Metra Dash kit quality, or lack thereof...alternatives?

[Derick]

Hey all, I've got the Metra double DIN dash kit, and I bought it because Metra has always been my go-to. But this thing is crap. The frame that goes around the head unit throws the entire center dash off.....anyone find a brand that works well?

 

[Tonyrodz]

Hey all, I've got the Metra double DIN dash kit, and I bought it because Metra has always been my go-to. But this thing is crap. The frame that goes around the head unit throws the entire center dash off.....anyone find a brand that works well?
View attachment 245324 View attachment 245325

Looks too far in. Have a way to bring it out some? Shims maybe?

 

[Doubeleive]

yep radio needs to be adjusted out

 

[spiritman]

I got the same dash kit you have from Crutchfiekd. I tossed it in the trash and picked this up from Amazon. MUCH better fit!

Best Kit BKGMK318 Double DIN... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YCDAGGO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Derick]

Looks too far in. Have a way to bring it out some? Shims maybe?

Sort of... But if you look at the Pic of the climate controls at the top, yes the top of the radio seems too far in, but the bottom sticks out.

 

[swathdiver]

Hey all, I've got the Metra double DIN dash kit, and I bought it because Metra has always been my go-to. But this thing is crap. The frame that goes around the head unit throws the entire center dash off.....anyone find a brand that works well?
View attachment 245324 View attachment 245325

Change the bezel to a different texture and or color too if you think it would help.

 

[drakon543]

ive used metra kits alot as they are generally easy to get. definitely had a number of times i had to make some adjustments. widen the mounting holes so i could position it to my liking. add some washers to the ones that have the l bracket to space it out. anyway you can try various tricks to get it to where you want or find a more expensive dash kit theh are out there.

 

[iamdub]

I like my Metra. It took a few tries to get the radio sitting how I wanted it and centered. I removed all but four of the clips on the bezel so it could be removed much more easily while I adjusted, checked, adjusted... I'd expect any aftermarket kit to require some sort of tweaking. What I really like about it is the color and texture is a near-perfect match to the factory plastic.

 

[Rocket Man]

My Metra fits perfect. Something must not be set right on your mounting tabs. I even painted it and all the other adjoining pieces so the color matches perfect too.

 

[Doubeleive]

OK I'LL PLAY

 

[Rocket Man]

OK I'LL PLAY

View attachment 245341

That dash kit looks AWESOME!!!!

 

[drakon543]

everyone has thier level of ocd when it comes to thier vehicles. i put a single din in my 97 because i didn't want to hack up my dash and some of the double din dash faces look like crap. i did a double din in my civic and it annoys the crap out of me. metra kit and the radio bezel wont fit with the radio mounted flush like i wanted it. technically its supposed to be pulled out a little or something. everyone says it looks good but that slight gap annoys me.

 

[Fless]

And I wish I could find a single din for my '04 that has no pocket.

 

[drakon543]

And I wish I could find a single din for my '04 that has no pocket.

i actually like the extra pocket. i do usually add some epoxy or something to make the pocket heftier. toss my smokes or my wallet there for a quick access.

 

[Fless]

The one I have is so deep stuff gets lost in it.

 

[Rocket Man]

The one I have is so deep stuff gets lost in it.

Put a piece of foam in the back so it’s not so deep.

 

[Tonyrodz]

The one I have is so deep stuff gets lost in it.

That's what she said

 

[Ken Hutson]

ive used metra kits alot as they are generally easy to get. definitely had a number of times i had to make some adjustments. widen the mounting holes so i could position it to my liking. add some washers to the ones that have the l bracket to space it out. anyway you can try various tricks to get it to where you want or find a more expensive dash kit theh are out there.

You can adjust the depth with the 4 side mounting screws on the side sliding supports, you Also have to cut out the rear plastic supports at the back of the dash, the radio touch it and the radio do not slide in completely that is why the bottom of the radio sticks out at the bottom

 

[drakon543]

You can adjust the depth with the 4 side mounting screws on the side sliding supports, you Also have to cut out the rear plastic supports at the back of the dash, the radio touch it and the radio do not slide in completely that is why the bottom of the radio sticks out at the bottom

ive used a hair dryer on high so i could heat up the plastic enough so i could morph it enough to get more depth in a situation like that. ive dealt with a couple the owner wanted the radio in further. ive preferred to morph plastic a bit rather than cut it out as im not sure what i could cut without causing potential rattles.

 

[wildcatgoal]

For a number of years I installed car stereos, eventually graduating to doing only custom sound quality installations where everything typically was intended to look "factory". When asked to use an off the shelf dash kit, we were a Metra dealer so that's what I used. Schoche and American International (if I'm remembering that other brand right, think it's a division of PAC) sometimes have better options, but... that particular Metra kit will fit up fine. Your head unit is mounted too far back and sometimes a little shaving with a file to get the lines to meet expectations is necessary. If I remember right, the Scosche unit for your generation was better.