Double Din - Will it fit?

[gomopar440]

Before you say anything, yes, I know the Chally dash is not set up for double DIN. The slot under the radio looks like it would accept a DIN and a half head unit if the slot in the plastic cover was widened at the bottom. What I was wondering though is has anyone ever tried to fit a full double DIN head unit by notching out the plastic pieces under and above the original radio slot?

I'd like to get rid of that extra slot where the original radio push buttons were under the radio but I don't know how I could fill that area and have it look "normal" (this is on a ribbed 70 dash). I haven't seen any DIN and a half head units I really liked so I was thinking I might try to fit a double DIN unit in there and just modify the dash to fit.

Anyone? Buehler, Buehler ...

[bb71challenger]

You will probably have to modify it but think of it this way Paul, you can get a custom fit for your double din receiver  What unit are you looking at? I plan on using a 1 din Eclipse and also adding in a .5 din Equalizer by mmatts, still new in the box, never even tried it out yet. I will try to take a few pictures of what I have saved up for my Challenger so far if I can find the digicam.

[ntstlgl1970]

You might be able to make the double DIN fit, but I think you would have to cut into the upper structure (metal part) of the dash above the radio cutout a bit, might weaken the dash. I cut out some of the area of the plastic trip below the radio cutout to fit my kenwood head unit, but it's hard to make it look right since the cutout is in part of a curved area. Just a thought, how about making a custom center console that would house the head unit in front of the shifter and have the center console then tie into the dash? (assuming you aren't going for the all stock look here)

[Bullitt-]

I THINK what you have is a 8-track lower trim...maybe worth some $ ...Change to a standard trim & the opening is coverd & a single DIN fits right in.

[gomopar440]

BB71,
I'm not that far along yet. The only head units I've been looking at are the Sony (I think) EXAD single DIN units. I liked the one with the screen centered and the buttons spaced equally on either side. After looking at my dash It looks like a DIN and a half would fit best with the way it is right now.

ntstlg,
I don't mind cutting on my car at all. The entire dash may end up getting swapped out for a complete fiberglass dash in the future, but for now, this is what I have to work with. Actually the center console is going to get some mods to it (handbrake and some assorted switches), but I would rather keep the head unit in the standard location. I don't want to have to look that far off the road to mess with the radio.

bullitt,
It could be an 8-track piece. I don't know for sure what they look like. Here's a pic. What do you think?

[Bullitt-]

That's what all of the panels I've ever seen look like, what I'm referring to is the lower dash trim, in a non 8-track the lower opening is covered.
Here you see mine has no opening






8-track lower dash trim has opening

[gomopar440]

Mine is a regular non-8-track one apparently. That makes sense though since this car originally had an AM radio with a console mounted cassette deck.

[bb71challenger]

yours has the cutout right? the other pic is tilted but I think besides the year difference in the pieces it looks to have the same cutout.   

[Bullitt-]

better pic of an 8-track

yours has the cutout right? the other pic is tilted but I think besides the year difference in the pieces it looks to have the same cutout.   

my lower dash trim has NO cutout.
better standard trim pic.

[gomopar440]

The inner piece I have  (not original to the car) has the cutout. The outer piece looks like the red one in the last pic.

[Bullitt-]

The inner piece I have  (not original to the car) has the cutout. The outer piece looks like the red one in the last pic.

It would be MUCH simpler to put in a single DIN...you will need to bring it in from behind as the lower dash trim does not leave any room, especially in the lower right, for the head unit to stick through.

[bb71challenger]

It would be MUCH simpler to put in a single DIN...you will need to bring it in from behind as the lower dash trim does not leave any room, especially in the lower right, for the head unit to stick through.

The good thing about single din is there are so many more choices going that way. I dont like oversized head units, if you think about it they are not very efficient. You can get all the features in a single din receiver so why get a bulky unit when you dont have to?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Thankfully the sleeve for a single DIN radio fits fine in an E-Body. 


  Mike

[gomopar440]

Well, a single DIN is always an option if I can't get a double DIN to fit. This is the one I am planning on using if I have to go that route --> http://www.slipperybrick.com/2006/12/jvc-exad-kd-avx2-receiver

[bb71challenger]

I like the features on that JVC. 5.1 Dolby Digital, Pro Logic II, MPEG audio, 5.1 channel time alignment, dvd audio capabe, LOTS of options here. Looks like JVC is getting back to where they were years ago. They were putting out some serious sound quality amps. I would love to see this model in an unpowered version just for amplified systems or an internal power defeat option but it looks to be a solid performer looking at the specs. Good homework on this deck Paul!