C5 Radio

[Wingc5]

Hi all, new member here looking for some info - My C5 was originally a Japanese car so the radio has very limited frequencies, do I just need to swap out the radio unit for a UK/USA unit or does anything else need changing too? I'm also contemplating swapping the head unit for a single din unit with a flip out screen, I like the idea of an upgrade but one that stays period true, and they were all the rage back in the early 2000s. Thanks

 

[CaptainK]

You can get a band expander for Jap cars to enable the original radio to work in the UK.

Now I don't have a C5, BUT I do have a Mitsubishi FTO that is distinctly JAP ONLY. After import over here a band expander was fitted by the importer so the radio worked. I soon replaced the head unit with a standard UK aftermarket headunit and all UK radio frequencies were available.

I don't see why the C5 wouldn't be the same, as its just the radio. Maybe ask any friends to borrow an aftermarket unit to try out, or find a cheap one on Ebay etc?

 

[C5Steve]

Swap it out. Easier in the long run. I've seen old Pioneer single DIN flip out unit with a CD player and Bluetooth. I did also change the rest of the system as well (speakers/amp/sound deadening etc), well worth it.

 

[Wingc5]

Cheers for the replies guys, I am leaning towards swapping the lot. I've already put decent rear speakers in as I had a set spare, then found out the rears are mono so not even sounding as they should.

C5Steve what setup did you go with?

 

[C5Steve]

Cheers for the replies guys, I am leaning towards swapping the lot. I've already put decent rear speakers in as I had a set spare, then found out the rears are mono so not even sounding as they should.

C5Steve what setup did you go with?

Pioneer 4 channel amp behind the passenger seat, split to drive the sub in the centre section of the boot (replaced the storage cover with a piece of ply) and the door speakers which are components with a crossover and separate tweeters. Tweeters are mounted on the door behind the panel (didn't cut through it) next to the crossovers.

Sub's pioneer and the components are Focal I think, I'd need to check it's been years. Didn't bother hooking up the rears, as you say they're not really worth it and also water is constantly falling into them when I open the boot no matter how careful I am so I didn't fancy wasting money!

Can't remember the exact model of the head unit, it was a very good one at the time with external iPod (remember those) and USB connectors in the glove box, as well as actually playing DVDs. I keep a copy of The Fast and the Furious in there for posterity.

 

[Custom exotics]

C5 with a double din conversion still running the Stoke bose speakers with the pac loom adapter

 

[Custom exotics]

Another c5 double din as well but this one we added a sub and amp into luggage area