Jon11a

So I picked up the new van today and I like it a lot. Been driving a Citroen Berlingo for the past 10 years so it's a welcome change. Good point about the steering wheel controls Paul, I had just assumed it would have them. Luckily, even though it's the base model, it does have them. Music controls on the right and trip computer on the left. From the lack of info on this kind of upgrade I think you're right Sloanie. Though the fact those aftermarket facials exist makes me feel more confident it's doable. Also Sloane, not sure if you know this already but if you have SYNC then you may be getting an upgrade to CarPlay... https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2016/01/04/sync-apple-carplay-android-auto.html I guess it depends on which models Ford decide to update and if you have a touchscreen model already. I've also found another manufacturer of facias based in the UK which I am going to try. From their website it seems they have a lot more options too. http://www.connects2.co.uk/products/facia-plates/vehicle/Ford/Transit-Connect Need to make sure I choose the correct one as I see the passenger airbag light needs to be relocated on the replacement facia. Going to need to do a bit more homework...

I'm picking up my new work van tomorrow which is a Ford Transit Connect Base model with 'double-cab-in-van' (seats in the back). From what I can tell, although the base model does have bluetooth and a DAB radio, it's otherwise a pretty basic stereo. I also think that the Ford standard radio panel, with all the buttons, looks really dated - am I alone in thinking this? The base model also does not have the LCD screen at the top middle of the dash but has a blank space, which seems pretty sad. I have plans on upgrading the stereo to a carplay compatible double DIN head unit. I'm really keen on using Carplay in my van as I use my iPhone already an awful lot. Having played around with a Carplay unit in the store, I can't think of not having it! Firstly, I need to get a Metra 99 5831B Facia kit which allows me to replace the current head unit for the double din unit. Here is the promotional video for this facia from Metra: Unfortunately I will need to get this shipped from US as I can't find it stocked here in the UK. I plan on getting the Pioneer DA-120 head unit which is the cheapest unit I can find that is Carplay compatible. It also gets pretty good reviews and I can hook up a rear view camera in that too in the future, http://www.pioneer-car.eu/uk/products/sph-da120 Finally, I need to work out what wiring adaptors I will need to connect the unit and retain the steering wheel controls. Metra Online recommend some of their own in the video linked to above but I want to avoid the cost of buying them from the US if I can find alternatives here in the UK. Any recommendations here would be great. I'll post my updates here when I start the project. Attached are some pictures of what I hope the finished project to look like (without the original ford LCD screen fitted as my model doesn't have this) Will probably keep this space as somewhere to chuck my wallet when I get in the van! If anyone else on here has already done this upgrade, then I'd been keen to know if theres anything I should be looking out for. Thanks all.