RADIO INSTALL
I ordered my van with the radio delete option, ERO. It eliminated the radio but included the four factory speakers with wiring. It saved me about $350. I also did not order the factory rear view camera which was an option at the time, later to become standard equipment. Eliminating the radio and camera saved about $1000 total which I put toward an aftermarket stereo, subwoofer, and speakers. I also purchased a rear view camera from Amazon for about $100.
The radio install proved to be the most frustrating part of my entire 2+ year van build. I eventually learned through a fellow forum member’s build thread that Mercedes used different parts with the radio delete option starting with the wiring harness. Rather than using the same wiring harness on all new vans Mercedes used a wiring harnesses from an earlier model van. The following was the correct harness after three attempts.
Metra 70-9401 Radio Wiring Harness for M B /L R /Sprinter 94-Up
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I2T4G6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_14vjDb67B14XF
Next up was the radio surround trim. Only two attempts to get this one right. Also different because of the radio delete option.
SCOSCHE CR1294B 2011-Up Dodge/Mercedes Benz Stereo Installation Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DL9LDSU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_.1vjDb19EX4R4
For the stereo I went with the largest screen size available on a CarPlay compatible brand name unit and a fellow forum member’s recommendation. It was the 7” Pioneer AVIC 8200NEX.
Pioneer AVIC-8200NEX Navigation Receiver with Carplay/Android Auto
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D6IUNEU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_VdwjDb7TCWYRJ
This picture gives you an idea of the wiring nightmare involved.
Included in all those wiring connections was a Metra steering wheel interface and the Sirius satellite radio tuner. I connected the steering wheel interface directly to the CAN bus near the driver’s side fuse panel. For once everything worked. The Sirius antenna was located on the roof just forward of the rear view camera. There was a plastic plug located there for the wire penetration.
Metra Axxess ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B4PJC9K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_AnwjDbQJY7VN9
SiriusXM SXV300v1 Connect Vehicle Tuner Kit for Satellite Radio with Free 3 Months Satellite and Streaming Service
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NJTO4CY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_WmwjDb6VVK7S5
The Pioneer had provisions for two USB connections. My van came with none so I drilled holes in both the driver’s and passenger’s side of the center console for USB ports.
USB Mount Cable - Rerii 1M 3 Feet USB and 3.5mm Aux Extention Mount, Flush, Dash, Panel Mount Cable for Car, Boat, Motorcycle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VAIEAUM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_eMwjDb8NKV7PP
For the subwoofer I used a Rockford Fosgate shallow depth 10” covered with a 12” mesh speaker grill and powered by a Boss 1100 watt amplifier. The subwoofer filled the wall cavity perfectly. I sealed the wall cavity behind the subwoofer for improved sound quality.
Rockford Fosgate R2 Ultra Shallow 10-Inch 4 Ohm DVC Subwoofer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005C1R9CE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_UcwjDbZ94CC4M
SINGLE 12-Inch 2-Piece Steel Mesh Speaker Subwoofer Grill - Black
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V16CM2G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_qqwjDbCSR67BD
The subwoofer amp was installed in the passenger seat base leaving room for the future Espar D2. Power came from the auxiliary battery connection in the driver’s seat base.
RIOT 1100 Watts, Mosfet Monoblock Power Amplifier R1100M
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004S4XNEO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_EgwjDbXVGNKAY
For the front door speakers and the dash tweeters I used JL Audio 6.5” speakers. Hein’s speaker adapters worked great. I also had to cut the speaker terminals slightly to avoid contact with the door. I used this opportunity to apply Noico sound deadner and Thinsulate in each door. The tweeters from each speaker fit perfectly in the dash positions. I used the existing factory speaker wiring. I also positioned the GPS antenna for the Pioneer in the center speaker position.
JL Audio TR650-CSi 6-1/2" Evolution TR Series 2-way Component Speakers System (Pair)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QQ67HA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_N3vjDbZM1TRG5
For the rear speakers I used a pair of Pioneer 6.5” 3 way speakers.
Pioneer A Series 6.5" 320 Watts Max 3-Way Car Speakers Pair with Fiber Cone Midrange and 6-1/2" Multi-Fit Installation Adapters Included w/ FREE ALPHASONIK EARBUDS
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014Z7ILY0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_FEwjDbRW92XKZ
The rear view camera from Amazon had a better image and wider angle compared to the factory camera and it only cost $112. I mistakenly ordered the factory camera pre-wire from Mercedes, $70, only to discover it was easier to use the video cable that came with the camera rather than search for adapters for the odd ball OEM camera connections.
The Pioneer gives me the option of leaving the rear view camera on by default. The camera’s only weakness is in total darkness. I plan to install some LED backup lights that will do a better job of illuminating the ground when in reverse.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk