Double DIN install - easy way

[bredstein]

I have always wanted to listen to MY music, ideally from some media that holds pretty much all of it. At some point I added a PAC (AAI-GM9) with 2 AUX inputs. It worked well untill my CD player decided to retire... So I chose to go double din and touch screen - personally I have a dumb phone, but I like my daughter's IPod Touch After reading a lot of threads I came to a conclusion that I want 1) to minimize my dashboard butchering, because most of the DIY bondo-shmondo installs simply suck IMHO, and 2) I want to keep it cheap. So I started comparing measurements, and decided to go with a Pioneer AVH-X1500DVD. I have installed it today - works and looks great! - and I can report, that it fits without moving HVAC controls, and without any cutting inside! The header sits tight enough to skip any brackets. Nothing is covered, you have enough room to insert disks. The only thing I had to remove was a piece between original radio and HVAC. Then there is some empty space which I plan to cover with some matching colored filler. Here are some pics. You can see an AUX input from my previous setup, I hooked it up to the new header, and also a toggle switch, which grounds the parking brake signal, so the radio is fully functional regardless of whether I drive or not. I am still under impression, it is really cool!

 

[carcrz]

not bad, post pics when you add filler

 

[Leedogg]

never was brave enough to hack mine to install a DD unit...though My 01 burb is begging for it.lol

Tuned in.

 

[bredstein]

never was brave enough to hack mine to install a DD unit...though My 01 burb is begging for it.lol

Go for it, you won't regret! Just make sure you check the specs/dimensions of the unit before you buy it...

 

[livingez_123]

Going to take a little more than filler to make it look good.

 

[bredstein]

Dash bezel

All right, the dashbaord trim is done. I took two pieces of black plastic from an old printer's paper tray and after measuring a lot attached them with epoxy. These are my "fillers," hopefully, the header nose will fit! The color was not a 100% match, so I decided to spray the whole black part of the two-color trim. At first I wanted it to remain satin, because I don't like anything glossy, but then I changed my mind. Well, for two reason: I found a can of glossy black Rust-Oleum paint for plastic in my garage, and also the header is quite glossy, so I thought they may look well together... And I also put a coat of adhesion promoter. Here are the pics. More come tomorrow after I install the trim - it is too late now.

 

[bredstein]

Going to take a little more than filler to make it look good.

Could you please expand on that?

 

[bredstein]

Double din install completed!

The project is done. Of course, I added a few scratches to the freshly painted bezel, but overall I am glad with the results. It involved minimal cutting, and it may or may not work for other units (mine is Pioneer X1500). Bypass works, sound is better than stock, video is decent, and the screen it can even display cyrillic letters for some of my songs on the USB drive. What I need to do now is add a USB jack, find and install some box to replace the stock CD player, and do the rear view camera. Any ideas on the camera brand? My budget is about 50 bux...

 

[BirchyBoy]

That came out pretty good! You can get a new pocket for where the DVD player was for around $12 or so.

 

[99Yukon4x4]

ABCautoelectronics.com (i believe), google searced it the other day, and they have a complete video, including doing filler work. turns out nice, going to do it in mine this spring.

 

[07Burb]

Does the unit open up alright when wanting to watch DVDs or listen to CDs? Looks like it'd be blocked from sitting directly on the hvac controls. Overall looks good I would have made a filler plate for the open spot below too

 

[JAngeli]

Looks great.

 

[bredstein]

Does the unit open up alright when wanting to watch DVDs or listen to CDs? Looks like it'd be blocked from sitting directly on the hvac controls.

The unit doesn't open up, it just has a screen, it doesn't go anywhere when I insert a DVD or usb memory with videos.

I would have made a filler plate for the open spot below too

Why waste space? A cubby seems to be much more useful than a filler! On the other hand, a plate can be used for some extra switches - although I cannot think of ant that I really need right now

 

[Sevenevez]

Looks good man. I did the same thing in my '95 and it fit as snug as a bug.

Until someone stole it...

 

[livingez_123]

That is the main reason I get the best the factory has to offer. Who want a lame factory stereo anyhow?

Sorry for your loss, it really does suck.

 

[07Burb]

The unit doesn't open up, it just has a screen, it doesn't go anywhere when I insert a DVD or usb memory with videos.


Why waste space? A cubby seems to be much more useful than a filler! On the other hand, a plate can be used for some extra switches - although I cannot think of ant that I really need right now

Oh I gotcha. I was thinking about the Pioneer Double din for some reason nice job doing this on your own on the cheap it's nice to see people thinking outside the box

 

[bredstein]

Until someone stole it...

Sad, very sad... I had a GPS stolen a few years ago back in Texas, the car was not locked, so I saved the window at least Did you have a chance to find the bastard and rip his heart out (just like he did with you radio)?

 

[Sevenevez]

Sad, very sad... I had a GPS stolen a few years ago back in Texas, the car was not locked, so I saved the window at least Did you have a chance to find the bastard and rip his heart out (just like he did with you radio)?

haha, naw. they hit like 8 cars on my black that night including a police officer. crazy. they used gloves and unscrewed my house lights and everything. professional crooks. main reason i moved into a 3 car garage after that. i ended up buying the same XAV-60 that was stolen again.

 

[autolover3]

Looks awesome! Now I def want a DD, curious if I already have a Pioneer head unit, do i need to purchase and extra accessories such as harnesses and what not? And brackets, how exactly does it fit into the dash?

Thanks!

 

[bredstein]

curious if I already have a Pioneer head unit, do i need to purchase and extra accessories such as harnesses and what not? And brackets, how exactly does it fit into the dash?!

I bought mine from Crutchfield, and although they do not recommend any DD unit for OBS trucks, you still can specify your year, so they include a correct harness and antenna adapter - both are a direct fit for your factory harness, so all you need to do is solder the matching wires together. Shouldn't be too difficult if you are not color blind Also, I did not use any brackets, just pushed the unit all the way in until it aligned with the AC controls. Good luck!