Halfords are good to browse, then see if you can get a better deal online.

 

[BOWHOUSE52]

Hi doing the same how do you get old radio out