I finally got fed up with my Becker's lousy FM reception. I installed a Sony CDX-GT610Ui, purchased from Crutchfield. I am not big into audio (notice the 5 year delay?). The Sony was relatively cheap, but had going for it good FM reception stats, USB and aux front inputs, and an Ipod connection and related software (I don't own an Ipod, but my sons and most of the Scouts do).
After disconnecting the battery, I pulled the Becker. Humm... mistake #1. Can't get the radio out with the gear in Park, and as an electronic transmission, it needs power to shift. Notice how the Becker radio's faceplate covers the full space. Fortunately, behind the Becker plate the Sprinter's fascia is standard grey. No problem.
Next, hitch up the VW conversion block to the Sony block. Crutchfield's instructions only reference Dodge Sprinters 2003-2004 (even though my copy of their instructions was revised early 2007) with regard to reversing the power and ignition lines. Notwithstanding a call to Crutchfield to confirm my expectation that this exception was for all Sprinters, the person on the other end insisted I follow the instructions, as 2003-2004's were the exception. Hummm.... mistake #2. Not so.
Several things to note in this picture. First and worst, notice all the space the blocks and connections take up. This will lead to problems later when installing the radio.
Second, this radio has a pre-wired Ipod line from the back that must be brought forward. Sony's suggestion is to take it to the glove compartment. I have another thread on the glove compartment. I decided to run it to my control console and use one of my many blank switch slots. The fish (note the white wire) fed easily to the front. Note the switch blank already removed.
Now the hard part - getting the radio back in. First, the antenna wire for the Sprinter has little in the way of connective strength. Its design problem is compounded by the fact that the 90 degree design seems to have no easy means of handling the torque when pushed back into the cavity. I stole the black clip from the Becker radio (they at least seem to know of this design weakness and designed a part to counter the problem) and installed it on the Sony at a very lucky and convenient hole in the back of the radio.
All the other wires and the block now have to be pre-positioned in the cavity to permit the radio to slide in. Hold the radio up close to the panel with one hand, then push the wiring and, especially, the block into a space towards the left-back.
For the Ipod wire, I carved out the middle of the switch blank to fit the adapter.
This is how the Ipod mounts on the adapter. It would be even better with the Shuffle.
After disconnecting the battery, I pulled the Becker. Humm... mistake #1. Can't get the radio out with the gear in Park, and as an electronic transmission, it needs power to shift. Notice how the Becker radio's faceplate covers the full space. Fortunately, behind the Becker plate the Sprinter's fascia is standard grey. No problem.
Next, hitch up the VW conversion block to the Sony block. Crutchfield's instructions only reference Dodge Sprinters 2003-2004 (even though my copy of their instructions was revised early 2007) with regard to reversing the power and ignition lines. Notwithstanding a call to Crutchfield to confirm my expectation that this exception was for all Sprinters, the person on the other end insisted I follow the instructions, as 2003-2004's were the exception. Hummm.... mistake #2. Not so.
Several things to note in this picture. First and worst, notice all the space the blocks and connections take up. This will lead to problems later when installing the radio.
Second, this radio has a pre-wired Ipod line from the back that must be brought forward. Sony's suggestion is to take it to the glove compartment. I have another thread on the glove compartment. I decided to run it to my control console and use one of my many blank switch slots. The fish (note the white wire) fed easily to the front. Note the switch blank already removed.
Now the hard part - getting the radio back in. First, the antenna wire for the Sprinter has little in the way of connective strength. Its design problem is compounded by the fact that the 90 degree design seems to have no easy means of handling the torque when pushed back into the cavity. I stole the black clip from the Becker radio (they at least seem to know of this design weakness and designed a part to counter the problem) and installed it on the Sony at a very lucky and convenient hole in the back of the radio.
All the other wires and the block now have to be pre-positioned in the cavity to permit the radio to slide in. Hold the radio up close to the panel with one hand, then push the wiring and, especially, the block into a space towards the left-back.
For the Ipod wire, I carved out the middle of the switch blank to fit the adapter.
This is how the Ipod mounts on the adapter. It would be even better with the Shuffle.
they must have been desperate.
