Panda First project with the Panda. Mega ICE aftermarket install

[Tnuz]

Hello fellow fiat peeps!

This will be my first write-up on my new to me 2004 Fiat Panda
I will be updating on progress whenever i can.

The project is a full aftermarket ICE install.

1. Pioneer Avic-F930BT 2-din naviciever in original location with matching new trim piece
2. 6,5 Inch (16,5cm) woofers and separate tweeters in all 4 doors
3. 12 Inch Polk Sub in the boot.
4. 3 Clarion amps in spare wheel well
5. Extra battery in a yet to be determined location separated by a smart relay with emergency start, etc
6. Lots and lots of cables

I have some previous experience and i have access to a lot of tools.

First step for today: Full wiring and custom speaker 'rings' or pods and mounting the headunit.

I will update later today with pics and info

Please ask questions if you have them. i will gladly answer.

 

[CamperVanBeethoven]

I've often thought that the car stereo has given me more happiness than any other piece of technology.

 

[Tnuz]

I totaly agree with you!

 

[Tnuz]

I had to adress some other issues with the panda first. so i did not make as much progress as is would have wanted on the ICE system.
Also the lack of space had me rethink the the install.
Power supply side will stay like i stated above. But that is a issue on its own.
I have to dril a hole to fit my 50mm2/awg 1 power cable thru the firewall and then i will probably drill a hole on both sides of the crossbar under the seat. That is something i would rather do in the shop and not parked infront off my house.
the other cables (speakerwire, rca wires and control wiring) have been installed. Just need some tidying up.
I dont like the way they run over that crossbar under the seat, so i think i will make a hole for them or i will notch the crossbar and weld in some U shaped steel.
for now i have the 2-din naviciever in the big hole left bij the factory radio. I also have a fascia piece to install it nicely in the dash.
I made some speaker adapters out of the old plastic ones that contain the standard speaker. And i put in some 2 way infinity speakers.
I will make them out of wood later on and fit the final speakers. The lack of space in the door itself, behind the speaker is a problem for the
6,5 inch speakers i have. the magnet might be to big. I saw there is some room in the doorcard if i remove the plastic behind the speaker grill.
maybe then the magnet will clear but i have to try that.

Pictures will be here soon!

 

[mafiltenborg]

Sounds like a serious project. I'd be interested in more info on the sub issue. My setup is an Alpine 1DIN head unit with a spare sub-out that needs some gear attached to it.

 

[Tnuz]

Sounds like a serious project. I'd be interested in more info on the sub issue. My setup is an Alpine 1DIN head unit with a spare sub-out that needs some gear attached to it.

Yes, its a serious project. I love audio but want it to look oem in the passanger compartiment. The sub in the back is hard to hide ofcourse.

What you would need is A cable between Amp and sub-out, Amplifiier and subwoofer or Active sub. +12v cable capable of supporting the amp, a ground cable and a fuseholer with a fuse capable of supprting the amp and some eyelets to connect everything
what amp and sub or a active sub that integrates the amp into the subwoofer is hard to answer because there is so much choice.
For better specification of what you can choose and what to avoid, i need to know your purpose withe the sound system and a budget.
then i can give you a better answer.

 

[mafiltenborg]

Oh, I already have an assortment of bits and bobs rescued from cars I've had.
With the Panda it's going to be a challenge hiding the bulky bits. The amp for starters... Sub itself just plonks in the boot and clicks on via a Speakon connector. Bass will easily find it's way to me; no problem.
You wrote that tweeters had been installed in the designated cubbyholes in the doors. I did that too, but find the soundstage quite inferior to my previous setup; a Citroën C4GP sporting OEM tweeters firing onto the windshield HUD-style.
What about A-pillar tweeters? Have you considered?

 

[Tnuz]

I plan to use the sparewheel compartiment for the battery and at least 2 maybe 3 amps . i dont have a real spare. just a compressor and a tyre repair canister. i will relocate those somewhere in the boot.

I have not yet tried the tweeters in there suggested location so your info is very welcome. i will try the tweeters in that location first. and if it is not to my taste i will relocate them. the small covers for the inside of the sidemirror are posible candidates and the a pillars aswell.
maybe reflecting on the windscreen is also an option

 

[mafiltenborg]

I plan to use the sparewheel compartiment

I'm already using my sparewheel compartment. Sparewheel

I have not yet tried the tweeters in there suggested location so your info is very welcome. i will try the tweeters in that location first. and if it is not to my taste i will relocate them. the small covers for the inside of the sidemirror are posible candidates and the a pillars aswell.
maybe reflecting on the windscreen is also an option

Please report back on your findings.

 

[Tnuz]

hi, i will post my findings here in this topic.

what tweeters did you use? i have some infinity's but they are old. so looking for new ones.

 

[mafiltenborg]

what tweeters did you use?

Again, my setup is not aimed at high end, so in this case I wanted to blend the installation properly into the cabin design, meaning I bought a set of tweeters + plastic panels to replace the existing panels in the doorcard. All of it from AliExpress - which cost me less than 25 euros in total.
Installed by removing doorcard, tapping into existing, now exposed speaker wiring and adding a 2.2uF series capacitor to filter out the low end. Plastic panel simply clicks in to replace the existing one which has no holes to let sound pass throug its 'grille'.