'03 Subaru double DIN radio in '98 V70?

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 10 Nov 2016, 16:05

I have a client with an '03 Subaru Forester and I wanted advice on swapping it to my Volvo if possible.

I don't know about ya'll but my OEM Volvo radio has terrible AM reception. This OEM Subaru radio is roughly the same color exterior and illumination color, 6 disk changer and tape deck PLUS it has the Weather-band radio too which I'm really excited about.

I know the Volvo OEMs slide out really easy, are they Double din sized or their own size? How do you mount a same size radio in the Volvo opening since they seem to be secured by those sliding tabs?

I suppose I'd have to buy two wiring harnesses one to go into the Volvo plug and wire that to a Subar harness.

This isn't something I have the money to do right away, but I'm trying to research it now so I can slowly start to track down all the parts.

icrashcars · Post by **icrashcars** » 10 Nov 2016, 18:48

If you have the pigtail plug from the subaru it shouldnt be any different than installing an after market radio. (plug cut from subaru)

If you dont have the harness, you will need to buy a used one off ebay or someplace, too much work/ effort otherwise.

-buy the volvo adapter harness.
-get diagram of subaru radio wiring
-match them up
-profit

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 Nov 2016, 20:33

I seriously doubt that it will lock in place the way the Volvo radio does but a bit of creativity with Velcro would like at least keep it from leaping out of the dash under acceleration. The Volvo OEM radios are really pretty good in the tuner section but that God awful ghetto bass bump in the EQ drives me nuts. One of these days I will find a SC901 and have true flat equalization.

Post by **Clemens** » 11 Nov 2016, 00:28

I'm sure you can get it to fit, but you will upgrade to an old HU anyhow. Might be more fun to upgrade to a more modern double din HU and have stat of the art bluetooth, mp3, cd and what not. I am a huge fan of keeping cars original, but if you upgrade, do it properly. Juyt my .02$

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 11 Nov 2016, 05:54

More often than I should I give the OEM a benefit of the doubt with factory integrated stereo systems. Each time it's a burn on my behalf.
As much as I'd favor something uniquely installed, it brings me to supporting the logic of 'just because you could, should you?' .

Kinda like making a once factory produced traditional vehicle into something amphibious...

In short, it's a run of a mill radio with decent reception is what all they ever are, I'd go aftermarket if feasible.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 11 Nov 2016, 12:44

Check your antenna amps and connections.
Then get an SC 901 - Best HU that Alpine ever made for the P80's, hands down!
You can get several adapters to run a mutitude of audio sources in through the
6 disc changer port and get your weather fix, too. Search Grom, Yatour, USA Spec, etc.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 12 Nov 2016, 00:01

I was talking with a guy from Crutchfield the other day who was saying that they do no offer a double din trim ring for 98-01 70 series Volvos, only a single din. Which is not to say no one makes one, but if crutchfield doesn't that seems to be a red flag.

He also told me that the stock radio is larger than a double din. Then I went on YouTube the other day and saw a British guy with a double din in an 850 with a trim ring around it.

I guess the next time I'm at a junkyard I'll have to pull a Subaru radio and measure all the dimensions by hand and see if it will fit. I know it's kinda weird, but those Subaru double din radios with the 6 disc changers cassette and weather band radios just really appeal to me. Plus the 03-04 years have a very similar gauge illumination to the 70 series cars (green backlights with black digits) and they are grey in color on the faceplate which would look at home in a 70 series.

Post by **j-dawg** » 12 Nov 2016, 00:51

You're right, that is kinda weird. I'm with Clemens - it's a hard leap to take, but once you've had that cell phone integration and USB drivey goodness in your car, it's really hard to go back to caveman radios.

Post by **tryingbe** » 12 Nov 2016, 07:16

Does the Subaru radio have a factory pin code lock like Volvo radio?

I don't think I have a single tape, and CD waste space.

SD card is how I like them.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 13 Nov 2016, 08:03

I don't know about the pin code on a Subaru. I would assume most new radios do have them.