[funkle]

I had a thought yesterday: If we want to keep the stock look, and some functionality of the onboard computer, but use a modern, aftermarket head to handle music & communications, why not have our cake and eat it too and use both?

It looks like the navigation DVD unit in the compartment behind the seat is double DIN. So why not pull this out, and put in an aftermarket head there? Doesn't matter how gaudy/game-boy looking the unit is, because it will be hidden. Wire the unit to work with the steering wheel controls, then you'll have control over the key functions without having to access the deck itself. Total stealth installation. You could even set it up to use a remote control, wired would be ideal, but may need to use an IR repeater, since the unit would be hidden away.

That Pioneer DEH-80PRS does look pretty kick-ass functionally (looks are another matter). 6 channel 24 bit DACs, 2 USB ports and one SD card slot. Unlike the Alpine, plays lossless (WAV). You could hook an SSD filled with lossless music up to one of the USB ports.

Another thought I've had is if the deck ends up not hidden, you could plasti-kote some of the shiny bits, like the volume knob & any chrome or piano trim.