Gatsby

iTrader: (7)

I might be the only person but I HATE the look of every aftermarket head unit for our cars. I dont like that there are no 1.5 din units (if there are i'd love to see them). I hate the flashy lights and blinking this and that and the way it looks aftermarket so obviously.

Which leads me to a few questions:
1) Does anyone make a head unit that has decent quality (i dont need super awesome, just better than stock monsoon).

2) How can i adapt an aftermarket unit to look like the stock one? Since most aftermarket ones are 1 din, could you somehow gut a stock HU and put the aftermarket HU "in" there? If I could lineup the CD slot, then most of the buttons could be controlled with a remote (or steering wheel controls) right? How often do you touch your HU? Just to eject CD's right? I never touch mine, I use the steering wheel.

How tough would this be? I dont mind doing a lot of fab work. Has anyone tried? Seen it?

TAtoad

iTrader: (22)

i remember seeing JVC and Jensen made 1.5 din HUs back around 2000. havent seen any lately

bmnicolosi

iTrader: (2)

http://baileyswholesale.com/magnadyn..._M9900DVDS.htm

http://www.epinions.com/reviews/Pioneer_DEH_P77DH_

http://www.savinglots.com/lotprod.asp?item=CDAD857

dunno if those help

Gatsby

iTrader: (7)

Yes actually they do help, especially since they have the cd slot in the right place. Maybe I'll buy a used one and see what i can fab up.

adriangarcia404

why dont u like the aftermarket?
lol i like it bc when ever a girl gets in my car and looks at the radio amps and speakers they know i got money to spend.
and it nice to have a little flash here and there....
makes your car diffrent from all the other fbody guys out there

KEE AUDIO

iTrader: (65)

Pioneer still has 2 1.5 DIN units that are the correct size and fit for GM/Chrysler vehicles. Models are the Pioneer DEHP47DH and Pioneer DEHP77DH. Neither have MP3 playback and are pricey for the amount of features you get compared to other similarly priced units. The other thing is that they do not match the factory lighting and have no option to do so.
I did carry them but would have to check to see if they are still available.
The Alpine models are discontinued but can be found some places. The model numbers are the Alpine CDA-D852, Alpine CDA-D855 and Alpine CDA-D857.
None of these radios were very good though especially when you compare them to the units being offered now. At least with a single DIN unit you can match the interior illumination, have all kinds of multimedia connectability, still use steering wheel controls, have much better sound, and not pay an arm and a leg for an outdated unit.
There are several inexpensive units with red illumination that do not have a bunch of crazy graphics and stuff with very subdued but functional displays.
IMO that would be the way to go.

Gatsby

iTrader: (7)

Maybe i'll have to join the crowd. :sigh:

Do you have any recommendations for a basic looking matched illumination unit? I'm looking in the under $350 range.

Thanks all.

swaggard

i know how you feel. i can't stand all the flashy headunits that look like crap with the black plastic dash kit around it.

michael101

iTrader: (21)

Add me to the list of aftermarket haters. I'm not sure what my system will end up being, but it's going to have the stock H/U for sure. I wish someone did a retro of todays technology into the stock chasis and faceplate.

bmnicolosi

iTrader: (2)

if the black plastic kit is your problem, do what i did. I made my own from wood and a piece of black plexiglass. All you see is the black plexi, and the shiny piano finish looks better than textured plastic, imo.

swaggard

Ditto

VIP1

If you don't like the look of the 1 DIN in place of the stock 1.5 DIN, get a 2 DIN unit and make it fit like some of us have done. Sometimes you can find a used one for $350. I don't know if there are any new ones for that price. There might be.

swaggard

how bout some pics of your 2 din or anybody elses at that

Gatsby

iTrader: (7)

Second that.

And what requires fabrication? Just the bezel? Can't you get a kit for the actual mounting of the unit? I found some double din's that look pretty close to stock (not our stock, but stock nontheless).

michael101

iTrader: (21)

I'm thinking of using a Digital Processor like the Fosgate 360

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...n_US&p_status=

Gatsby

iTrader: (7)

That is freakin awesome. Do you have any input about that device? How well it works? Is it just like hooking up subs/amps/speakers to a regular aftermarket headunit?

It looks like I found my solution. What a great find. I'm seeing them online for as little as $175 new and much cheaper on ebay.

Thanks!

VIP1

Here is some of what I found after a search:

Mine:
Pioneer AVIC-D3

https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...installed.html

Whitebird00
Kenwood DNX-5120


Pioneer AVIC-D3


https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...omparison.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...tallation.html

phantomzer0
Pioneer AVIC-D3

https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...-bezels-3.html

Flamingchicken94
Pioneer AVIC F-90BT

https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...-trans-am.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/non-autom...l#post12066078

my bandit
Kenwood DDX512

https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...n-install.html

BRD-PREY
Kenwood DNX 7140

https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...nx-7140-a.html

hadkin
Pioneer

https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...din-bezel.html

HIZPANICGUY21
Pioneer Avh-p6800dvd

https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...you-think.html

JarrydM

https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...alled-pic.html


Some sponsors sell brackets and face plates, but you can also make your own. The bracket is easy so I'd recommend you just make it. The face plate is more work so If you don't think you can do it, you might want to check out the sponsors. Check out the above threads to see what is involved. I think Kee Audio & 6LE have some.

BandDirector Blk98ZM6

iTrader: (21)

I feel the same way about DIN HU's in 1.5 DIN openings...I replaced everything in my system but the HU and 12 disc changer and it sounds great! I just don't have iPod capability...

You can see my set-up at the link in my sig. It's a VERY stealth installation, that looks stock, but sounds FAR from it!

hadkin

iTrader: (3)

My 2din looks stock to me. No flashy buttons. Thanks VIP1 for finding my link!

swaggard

thanks for the pics. those are sick looking