IanFl
Free Member
- Nov 18, 2021
- 55
- 78
- Funster No
- 85,500
- MH
- Self converted boxer
I've just fitted a new Sony headunit in my 2016 Boxer PVC. Before I started work I searched for info on the process and what fitting adapters are required - and although there is information out there, I couldn't find anything comprehensive and all in one place, so here is my report.
The original unit was the VP2 Sat Nav unit. I wanted to change it because of the following:
Steering wheel buttons:
Here is the new one - a Sony XAV-AX5650. It has Android Auto / Apple car play, so navigation is through Google maps and with the right adapter the steering wheel buttons still work.
Fitting was OK - I used the following adapters:
The old headunit comes out by inserting 4 wires in the holes in each corner. You can buy a dedicated tool, but I just used some long nails
The bit of plastic outlined in red needs to be cut away to fit a double DIN stereo. There are 3 aerial connectors as part of the original wiring. The white one is FM. One of the others will be DAB and the other GPS, but I didn't reuse either of them so I don't know which is which.
The stereo came with a stick-on windscreen DAB aerial that I used, and it's absolutely perfect - I now have a strong DAB signal where before there was none.
The fascia kit comes with 2 metal brackets, but no instructions or diagrams on how they fit. Eventually I worked out they bolt to the side of the new stereo like this: The height and depth needs to be carefully aligned with the cut-out in the plastic fascia surround. The height of the cut-out in the fascia panel is different to the original stereo, so you can't use the original metal bracket, even though it looks like it should fit.
The steering wheel controller adapter has an instruction sheet, but misses out the very important fact that you have to prise open the case to find the hidden DIP switches. Otherwise it's very simple to install - it just plugs into the original wiring loom at one end and the new stereo at the other.
It has a nice feature that isn't advertised - it reads the status of ignition, illumination, reverse, handbrake and speed directly from the CAN bus and has the relevant output wires, so there is no need to run any extra wiring to the stereo if these features are required.
The other other thing that is undocumented is that Conencts2 sell a cable for Sony headunits and another for Pioneer headunits - they come in different bags with different part numbers, but they are actually identical. I ordered Sony and received Pioneer, with no explanation that it didn't matter.
There is actually a lot of free space behind the dash for all the wiring to fit, and once it's all in the metal brackets screw into the plastic around the opening. I had to drill a couple of pilot holes in the right place - it's tricky to get it right and the bracket doesn't allow any adjustment. I only put 2 screws in and it's held firmly enough so I haven't done the top two.
Lastly the fascia surround clicks over the top:
Overall, I'm very pleased and it wasn't too hard once I'd worked out how it is all meant to go together. The final fit of the fascia is OK - it's not perfect, but no worse than the rest of the Peugeot/Fiat parts (see the gaps around the vent covers after a few on/off cycles).
The original unit was the VP2 Sat Nav unit. I wanted to change it because of the following:
- Slow touchscreen response
- Terrible / non-existent DAB reception
- Outdated visuals
- Tom Tom navigation was good in it's day, but that was a decade ago
Steering wheel buttons:
Here is the new one - a Sony XAV-AX5650. It has Android Auto / Apple car play, so navigation is through Google maps and with the right adapter the steering wheel buttons still work.
Fitting was OK - I used the following adapters:
- Connects2 CTSPG017.2 Steering Wheel Control Interface
- Connects2 Sony Stalk Patch Lead
- Connects2 CT27AA17 Aerial Adapter
- Connects2 CT23PE17 Peugeot Boxer 2014> Double Din Fascia Adaptor Panel
The old headunit comes out by inserting 4 wires in the holes in each corner. You can buy a dedicated tool, but I just used some long nails
The bit of plastic outlined in red needs to be cut away to fit a double DIN stereo. There are 3 aerial connectors as part of the original wiring. The white one is FM. One of the others will be DAB and the other GPS, but I didn't reuse either of them so I don't know which is which.
The stereo came with a stick-on windscreen DAB aerial that I used, and it's absolutely perfect - I now have a strong DAB signal where before there was none.
The fascia kit comes with 2 metal brackets, but no instructions or diagrams on how they fit. Eventually I worked out they bolt to the side of the new stereo like this: The height and depth needs to be carefully aligned with the cut-out in the plastic fascia surround. The height of the cut-out in the fascia panel is different to the original stereo, so you can't use the original metal bracket, even though it looks like it should fit.
The steering wheel controller adapter has an instruction sheet, but misses out the very important fact that you have to prise open the case to find the hidden DIP switches. Otherwise it's very simple to install - it just plugs into the original wiring loom at one end and the new stereo at the other.
It has a nice feature that isn't advertised - it reads the status of ignition, illumination, reverse, handbrake and speed directly from the CAN bus and has the relevant output wires, so there is no need to run any extra wiring to the stereo if these features are required.
The other other thing that is undocumented is that Conencts2 sell a cable for Sony headunits and another for Pioneer headunits - they come in different bags with different part numbers, but they are actually identical. I ordered Sony and received Pioneer, with no explanation that it didn't matter.
There is actually a lot of free space behind the dash for all the wiring to fit, and once it's all in the metal brackets screw into the plastic around the opening. I had to drill a couple of pilot holes in the right place - it's tricky to get it right and the bracket doesn't allow any adjustment. I only put 2 screws in and it's held firmly enough so I haven't done the top two.
Lastly the fascia surround clicks over the top:
Overall, I'm very pleased and it wasn't too hard once I'd worked out how it is all meant to go together. The final fit of the fascia is OK - it's not perfect, but no worse than the rest of the Peugeot/Fiat parts (see the gaps around the vent covers after a few on/off cycles).
My usual strategy of starting low to encourage multiple bidders back-fired on me.
