I need some technical advice to see if this is even possible. First off, my 6-disc changer just internally jammed a disc for the second time and the dealer says they have to replace the entire nav/radio stack to fix it! Real efficient eh? So me gets to thinkin... What if I replace just the area on the unit that houses the 6-disc changer with an aftermarket headunit of superior sound quality? The opening on the front is perfect for a standard DIN size headunit opening (2" tall by 7" wide). It must be deep enough into the nav/radio stack to accomodate the new unit (is it?). I will just run the factory nav/radio stack audio signal into the auxiliary input of the new headunit so I still have use of the XM and radio on-screen radio when/if I need it.

So what do you think? A plausible modification?

1. Is the nav/radio unit deep enough for a new headunit if I remove the 6-disc mechanisms? Anyone have a diagram of the nav/radio that I can study?

2. Are there full-range audio signal outputs on the back of the factory nav/radio that I can tap into and convert to RCA form for input into my aftermarket headunit?

I need some advice and am wondering if I could perform this myself, depending on how much work would need to be done to the internals of the factory nav/radio to disable the 6-disc changer and fit the new headunit. And by the way, this new headunit is pure sound quality and has a very simple looking brushed aluminum face to match the V's interior aluminum accents!

I dont know, but if you can pull this off, itll be great!

Are you talking Eclipse?

I have a Clarion drx-9255 that I bought for the SHO and am trying to figure out what to do with. It hurts me every time I look at it just sitting in a box.

Plausible, yes....

1. It is deep enough I think...

2. No.. this will be tricky...If you are going to use the aftermarket head unit to tune radio and for all audio you will need amps in the back, and you will need to use the output from the Bose amp to input into the radio (as an auxiliary input for nav, etc) The bose amp is at the back of the car so you will have to run some cables...

the 6-disc moduel will drop right out (as I recall).... but modifying the front panel could be difficult...

Here is picture of the underside of the radio for reference.. there is obviously space...

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/posttemp/radiounder.jpg

intersesting idea..

Reed

I am going to use the Rockford Fosgate (Denon made) 8250 headunit that has no internal amps, so it will create much less heat inside the nav/radio unit. I am running the Fosgate EPX2 processing unit in the back to split the signal to several amps in the trunk.

Thanks for the help and advice so far. From what I have seen already I think it is very doable and will look great and sound even better! I'll keep this thread updated.