"taking Oval To Blue Horizon" Lenny's Build Thread 2010-2015

[Lenny]

I've had those three update messages pre-written ready to insert images when the parts arrived,

The headunit was due first and arrived.

But customs held me up with update number two,

But its arriving on monday, as result ive no images yet but then the camera arrived so had to roll out the three updatesin order for the whole thing to read correctly.

More pictures later,

Gotta remove centre console and install cables for USB etc. Before installing the headunit.

[Lenny]

Looks like 2015 is going to be an exciting year then! Fingers crossed all that cable running isnt too much of a pain in the backside.

I really want to change the headunit on mine. Just jubious about the satnav not working after replacement.

All the best though and have a great holiday! Seems we have both got a first xmas with a little one so enjoy and look after one another!

James

Thanks James and Congratulations to you and the baby mate did you have a boy aswell?

And your jubious about satnav on replacement unit or existing unit?

As long as the aerial unit is facing the sky should be fine,

Pioneer offer a satnav unit but its almost 300GBP ive got a tomtom XL live since 2010 and ill continue to use it,

Unless i can pick up the pioneer AVIC-F260 going pre-owned on eBay auction.

Routing cables is sometimes most time consuming but a hard plastic length of strimmer line helps phishing cables through,

And when the cables finally go through its a magical feeling.

For me its gotta look factory I'm very meticulous

[Wheels93]

Thanks James and Congratulations to you and the baby mate did you have a boy aswell?

And your jubious about satnav on replacement unit or existing unit?

As long as the aerial unit is facing the sky should be fine,

Pioneer offer a satnav unit but its almost 300GBP ive got a Tomtom XL live since 2010 and ill continue to use it,

Unless i can pick up the pioneer AVH-250 going pre-owned on eBay auction.

Routing cables is sometimes most time consuming but a hard plastic length of strimmer line helps phishing cables through,

And when the cables finally go through its a magical feeling.

For me its gotta look factory I'm very meticulous

I had a little girl. She is just over 6months old now so causing me all kinds of hells lol. She was a perfect baby for the first couple of months and now shes flaming demanding, but she is great.

Yeah it's when i change to the new unit i just hope that it works the same. So humming and arring at the moment.

I know what you mean about factory though. Thats why ive not gone to silly. Ive got my zetec s kit to go on and going to repray some bits and peices to spruce it up a little.

Good cable management is always a bonus. As a qualified network techy, it drives me mad if you cant put it in or rip it out nicely!

[JC600]

Looking good mate, love my Pioneer head unit. :)

[Lenny]

Looking good mate, love my Pioneer head unit. :)

Cheers Jamie there good quality sound IMO and the AVH-X8600 ticked all the boxes for me,

Aw what a day it has been,

Removed centre console,

Removed the 12V socket

Taped over loom plug:

Bored out oval hole to fit the Apple plug through then sealed around it silicone, i put some PVC tape on the inside to leave a smooth flush surface once dried tomorrow,

A glue gun would have been better but not an item id likely use twice,

Results now;

Apple connect, USB and 3.5mm Auxiliary ports all available inside the centre console arm rest. :)

I've left the carpet out of it for tonight in order to allow the silicone vent,

I'll remove tape and refit carpet tomorrow, seems crazy sealing around one hole when there's clearly two in the floor of it but that's how its designed to be and don't want the cable to fall back through the hole.

Moving on from this i used a plastic rod of strimmer line and some PVC tape to assist phishing cables from drivers footwell to the rear of the headunit,

Ended up doing them one by one as the bulk was too big,

Id been lost without the plastic length to phish them through with.

All cables in place from centre console,

I then unpackaged the reverse camera and ill explain more about it in a moment but only retrieved cable for now,

Run it in at the same time.

I then encountered my first error of the day

The Aux input on the AVH-X5600 is RCA

However the AUX input on the AVH-X8600 is a 3.5mm plug

So i require Pioneer CD-RM10

To enable function of the 3.5mm AUX.

I didn't bother installing the Amplifier's RCA cables at this point or the remote power cable to amps,

When all cables were phished in i unwrapped the headunit and half slid it in to place,

Powered up and it sounds awesome on the stock Speakers,

I then had the idea to remove the existing cage Autoleads DFPK-103that came with the aftermarket headunit install kit,

And fit the cage that came with the pioneer,

Big mistake. :(

Had to bend up the Autoleads cage to remove it:

Offered up the Pioneer cage and its too big doesn't fit the slot,

So I'm still rolling with no headunit until i get my hands on a replacement cage from Autoleads.

Still i soldiered on with progress and installed the reverse camera:

Cant recommend this model of reverse camera design enough its so easy to fit its unbelievable.

Has a custom plug and socket mid loom making it small and easy to route through the grommets:

The video plug has an internal feed taken from reverse positive to connect with the reverse sensor feed on the headunit loom:

I routed both ends of the loom through to the roof lining inside the boot door and joined them together:

Then had to cut the head off the boot handle loom:

Strip the ends and crimp on the replacement unit:

Reverse camera now fully installed,

Quick check of function with headunit held in my hand and thankfully the camera is working aswell as the boot handle.

Few white lines across the screen but that may be due to me earthing the camera to the reverse light loom instead of the body of the car,

Not sure but ill get it sorted,

End results of today;

Good progress made on the install,

Shame about the cage and RCA connectors,

I don't understand why pioneer don't just stick with RCA or 3.5mm phono AUX port period...

Instead of changing on every unit.

Overall I'm going to be a further 50 quid out of pocket to achieve results that were assumed to have been already achievable by dark today.

That's Reality in full HD people!!

Two Tramadol and a bowl of soup,

Nerve in my back is dancin but it was well worth it.

[JC600]

Cage looks alright lol......fitted worse in the past, soon straighten out. ;)

Good progress Lenny. :)

[Lenny]

Cage looks alright lol......fitted worse in the past, soon straighten out. ;)

Good progress Lenny. :)

it was brand new two weeks ago,

Live and learn i suppose, never expected the pioneer cage not to fit when the headunit did,

I just didnt want to have to git the copper tabs on either side to slot in to the cage thats why i opted for the pioneer cage then it didn't fit after butchering out the existing lol

Ill get a replacement on the way,

Worst of living in Ireland is i cant pick one up local or in Halfords gotta import from Uk

[Hassen]

Great read through the progress Lenny. Christmas definitely came early for you :)
That headunit is class. I was just reading through it's specs and it's well worth the money, just for the sound quality. Like you said, it already sounds awesome through the stock Speakers. Imagine how they will sound once you get the upgraded ones and a sub to match it.

Must have been good fun today working on the car again. I reckon it was all worth the effort. Looks like your plan is well under way and soon enough it will all be sorted.

Looking forward to the progress and the future updates :)

p.s: How did you manage to get the time off from baby duties? :P

[GingerFlame]

Go careful with your back Lenny! You've got the Santa outfit to squeeze into in a few weeks!

[Lenny]

Great read through the progress Lenny. Christmas definitely came early for you :)

That headunit is class. I was just reading through it's specs and it's well worth the money, just for the sound quality. Like you said, it already sounds awesome through the stock speakers. Imagine how they will sound once you get the upgraded ones and a sub to match it.

Must have been good fun today working on the car again. I reckon it was all worth the effort. Looks like your plan is well under way and soon enough it will all be sorted.

Looking forward to the progress and the future updates :)

p.s: How did you manage to get the time off from baby duties? :P

Thanks mate,

Ive gone a bit overboard on budget but it is the last time ill be stripping the interior,

And ive managed to cut costs on many of the other items by selling existing parts,

I agree and cant wait to purchase and install Speakers,

The remaining Shopping list is still unchanged but ive found a package deal consisting of the planned JL Audion amp but its with two sets of JL C2's front set are components so aiming for that in Febuary :) finish it off nicely,

See link to package deal:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121326468534?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

That's the most expensive purchase remaining on the list so if i save for it between now and February its all down hill after that,

I started a thread recently regarding the premium uk spec focus and RS models having a dedicated pocket inside the centre console for audio devices:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/64082-focus-mp3-holder-do-they-exist/

Had planned to purchase the Genuine Ford parts and retro fit; but later found out that the original ford design was built before the new iPhone's as result the arm rest wont close if an iPhone is in the pocket

I've found an alternative which i hope will fit instead,

Will suit my requirements

See link: http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=2061X563692&site=fordownersclub.com&xs=1&isjs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2FStorage-iPhone-Mobile-GPS-Mp3-Charge-Box-Holder-Sundries-Pocket-For-Volkswagen-%2F181589879116%3Fpt%3DUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM%26fits%3DCar%2BMake%253AFord%26hash%3Ditem2a4799a94c&xguid=af5fbfb49c65ab19623875b4dab28358&xcreo=0&xed=0&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fordownersclub.com%2Fforums%2Ftopic%2F64082-focus-mp3-holder-do-they-exist%2F&pref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fordownersclub.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcore%26module%3Dsearch%26do%3Duser_activity%26mid%3D14733&xtz=0

Going to measure it tomorrow seeking a communal finger crossing people :)

EDIT: Continuation of the phone storage later in the thread can be viewed via shortcut link here:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/41443-taking-oval-to-blue-horizon-lennys-build-thread-2010-2015/?p=431121

Ow and i could have done with a bit of help from my son today,

I showed him the headunit and told him it would be his for cruising when he's older lol

Joys of breastfeeding is i cant do nothing for her except house dutys and looking after the udder two see what i did there

Go careful with your back Lenny! You've got the Santa outfit to squeeze into in a few weeks!

no more ho's for me lol im in enough trouble now,

Id be more like "bad santa" classic movie that

Delighted to say; my back pain is greatly improved,

Off all pain killers three weeks now and doing alot of walking its going well,

Hopfully continues this way moving forward ;)

[Lenny]

Have had this item in my watch list for the past week thought id give it a mention on here too,

Its basically three led's in one,

And monitors the voltage of your car battery,

Its remains green until voltage drops below 12.0V

then it turns yellow until voltage drops below 11.5V

Then it turns red for anything lower.

Link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-LED-Battery-monitor-IDEAL-WITH-HEATED-HAND-GRIPS-DONT-DRAIN-YOUR-BATTERY-E/201208629820?_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D28111%26meid%3D600ef176b0c44f0cafea8c644d7e5608%26pid%3D100012%26prg%3D11472%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D191393771437

I had considered purchasing one and fitting to the ST gauge pod bottom centre between the two gauges,

Since ill be fitting two amps to the car in spring, there will be a heavy drain on the battery; if listening to the stereo with the engine off,

So having this warning indicator visible on the dash would in theory give early warning of battery drain, leaving enough time to start the engine saving the occupants from becoming immobilised due to a drained battery.

[SeanW]

No plans to fit a leisure battery then? Lol

[Lenny]

No plans to fit a leisure battery then? Lol

Ugh extra weight aswell as Botheration of fitting a sealed externally vented battery box to prevent contaminating the cabin with gasses,

Aswell as having to install a split charging system to altanator and battery.

Talking around 250GBP excluding the second battery.

Not happening too much cost for such a small advantage in my case.

[Ianb]

So Lenny...

Can we expect to see:

"Autoleads cage for sale, 1 careful owner, like new"

Appearing on the forum sometime soon?

[Lenny]

So Lenny...

Can we expect to see:

"Autoleads cage for sale, 1 careful owner, like new"

Appearing on the forum sometime soon?

I already shipped/Launched it across the Kitchen Airspace yesterday lol

May suit an apprentice panel beater

Im absolutely gutted about this,

Had all ready to fit yesterday then i mucked it up in a bid to use the pioneer headunit cage,

Ow well,

I can sell the pioneer AVH-X8600BT cage brand new unused item lol

Try and crawl back some of the 25GBP I've had to pay for a replacement ugh..

[VickiW]

Cage for sale along with owner il even throw in his blue overalls!!!

[Lenny]

Cage for sale along with owner il even throw in his blue overalls!!!

Both pairs?

After i cooked you a sausage & smoky bacon bap for breakfast with a cup of tea two sugars...

In me blue overalls

[VickiW]

You've cooked one meal all week!!!! I gave birth Sunday & walked kids to school on Tuesday, anybody wanna tell lenny why men get a weeks paternity leave from work?

[Lenny]

You've cooked one meal all week!!!! I gave birth Sunday & walked kids to school on Tuesday, anybody wanna tell lenny why men get a weeks paternity leave from work?

You chose to walk on Tuesday ye Legend.

[Ianb]

anybody wanna tell lenny why men get a weeks paternity leave from work?

To recover from the last 9 months worth of ear bashing and hard work?

Sent via carrier pigeon using Ford OC

[VickiW]

To recover from the last 9 months worth of ear bashing and hard work?

Sent via carrier pigeon using Ford OC

Pmsl ... 9months?? All Lennys hard work was done in two minutes!

[Ianb]

Pmsl ... 9months?? All Lennys hard work was done in two minutes!

HAHAHAHAHA!

Sent via carrier pigeon using Ford OC

[Philf1]

Pmsl ... 9months?? All Lennys hard work was done in two minutes!

2 minutes. I'm impressed Lenny.

Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC mobile app

[Lenny]

2 minutes. I'm impressed Lenny.

Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC mobile app

Thanks Phil with the lights off of course

[VickiW]

2 minutes. I'm impressed Lenny.

Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC mobile app

Ahh Phil the one minute man

Thanks Phil with the lights off of course

Wtf is that ment to mean?