single din questions

[pc759]

Dumbish question,
if i get a new double din dash, will i have to get a new climate control unit as they are diffeent shapes...?

[Skipton01]

It is possible to mod the bottom corners with a Dremel, but I actually have one of the proper shape if you need it, and then you can sell yours on.

Cheers,

Mike

[Erling]

Hi,

I've changed to DD dash to fit RNS-E, like Skipton.

It's a bit of a challenge - timewise. Task is simple, but fiddly and if you're tall (like Skipton and me) dangly bits can be a real nuisance when folding double to get up the back of the dash to access varios fasteners and cables.

I needed CC complete with Heated Seat controls - and tried to locate one on eBay for months - hence Dremel solution only option available. I 'dremeled' my single Din CC front panel - easy after RNS-E unit. I used the single Din dash storage tray front as a pattern - first separating it from main tray.

If Skipton's CC suitable and still available, suggest you use that - one less thing to worry about!

Ciao,

Erling

[alexwharton]

Hi
is the climate control module still avalible i jsut bought an a2 and it has a cassete so im hopin to get a sat nav off ebay and will need to take the old module out and use one that fits on the bottom.

[Skipton01]

Hi Alex,

Yes, I've actually got 2 units available - 1 with rounded corners and 1 squared off for single DIN systems.

If you are interested, please PM me.

Cheers,

Mike

[spike]

Hi Alex, welcome to the A2oc
If i'm reading your mail correctly, you have a single din size radio-cassette unit and are planning to replace this with a double din sat nav. You may not be aware that the dash cannot be converted from single to double din like other Audi models and the only satisfactory way to fit sat nav is by changing the whole dash. As you know, a climate control panel with rounded bottom corners is required but in addition, I think the replacement unit will need 'adapting' to your car using vag com - no problem if you don't live too far away from Mike.

Cheers Spike

[alexwharton]

yer i do have the single din cassete i thought it was just a case of taking the pocket out at the bottom and moving the climate control unit there leaving enough space for the double din nav unit to fit?

[spike]

German A2 club members have cut their existing dash but you end up with no propper fixing lugs to locate the double din head unit which has to be wedged in place - the attached link takes a while to download but it includes some pics of a 'modified' dash.
http://www.audi-a2club.de/thread.php?threadid=7786&threadview=0&hilight=&hilightuser=0&sid=ad4b128c4699859a4675a77fc6b7340a&page=2

Cheers Spike

[Skipton01]

Ahh, if life were that simple!

You can butcher the dash to fit a double DIN unit in there, as some German forum photos show, but it'll be a dogs dinner and the RNS-E will not lock into place, as it needs a proper double sized cage to locate into.

The choice is yours - have a go and then spend on a new dash when you've ruined yours, or get a new one in the first place. I know what I did.

Cheers,

Mike

[danksy]

when you say dash... could you just stick a pic up with actually what bits need to be bought?

Is it just the bit where the stereo sits? Or is it the the whole centre console, or the dashboard as well?

sorry too many wife beaters :D

[Skipton01]

When I say dash, I mean the whole big black bit of plastic, from wing mirror to wing mirror!

Unlike every other A-series car, there is no centre cage available separately, so you need the entire thing.

Basically, all apart from the glovebox and instrument pod.

Cheers,

Mike

[spike]

Hi danksy
The dash is in one piece and includes the bit where the stereo and climate control panel fit. I think it costs around £600 plus several hours labour to fit.
This is a pic of the underside of the dash.

Cheers Spike

[danksy]

OMFG :eek: maybe a butchered centre console is an option after all :rolleyes:

[alexwharton]

Oh rite thats not what i thought was involved. How much is would it cost Realisticaly for all parts?

[danksy]

When I say dash, I mean the whole big black bit of plastic, from wing mirror to wing mirror!

Unlike every other A-series car, there is no centre cage available separately, so you need the entire thing.

Basically, all apart from the glovebox and instrument pod.

Cheers,

Mike

I've got a friend who does RNSE and other retrofits etc. going to see if we can come up with some way of building a double din cage inside the single-din dash :o

[alexwharton]

can you not just get an audi double din cage from a salvage yard and attatch it to the A2 dash? maybe the cage from an A6 if using an A6 RNS-E unit?

[spike]

Something else to check would be if an A6, or other double din cage also gives the fixing points for the climate control panel below the sat nav head unit.
If anyone is serious about trying the conversion it would be worth starting with a second hand dash to play around with - Skipton may still have a single din dash for sale if anyone is interested.

Cheers Spike

[Skipton01]

I have indeed - cheers for the plug!


Cheers,

Mike

[Erling]

As Skipton knows - it's all very exciting once you rip off the black tactile plactic top......................................

http://www.a2oc.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=605&stc=1&d=1170380315

Ciao,

Erling

[robert]

I have done the mod and I did it the way you would want to do it.

I ended up having a very stable instrument cluster (improved) which in case of an accident will break as it is supposed to. I haven't added material that can catch fire and the locking mechanism/original removal keys works as if it was an [Audi built] double din. It's also adjustable so I can have a perfect fit as no glue was used. My dash has also become quite as every screw is tightened. Everything is clean because I took the time with pressurized air and a towel/agent as the first owner had some sticky soda spilled from the cup holder a few times. It was all the way down the console and into the lower console.

I made a cage in aluminium as me and my car like that material ;-)
It’s very easy to work with and you can do things you can’t do with plasic. That’s why I didn’t take parts from a double din A4-cage or similar. Making the cage in alu was very pleasant/rewarding.

You don't want to work with the dash inside the car, so no matter if you decide to cut your way you have to take it all out. Working inside the car will not only make your back hurt, but also hinder you from making anything but a terrible double sticky tape installation which is not something you would be proud of. Even if you consider hand tools (tiny hand saw) the dust is extremely electric sticking onto everything and that in the car... well, I don''t even want to think about it. Also, you might spoil things like the gear knob etc.

If you want to do the mod you should know it takes a few days. During the time your car can't be locked and the boot will not open as the battery has to be unplugged. It's easier to remember how to install things and which bolts goes where if you have a double din cluster to swap as you do it right after removal. Nevertheless, I found removal to be the toughest part and making the locking cage which holds the RNS-E the most time-consuming but creative part.

I’d like to summarize it like this: If you are the kind that like building a R/C airplane as much as flying it you are up for the job. If you buy an ARF (almost ready to fly) model and just throw in the radio/engine then you should swap.

I didn't have a garage during the mod but I have good neighbours. A 1m free work bench and a 3x2 m free area for the dash is all it took.

I might make an A2OC-guide for the mod if anyone care but that’s just so you can estimate time and materials by planning the details ahead. I have everything documented except the work in the car but that's easy to plan for in Elsa.

/Robert

[Skipton01]

Excellent work there Robert - the finished article (I've seen your blog) looks superb.

You might be able to get some orders for a kit if you could produce one.

Cheers,

Mike

[Havank]

Looks very impressive Robert,

I saw on the german a2 forum also somebody who took the whole dash out, and some more :D

So how many bolts did you have left after refitting it all :D

[robert]

I had no screws left when done.
It was easier to install than to remove as many panels have clips.