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2 Din Mod Problem/Question (pics)

pilotech

pilotech

Full Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2007
Messages
118
Location
Sioux Falls, SD
I am now doing the 2 din mod in my '02 using the '03 dash bezel and radio bracket. I have trimmed the bracket and cut the brace to make room for my NAV. Heres the problem, The radio bracket fits alright everywhere but the bottom left screw hole. it seems to be off while the others are on. Could someone who has done this mod tell me how they solved this. It seems pretty stable so it may not need a screw there. Also when I add the AC controls it bows that corner out even more. I bought 1/2 inch nylon spacers for the AC controls but it looks like I have to cut off the 2 snaps on each side or it won't sit in the dash far enough. Is this what needs to be done?  And lastly what dash kit do I need to install my AVIC-D3? The radio shop told me Metra 99-2003, is this all I need to finish it up once I get the AC thing locked down. Any help on these questions would be appreciated. attached are the pics of what I'm talking about
 

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It doesn't appear that I can get the screw in with the AC controls in place, theres just not enough give to it.
 

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Since the original clips don't match up to the new bracket holes, it holds it out to far. Do I just need to cut them off or at least down to the length of my spacers?
 

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For your heater control, Can you enlarge them little by little on both sides till it fits?

Sam
 
I just happen to have mine apart from the install yesterday.  I took out the bottom left screw, and it looks like mine doesn't exactly line up either, but I'm able to get a screw in it.  As for the clips, mine were already cut from the first install when all mounts were fabbed. 

Also, i used pieces of vaccuum tube for my spacers.  Using the tube, I'm able to get the depth where I wanted it.

not sure if that helps any.
 

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check around the a/c controls for anything that may need notched on the mounting housing.  there may be something hitting causing it to not mount up. 

Remember, you're putting a part that really isn't supposed to fit in your Av.  It might not exactly mount perfect.
 
Sam,
I think I will try to notch out the holes a little farther as you mentioned, although there won't be much plastic left on the outside but it should still hold. This would work better incase I want to go back to factory someday, I won't have to buy a new AC control unit. As for the bracket bowing out, I may try to grind the plastic down on the insides of the bracket where the AC control touches it so It isn't so tight. ps. did your buddy (Shelbi) get the bracket I sent to you?

grnxnam,
Your bottom left hole seems to match up a little better than mine, but I will try to get the screw in tonight (hope it doesn't break!) I will check a little further on what may be keeping it from lining up. Which Dash kit do I need to install my AVIC-D3? is it the Metra 99-2003 like the stereo shop told me? Which one did you use? I want to pick this up today so I can finish the install tonight. PS thanks for posting the pics!
 
oops, sorry.  yeah, the 99-2003 is te correct one.  Should cost around $20 at Circuit City or maybe a little less at a local shop.


another thought... did you remove/move the metal bracket behind the stereo?  it might be holding the housing out of place.
 
Thanks, I did cut the metal bracket right above the top rivet just before it started to curve up and forward and removed it entirely from that point up. I also cut the protruding piece in the middle back of the bracket off so now it's pretty much a staight edge on the back edge. One of the points I think that holds it out is the metal bar down lower around the bottom rivet. There is a hole in the metal bracket where a round tab in the bracket goes in. I doesn't line up to that the best so I am considering cutting the round tab off also but I think that tab holds the bracket up better if I can get it to work. Did you remove the metal bar entirely or just from the top rivet up?
 
i cut the top of it off, and then bent it out of the way.
 
pilotech,

Looks like we have you on your way, keep us updated  :wave:

Sam
 
SamHouseIII said:
pilotech,

Looks like we have you on your way, keep us updated? :wave:

Sam
Click to expand...
I'm gonna have to leave this one up to you... hitting the road in a few minutes.


pilotech... I'll pm you my number.  if you have any questions, I might be able to assist.
 
Well I got the install done! I had to grind some of the bottom edge of the bracket insert off cause it was keeping the AC controls from setting back far enough. Also instead of cutting off the 4 pegs on the AC controls, I just widened the holes in the bracket so they would fit inside and then used the 1/2 spacer. I got the bottom left screw in the bracket but as soon as I tightened the AC unit in place it snapped (thought it might). It doesn't seem to affect the sturdiness of anything though, it still feels pretty solid when I try to move it so It won't be a problem. I couldn't find a Metra kit here in town to do the install but I did find a "no name" kit that said '03 AV and I just used the two side brackets to secure the NAV and it worked great! All the pieces to the system (Nav, Backupcam, Sirius) worked on the first try EXCEPT no audio! After reading on these forums I ended up removing the factory amp (pain in the butt) and using a wiring diagram I spliced the wires together to bypass it entirely. I sounds much better on my aftermarket door speakers. I had planned on doing this anyway, but not at 3am in the morning after the install just to get ANY audio. Thanks for the input on this everyone, I couldn't have done it without you and this site. here are some pics...
 

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Nice looking install  :cool:

Glad you got it all worked out.

Sam
 
The 03 radio bracket fit in like a glove when I did this 2 din mod.  I think removing the metal bracket helped significantly to give it some more room.  No problem moving the hvac module a few notches lower with 1/2" pvc strip for spacer and two longer screws for the existing hvac holes of 03 bracket.  I had to trim out the hvac opening and door of 12 v outlet housing of a new dash bezel.  The Eclipse AVN5435 has been holding out nicely for almost eight months.  I plan to get a set of security screws like torx for the radio bracket and connect a long aluminum security strap to my AVN5435 shortly.  With those flimsy Metra install kit, anyone can rip the HU out easily.     

Btw, nice install.  Glad it all worked out for you!   
 
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