Bit of advice on replacing one aftermarket stereo with another

[gyaku_zuki]

Hey folks, 2004 350z owner here. I got the car at the start of the year, and it came already fitted with a Chinese no-name double DIN unit and a decent fascia mount.

 

My 350z is the Bose upgraded model with the steering wheel controls.

 

The good about the current setup:

- it functions* and seems to be properly integrated with the amp, so I assume already has the right wiring harness in place

- it supports wireless Android auto

 

The bad:

- the unit has terrible touchscreen sensitivity and calibration

- it has this obnoxious sound sensitive led strip at the bottom

- it doesn't seem to have been hooked up to the steering wheel controls (or it doesn't support them)

- it freezes up after about an hour of use, rendering it terrible for navigation

 

I want to replace it. But from watching videos, the fitting needs the centre panel pulled off and it seems like a real pig to do, so I only want to have to do it once. My problem is not knowing exactly what wiring harnesses or adapters are back there already, and I really don't wanna take it off just to see how it's currently installed. Maybe that's unavoidable.

 

My priorities are:

- a reliable stereo model

- wireless Android auto

- steering wheel controls

 

I'd love some advice, recommendations for a stereo model known to work from others, and what I might or might not need adapter-wise. I'm kinda hoping that, since it's already working alongside the amp, there's a connect2 harness fitted back there already, but it's the lack of steering wheel controls that has me doubting.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice or recommendations!

[mr v6]

You won't know what's behind there till you take the console out, which is actually pretty easy to do, Youtube will help you there. I removed my Bose & fitted a double din Pioneer SPH-250DAB with the Incartec wiring harness, steering wheel patch lead & a Scoche adapter. All plug & play.

[gyaku_zuki]

I notice that unit is wired Android Auto only, did you mount a port somewhere to plug into?

 

And yeah, I've watched videos on the removal, but I'm cautious of the various ribbon connectors for AC and gauge panel. Perhaps there's nothing other than to do it though.

 

Quick question on your point about the steering controls patch cable - could you point me to the one you're using?

[mr v6]

This is the patch lead I got: https://incartec.co.uk/product/PIONEER-patch-lead-for-29-series-SWC-29-007

 

The USB lead comes out of the back of the head unit, I've run it along the passenger underside of the centre console into the armrest cubby, there I have one of those OTG usb adapter things with a micro sd card in with all my music on. I do also have a wireless android auto adapter that can plug into the same place.