So the plan is simple, remove the horrendous Ford unit from my 2003 and replace it with an Alpine iXA W404R mech-less media receiver.
Parts needed:
1.Center fascia panel from 2006 (56 I believe) onward, preferably with heater controls, if not then heater control unit part available from your local Stealership (Poormansporsche made reference to buying the control module from a 2009 on model, but the module within my facia (from an 07 model) worked fine using existing 03 gears behind)
2.Double Din fascia adapter to convert Ford's gaping opening to a 2din standard size
3.ISO conversion lead to convert Ford connecting plug to standard ISO (I just rewired existing cables, but I guess this is easier) (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Transit- ... 3a63a61bfd)
4.Dremel.....you'll need it!
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Fitting:
Remove fossilised ford unit and throw as far as possible (ensuring there are no small children or pets in the vicinity), undo 4 screws now visible from removal of unit.
Remove Ashtray ( I think you pinch either side to remove), then using a long flat-head screwdriver, reach into the now exposed tray and prize up clips holding in the surrounding tray and remove by pulling forward, this will reveal two further screws, undo, remove center dash panel. (the tray can be an arse to remove)
Gently bend forward the entire panel and remove 4 screws holding the heater control panel to the fascia panel, pull existing dials from the front of the heater control unit (they are a bit stiff, but do come off eventually....with persuasion). remove any 12v auxiliary/fag lighter/illumination cables etc at this point.
Now remove the 3 heater control gears from the heater control fascia by removing one screw from each and then twisting to the left (do not take the gears apart themselves), the control units should just pop off.
Remove the heater control panel from your newly acquired center fascia panel, remove knobs in the same way as above and replace with your still dangling existing ones and screw back together as per image below
Grab the now bare new fascia panel and attempt to place it in the gap.....you will notice there isn't a hope in hell of it fitting as it is, so modifications have to be made, cue Dremel
You will need to "adjust" two items, the existing hole and the new fascia.
For some reason, at this point I didn't take a picture, but basically you have to remove the plastic "cage" that is molded on to the rear of the new fascia panel, its a simple 5 minute hack with a rotary tool of some sort, it will be blatantly obvious which part is to be removed when you attempt to line it up. You can just make out the rear of this frame in the picture below, which is to be removed
Going back to the dash, I then removed the existing outer surrounds using the Dremel and a cutting disc, again it will be obvious which sections you need to remove in order for the new panel to fit, it took around 10 minutes to remove all offending area's.
Connect the heater module to the fascia (its a bit fiddly). After a bit of shuffling, you should now be able to slot your new surround in to place
the next part is personal preference as to how you wish to connect the top of the fascia panel to the existing dash, remember that the bottom two screws which hold the panel to the dash are still in place and still line up with the existing holes, so its secure at the bottom.
I chose to drill two holes either side of the new panel at the top and countersink them, then using self tapping screws, fasten it to the existing dash, these will not be visible as your new double din fascia adapter covers the area - concealing the screws (but you will need to countersink them).
Pop on the double din fascia adapter and fit the cage (one came with the Alpine unit)
at this point I fed through RCA, USB and remote power leads to the glove-box for additions to be added shortly
Slot in head unit
Turn on
not a bad sound from the stock speakers, but replacements have already been purchased in the form of Alpine components.
hope this helps somebody at some point and if anyone has any questions, although I'm certainly no pro-installer, I'll help if possible.
Cheers
well done,get some dynamat while you're changing speakers 
