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Gen. 1 Sat/Nav upgrade. What I have learned so far.

5K views 31 replies 4 participants last post by  Ecate 
#1 ·
I wanted to put XM in my car without using an external receiver, so I did some research and found the Bosch Nav unit was the best option.
These were found in the following:

Versa
Sentra
Cube
Juke
NV
These were commonly used between 2010 and 2012.

All will work in the Gen 1 Versa with 1 or 2 little mods on the main 20 pin connector.
1- Most will have to add a ground wire to pin 20 and to a body ground. The original radios get their ground through the radio chassis itself, unlike the Nav radios.
Hence this mod.
2- Those originally with base radios will have to add a VSS wire to pin 18 and to pin 4 on the cluster connector.
Those originally with speed sensitive volume do not need to do this mod.
Everything else is the same on the 20 pin connector.

I am just sharing the basics so far. I am waiting on a few parts before I do the install.
BTW I got my radio out of a 2012 Cube.
 
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#2 · (Edited)
Just finished installing the Sat/Nav and all I can say is WOW!
This thing sounds as good as, or better, than the Bose system in my Saab.
I have the premium speakers(Clarion tweeters/Blaupunkt speakers) and those tweeters really come to life. Had to turn bass down and still has a solid low/mid.

So I can confirm that Juke and Cube Bosch Sat/Nav radios up to 2013 WILL work in the Gen. 1 Versa.
I had to run wire from the gauge cluster pin 4 to pin 18 on the radio. also added a ground wire from pin 20 to a body ground.
I also had to cut down the GPS antenna mount so it would fit in the Versa location
Those were the only mods I needed to make.

So here is the mishmash of parts I used for the install:
Radio from 2012 Cube
AM/FM/XM antenna and most antenna wire from 2015 Note.
XM antenna wire from A pillar to radio from 2013 Juke
AM/FM antenna wire from A pillar to radio is what came with car.
GPS antenna from 2013 Sentra.
Still waiting on 2012 radio bezel with USB/Aux port and cable(should be in next week).

When all is said and done, everything was about $200 and about 4 hours of labor to install it.
Worth it? HELL YA!!!

Radio with radio on. This is the bezel needed for this radio. Any Versa with either Nav or an Ipod dock will look like this. Ipod dock and USB/Aux can be easily swapped out.

17630


Nav screen
17631
 
#3 ·
Post some pics when you get a chance. My son has been itching to dump his 2011 Versa HB that is still running well (except for the AC) with 125k miles. Rather than spend $10k+ on something new I suggested he upgrade wheels (all his wheel covers have been broken by Discount Tire), get the windows slightly tinted and a new stereo unit. I like what you just did. May be worth an upgrade.

Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk
 
#4 ·
I will take some when the Sun comes out this morning.
Here is a list of what I have done to mine:

SL seats, door panels, center console, leather wheel
Aluminum wheels
Sat/Nav radio
Fog lights
Auto dimming mirror w/compass and Homelink
Premium speakers/tweeters and A pillar trim

I see you are not too far from me, I am in the West burbs. I can help in where to go for stuff.
My favorite yards are in Aurora and Blue Island.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
Here are some pics of what I have done to my car as requested by V65
They show most of what I have done.....so far!


Interior from 08 SL. All but the fold down rear seatback came from a sedan.
Land vehicle Vehicle Car Car seat cover Mode of transport


AM/FM/XM/Nav radio
Vehicle Car Vehicle audio Center console Multimedia


Auto dimming mirror with compass and Homelink
Rear-view mirror Automotive mirror Auto part Vehicle Windshield


Leather SL wheel
Land vehicle Vehicle Car Steering wheel Steering part


15" SL wheels
Land vehicle Vehicle Car Honda Hatchback
 
#9 ·
thanks!
so basically it's just three wires: one to the fuse box, one to the dome lamp harness, one is ground. I do have a couple of questions:
1) did you buy an OEM mirror or an aftermarket one?
2) did you tap into the power dome light wire or did you use another blank cavity?

thanks

ps: I also sent you a private message because I'd like to ask you something that is not thread related :)
 
#10 ·
OEM mirror from an Altima. Auto dimming mirror with compass and homelink.
I'm currently not using Homelink so I haven't put the fuse in to power it.

1 wire from fusebox for key on power
1 wire from fusebox for constant on power
1 wire from ground under passenger airbag
I ran wires from unused circuts in that fusebox and made them individual 10A circuts
there were open pins on the connectors for the dome light harness and just added the wires to that.
 
#14 ·
Since I've posted pics of the other stuff I did, I will add the most recent change.
Went from a leather SL wheel to one from an 08 Altima.

08 SL leather wheel. Note original cluster.
17628





08 Altima Wheel. Note the cluster from a 11 hatch (did have it sent out to set milage for my car)
17629
 
#18 ·
The yellowish along with the red needles aren't exactly the best color combo. Easier to see red needles on the white background.
I have the same white/red needles color combo in my work truck. Doesn't reflect off the windows and is easy to read at a glance.
 
#21 · (Edited)
You are correct about color combinations for reading the gauges, particularly during daylight, but I was talking about what colors are better for preserving night vision when driving at night and watching outside at the road ahead. Whitish gauges background is not the best for night vision. That's why for a scope reticle, if your concern is to preserve night vision, red is your friend, even though some other colors are better at bright daytime.
 
#28 ·
The H/U will be fine.
The splitter for the speakers and tweeters is on the main harness, which is under the top of the dash about at the left edge of the radio.


It is the white connector I cut the tape away from. If you look to the right, there is another one I didn't remove the tape from.
To open those up, you need 2 T pins, one on either side, then pull the cap off. There is a pin lock you open, then you can remove the pins/wire from the connector.
Bumper Automotive exterior Auto part Automotive tire Vehicle
 
#29 ·
Thanks!
You wire the tweeters to the main harness, did you just put the wires in the corresponding pins?
Anyway, I think it’s still a parallel connection between speakers and tweeters.
I was just thinking if there is any practical difference with the way I wired them (tapping into the speakers wire).
What do you think? :)
 
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