POST FL Clock & Stereo in PRE FL Liberty

[its_just_ryan]

Hi all,
I've searched the forums and struggle to find accurate information. I just need simple yes/no answers and if yes, how did you do it/what mods were necessary.

I've purchased the GX204 head unit from a Post FL model and the integrated single zone aircon control module doesn't work with my MY05 single zone climate control. Is there any way of getting it to work? I purchased a McIntosh climate control unit (which works) to retrofit into the GX204, but it is a LOT of stuffing around, cutting circuit boards, mounting buttons where they don't want to be mounted, etc. Definitely not a straight forward changeover. Is there a way of getting the Post FL climate controls to talk to the Pre FL brain?

Also, my clock/display module is giving me the irrits. I know it can be fixed (with some success) but I was curious if the post FL clock just slots right in and works, and with the absence of the BRIGHT and DISPLAY buttons, does the dash light dimmer function still work okay when you turn on your headlights? I know when I had the current clock out for a few days, this stopped working.

Any help would be awesome!

[dr20t]

Definitely works

You literally transpose the climate control unit into the back of the GX204 headunit. No circuit board amendments required to the main body of the stereo.

The dials etc can be used from the mcintosh.

This is the only way it will work.

Mick

[its_just_ryan]

Thanks Mick, but I'm really confused as to the HOW you made it fit. Do you have photos at all? The space in the 204 is smaller than the McIntosh circuitboard and has the folder up/down buttons encroaching on the space where the screen sits. I can't see how this would fit without cutting/grinding the circuitboard...

Also, the button, rotary knob and demisters mounting/lighting bits and pieces are completely different, so I'm curious how you accommodated this. Did you just remove all plastic extrusions inside the 204 and just sit all the internal bits from the McIntosh in there, or did you have to fabricate bits n pieces to hold things in place?

I also note that the screen 'glass' in the 204 is quite tinted - did you swap yours over (again, cutting would be required)?

I'm going to attempt to attach some photos of what I have to show why I've ended up at a bit of a dead end, as I am really reluctant to start dremeling away all the internals and circuitboards, as right now, I can decide it's too hard, put it all back together and resell it. Once I start cutting, I run the risk of stuffing it all up and having no stereo or climate control and no way to recoup the spent money.

Cheers

[its_just_ryan]

IMG_6149.jpg (63.93 KiB) Viewed 1836 times

204's circuit board intrudes on space for climate control and you can see mounting for buttons very different, as well as diameter of control holes.

IMG_6150.jpg (60.58 KiB) Viewed 1836 times

Height of boards very different.

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Even the casings are very different in size and would required modifying before attachment.

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IMG_6153.JPG (54.6 KiB) Viewed 1836 times

IMG_6155.JPG (73.61 KiB) Viewed 1836 times

[dr20t]

No dremelling or cutting required I can assure you

I did mine almost 2 years ago now but I'm sure I just slotted th mcintosh unit into the front casing of the kenwood gx204

I used all the buttons of the kenwood but the dial and dial surrounds of the mcintosh

Will have to take a look at it and let you know

Mick

[its_just_ryan]

How'd you go Mick - did you work out how you did it?