I have had a lot of experience with installing Android radios on various cars (MazdaSpeed Miata, 89 Alfa Spider). Over the years, I probably have picked up and installed 8 or 9 radios. Based on my latest experience with my 89 Alfa, I am going to try again with the 2006 Crossfire.

I just picked up a cherry 2006 base roadster with the original Becker radio and no back speakers.

So the plan is:
Install speaker mount adaptors for the woofer positions (forum member) in back.
Install 6 3/4" component speakers (woofer in adaptor, tweeter next to seatbelt holder, model to be determined)
Keep the door speakers for now.
Modify the Metra plug adaptor to allow four channels.
Run speaker wires to back (also future RCA sub wire)
Run GPS cable to a mounting area (TBD)
Run Backup camera wiring to license plate hole

Purchased latest model of the "not so cheap" upgraded Android Chinese Radio (hopefully will not end up in Chinese radio graveyard)
Real Android 10 (even though they try to tell you different)
Android Auto and Carplay built in (this is a huge improvement from previous models)
The latest 8 core Qualcomm processor for speed and audio quality
1280*480 QLED screen (hopefully bright enough)




Here comes the tricky part....

I have test fitted previous models and there is a workaround for screen placement. I have had Joying radios previously where you can move the face around, but I feel that they are still too big for the Crossfire dash. These screen type of radios have a metal case (not to be confused with the mounting case that slides into position in the fascia hole) and a separate screen faceplate that is screwed onto that metal case. Based on my previous experience, the face plate can be relocated lower in the metal case (requires drilling new lower screw holes) so that it fits right in the correct vertical position in the fascia. The size of these units now allow a 6.9" diagonal screen with no interference to original Crossfire button functionality, if it is placed correctly vertically.
The screen does bulge out from the original fascia about 9/16", but I plan on using Testor's chrome spray paint to cover the sides, top and bottom 9/16" edges to match the Crossfire fascia. So, I will be left with a black screen with a chrome volume button and three usb ports.
Is it vintage looking, no. But it is by far the least obtrusive of the "screen" implementations that I have done with a "real volume button."
I have used wireless steering wheel buttons on the Alfa, but am undecided on Crossfire.

Have not done a Can Bus implementation yet, but there are some capabilities in these models. (fingers crossed)

In progress........

 

So i have posted some pictures that depict the relocated screw holes to allow the faceplate to be mounted lower on the fascia. (clear the buttons) These particular pictures are a metal case and faceplate from one of the "graveyard" chinese radios that I have.laying around.




The side view also depicts where I will paint the chrome paint on the edges of the faceplate, so it matches better with the present fascia.

 

I just asked @pizzaguy how easy was it to run new wires to the back speakers. According to him, just remove the trim on the passenger side floor to get to the back.
Thanks for sharing your install.

 

Well, it has been a period of time since an update. Still a work in process....

Progress without pictures for now

I installed the Rockwood Fosgate speakers back where the woofers fit in a limited. I had to use the forward speaker mounting adaptor provided by a fellow forum poster. Since they were component speakers, I mounted the tweeter within the headrest plastic under the roll bars. Ran the wires down the passenger side as described in other posts. I ended up not installing the back speaker wire using pins on the factory harness and just wire it into the radio connection with disconnects.

I installed the GPS antenna under the dash on top of the metal brace, as described in the factory manual. I tested the signal, and it picks up the GPS satellites really well. Gets that GPS wiring out of the way.

I installed a backup camera with a bar frame on the bottom bolt holes of the back license. The wires from the camera are run behind the plate up to a break in the weather stripping in the trunk. From there it goes to the right backup light where it picks up power and a reverse signal. Found a gap and ran the wires to the radio utilizing the same route as the back speaker wires.

I took the screws out of the front face plate of the radio and shifted the screen slightly down (tab on the bottom faceplate is now below the case. Turns out there are no wires or components where the new holes are drilled, and the faceplate has the optimal placement between the upper and low console controls.

I mounted the two external USB cords in the back side of the inside of the glovebox, so it will close without any issues.

I did some testing with the radio sitting on the console. Android auto works very good wirelessly(don't have carplay). Reverse camera works and I got the suite of google android apps. While Google maps works, unless I use my phone as a hot spot, it won't update the traffic. I use Android Auto for the maps any way (dual screen). Amazon music and sirius XM (Internet) work as designed within Android Auto.

I used the phone (internal app and Android Auto) and it seems to work as intended with the microphone within the radio. I have not tested the microphone at speed with the top down.

I speakers sound very good with great separation. With the surround controls and equalization, there is a lot of customization. Is it 10" powered subwoofer base, no but it does pretty good for the 4-6.75" speakers. Still need to fine tune the tweeter levels once I get it permanently installed.

Have not set up Torque for getting gauges on the radio, bet I do have a dongle.

Quirks

The radio is an Android unit with WIFI and will hook up with house WIFI and act like any Android "pad", but you need to use a phone as a hotspot (mobile service) when you on the road, if you want internet access for the native apps. Android Auto solves that issue if you have a phone and a mobile internet plan. Pretty much automatic (I would expect Apple CarPlay to be the same). But..... if you are switching between Android Auto and native internet apps, the Wi-Fi needs to manually hooked up (push a button). I believe this is because Android Auto uses Bluetooth and WIFI to function. I will need to play around with this since there is an automatic internet start choice in the radio Developers menu. The secret password for the optional functions is 3368.

The standard digital music app is ok, but it does not have all the options of your favorite paid app. But it does play all the latest file formats. It will use the internal memory and both USB drives in the glove box. I wish they would have an option to pick your different media player from the main menu, rather than the stock player. Not that you can't install another player, but it does not show of the stock main screen. They give that option of program choice for Mapping on the Main Menu, but not media player. Need to swipe to see additional menu choices. The presence of a GPS antenna allows all media programs to adjust volume levels based on speed.

Screen looks very good and improved over previous LCD screens, but I have not used it under intense sunlight with the top down.

Most aftermarket steering wheel controls should work on this unit, but I am trying to figure out if it will look "clean" on the Crossfire steering wheel. It was much easier to use some steering wheel controls on my 1989 Alfa that does not have an Air Bag.
More to follow....

What is preventing the final install?

It is a combination of German and Chinese engineering.

Since the Crossfire is built so good, the slot for the radio is part of the console frame and it extends quite deep back on the radio. Other manufacturers have radio support in front and support in back but rely on the on the provided slide in case to hold the radios steady. Also, the sealed-up console design of the Crossfire such that you don't have access to the connections on the back of the radio (after it is installed).

Mix this with the particular design of the back panel on the radio which has connectors facing up. This is great if the in-place connectors are not higher than the top of the case that fits into the Crossfire slot. The design defect is the Motorola Antenna connector, which is too high, whether you use straight connectors, right angle connectors, or the adaptor to match the stock Euro connector. This design defect prevents me from sliding the radio into the Crossfire radio slot with the radio antenna hooked up. There is room to lower the standoffs on the main circuit board to lower the overall height of the antenna connector (Design fix).

Obviously, the Germans have made it hard to access the back of the radio after it is installed to connect the AM/FM antenna.

So, my big question to the experienced folks on the Crossfire Forum.

If I remove the glovebox assembly (and I have a small hand), can is reach in and attach the AM/FM antenna connection after the radio is installed?

If so, there will be an added benefit of shifting the added wiring on the back of the radio for more clearance.

Thanks in advance for the insight!!!!

 

It will take some patience but you can remove the side panel below the glovebox. Console side in footwell. That may provide you with the access you need

 

Thankyou for the photos and the suggestion!

 

So I keep finding hills to climb. I can just get a little access to the back left top of the radio when it is installed, through the bottom kick panel on the driver's side (thanks to sticky key posts). But the crossfire radio housing that the radio slides into is too long for the vertical antenna nub. I have not quite notched it out enough to grant access to the antenna nub (which sits vertically).
I can fix that, but the next problem is the climate control assembly sitting above the radio. It goes quite deep back on the left side just above the antenna connection. So tomorrow, I notch the crossfire radio housing a little more and maybe there is enough clearance to slide the motorola connection in from the top if the climate control assembly cooperates. It would be easy if the climate control assembly went in after the front console. Unfortunately, the radio faceplate is on top of the front console.

The lesson is to get a radio with the AM/FM antenna connections facing out the back of the radio.