Tuning & Modifications => Aftermarket ICE, in car camera monitoring and go-pro installations => Topic started by: turismo-red on April 19, 2013, 10:48:24 pm
Title: Abarth 595 Double Din Stereo Install
Post by: turismo-red on April 19, 2013, 10:48:24 pm
Hi,
thought I'd post my recent experience of installing a double din after market stereo into the Abarth 595 in the hope that it may be of some use to anyone else brave/mad enough to be contemplating this exercise!
Adapting the dashboard to take a double din stereo obviously requires a double din fitting kit. I used this one:
The Connects2 kit in question comes with all the necessary fittings/cables and adapters but costs over £175 so ought to really.
After the factory stereo is removed from the dash - a relatively simple process involving unscrewing 4 screws which are concealed behind plastic blanking plates in the stereo's two circular controls - and also removing the air vents above the stereo, fitting the supplied double din cage into the dash requires the ventilation pipes to be cut. So be warned, there is no going back once setting off on this endevour. If like me, you don't mind a spot of wiring but don't get on too well with hardware tools, it helps to have a handy dad on call!
The next part is to fit the blue&me adapter. Again this is included in the fitting kit. This allows you to use the car's usb socket with the aftermarket stereo. It is also possibly the most awkward part of the whole install. Unlike Alfa Romeo, who use a lot of the same parts as Fiat, Abarth have chosen not to fit the blue&me unit in the dashboard beneath the stereo. No, in their wisdom, they have chosen to locate it in the rear quarter panel on the passenger side - yes that's at the back of the car! This means half the vehicle has to be taken apart to get at it - Dad to the rescue again! it also means you need to purchase a 1.5m USB extension lead, as the one in the fitting kit is not long enough.
The back seat, rear quarter panel and passenger sill trim all need to be removed. The seat belts also need to be temporarily moved out of the way. You will then see the blue&me module. At this point Abarth strikes again. Instead of screwing or bolting the unit into place, they have opted to rivet it. This means drilling the rivets to get it out. The same also goes for the rear speaker, which is in the way and has to be removed to get the blue&me unit out.
Once all this has been done the blue&me adapter cable can finally be fitted. The blue&me module then needs to be bolted back into position (or riveted if you prefer), as does the rear speaker. You can then run the usb extension cable along the passenger sill to meet up with the usb cable that comes out of the back of your aftermarket head unit - this can be run across the back of the dashboard behind the 'glove box' (if a shelf can be classified as such).
The final stage is to run the microphone from the aftermarket stereo up the driver's a pillar, as you need a head unit that supports bluetooth if you wish to retain the hands free phone call functionality since the fitting kit effectively disables Fiat's blue&me system.
The stereo itself can now be wired up. This part is easy as you just connect the various adapters together. The kit also includes a steering wheel adapter which allows the steering wheel controls to be retained when using the aftermarket stereo.
After this its time to put the car back together again; and breathe a huge sigh of relief. I was extremely happy to reach this stage as I was unlucky enough to purchase both a faulty stereo and have a faulty blue&me lead supplied in the fitting kit! This meant I ended up driving round for a couple of weeks with half my car in bits as I waited for the parts to be replaced.
After all the trials and tribulations, I am now very happy with the end result. I think the stereo looks great and it works far better than Abarth's factory fitted effort. So, in summary, a double din stereo installation is possible in the Abarth 595, but it's certainly not an exercise for the faint of heart!
Title: Re: Abarth 595 Double Din Stereo Install
Post by: syhm1984 on April 20, 2013, 02:41:24 am
looks good and great job.
Title: Re: Abarth 595 Double Din Stereo Install
Post by: thefamoushoops on April 20, 2013, 07:54:26 am
Very nice.
Title: Re: Abarth 595 Double Din Stereo Install
Post by: mightydquinn on April 21, 2013, 08:57:05 am
Yes twin din are a good install. There are a few about. Hertz did a special on for the shows. With custom install on speakers too. Get a free view box on it now.
Title: Re: Abarth 595 Double Din Stereo Install
Post by: Hovis on April 28, 2013, 05:00:19 pm
Top work. Looks great, I was looking at going it my self but sounds like to much of a ball ache for me.
Title: Re: Abarth 595 Double Din Stereo Install
Post by: Callumbo on April 28, 2013, 05:22:10 pm
I normally like to try and do things myself however I dont fancy giving this a go.
Do you think it would be expensive to get a specialist audio company to fit...e.g labour costs?
Title: Re: Abarth 595 Double Din Stereo Install
Post by: will on April 30, 2013, 09:16:13 pm
Abarth London are offering it...
Title: Re: Abarth 595 Double Din Stereo Install
Post by: adw1979 on May 02, 2013, 11:37:52 am
Do you have a link?
Title: Re: Abarth 595 Double Din Stereo Install
Post by: dave_5150 on May 02, 2013, 12:13:37 pm
Looks great ..almost stock ..do the air vents still work as well with this setup?