ok so after weighing the options to replace the head unit in my car I have decided that i like my door chimes and other functions the existing head unit does... I have looked at the kits and I have a question.

Is it possible just to relocate the existing head unit to the vacant area under the rear seat and then just connect an after market unit to the speakers, power and antenna?

it seems like that would be very easy to do and keep all the functions of the stock unit but have an after market head unit in the dash. seems like all you would have to do is buy the adapter for the steering wheel controls and mounting kit for the new unit and then extend a few select wires to the rear of the car (fairly easy to do) for the old unit.

opinions?

well the connector to the stock head unit is a flat wire, they are very hard to tap, and the power control for the stock head unit is weird, there are serial data lines that control things, your better option would be buy a radio module adapter at Scosche.com thats what you need, its cheaper on Ebay and other retailers

haha there is no cheap steering wheel control adapter, cost me $75.00 for mine, its a PAC SWI-X which will work for any aftermarket head unit that caomes with a remote control

daffy, where are you located? I carry pac products so i may be able to sell you that part cheaper but you will need to pay shipping. worth a shot though.

im in knoxville TN

I have mine all straight though. I will post pics and a "how to" if it works. I will let you guys know how it goes.

thanks

honestly dude if i were you id invest in a damn good line out converter. Audio control LC6i, Fosgate 360, JL Clean sweep just to name a few. then you can keep your factory radio and steering wheel controls plus you can add amps, subs whatever. I also like their EQS because it gives you alot more control and "tweekabillity" if that is a real word. Thos can range anywhere from about $125-$900

I got it done for $20 (not including the head unit and the steering wheel controls)

for the record I am a sysadmin. I deal with cabling (including fiber optic) all day long.

I wired the speakers and power straight to the new head unit. it all works out of dash. I have not installed it all yet. this was more of a proof of concept. I bought an adapter for the ribbon cable. it makes the ribbon in to a bunch of individual wires. I just have to pick the right ones and extend them back to the battery area. I have not connected the antenna up yet. I would imagine there is an adapter for it as well.

very simple.

I will have to find a male harness for the original head unit though I have not started looking yet. this is an on going project. if I abandon it I will just not worry about the door chimes.

yeah i think that the vw antenna adaptor works with our radios and from then on you'd just need an extenders. Thats cool man! let me know how it turns out

yea def a good idea for 2 reasons well tons but all the sounds you enjoy. theft protection who steals a stock head unit . I almost up one mounted coming out of the center counsole and angled back towards me that way when restin my hand my tunes were at the tips of my fingeres. but i went touchscreen.. ohh well