Dex

Just to let you know I'm considering the same thing and I'm probably going to use the following as the brains: http://beagleboard.org/ The processor is a few revisions better than the one you have in an iphone and it's absolutely tiny (I'm using one at work and it's about the size of the palm of my hand). There are pre-built linux kernels so it's perfect. I need to decide on the best screen but I don't have too much time at the moment. When I get round to it I'll update people with my progress.

It was indeed the blue amp control. Thanks everyone for your help - it's all sorted now. This is a great forum - really responsive and helpful.

Danyboyj you are a legend - it was the amp control wire. Thanks man. Regarding the ipod control, the fh-p80bt doesn't require a special cable at all - it's simply a usb -> ipod cable.

I've installed a Pioneer FH-P80BT with the 350z ISO loom and the steering controls. I've powered it all up and I have power, the aerial works, the steering controls work but I have no sound at all. I've looked at it for about four hours today and I can't work out what I've done. I've attached a pic of what I've done in the vain hope that someone can suggest what to do or how to diagnose what's wrong. Can anyone suggest common gotchas that I should check? Any help or advice you can give would be much appreciated.

Ok - my original plan with the plastic turned out to not work as you don't install the cage with the stereo. I did work out something with some good quality foam from some classy HTC phone packaging. Basically I cut a strip and super glued it to the bottom of the fascia. Not the classiest of fixes but it looks pretty good. I've attached a pic. I've wired up all my stereo but I've got nothing from the speakers - I'm going to start a fresh post as I must have done something wrong.

I'm away at the moment but will take some photos as soon as i get back this afternoon.

You're right about the salesman of course I got the stuff today off of Si and spent this evening working out what to do about the gap. I've actually cut the pioneer plastic they included with the stereo into two strips the sit behind the fascia and efectively hide the screws into the cage. This leaves an even reflection and looks pretty good. Your tips about the three wires from the steering controls look vital. Am I right in thinking that when you connected the three wires to those from the control loom that you removed the wires from the loom, connected and heat shrinked them and left them outside the plastic shroud? Thanks again.

I just spoke to a guy at car audio centre and he says the black trim that comes with the unit should suffice. You mentioned that it didn't fit snugly, could it be glued on (Nasty I know) or afixed on another way? I've really got my heart set on this setup now but I don't think the mrs would like the gaps. Actually I don't think I can live with them either.

Thanks guys, S1 HNK - I'm interested so I'll PM you. Danyboyj - that's awesome information thanks. It's really disappointing that using the fascia doesn't provide a close seal around the stereo - that might be a complete deal breaker for me (the mrs will moan if it's not perfect). Is there any way you could include a picture if it's not too much trouble? Maybe it would be possible to attach something to the inside of the fascia such as a rubber lining - this would then cover the gap.

I've changed my mind about the AVIC F700BT (see my previous post) after seeing it for $495 in the US and £615 in the uk. I'm resigned to the fact that here in the uk we have to pay over the odds for stuff so I think it's probably better (in my mind) to go cheaper and waste less money. I have a 2004 350z with the GT Bose stereo and no sat nav. I want to replace the head unit but can't be bothered to go to the hassle of removing the Bose amp - it's too hard to get to. So I've decided to go for the following and wanted to make sure I've got it all correct before purchasing: Pioneer FH-P80BT double din head unit Fascia - http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/ict/p~50-256.html?cat=0 - I'll have to trim the central plastic to fit a double din unit. Cable loom - http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/ict/p~29-674.html?cat=0 Steering wheel controls - http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/ict/p~29-007.html?cat=0 Signal Booster - http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_prod ... tno=PC9460 I'll remove the dash as per http://liljerk.morpheus.net/350Z/dash_removal/ The P80BT actually only needs a USB - ipod connector cable in order to control an ipod. I'd like to route this to my empty satnav cubby just above the stereo. My questions are as follows: 1. Does anyone see any gotcha's or items I'm forgetting? 2. Is there anything else you need to do once you've removed the central dash in order to extract the Bose Head unit? 3. Do I need a PAC-ROEM-NIS2 or does the cable loom from sextons do the same job. 4. Where abouts in the car is the best place to put the signal booster? I'd like it to be hidden and don't really want to rip up more of the interior than I need. 5. What would anyone recommend for cutting a usb connector sized hole in the front dash cubby? Once again, your help is much appreciate so thanks in advance!

Thanks for that srobrien. That does remind me of one other thing I forgot to ask: The reason I'm not going to run the cable to the cubby to the left of the driver is that there is a massive nokia phone connection filling the central storage. Does anyone know what is involved to remove this? If it's not too difficult then I'd rather put the ipod in the central cubby rather than the cubby above the stereo. Also, does anyone know where to get the signal booster? I've been searching all day but I don't really know the specs of the Bose amplifier in order to work out what is needed. Does anyone know the model number of the amp as a starting point? Thanks again.

After an evening of reading this forum I've decided what I'm going to add to my 2004 350z (GT pack with Bose stereo) - a Pioneer AVIC f700bt (the model down from the one srobrien has installed) along with the ipod connector which I'll route up to the dash cubby and make a custom dock for it. I know that I need to get a fascia and was wondering if anyone can give advice whether the metra as used by srobrien is better than the fascia that's available on sextons: http://www.installer.com/item/display_i ... it=99-7402 http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/facia_pa ... 0-256.html Is it worth me ordering the metra from the US? I'm also wondering about the signal booster that is needed for the pioneer and alpine units. The links I've seen to the sextonsdirect site are no longer available and I was wondering if anyone knows where to get a suitable line booster. The final thing which I haven't been able to track down is whether I need an aerial adapter to connect into the f700bt. I've seen posts that it is necessary but nothing too definitive. Apologies if I've missed threads that give this info - I've seen interesting posts and then tried to use the search functionality to find them again with no luck. It's most likely user error of course... Finally if anyone has got any advice about how much room there is behind a double din unit when installed - is it a major squeeze or should I be alright finding space for the excess ipod connector wires. Thanks in advance for your help

Hi All, I just bought a second hand grey 2004 GT pack for the wife at weekends (but I get it during the week ) and we've not stopped smiling. These things are awesome! I've got loads of questions about everything from fitting ICE and SatNavs (or maybe a car pc) through to service centre recommendations. I've just taken a quick look around the forum and it looks fantastic - loads of good advice and helpful people. Before I bother you with too many questions I'm going to spend a few hours scanning the previous posts. It's good to be on board.