My radio divorces when the battery is disconnected, so I am considering getting a Tech 2 or new radio. What head unit and install kit do I need to replace the radio in my MY01 9-5 Aero? Crutchfield says none of the double din units work in the Saab, but I have seen plenty of posts with them installed. I want to use my OEM speakers and amp if possible to reduce cost a this time and want as close to factory like look.
Jeffreywp1
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8,122 Posts
I would seriously consider putting an Android head unit in the car. I put one in one of my cars and love it. I bought an ATT hotspot that I plugged in as well so the Android has its own internet connection. I installed Waze, Stitcher and Pandora on the radio so it has access to all of my stuff. And on top of that you can use a Bluetooth OBD connector to get Torque diagnostics in the middle of your dash.
Oh, and they have direct connect for the steering wheel controls so no extra box/programming. It's all in the unit.
Make sure you get one that has front-to-back fade, some of them don't. Often times you can tell from the screens of the Android app working.
And finally, I got one without a DVD/CD slot since I never use it, screen is bigger. But I've not yet been able to find a bezel to fill up the gap in the dash. A friend of mine volunteered to 3D print one for me, I just have to do the work to get him a CAD model. But with the project to swap engines in my son's car I've been busy
they're cheap too. Mine was $180 shipped. (although it does have an older version of Android, but I really didn't care too much)
Oh, and they have direct connect for the steering wheel controls so no extra box/programming. It's all in the unit.
Make sure you get one that has front-to-back fade, some of them don't. Often times you can tell from the screens of the Android app working.
And finally, I got one without a DVD/CD slot since I never use it, screen is bigger. But I've not yet been able to find a bezel to fill up the gap in the dash. A friend of mine volunteered to 3D print one for me, I just have to do the work to get him a CAD model. But with the project to swap engines in my son's car I've been busy
they're cheap too. Mine was $180 shipped. (although it does have an older version of Android, but I really didn't care too much)
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8,122 Posts
I used the Clarion DDIN cage in my 03 when I put the pioneer in. When I did the 02 with the android unit I used the original cage from a Saab
I did this primarily because I see the one in the 03 "sagging" since the back is not supported properly. The original Saab cage has a back support. But I had to cut the original Saab cage up a bit since there was metal where the connectors go. I got an extra from a junkyard for $4.00 so that if I ever want to put the Saab one back I can do it. A much better fit in my mind.
The DDIN radio fits in nice and tight. Like I said before, the only challenge is that I've not yet found a faceplate and might have to make one.
I did this primarily because I see the one in the 03 "sagging" since the back is not supported properly. The original Saab cage has a back support. But I had to cut the original Saab cage up a bit since there was metal where the connectors go. I got an extra from a junkyard for $4.00 so that if I ever want to put the Saab one back I can do it. A much better fit in my mind.
The DDIN radio fits in nice and tight. Like I said before, the only challenge is that I've not yet found a faceplate and might have to make one.
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8,122 Posts
use the Saab cage, get an extra from a junkyard since you might have to cut it up a bit depending on where connectors go. (if you buy a unit without a CD they are getting quite thin at this point so that would not be an issue)
Some minor mods and it'll fit just right since it's designed to go there.
Some minor mods and it'll fit just right since it's designed to go there.
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