2003 M45 replaced cassette with 7" navigation & video (pictures)

[Bag302]

5/19/07 UPDATE: Here is the finished product (I eliminated the rough edges with leather piping from an upholstery shop). Much cleaner.I took the brackets off of the cassette deck and tucked the whole deck up and back behind the clock area of the dash. It has all been left intact.I cut out relief in the center console trim as seen here and had to remove one of the supports. I purchased a replacement piece from the dealer for $45 so I can return it to stock.I installed a Plenio vxa-3000 GPS/with aux video input at Costco.com for $369 and a remote antenna with an MCX straight plug for $30. more info here: DVSsales.comThe Plenio has a built in gameYou may remember my iPod controller install. The screen is just below the new nav screen.This is still just roughed in and requires a final fitment, but I wanted to get the pics up. I plan to hook my iPod video up to the aux input for movies.

Modified by Bag302 at 6:33 PM 5/1/2007

Modified by Bag302 at 4:11 AM 5/2/2007

Modified by Bag302 at 4:13 AM 5/2/2007

Modified by Bag302 at 4:14 AM 5/2/2007

Modified by Bag302 at 4:15 AM 5/2/2007

Modified by Bag302 at 8:52 AM 5/19/2007

Modified by Bag302 at 9:14 AM 2/9/2009

[darcwun]

Dude you have got some awesum fabrication skills. i could never dare to do a project like this.

[Mhotep]

Very nice. Wasn't expecting this until weekend. Any advice for replacing the cassette deck with a full DIN nav system? I think everyone is gonna try this over the weekend.Henry

[Bag302]

Very nice. Wasn't expecting this until weekend. Any advice for replacing the cassette deck with a full DIN nav system? I think everyone is gonna try this over the weekend.Henry

It would be possible, but you'd have to relocate the cassette by cutting and extending the factory wires. Even then you'd probably have to chop up the dash supports. I wouldn't try it.

[CakeDaddy]

whoaaa !!! clean setup and even the tool is nicely installed

[auditech10]

Is that a Smith and Wesson I see there??? Hmmmm, that is a much better spot than trying to put it under the seat, by the way when the seat is most of the way down, there is absolutely no room to hide anything. LOL. Are you a cop?Cheers

[Mhotep]

OK. Just took trim pieces off. Able to remove pretty easily(thanks for pics). I agree, a full DIN, will not fit without some cutting.I still have my AVIC D1 from my '97 Q45, and wouldn't fit. A single DIN should fit though. Not sure what to do with wires though. Darn

It would be possible, but you'd have to relocate the cassette by cutting and extending the factory wires. Even then you'd probably have to chop up the dash supports. I wouldn't try it.

[Bag302]

Is that a Smith and Wesson I see there??? Hmmmm, that is a much better spot than trying to put it under the seat, by the way when the seat is most of the way down, there is absolutely no room to hide anything. LOL. Are you a cop?Cheers

lol. I need to edit those pics.

[buhdda]

Great Post! I might want to try this but i still feel uneasy cutting into the trim maybe i i will get one that has a 5" LCD. Also while i'm at it i would want to hookup backup camera and maybe a dvd player. Are the inputs in the back of the screen (ie you have to wire everthing from the get go) or can they be accessed somehow later on?

[Bag302]

Great Post! I might want to try this but i still feel uneasy cutting into the trim maybe i i will get one that has a 5" LCD. Also while i'm at it i would want to hookup backup camera and maybe a dvd player. Are the inputs in the back of the screen (ie you have to wire everthing from the get go) or can they be accessed somehow later on?

I made sure that the install was completely reversable. The only piece of the car that was damaged was that trim piece. I purchased another one brand new for $45 (InfinitipartsUSA) in case I screwed this one up or just hated it for some reason.

The input is on the right side of the screen. The whole thing is easy to disassemble and gain access - I've done it at least ten times over the past few weeks.

[Mhotep]

Bag302Got another question. I've been going back to your original post on putting in your Sat system and then the IPod adapter. When looking at the plugs on the back of the cassette deck, what are the plugs for. The one on the far right is for the cd changer, correct? The one on the far left was for the Sat system? The one in the middle was for the power harness and speakers correct? Just wanted to make sure I had things listed correctly. Any other functions they perform. I'm wondering if other car functions tie into this like the climate control, the settings and info button.

[MBoxFever]

This is great just what i was looking for Thank You for sharing. I have a couple more questions...sorry if they were already asked. Do this Navi system that you installed have sound? If so do you control the sound through your factory system or what? Does this navigation and ipod set up work with your factory system or is it completely seperate? And if so how did you do it?

Look great tho

[Bag302]

This is great just what i was looking for Thank You for sharing. I have a couple more questions...sorry if they were already asked. Do this Navi system that you installed have sound? If so do you control the sound through your factory system or what? Does this navigation and ipod set up work with your factory system or is it completely seperate? And if so how did you do it?

Look great tho

The Nav has sound output through an internal speaker, a built-in FM modulator or direct audio out. It also plays audio & video from an SD card.

For movies, I use the direct audio out which goes into the AUX in on the iPod controller, which goes through the factory cassette through a cassette adaptor. So, if I want to listen to the iPod, I have to hit the TAPE button. I just switch to the AUX input on the iPod controller to watch a movie.

All volume and audio adjustments are controlled through the stock controls since it thinks I'm just using the tape deck.

[Bag302]

Bag302Got another question. I've been going back to your original post on putting in your Sat system and then the IPod adapter. When looking at the plugs on the back of the cassette deck, what are the plugs for. The one on the far right is for the cd changer, correct? The one on the far left was for the Sat system? The one in the middle was for the power harness and speakers correct? Just wanted to make sure I had things listed correctly. Any other functions they perform. I'm wondering if other car functions tie into this like the climate control, the settings and info button.

I don't quite remember, but one harness goes to the CD changer, one must go to the amp in the trunk and the other must go to display screen/control board.

The SAT harness did not go directly to the back of the cassette. It took me a while to figure this out, but it went to the CD changer and the CD stayed connected to the cassette. This way, both the CD and SAT remain functional. Unfortunately, I don't remember which plug was which. The harnesses are designed to only fit into it's proper recepticle.

[Mhotep]

I took another look at it tonight. Earlier I went to a local stereo shop, and they think it's doable, but will charge $40 to look at it tomorrow. After that the guy was saying several hundred!!!I took the panel's off myself to look at it, and measured. Width is 7and1/4", 7"deep. about 3" length(up and down). There is a piece of molding that the trim clips into at the top that would need to be cut to get a double DIN into. Now the problem as I see it is that as you go about half way backthere is a piece of metal that I think supports the casssete player that comes across. Only about 1/4" on both sides but enought that it prevent a double DIN from going further back without being cut. It also seems that part of the ceiling comes down in the back, and makes the rear narrow.As far as connections in the rear of the player, I unhooked them one by one. The one on the right connects to the CD player. The one one the left seems to be the for power. The middle goes to the LCD screen, and probably for the speakers. The antenna appears to be the same for a regular BOSE unit. From what I can tell hooking up an after market stereo will work, but don't think it can be a double DIN without some cutting. A single DIN or a flip out will work. Since no one make a wiring harness will probably have to do some splicing to make it work. Anyone brave enought to start tinkering to figure out which wires go where? I think I'm gonna go for a JVCKD NX 5000, which I think will work.Hope this helps someone.
Modified by Mhotep at 7:36 PM 5/2/2007

[buhdda]

Bag302,

A couple more question before i try to do this this weekend.

1.) For the MCX antenna where did you decide to install it. My friend (Lexus GS300) did his as a fin which I like but I dont want to be drilling holes in my roof. Did you put it on the dash? If so did you have to drill a hole or is there some vents/cracks/ that it can pass through?

2.) I went to costco last night and looked at this GPS you bought. It seemed to only have 1 av-in. Ie if i put in a backup camera i couldnt hook up a DVD? As for the built in video/divx player/mp3player, does that only apply to the SD card at the top that would get blocked once it is mounted?

3.) slighly unrelated, I know u have taken the backseats out from your SAT thread. If i were to hookup a backup camera would that need the same procedure. My buddy seems to think tha you can use a snake, to snake it under the carpet down the middle console all the way to the front.

Thanks in advance. U r truely the M45 Multimedia God!!!

[Bag302]

Bag302,

A couple more question before i try to do this this weekend.

1.) For the MCX antenna where did you decide to install it. My friend (Lexus GS300) did his as a fin which I like but I dont want to be drilling holes in my roof. Did you put it on the dash? If so did you have to drill a hole or is there some vents/cracks/ that it can pass through?

2.) I went to costco last night and looked at this GPS you bought. It seemed to only have 1 av-in. Ie if i put in a backup camera i couldnt hook up a DVD? As for the built in video/divx player/mp3player, does that only apply to the SD card at the top that would get blocked once it is mounted?

3.) slighly unrelated, I know u have taken the backseats out from your SAT thread. If i were to hookup a backup camera would that need the same procedure. My buddy seems to think tha you can use a snake, to snake it under the carpet down the middle console all the way to the front.

Thanks in advance. U r truely the M45 Multimedia God!!!

1) I'm using a small Glisson antenna that is installed on the windshield. I originally had it on the dash but the reception was poor. I ran the wire under the passenger door weather stripping down to the kick panel, under the passenger carpet and into the dash near the passenger foot vent. No drilling required.

2) Unfortunately, the SD card slot is blocked. I hear that the video from the SD card isn't so great anyhow. Also, the unit can't play MP3's and NAV at the same time. Another down side is their is only one input unles you can find some type of DC operated switcher. I chose to hook up the iPod video. I'm not entirely sure how they work, but a back up camera probably isn't a good idea. Reason 1: you would have to manually change inputs on the display everytime you wanted to use it (meh) Reason 2: The image will not be mirrored unless they make a camera that produces a mirrored image. I can live with these shortcomings.

3) You can snake wires from the trunk into the passenger compartment pretty easily. There is a hole in the trunk on each side where the trunk strut goes into the back of the back seat.

I'm looking for a slick antenna option. Anyone know what the factory one looks like? or what type of connector it uses?

[vzuptnguyen]

very creative

why did you have to cut the panels. was it a custom fitting issue or you did not know how to remove them properly. are those panels easily removable?

is it hard to see navi and entertainment down there? do straining to keep looking down there?

i want to do something like this once i get my M, but was thinking to get a custom enclosure flushed with the dash, ontop of the original screen.

[buhdda]

very creative

why did you have to cut the panels. was it a custom fitting issue or you did not know how to remove them properly. are those panels easily removable?

is it hard to see navi and entertainment down there? do straining to keep looking down there?

i want to do something like this once i get my M, but was thinking to get a custom enclosure flushed with the dash, ontop of the original screen.

panels remove very easily. But they need to be cut because there isnt a 7" that will fit.

[Bag302]

panels remove very easily. But they need to be cut because there isnt a 7" that will fit.

What he said. I've just finished the final fitment and will take new pics when I get a chance. I had to address the rough edges that alow you to see the silver edge of the Nav unit.

I also finished a pretty nice Valentine One install that I need to take pictures of as well.

[szh]

What he said. I've just finished the final fitment and will take new pics when I get a chance. I had to address the rough edges that alow you to see the silver edge of the Nav unit.

Good!

I also finished a pretty nice Valentine One install that I need to take pictures of as well.

Now that is something I would want to do asap! Mine currently sits on the dash (with a remote display near the cigarette lighter) and I would love to see a good install of that.

Z

[Bag302]

Updated with finished photo (1st pic)

[vzuptnguyen]

Updated with finished photo (1st pic)

is it hard to view the screen when using navi, watching moving...etc

[Bag302]

It would be better up where the factory one is, but I have no complaints. It's not like I watch a movie while driving. lol

I actually thought about moving the factory screen down but it is too deep.

[Bag302]

Bump for new guys

[Bag302]

annual bump

[YBLegal]

is that a gun i see ?

[tytamto]

Good eye YB!

Sure looks like a Taurus 24/7 with a stainless slide... in a black nylon OWB holster. Not my first choice for a CCW, but probably good enough

[Bag302]

Good eye YB!

Sure looks like a Taurus 24/7 with a stainless slide... in a black nylon OWB holster. Not my first choice for a CCW, but probably good enough

Actually, a millenium pro .45

Car duty only

[Fukhenmokes]

I dont see photos.. dont know why but your post says theirs photos but it doesnt show any. Reall could use them or a wire diagram for im trying to wire in a pioneer avh 7800bt stereo but am having dificult time figuring out which wires are what since their is no wire harness for 2003 m45 with bose system. Any help would be appreciated. Also off topic, my suspension is going front and rear. Are they difficult to tacjle on my own or manageable? Any advice?