Looking to purchase the kit from RedPants. Has anyone installed the Aston Installations Infotainment Upgrade themselves? Is there a DIY posted? I want to know what I'm getting myself into/how intense the install is before I make the purchase. Looking to also to a front and rear camera install and screen replacement/upgrade. Has anyone installed this themselves?

Thanks in advance!

 

I have the kit and DIY'd it. Here's my thoughts:

1. Instructions are... not great. The kit itself isn't terribly difficult to understand, but the work is fiddly and the space is limited when running wires, etc. You will want to watch RedPants' videos about disassembly (and likely some others as well) to sort it out.
2. Running the wire to the rear (I did rear only) was not terribly bad, but again, it's very tedious, and removing interior panels always carries a little risk of damaging things.
3. Figuring out control mounts in a clean way is not super fun either. I didn't want anything visible, so I tore apart the coin tray/cig lighter area, deleted the lighter (I have an '07 and did the later model center console and moved to that lighter/accessory port), then I fabricated a new coin tray area that held all the controls inside so that I can close it and the interior looks stock. I think Aston Installations will sell you something similar to what I made, but it was a couple hundred dollars or something shipped, and I can make it myself for free, so that's the way I went.
4. My AM/FM/CD (when not in CarPlay mode) acts up with the Aston Installations kit in place. AM/FM radio seems to come out of only one channel. I'm sure it's something wonky in the fiber optic bypass/interrupter that the Aston Installations kit uses, but I don't use AM/FM anyway, so I've not bothered to sort it. It's not the bluetooth box problem as I've fixed that (reflowed the OEM part) and it doesn't do it in CarPlay mode.

All of that said, this is SO WORTH IT. The ability to make Nav useful, plus the improved screen, plus controlling music with my phone, plus the reverse camera, I love it.

Also, some background; I build cars (as in fabrication, paint, body, interior) as well as design/build professional motorsports racing harnesses. So what I consider "fiddly" might be challenging if you're not comfortable with automotive electronics. It's not hard to understand the instructions, and things (mostly) just plug in one way, but it can be overwhelming if you're not at least a little savvy. You also need to have good wire management skills (read, use zip ties) to keep the wiring under control, and sorting of the mounting of the various boxes is a pain. Double sided tape (and industrial velcro) are the path I used.

If it sounds too challenging and you have a friend that is good at electronics, buy them a case of beer (give it to them AFTER install.... never during, haha) and get it done. It's worth the time/money. FWIW, I think I was the first of the "new" kit in the USA, so maybe instructions have improved since mine. Maybe.

 

I agree with everything listed above. I've been working on cars for over 50 years, in factory, repair shops but mostly as a hobby and all aspects except painting. I installed Aston Installations both front and rear cameras along with Apple Carplay into my 2012 Virage. The included instructions are minimal at best although any questions that I had were quickly answered by staff at AI via email. All told I probably spent about 30 or 40 hours doing the installation, most of the time was spent planning the next step. Steve at Aston1936.com is compiling a Youtube video series as he installs AI equipment into his 2005 DB9 so check it out. Having the parking cameras alone is worth the effort and Carplay is nice too. Good luck!