Upgrade stero head unit? 850GLT

[viper69]

The original stereo/cassette in my car works fine. However, I am considering replacing it with a double din unit for things like Apple Car play, for GPS via phone, streaming music etc.

I was told by someone my car can only accept Kenwood systems. Is this true??

[scot850]

Try checking with Crutchfield. Their website and support is usually very good. I will try to find out what my brother fitted to his 97 850 for the same connectivity reasons.

The original units were made by Alpine and possibly one other maker.

Neil.

[BEJinFbk]

I was told by someone my car can only accept Kenwood systems. Is this true??

Absolutely not.
You can drop pretty much any
single or double DIN in that dash.
If you go single, there are pockets
available to fill the extra DIN space.
There are numerous write-ups on
this and other Volvo forums.

Cliff Notes:

Get a wiring harness adapter to
make it a plug and play operation.
Matching colors between the adapter
and any decent HU make wiring a breeze.
Then you'll be able to plug right into the
Volvo's radio plugs with zero issues.

Be prepared to remove the plastic "rails"
on either side of the cavity the radio slides
into. If you pop the existing unit out, you'll see.
You'll probably also be cutting a few holes into
the sides to make anchor points for the HU cage.

There may also be some fiddling with a dash
trim ring for the new HU. They're all different.
Your mileage may vary...

Wagon or sedan, be sure that you connect
the power antenna control wire (blue) from
the wiring harness adapter to the matching
control output from the new HU.
On the sedan, it physically raises the antenna.
On the wagon, it powers up the hidden window
antenna's amplifier. No amp, no radio...
You'll also have a leftover antenna plug in the car.
P80's have two - A regular size and a mini. You
won't be using the mini antenna connector with
the replacement HU.

Happy Motoring!

[viper69]

Interesting info- yep I remember it being Alpine. I put a Alpine CD changer in the trunk many years ago.

Well this is good news. I’ll call Crutch, I found their site confusing with all the subdivisions of HUs.

[misha]

...I’ll call Crutch, I found their site confusing with all the subdivisions of HUs.

Last time i visited that site because of front door speakers for 850...site said 160mm diameter while actually it is 130mm...front and rear door.

Totally useless site for me.

[scot850]

I had issues a few years ago and found them very helpful. Time moves on and maybe the good employees as well?

Neil.