Stock Appearance Head Unit
Stock Appearance Head Unit 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?
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?
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Brownsville, texas
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Do you have any recommendations for a basic looking matched illumination unit? I'm looking in the under $350 range.
Thanks all.
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Brett Foote
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.
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.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 206
From: Eastern MA
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.
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).
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).
I'm thinking of using a Digital Processor like the Fosgate 360
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...n_US&p_status=
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...n_US&p_status=
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!
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!
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 206
From: Eastern MA
Here is some of what I found after a search:
Mine:
Pioneer AVIC-D3
.jpg)
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.
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.
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!
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!
