Double-DIN In `04

[black04]

Alright guys, I've already searched all the threads and I'm having a hard time piecing together the information for putting a new head unit in my `04.

Will a double-din fit or not? And if it does, will I have to cut anything? Some say it will, some say it won't... (I work for Best Buy so I'm getting the head-unit from there and probably going with Alpine) I want to put a double-din unit in there but like I said, I'm unsure about it.

If I use a double-din, will it bolt up to the stock mount? If it will, that will save alot of money cause all I will need to buy is the wiring harness.

Its not a difficult thing to install a in-dash DVD player is it? If its not I'd like to do it myself just need a little instruction from someone who's done it.

[mgm1979]

Double-din WILL fit - I almost went with one, but opted to use the extra space to mount my SR7 display and AUX input jack.

When I went to Best Buy, they wanted to charge me for some sort of "chime module" thingy or whatever, in order to install the aftermarket deck. I went to a stereo store, and they confirmed the need for one ($120ish) but cut me a deal and did the wiring themselves for almost nothing.

Zfactor is the stereo-guru on here...he's got a store and does this stuff daily, including on his/wife's cars.

[snobrdrdan]

Everywhere I've read said that '04-05 have the 1.5 DIN sized Radio....and I know for sure that the '06-07 have the Double DIN radio

But Keyser_Soze got the Double DIN Pioneer Avic-DC1 radio to fit in his '05 & it looks sweet!:




Just takes a little customization

[all4glh]

I've heard of some double DIN DVD players not being able to play while driving. I know there is a wire that is supposed to ground out at the E-brake and if you put that to any other ground you can play them. But is it true that with some of the DVD/GPS head units it won't play no matter what if the car is moving, something about the GPS sensing the car is in motion.

[mrphoto103]

Originally Posted by all4glh

I've heard of some double DIN DVD players not being able to play while driving. I know there is a wire that is supposed to ground out at the E-brake and if you put that to any other ground you can play them. But is it true that with some of the DVD/GPS head units it won't play no matter what if the car is moving, something about the GPS sensing the car is in motion.

You are correct about the wire. You don't want to ground it to the ebrake. Ground it elsewhere and you can watch porn on your drive from Chicago to Charlotte (people didn't believe me that I was until I texted pics...crap that's still on my phone, lol)

As for the double din fitting, I have a 1.5 din in mine with a carbon fiber edging all the way around to fill in the rest. I believe some 2 din's may fit the '04. I say that because I believe the rounded edges of the '04 bezel cut off some of the radio/monitor on certain units. I have pics of mine in the gallery if interested.

[TheWastedYears]

Originally Posted by mgm1979

When I went to Best Buy, they wanted to charge me for some sort of "chime module" thingy or whatever, in order to install the aftermarket deck. I went to a stereo store, and they confirmed the need for one ($120ish) but cut me a deal and did the wiring themselves for almost nothing.

They lied.

[mgm1979]

Originally Posted by TheWastedYears

They lied.

Saturn seemed to agree with them...


Worked out for me, in the end, regardless...

[black04]

Well I'm looking at an Alpine Double-DIN, are they all made the same way?

And will it bolt in to the stock mounting system?

[max_boost]

Originally Posted by black04

Well I'm looking at an Alpine Double-DIN, are they all made the same way?

And will it bolt in to the stock mounting system?

As far as size, I'm pretty sure all Double-dins would be the same. It will mount using the stock brackets if the Alpine has screw holes on the side of the unit to accept the brackets. I think it will fit, worst case scenario you can return it.

[mrphoto103]

Also keep in mind that the stock wiring harness is different than the Advanced Audio package harness. I had a harness re pinned for mine.