Up-grading stereo

Just a quick question. My recently purchased T5 has not got the optional CD player fitted.
Can you add any old autochanger with the correct cable or does it have to be a Volvo one?
Is it cheaper to junk the original and get a new system? I presume you can get a surround plate to fit a standard size head unit, what do they cost?

Clive

Hi Clive

Yes, in parts, I had a Sony head single din + 10 CD chager. Swapped no problem, but at 4yrs old I wanted to ensure no interior was messed around with so paid for professional fitting. Watched him do it and it really is simple so £120 was an expensive lesson!! That included the Volvo pocket to fill space at around £20-30.

To fit 'any' changer I think you'll need the head unit adapter from Halfords for the head unit, but I maybe wrong, and I think you have to order. I opted to use the Sony head so didn't need it. I still have the original Volvo double head if anyone's interested?

I removed the rear facing child seat BASE (not seat BACK) in the boot of my estate(is yours saloon?), just a couple of retaining screws, and mounted autochanger instead. Conventionally the autochager fits to the left and I think intrudes a little into the loadspace, and is more visible to thieves.

The cable runs under the rear seats until the carpet starts and then under and along the door sills on the passenger side, you'll need to unscrew the plastic tread plates, up towards the heater and in the back of the dash on the passenger side. I'd remove the 3 torx screws under glove box and along the door sills to identify your route.

It rarely skips a track bearing in mind it is behind the rear wheels and mounted on what is a loosely hinged plywood cover. Only problem is changing CD's when you've just loaded up the car!!!

Rgds,
Chris

I have a similar query, asked here:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=vo...ess.com&rnum=1

Best option seems to be to buy an adapter face plate and fit an aftermarket single DIN rad/cass/cd/md, whatever.

[liuleichan]

>I have a similar query, asked here:
>
>http://groups.google.com/groups?q=vo...ess.com&rnum=1
>
>Best option seems to be to buy an adapter face plate and fit
>an aftermarket single DIN rad/cass/cd/md, whatever.

I would like to upgrade the head unit in my S70 (it's currently the 802 one), as I'm a minidisc user and currently use a tape adapter with a portable minidisc unit.

But as with previous cars (including one where I did upgrade and had a minidisc hu put in), I would miss things like the ASC function (increases the volume with road speed). If I could find an aftermarket MD head unit that included this sort of functionality, and wouldn't cost a fortune I'd upgrade.

Lei Chan

[icurnow]

I can second ChrisWT5's solution done the same in my V70, alpine changer under boot floor screwed up onto hinged panel, and adaptor for wireing behind glovebox (£140) all in.

A question for ChrisWT5 however: I dont have rear seats but would love them, you mention you removed the base so I presume your not using them at preset, clearly I would have to reposition my changer - but are you interested in selling the seat components, with a growing family I would find them useful - I think 850/V70 components are interchangable.


Ian Curnow

----------------------------
V70 99 TDI

Hi Ian,
Good to know I wasn't on my own with the CD solution - tidy job I reckon.

Regarding the seats, I only unscrewed the actual base not the seat back, as I intend to keep that as a selling feature when inevitably I do sell. Also mine are leather/leatherette in Dakar Blue which was an 850 interior and not V70.

FYI there's all the harnesses and anchor points fitted as well, and I do not know if the anchorage points exist as standard in case of the option or not. No doubt they are interchangeable V70/850. The seat back hinges and a spring loaded retractable hook fixes it to the top of the front facing rear seats between the headrests.

I'd get onto a scrapyard or post a wanted note, as I believe it's quite a common option when new. No doubt someone has crashed one at some point, and as there's no metal to distort the seats should be in ok condition.

Sorry but good luck.
Chris

Subject: "A 7 seat conversion for volvo 850"

Ian Curnow,

Just spotted this in 'parts for sale' for the 7 seats which you were after so thought I'd let you know!!

Elliot Tue 25-Feb-03 10:17 AM
Member since 21st Feb 2003
4 posts

#262, "A 7 seat conversion for volvo 850"


I have just brought the car and do not need the kit,it come with everything you need to fit it from bolts to space saver.Any offers welcome. elliot_willis@hotmail.com