Boss BCPA8W Single-DIN CarPlay Install

[xEVC]

I just finished installing a single-DIN 8" screen radio and wanted to share my experiences. It was a lot of work, but so far I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. This Boss model has just about everything I wanted (Single DIN install with floating screen, adjustable height, wired and wireless CarPlay and Android auto, backup camera, 10 band EQ, etc.) This unit also can be purchased with different screen sizes (7, 8, 9 or 10 inches) giving you a lot of flexibility.


See my website for more details: https://xochi.com/evc/boss-bcpa8w

Edit: had the model # wrong, it's BCPA8W not what I wrote earlier.
Edit: I'm not sure a 7" model actually exists.

[Zeitgeist 13]

That's a nice write up. I'm unclear about the GPS antenna; is this part of the head unit, or something else? My van has a similar Boss HU, but it didn't come with a GPS antenna. Also, mine will accommodate a front camera.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[xEVC]

Boss has 3 similar models with 8, 9, and 10 inch screens: https://bossaudio.com/pages/comparison?ids=791489133760,791489133449,791489133456

As far as I can tell, these all have the same inputs & outputs, including:
* front and rear camera inputs with power output (cameras not included)
* GPS input (antenna with 6' cable included)
* microphone (microphone with wire included - I didn't measure it, but it's probably 15' long?)

I believe the purpose of the GPS antenna is to supplement your phone's GPS when using CarPlay or Android Auto. The unit does not have any built-in navigation. Given how good most modern phone GPS is, I wonder whether this antenna really helps much?

[spacetiger]

What a hoot, I am just finishing up the installation of the BOSS Audio BE8ACP. I added the backup camera as well. I will be doing a number of write ups once the Ram mount hardware gets in to do the iphone mount (perhaps this week).

Here are a few pics:

1. dash without the display interface
2. with the display interface
3. back up camera mounted on the rear plate frame.

My Applecar play uses a hardwire (USB) connection that I routed under the 1 DIN recvr into the small shelf. It is hidden behind the display interface. I did not have a GPS antenna. You can see where I nounted the phone microphone on one of the blank toggle switches (used by the heated seats). The RAM mount is going in the far left toggle switch blank.

So far, I am pleased with the unit just like the OP.

Jerry

[xEVC]

Nice! I think the only difference between the BE8ACP and BCPA8W is wireless vs wired-only CarPlay? Not sure if there are any other differences. I'm going for a MagSafe mount (which passes power, but not data) so I thought wireless CarPlay might be nice. I haven't really tested it out yet, though.
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2000 Eurovan Camper (Winnebago)
Upgraded with 16" wheels

[billpatterson]

Hi xEVC,

Nicely done! I am looking to do similar in my Westfalia.

Would mind measuring how far the front of the screen is away from the dash? I am wondering because in a vanagon with a manual transmission, the shifter lever is comes close to the dash; when I shift into 1st and 3rd, there is about 3 inches between my knuckles and the flat surface of the dash.

Appreciated
Bill
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Bill Patterson
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
‘87 Westfalia (Named Allons-y French for let’s go!)

[xEVC]

I think it might work, but it would be close:

I just measured, and it's about 3.25 inches - I say "about" because the screen has a lot of adjustment: you can tilt it left/right, up/down, and it will also slide up or down. There is also a knob on the front which adds about 1/3 of an inch.

When fully tilted up, the bottom edge sticks out about 4.25 inches from the dash. When fully tilted down, about 1.5". Of course, if your screen is pointed down at the floor, that's probably not a practical or usable angle.

The height adjustment - when slid fully up, the bottom is about 1 inch below the bottom of the DIN mount. When fully down, the top is about 1 inch above the DIN mount.

(All measurements from my model with the 8" screen)


Edit to add: check out this thread which shows a similar looking installation (but this is a 9" screen, with an automatic transmission Vanagon): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=754753
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2000 Eurovan Camper (Winnebago)
Upgraded with 16" wheels

[samba415]

Great write-up indeed! How's easy is the screen install to the single DIN base for removal in street parking and/or potential high theft circumstances. It looks plug and play....
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Old stable: '63 Baja, '69 Square, '72 Bug, '65 & '67 Samba, '73 412 wagon & 2dr 4spd

Current: '04 Golf TDI, '03 Weekender

[xEVC]

The screen is easily removable with 2 buttons on either side. No tools needed. On my website I link to the PDF, and you can see the buttons on page 13.
_________________
2000 Eurovan Camper (Winnebago)
Upgraded with 16" wheels

[billpatterson]

Hi xEVC, Thank you for the measurements! Appreciated

-Bill
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Bill Patterson
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
‘87 Westfalia (Named Allons-y French for let’s go!)

[krusovice]

I just installed this unit today - almost.

I was going from an aftermarket unit to the Boss. I matched all the wires from the existing unit. Everything works except the unit loses memory everytime I turn the car off.

Does anyone with the unit know off hand how to wire it for constant power? Maybe it will be obvious when I get back to it, but i figured I’d ask.

The Boss is very impressive for the price - $85 on Amazon when I got it. Probably not the selection for an audiophile but it’s a camper and I listen to podcasts.
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1984 Vanagon 1.9/4 speed
2001 Eurovan Camper

[xEVC]

I would guess you don't have the Yellow wire (on the Boss harness) connected properly. Yellow should be Constant +12V.

I believe the wire should also be yellow on the VW side of the harness.

See here for an example: https://pdf.crutchfieldonline.com/ImageBank/v20240506124300/Manuals/120/120701784.PDF

I see at least one mention of Red/Yellow being swapped in some harnesses: https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/eurovan-stereo-upgrades.4716081/?post_id=64038830
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2000 Eurovan Camper (Winnebago)
Upgraded with 16" wheels

[krusovice]

Thanks for this. I came back to say I figured it out but you were faster.

The yellow and red wires are backwards in my van. I'm not sure why. At 4am it dawned on me that I could use a multimeter to see which wire is constant and which is switched. Then it was a matter or re-splicing the wires. Now it works great.

If you have a 2001 and find this thread, check the red and yellow wires.

(Bonus content: I bought myself a Milwaukee M12 soldering iron for Chistmas. It's a great improvement over my old, corded Radio Shack one. $79 at HD...lowest price I've seen.)