4200 Radio & Satnav upgrade

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
I've just purchased a 2003 Cambiocorsa and am planning an upgrade of the Head unit to one I've found that has 7 inch screen but is only 2 inches deep so should fit into the available space where the existing radio is. It's Android 9.1 so should run various apps like satnav as well as radio etc., and I'm adding a DAB plus box via USB that should give me DAB radio too.... (I will, of course be taking many photos of the process and results!). Anyway, I will obviously need to re-model the current radio surround to fit the new screen (and will probably have to relocate the Hazard light switch somewhere else) - does anyone know of anyone who might be able to modify the radio surround for me? Also, are there any potential 'gotchas' from taking all the existing NIT bits out while I'm doing this? Many thanks!
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
The unit also contains the display and functions of the AC. There are many ideas on Maserati Life (US forum).
 

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
Ah, thanks Safrane - so maybe leave that in place and just disconnect only the radio parts then....? I'll have another look at the US forum
 

Navcorr

Member
Messages
3,839
You'll lose lighting to the lower controls if you remove the infoscreen - it can be moved though and retained in the system.
As such, you may prefer to consider a 3d printed bezel rather than modifying the original surround. You can then always return to stock if desired.
Chap on Maserati Life (Edwin247) made his bezel template available for download.
 

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
Ah, So just hide the infoscreen somewhere out of the way to keep the functionality? Any suggestions as to where it could go. I haven't taken it apart yet so not sure of the size of it. I'll seek out Edwin247 now - many thanks for the info Navcorr!
 

Navcorr

Member
Messages
3,839
That's right - some have moved the screen to the glove box, others behind the dash somewhere. It can go in the boot too.
Someone else (Gooner) is planning a new stereo and think he might be considering a printed bezel. Might be worth seeing where he's at.
 

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
I'll probably just hide it wherever I can get it without messing about with new cables. I've managed to find the CAD file for the 3D printed bezel by Edwin247 and have sent that to a local 3D printing company for a quote but I'll also look up Gooner's posts.

P.S. Found a local guy who will make up custom luggage to match the car colours (exterior and interior) and which will fit the 4200cc boot (4 x pieces) for £450 plus VAT in vinyl (or about double in leather). will post some pics when it's ready in about 3 weeks (he's the guy mentioned in a post somewhere on here who did the TV show for (I think) an old Alfa Romeo)
 

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
Just heard back from the local 3D print shop - the CAD file shows the bezel printed in two halves (which is fine) and they've quoted £120 plus VAT to print it (both bits) in Onyx nylon to 0.1mm resolution. I think that seems reasonable as it will likely save me a lot of 'major' fettling and leave me just finishing it....
I'll probably just hide it wherever I can get it without messing about with new cables. I've managed to find the CAD file for the 3D printed bezel by Edwin247 and have sent that to a local 3D printing company for a quote but I'll also look up Gooner's posts.

P.S. Found a local guy who will make up custom luggage to match the car colours (exterior and interior) and which will fit the 4200cc boot (4 x pieces) for £450 plus VAT in vinyl (or about double in leather). will post some pics when it's ready in about 3 weeks (he's the guy mentioned in a post somewhere on here who did the TV show for (I think) an old Alfa Romeo)
Actually it's for five pieces as he's doing a small bag to match and fit in the little bit on the left of the boot (under where the CD changer goes) which will be velcro'd in (for odds and sods that normally bounce around in the boot) included in the price :)
 

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
Got the 3D printed bezel back yesterday. Nice job but It is in two parts - as that’s what the 3D CAD file Showed - the guy only told me as I picked it up that he ‘could have printed it as one piece’..... helpful, but never mind as I’ll have to spray it anyway....
I’m gathering together all the bits ( and taking photos for a later, detailed post) and have been looking through maseratilife posts on what happens when you take out the NIT.
Does anyone have a ‘definitive’ answer as to what other functionality I will use if I ditch the NIT entirely??? (Car is 2003 4200 Coupe)
 

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
I’ve only held it up in place so far but it looks a good fit. I’m waiting for the head unit to arrive now to see how it fits into the bezel
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
Thats a pretty low res print IMHO I would bond it together, reinforce behind then smooth/sand it. Maybe get it hydrodipped? Wicked Coatings do the OEM rubberised finish now, that's the route I would go.

Loving your work.
 

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
Thats a pretty low res print IMHO I would bond it together, reinforce behind then smooth/sand it. Maybe get it hydrodipped? Wicked Coatings do the OEM rubberised finish now, that's the route I would go.

Loving your work.
I hadn’t heard of wicked coatings but see from their website they do that. I was certainly going to bond & fill it, then spray it with rubberised paint once I’ve checked the fit. It’s frustrating that the head unit and reversing camera haven’t arrived yet (due Monday) As I can’t really start until then.
I’m still trying to find out exactly what lights Etc. I would lose if I remove the NIT entirely - obviously there would be no Aircon display but the analogue dials will still work - but there’s some mention in various posts of losing some dash lights that I don’t fully understand. Otherwise I’ll have to find somewhere for the NIT and old head unit (under the seats has been suggested) as I have an idea to do some work on the centre console box under the armrest to make that a bit more useful
 

Navcorr

Member
Messages
3,839
I hadn’t heard of wicked coatings but see from their website they do that. I was certainly going to bond & fill it, then spray it with rubberised paint once I’ve checked the fit. It’s frustrating that the head unit and reversing camera haven’t arrived yet (due Monday) As I can’t really start until then.
I’m still trying to find out exactly what lights Etc. I would lose if I remove the NIT entirely - obviously there would be no Aircon display but the analogue dials will still work - but there’s some mention in various posts of losing some dash lights that I don’t fully understand. Otherwise I’ll have to find somewhere for the NIT and old head unit (under the seats has been suggested) as I have an idea to do some work on the centre console box under the armrest to make that a bit more useful

You will lose backlighting to the various controls/switches below the infoscreen. The only functionality you lose are the various streams of info. displayed on screen - which you're replacing anyway. You can convert the NIT video signal to display on your new screen if you wanted to keep the NIT (requires a composite video-in). I wouldn't put the original screen under a seat though.

Re: bezel: not sure I've seen the lower dash mountings finished with rubberised paint. Black, silver, dark grey paint yes but not rubberised. Might be nice but, hmmm, not for me and you would have a fair bit of disassembly if you want a uniform finish. If you choose to use standard paint I wouldn't get too aggressive with prep. the primer will take out most of the imperfections in the 3d print. Better to sand paint than plastic. Dipping would be a way to go if you're a carbon fibre freak :smile:
 

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
That’s really helpful Navcorr!
I could be tempted with a bit of CF if it doesn’t delay things too long.
Any idea of their rough costs and turnaround time?
 

Sablewolf

Member
Messages
103
You will lose backlighting to the various controls/switches below the infoscreen. The only functionality you lose are the various streams of info. displayed on screen - which you're replacing anyway. You can convert the NIT video signal to display on your new screen if you wanted to keep the NIT (requires a composite video-in). I wouldn't put the original screen under a seat though.

Re: bezel: not sure I've seen the lower dash mountings finished with rubberised paint. Black, silver, dark grey paint yes but not rubberised. Might be nice but, hmmm, not for me and you would have a fair bit of disassembly if you want a uniform finish. If you choose to use standard paint I wouldn't get too aggressive with prep. the primer will take out most of the imperfections in the 3d print. Better to sand paint than plastic. Dipping would be a way to go if you're a carbon fibre freak :smile:
Do you know if it's easy to find the connections for the backlighting for the controls and switches below the info screen and then run a simple 12v supply from some of the other backlighting or dash lights? Do you know of anyone who's done this and found a solution other than retaining the NIT?