How do you remove the stereo?

I know it's probably easier then it looks, but I can't seem to figure out if there is a magic way of doing it or if you have to take panels off. I thought I'd ask before I make it harder then it is. I couldn't find any info for the V70 on the forum.

I want to install an inline RF modulator.

Thanks!

 

Remove the little pen holder panel between the climate module and the center console. It just prys out.
Then there is 2 screws in the bottom of the A/C controller. Remove the 2 screws. Then comes the PITA part. Swing the bottom out some then slide you fingers up as far as you can. Then kind of use you fingers as a wedge so to speak. Push down some on the bottom of the module and pull back on the entire thing. The top slides over springs and locks into the bottom of the radio. It also has plastic tabs that sticks up a little that seats in holes on the bottom of the radio. You will see what I mean when you get it apart.

I would advise not to unplug the climate module. Just kind of set it off to the side.
I have seen people just unplug it then plug it back in and the module went bad.

 

Is there an easier way to tap into the antenna without removing the radio, maybe splicing it somewhere? I don't even know where the antenna is on this car. Is there enough room under the dash to stick your hand up and get to the back of the radio without taking it all apart?

 

I think the only way is to take it all apart.
But is someone has done it a different way hopefully they will post it.

 

Is the antenna wire a standard one that runs under the dash somewhere or is it integrated into the wiring harness somehow?

If anybody can find an alternate way to tap into the antenna wire, I will

As long as I know where it runs along, I'll see if I can find a good way to tap into it for an FM modulator connection.

 

As far as I remember, the antenna for these cars are supposedly in the rear bumper. I say supposedly because I have never had the bumper off, but I have seen the little FM amp that's hidden in the back/boot access panel on the right (opposite the fuse access panel).

I had the a pillar cover off (right hand side) over the week end and I remember seeing a stranded wire pass through there. I'll bet you that is the aerial cable on it's merry way to the back

How big is this goody you are installing and what's it do?

Cheers.

 

You are tapping into it for an FM Modulator? Isn't modulators broadcasted through the air? Are you sorta trying to create your own aux-in ?

I'm very intrigued, I have the same car and i'd love to do something similar.

 

They make RF modulators that tap directly into the antenna cable/wire so you get a crystal clear signal coming from the device you connect to it rather then having to mess around trying to put the convention modulator in the right spot in your car to pick up a signal without static. It's the same kind of device that add-on cd changers use on older car radios that don't have the inputs and connections for them.

I'll find some examples in the next day or two and post them. Typically using a pass-through modulator (which is what I'm taking about) will give you better-then-FM station sound quality because you are converting a digital signal to an analog signal but with no interference from the airwaves since you are making a physical electrical connection directly up to the antenna wire which acts as a natural amplifier.

As crazy as this sounds I like having dedicated devices in my cars rather then an all-in-one because it makes them easier to replace when the break and also easier to upgrade in the future when you want to upgrade only one component.

I do, however, like the idea tech gave me of fabricating some kind of double-din adapter for the V70 since apparently nobody makes one. Crutchfield only has a single-din adapter for the V70/S70, not a double, unless the double is in face under the S70. Hm.

 

Here are some examples:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-giq4PC3...odulators.html

You can adapt these to plug in any audio device, from a Blackberry to an iPod, etc. My plan is to integrate the Blackberry Storm into the V70 when it comes out in a few weeks as my portable media center for the car. Either that or buy an all-in-one double-din stereo which I don't think I'm going to do but I may.

 

Judging from this stereo antenna adapter for the 01 V70, it looks like it just uses a standard antenna plug, which means any of the above FM Modulators should work fine, assuming you can get to the plug.

I'm going to verify this today and see if there is an easier way to to to the back of the radio where the antenna is without popping it out, which I doubt. If there is, it would be easy to install this FM Modulator and set it up for any device.

I'll post my findings.

 

OK. Maybe I'm wrong:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stereo-ANTENNA-Harness-Volvo-XC-v70-Cross-Country-03-04_W0QQitemZ110114741362QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item11 0114741362&_trkparms=72%3A1421|39%3A1|66%3A2|6 5%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I think it varies by year. I'll find out.

 

I have the pic of the back of our radio from eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Volvo-CD-Radio-HU-613-S60-S70-V70-01-02-03-2001-2002-04_W0QQitemZ150297596600QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item15 0297596600&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms= 72%3A1421|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

It does use a prorprietary plug so you would need that adapter to convert it to a standard plug. It looks like you'd have to do some splicing.

I'll see if you can get to the wire under the dash. If so, you can just splice a tiny piece of the insulation out of the insulation of the two leads and probably just tap into it with the FM modulator. This won't cut off the signal completely from the outside like some of the others do, but it will help.

I'll figure it all out and post it when I finish it.

 

I very much doubt that you would get anywhere near the radio from under the dash. If you are splicing into the cable, you might as well do it from the boot. That short cable run won't make any difference in quality.

 

Well, I FINALLY found a double-din mount kit for the 01 to 04 V/XC 70. The 05 to 07 is different but are more widely available.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...a+99-9223.html

I'm looking for more of them. That's a bit pricey.

 

Here's another good source. Apparently the V/XC 70 shares the same mounting hardware with other models.

http://vccs.volvocars.se/accessories...VCC-249499.htm

 

That is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Exactly what I am looking for for mine. The car actually came with an HU-413 (tape only) and when I installed the HU-613 I ...... had the dealer do it so I wasn't sure how to get the radio out either

 

uh-oh, what about this?

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=1285

 

That's EXACTLY what I was looking for and couldn't find. That will make the RF installation seamless, IF we can get to the back of the radio without taking it out. We can tap into the fuse box for the power for the RF modulator. I need to search around and find an auto-power on/off modulator.

Thanks for that link! I found some of the generic-like RF modulators at Best Buy and Circuit City. I've personally tried some of the upper-priced ones. They all have fair to poor performance. I think the only good way of doing this is our way unless we replace the entire head unit, and I kinda like the stock one. The sound is great and I'd hate to go through all of that if I didn't have to. But, I am a hypocrite since I'd like a Double-Din all-in-one, just don't have the money for a decent one.

 

If we can find a wire that goes hot along with the ignition, that should be fine as far as power for the modulator right?

I didn't even know they needed independent power, but hey I guess it could be worse.

I don't want to go "fancy" with this - i want to keep the stock look plus i'm not all that worried about sound quality.

I drive this car 100% of the time in the winter and the windows aren't tinted so i don't want to leave anything for people to see and get "interested in"

 

I'm in the same position. I'm about to try some new tinting stuff but I like it stock as well. The problem with wiring into an ignition wire is that you get alot of RF interference if you wire it into something that is tied to the ignition system, like engine whine, buzzing, etc. There are plenty of fuses to tap into in the fuse box that in theory shouldn't do that. I'll be changing the trans fluid this weekend so I'm going to look for a good wire and see if I can get to the radio from the bottom panel where the cabin filter is.