XC70 Aftermarket Head Unit

[stephen130675]

I have acquired a 2004 XC70 2.4 diesel automatic. I have purchased a 2 din media head unit for the car and would like a bit of info on the method to disconnect the battery and any other info on installation of the stereo unit. I also have the canbus to connect the steering wheel controls to head unit. If anybody has had any hick-ups or issues please let me know.

Also does anyone know if the factory fitted amp in the car is 2ohms or 4 ohms. I have seen on an american site that this can cause an issue but not sure if this is the same in the UK.

Any info that will help or guide me to a successful installation much appreciated. I did see a post on here a while back that had a step by step almost but can't find it again.

[stuart bowes]

I did a series of posts about it a while back if that's the one you mean

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=313115

not exactly step by step but definitely a few useful pointers amongst the rambling (sorry)

I think no.1 thing to remember at first is dont disconnect the aircon/heating panel. or at least disconnect battery first. otherwise you get an SRS fault. unless you've got VIDA in which case it doesnt really matter

I've had it in and out a few times now for various other reasons and I find I can just lift / swivel / twist the heating panel out of the way and hang it down by the steering wheel out of the way

the canbus thing just worked for me, so I couldn't comment on any hiccups there, just follow the instructions that came with it

oh and when you take out the old unit, keep the metal framework that hooks into the car because you'll need that to fit the new adaptor plates into. I dumped mine and had to bin-dive to get it back lol

[Missing Lincs]

Originally Posted by stephen130675

Also does anyone know if the factory fitted amp in the car is 2ohms or 4 ohms. I have seen on an american site that this can cause an issue but not sure if this is the same in the UK.

Everything Stuart says plus, I would consider not using the factory fit separate amp. It's a twenty year plus old design and most of the modern amps that are integrated into modern HUs sound better.

The other thing that I found improved sound more than anything was fitting the a Volvo sub. They appear in the sales section and on fleabay all the time. Being designed for the car they are an easy fit (unless you have the extra row of seats - even so, it can be done).

Even the base level speakers are half decent, with a new amp in your HU and a sub I think you'll really enjoy the results.

[stuart bowes]

Agreed the speakers are pretty decent, I went overkill and put twin 12" in my boot but tbh most of the time they're only tickling away at like 10% and that is plenty, only really turn them up when I stick on a bit of pendulum or something and feel like finding some more of the endless sources of volvo rattle lol slowly getting rid of them

anyway even with that turned off I get a decent kick drum and none of the awful distortion you normally get when you turn up the music 1 notch too far