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Thread: Double Din Head Unit Advice

  1. #1
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    Double Din Head Unit Advice

    Looking to replace the factory head unit. Has anyone had experience installing a newer shallow no mechanism head unit? I see about having to cut the dash lips and the tray for wire clearance but i am trying to make this install as little interference as possible. Crutchfield talks about not being able to reinstall a factory radio as well as having to tear the dash apart to remove a radio after install. I am also ok with looking into a single din chassis with mountable screen.

    I know i am green here, and did some searching but i cant find a good explanation, the older archived posts dont have any pictures, and i think are obsolete. My ultimate goal is to have bluetooth and aux in, but android auto/carplay would not be terrible.

    thanks in advance.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cheese302 View Post
    Looking to replace the factory head unit. Has anyone had experience installing a newer shallow no mechanism head unit? I see about having to cut the dash lips and the tray for wire clearance but i am trying to make this install as little interference as possible. Crutchfield talks about not being able to reinstall a factory radio as well as having to tear the dash apart to remove a radio after install. I am also ok with looking into a single din chassis with mountable screen.

    I know i am green here, and did some searching but i cant find a good explanation, the older archived posts dont have any pictures, and i think are obsolete. My ultimate goal is to have bluetooth and aux in, but android auto/carplay would not be terrible.

    thanks in advance.
    If you dont want to do much hacking id get a double din with no DVD player. Those units are usually shallower and don't need much trimming. Only trimming would be a little bit to the bezel which goes around the dash and gauges and whatnot. Im not sure if you can do a double din without at minimum trimmimg some of the bezel, i have a full double din and had to trim the bezzel and a little tab in the dash. Its still clean for me but I can understand you standpoint on minimal damage

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  3. #3
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    Single din with "poctet" insert for wallet or phone.


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  4. #4
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    I have never had to trim anything behind any of the double dins in my car's. I just make sure when I put the radio back in the dash to tuck the wires nicely on each side. The only trimming I do is the dash piece to allow the double din to slide in and out of the dash as stated above.
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  5. #5
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    thanks for the replies. i think i am going to take a look at one of these newer setups that has a mountable screen on a single din chassis'd radio. Either that or i am going to just go single din and keep android auto running on my phone in a good dash mount.

    has anyone tried something like this? https://www.worldwidestereo.com/prod...media-receiver

  6. #6
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    I installed a Chinese android radio with DVD player and didn't have to trim anything inside just a little bit of the top of the bezel. radio fits nice and is android powered, has navigation and all the apps you want.
    2003 Mercury Grandma on steroids

  7. #7
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    My 2DIN radio required NO cutting or modification. I keep seeing that posted and have NO idea where cutting would be necessary. DIN and 2DIN are industry size standards for size and the wiring colors are EIA but only depth would vary.
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by BAD MERC View Post
    My 2DIN radio required NO cutting or modification. I keep seeing that posted and have NO idea where cutting would be necessary. DIN and 2DIN are industry size standards for size and the wiring colors are EIA but only depth would vary.
    i understand, but it seems like panthers need some amout of trimming and i am unwilling to do that even to add modern features to my car. i want to be able to revert is completely back to factory original. i could trym but i think i am going to take a gander at the the sony i linked.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cheese302 View Post
    i understand, but it seems like panthers need some amout of trimming and i am unwilling to do that even to add modern features to my car. i want to be able to revert is completely back to factory original. i could trym but i think i am going to take a gander at the the sony i linked.
    The trimming you refer to will not prevent the OEM headunit from being reinstalled.
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1Marauder View Post
    Single din with "poctet" insert for wallet or phone.
    = ghetto. IMHO.....
    “When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.”
    Ronald Regan

    "The only way to deal with the Islamic State - these blood thirsty, blood-drunken, terrorists -
    is to kill them, keep on killing them, until you kill the last one, then you kill his pet goat."

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    “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.”
    "I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes, if you **** with me, I'll kill you all"
    General James Mattis




  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by fastblackmerc View Post
    = ghetto. IMHO.....
    Hey Jim! I resemble that remark! Mine has the same handy dandy storage slot.

    Although I will be upgrading the radio again to the DD unit I just put in my F250 as it is AWESOME after finding out from you and others the DD unit will fit w/o chopping up the dash! It has Garmin in it.

    I will then lose my handy dandy storage slot...

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  12. #12
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    I love the cheap Android 10 unit I bought for my daughters car. Great reviews so I gambled and it’s soooo much more complex than the lame Pioneer I put in the Marauder years ago that I paid double or more. I ended buying a second one for either the car or the truck, just haven’t made my mind up on which LOL. So it’s just been chillin on the kitchen counter for a couple of months.


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  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by fastblackmerc View Post
    = ghetto. IMHO.....
    Truth!
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  14. #14
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    screen i am looking at would cover the pocket.


    Quote Originally Posted by fastblackmerc View Post
    = ghetto. IMHO.....

  15. #15
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    There was some filing needed in mine, of the black lip in the opening to get an old double din AVIC Pioneer in 12 or so years ago. Would not go in without it, was actually so snug I didn't need anything else to hold the unit in.
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