6 Stacker/Aftermarket HU Help

Coogs289 · 14-03-2011, 02:19 PM

The 6 stacker in my AU2 Ghia doesn't work (what are the chances!).
I want it to remain looking stock but it seems the 6 stackers are hard to come by (plus, who knows how long it will last for).
Would I be able to just pull out the 6 stacker, take the disc/s stuck in there out? And if I did, could it be a temporary fix?
At first I was against it but I'm now thinking of installing an aftermarket head unit and playing songs through my iPhone.
I'm looking for something relatively cheap with a USB port which will allow me to just plug my iPhone and play my music through that.
Do people have any recommendations?
I'm currently looking at this which seems to be okay. Only thing is I'm not sure how to go about installing it as it would leave a gap etc.
Also, would I still be able to use the steering wheel controls? I'm not sure if I want to spend $200 on that 'CAT 10' anyway.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers, Anthony

Coogs289 · 15-03-2011, 04:37 PM

Anyone?
I'm thinking of buying a double DIN head unit now.

FGII-XR6 · 16-03-2011, 01:59 AM

your other option is ASL (site sponsor) do fully recod exchange units so you can stay original by all accounts the reco is stronger than the factory one

Beer Baron · 16-03-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

your other option is ASL (site sponsor) do fully recod exchange units so you can stay original by all accounts the reco is stronger than the factory one

What he said. I bought a reco unit from ASL about 2 years ago and its still like new. Rather expensive at $400 i think.

FGII-XR6 · 16-03-2011, 04:35 PM

only about 250 now I think tell them you are a forum menber

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beer Baron

What he said. I bought a reco unit from ASL about 2 years ago and its still like new. Rather expensive at $400 i think.

Beer Baron · 16-03-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

only about 250 now I think tell them you are a forum menber

Mother trucker, I paid just over $400 2 years ago through the ford dealership i was working at.

b2tf · 16-03-2011, 06:46 PM

I pretty well disagree with everyone who is suggesting to keep or get a new 6 stacker - if you rip it out, spend half the money a new one will cost and get a far more capable and better sounding aftermarket single DIN unit.

Double DIN units will stick out at the bottom due to the curved fascia of the dash and most are no better than a well made single DIN one. I have an Alpine one in my XR8 which looks great, does a hell of a lot more than the factory one - iPod, MP3, USB, Bluetooth down the track and puts out a lot better sound, even through factory speakers. Cost me less than $250 including install and I sold my factory 6 stacker to cover it. Couldnt be happier.

**auIILTD** · 16-03-2011, 06:47 PM

If you do decide to go aftermarket, you do not have to have a gap as there are 'tissue box' facias available. Not sure where to get them, but I have seen them advertised in the past.

b2tf · 16-03-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auIILTD

If you do decide to go aftermarket, you do not have to have a gap as there are 'tissue box' facias available. Not sure where to get them, but I have seen them advertised in the past.

Autobarn, Repco or any good audio store. Aerpro Part Number FP9140 if my memory is correct.

Donny · 16-03-2011, 07:08 PM

The double din aftermarket setups look terrible fitted in AU's, as mentioned above, the contours are all wrong to fit nice in AU, sticks out at the bottom like a sore thumb.
Get the Aerpro Pocket, which is $30 and a single din head unit. If you want standard setup, go to ASL an get them to reco yours..

**Whoosha** · 16-03-2011, 09:07 PM

$250 or there about is the change over price. BUT it has to be the same sort of unit, 6stack premo for a 6 stacker premo

LXL15 · 16-03-2011, 10:39 PM

Same thing happened to me fairly soon after getting my car, I just like the stock look, so I did the self-repair thing.

Made my own radio removal tools out of coathangers (just bend them in the car so they fit properly), and it came out fairly easily, just make sure the tools are pushed until they sort of click in. I have heard that if you push too hard, you can break some of the electronics inside, but when I looked on mine, the tools remained inside the plastic clips, so no problem. Then you have to remove the front plate (screws on the side), then two screws at the back holding the top on, and it should just pop off. It takes a bit of care to get the stuck CDs out, but if you look at everything and STOP pulling when something seems stuck, you can get them out. I had 7 CDs in mine (my brother used my car and didn't realise there were some stuck ones)

I did it a couple of months ago, and there haven't been any issues since. I regularly change CDs too, so it had gotten a work-out. Although there might be something wrong with the unit, in which case just get a new aftermarket one...

Coogs289 · 19-03-2011, 12:44 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone!
I've decided to buy this and get an Aerpro Pocket.
Once again, thanks for the advice!

**auIILTD** · 19-03-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velocity_avisGT

Thanks for the replies everyone!
I've decided to buy this and get an Aerpro Pocket.
Once again, thanks for the advice!

Looks good. Should work nicely, plus the pocket in the centre is handy - I miss it now that I have a double din stereo (previous fairlane had pocket).

Good luck with it. Also available are aftermarket to factory wiring plugs so you do not have to cut / damage the original wiring. I can source these if you wish - PM me if you need.

Cheers
Stuart

b2tf · 19-03-2011, 04:27 PM

Rethink Pioneer unless you're ok with your aerial being up and staying up the whole time the unit is on.

Pioneer's internal wiring and its communication with the AU system means that as soon as the unit turns on, it sends the aerial up and it will stay there regardless of whether you are using the radio or CD/USB etc.

I bought an Alpine unit and very happy with it, and it doesnt have this problem.

Coogs289 · 19-03-2011, 08:02 PM

I heard about that but forgot all about it.
Thanks heaps Austin!
Just had another look, how are the Kenwood units?

**auIILTD** · 19-03-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velocity_avisGT

I heard about that but forgot all about it.
Thanks heaps Austin!
Just had another look, how are the Kenwood units?

I have had two Kenwood units in two high series Fords. Last was in an NL fairlane - no probs and the ariel definately went down when playing CD / MP3.

Coogs289 · 19-03-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auIILTD

I have had two Kenwood units in two high series Fords. Last was in an NL fairlane - no probs and the ariel definately went down when playing CD / MP3.

Thanks for the incredibly quick reply Stuart.
That's good to know. I'm planning on connecting my iPhone 4 via USB so it should be the same then.
I've just got to make sure it's compatible (certain Pioneers weren't).

Cheers, Anthony

Edit: PM will be sent- eventually...

b2tf · 19-03-2011, 08:25 PM

No worries, here's what you need:

http://aerpro.com.au/list.php?pcode=...ESS++&cat_sno=

AND one to suit the headunit you buy eg Kenwood, Pioneer etc.

Fascia:

http://aerpro.com.au/list.php?pcode=...KETS+&cat_sno=

Also available in grey to suit S1 interiors.

Coogs289 · 19-03-2011, 08:55 PM

Thanks for the links.
I have a S2 Ghia but it's been optioned with graphite (grey) leather.
How much would the fascia be? $30?
Would you be able to explain the ISO harness/es?
And how much do you reckon they'd cost?

Cheers

b2tf · 19-03-2011, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velocity_avisGT

Thanks for the links.
I have a S2 Ghia but it's been optioned with graphite (grey) leather.
How much would the fascia be? $30?
Would you be able to explain the ISO harness/es?
And how much do you reckon they'd cost?

Cheers

Yeah the fascia is $29.99 RRP from memory and the ISO leads about $20.

Basically plug and play with them - rip the factory HU out, get the ISO lead to suit AU2, plug it in, and plug your CD player loom (should come with it*) into that, job done.

* Check that it is not a single ended connector eg they leave one end as wires for you to wire it in - my Alpine one was, so I bought the ISO lead for an AU3, and also one for an Alpine headunit - no cutting of wires that way, all plug and play.

**auIILTD** · 20-03-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velocity_avisGT

Thanks for the links.
I have a S2 Ghia but it's been optioned with graphite (grey) leather.
How much would the fascia be? $30?
Would you be able to explain the ISO harness/es?
And how much do you reckon they'd cost?

Cheers

I should be able to source both. My wholesale price catalogue is at work, so I will try and get you some prices tomorrow - unless I can find my supplier prices online. Standby

Stuart

**auIILTD** · 20-03-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velocity_avisGT

Thanks for the links.
I have a S2 Ghia but it's been optioned with graphite (grey) leather.
How much would the fascia be? $30?
Would you be able to explain the ISO harness/es?
And how much do you reckon they'd cost?

Cheers

If you can get get these items locally for the costs above, go for it. Wholesale plus postage will be around the same price as above. PM me if you still need me to source them for you.

Stu

Coogs289 · 09-04-2011, 09:33 PM

Haven't been on the computer much lately as I've been extremely busy.
I've decided to purchase a Kenwood KDC-U549BT.
Hopefully it won't be too hard to install.
My first problem will be trying to get the stock unit out!

XR6-VCT-2000 · 09-04-2011, 09:44 PM

Back when i had the au2 xr6 with 6 stacker cd player , i had 2 cd's jammed in it and it buggered it up. I pulled it all apart and removed the cd's manualy , put it all back together and it worked fine again there on, so is worth a try. cheers.

Coogs289 · 09-04-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6-VCT-2000

Back when i had the au2 xr6 with 6 stacker cd player , i had 2 cd's jammed in it and it buggered it up. I pulled it all apart and removed the cd's manualy , put it all back together and it worked fine again there on, so is worth a try. cheers.

Thanks for the reply

I probably will attempt to fix the 6 stacker too, but I'm definitely going to put this Kenwood unit in- so much better...

Day-mow · 09-04-2011, 11:00 PM

+1 for alpine decks. their full of options and clarity is above everyone else

Coogs289 · 10-04-2011, 12:24 PM

I've been told that Alpine are a quality unit but for the price, I'm going to stick with this Kenwood.
Good luck with the sale of your car by the way!

b2tf · 10-04-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velocity_avisGT

My first problem will be trying to get the stock unit out!

I think Ive got proper DIN keys to suit the AU units lying round. Yours if you cover postage costs if I can find them (and if you want them).

Coogs289 · 10-04-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

I think Ive got proper DIN keys to suit the AU units lying round. Yours if you cover postage costs if I can find them (and if you want them).

PM received. Hopefully that's the case!