RotorHead

I am looking for a retail distributor of OEM interior trim (other than the dealer.) I am particularly interested in a trim piece to move my A/C controls from the upper to lower console.

Thanks!

RotorHead

Hi,

I am a relatively new member and this is my 1st post. I've learned SO much here about my beloved 99, C4 Cabriolet. Recently I upgraded the stock stereo and I figured I would share my experiences, in an effort to give back a little. Here it goes...

I swapped the stock stereo for the following components;

Alpine IVA-W205 2 din unit, and Dock and roll PMDB200 blackbird navigation module

Alpine PDX 2-150 power amp

Alpine SPR17s 6-1/4 speakers in the doors

Alpine SPs10 C2 4" in the dash

Alpine SPs 69 C2 6 x 9 in the rear side panels.

The system is really nice. It allows full use of a 5th generation Ipod 30gig. Added was the high speed Ipod cable. It works great. The stock stereo was removed, the AC/heat controls were relocated to the very bottom of the console. This made room for the Alpine head unit. An upper shelf was added above the AC/Heat control in place of the CD holder.

The speakers in the dash and the doors were swaps and made a big difference. The amp provides good clean power. From mids to highs the whole car is crisp. The biggest surprise was added today and that was the Alpine SPC 6x9's. The installer removed the rear speakers and had to cut the existing panel hole a little bigger after the stock speakers/grills were removed. The Alpine 6x9's were fit in using the mounting ring on the outside of the panel thereby extending the speakers out roughly 3/4" from the outer edge of the panel. It was neccesary to do this because the depth of the speaker (roughly 3-1/16") needed this. After everything was installed we tested the sound to see if i needed to run a subwoofer in the front trunk with a vent into the cabin. The Subwoofer was NOT neccesary at all. The sound that I get from the 6x9's is AMAZING!!! The bass is strong and accurate. You can feel it in your chest. Now the sound covers the full gammet. From Lows to highs, it is an extremely high end system that didnt break the bank.

If you want a major sound upgrade that wont change the inside cosmetics of the 996 all that much, this is it! I am extremely happy with the system. Even more happy with the job the dealer/installer did. I live in New Jersey and the firm I used for the project was Zippo's of South Plainfield. Anthony is the manager and he did the install with some assistance from his guys. The whole project cost me $2081.00. That includes; Head unit with nav, 6 speakers and amplifier. All components are Alpine except for the grills on 6x9's which are JL audio. I needed something a little better than the stock Alpine grills because the Alpine grills dont cover the speaker. I have a 7 year old that sits back there and I need the 6x9 speakers in the rear panels covered and Kid proofed...

I would recommend this setup and vendor for anyone who wants a professionally installed system that sounds incredible. You dont need a sub. The 6x9's in the side rear panels add plenty of low end bass for my taste. Its a small cabin. You dont need as much as you think.

I hope I helped and I am sorry if I rambled too much...

All the best to everyone,

Joe DeNisco

This is the exact HU I plan to install in my 99 C2 Cab. Please post pics of the HU and rear speaker installs as I'm very curious on how they made up the trim for the console. Thanks!

RotorHead

1. This thread has trim part number http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...2;ac+trim\

2. I found another post somewhere that mentioned a cross member was between (horizontil to divide the two dins vertically) the two Din slots and was easily cutout. This is fairly common in most vehicles.

Have you gone and played with the different Nav units? That is the one thing holding me back. So far I find most of them to have very cheesy feel. To the point that I am now thinking of doing the mini PC mod. Or keep the Alpine 9856 and add a Parrot BT for phone and a Alpine 422i cable for my iPod.

One unit I have not tried is the combo Alpine w205 with blackbird. That seems interesting since it allows you to take the GPS with you to other cars. It has full iPod control but no HD to rip cd's too.

I just bought a 99 C2 Cab and found a great deal on an Alpine IVA-W205 HU for <$400 (normally $650-900) :D . My intent is to move the heater controls to the lower console, delete the CD holder, and retain the "cubby" hole storage area.

At one time I had found a complete DIY, picture-by-picture thread in a forum. Problem is...I can't seem to locate it. Thing is...I don't remember having to "cut" anything for the double-DIN install. I'll keep looking and post if found.

RotorHead