Any car stereo installers here? [Archive]

Greg@GLD

12-12-2005, 07:43 AM

I just have a question about the double-DIN slots in Ford Escapes. I think I found the kit I need to replace the double-DIN radio with two seperate units, I am just not sure if the depth of the open slot is enough to hold a pair of "full size" single DIN units. I have found a few articles for single DIN replacement of the double set, that seems easy, but I am going to be running two seperate devices in that slot, sort of like the setup on my 1994 Cobra with the Mach 460- Two seperate boxes stacked one on top of the other. But the unit in my Escape is all one, but appears to be a double DIN once removed. I have not found an "exact fit" faceplate, only the double-to-single conversions.

If you have done this or know someone who has, please share your info.

Greg@GLD

12-12-2005, 08:54 AM

Kirkster pointed me to them last night but I couldn't find what I was looking for. I'll investigate further, thanks Danno and Kirk...

88Nightmare

12-12-2005, 09:53 AM

appears to be a double din once removed? I dont quite understand. Usually a double din is a double din. What exactly are you trying to replace in there. Do you want to add 2 stand alone single din units in there ontop of eachother? Or did you want just one unit and add a pocket compartment below it? I have yet to find a kit that allows you to double stack single dins in a double din slot. I recall looking into this once before. This may be something that a stereo shop would have to custom make for you. Could be wrong though.. Id start by pulling out the old unit to get exact specs, so you know exactly what to look for.

flyin_hawaiin

12-12-2005, 10:22 AM

I managed a car stereo shop for 5 yrs and did installs for 5 yrs before that..

what is your actual question greg? Did you existing radio come out with ford tools (2 small holes next to the radio?) if so, the cage for the new radio will slide in and you bend the tabs to hold it in... if you stack to units, you may need to fab up some sort of trim rings as it probably wont look right..

there is no kit for putting 2 din size radios in a double din opening

Twirkin50

12-12-2005, 10:49 AM

Greg, I used to install at Neptune's in Port for many years. When we started getting into the double din radios or running 2 head units we had to fabricate a trim piece for the dash. Pioneer made an equalized single CD player a while back that a lot of guys liked running with a tape deck stacked on top of each other. Today, with everything on CD, MP3's, or satellite you don't see tape decks stacked with CD players as ofter.

So, to answer your question, if you want to run two head units stacked in the stock location you are going to have to fabricate a trim piece.

flyin_hawaiin

12-12-2005, 11:39 AM

BS. You guys are wrong. Greg, Metra kit number 99-5805 WILL mount 2 single DIN in the dash of an Escape.

I have to say that your post came off like a complete asshole..

Maybe try and say things a little more PC?? Im sure greg appreciates that you found that kit, but dude, take a communication class or something..

Kirk

12-12-2005, 11:43 AM

LOL Dan's communication skills / style.

Cobrawife

12-12-2005, 12:21 PM

BS. You guys are wrong. Greg, Metra kit number 99-5805 WILL mount 2 single DIN in the dash of an Escape.
Greg already ordered this last night. Thanks every one for your input :rudy:

Twirkin50

12-12-2005, 12:35 PM

BS. You guys are wrong. Greg, Metra kit number 99-5805 WILL mount 2 single DIN in the dash of an Escape.

So, what do you win? :rolleyes:

markstang

12-12-2005, 12:58 PM

:biggrinsa

Kirk

12-12-2005, 01:05 PM

A lump of coal :grinch:

Greg@GLD

12-12-2005, 04:38 PM

Ok guys, relax... Thanks for the info.
Danno, I did find that part # last night while sifting thru Google results, but it said "2001 Escape" and didn't show 2006. I wasn't sure it would work, but since the kit is a whopping ten bucks, I figured I'd give it a try, so yea, I did order it last night. But I thought I would ask here hoping there's a "yes for sure" answer. If that kit does what I need I will be very happy.

Once again, thank for all the help and don't be a :grinch:

:biggrinsa :snowman: :rudy:

Greg@GLD

12-12-2005, 05:48 PM

Drama. It's what's for dinner. :D

BBATCO1

12-12-2005, 06:32 PM

I love danno!!!!

Kirk

12-12-2005, 07:21 PM

Hey Danno.

we can make it fit no problem. I have a sawzall. :D

Kirk

12-12-2005, 07:32 PM

LMAO...

I wasn't going to bring that back up.... :D

JORGE

12-12-2005, 09:18 PM

duck tape!!!

greg you putting in a dvd player w/some tvs ?

Greg@GLD

12-12-2005, 09:35 PM

Well, what I am doing is replacing the stock stereo with a motorized 7" TFT LCD screen that works with my laptop, as well as has a built-in TV tuner and 2 video inputs. It allows me to use my laptop as a "mobile PC" but the display is right there in the dash. This, coupled with the GPS setup I just got should make for an awesome setup.
I also want to install a "regular" stereo/cd/dvd player in the bottom slot, and I can use one of the inputs for the DVD player. It's going to be extremely cool if I can get it all to work like I envision.

http://i15.ebayimg.com/01/i/05/a3/5d/2c_1_b.JPG

JORGE

12-12-2005, 09:49 PM

i have a dvd player here its for the car if you want to try it out before you buy one.

markstang

12-13-2005, 07:14 AM

Now THAT is what we like to see. I hear Darrell is pretty handy with a sawzaw?

:biggrinsa Darrell's wife took his sawzaw away....... this thread cracks me up......

Kirk

12-13-2005, 07:27 AM

I have a cordless sawzall so Greg would not have to take his extension cord off the snowblower. :biggrinsa

Greg@GLD

12-13-2005, 07:57 AM

Oh the humanity...

Well, at least I got some very helpful answers to my question...

Drama :buzzsaw:

Jim

12-13-2005, 08:23 AM

i thought D-Con was the only person that called it a "SAWSAW" :biggrinsa :p

sacstoy02gt

12-13-2005, 08:25 AM

Greg,

Just throwing out ideas...

Why not go with a Mini-itx setup and always have it available in the car? You should be able to use the remote signal from the stereo to turn on/suspend the machine (would have to wire in a relay), but that would be a slick setup.

Then, you should be able to setup your GPS, mp3s, movies, games, whatever running off the PC.

Might not be what you want; but just trying to throw out more ideas. Lots of people rigging these kinds of systems up in cars. I'd like to, but the $$ is holding me back.

But, what you have planned sounds sweet! Good luck with it.

Greg@GLD

12-13-2005, 08:44 AM

Well, Phase I is complete- the GPS/Laptop works fantastic....!

I'll post up when/if I get it all setup as desired.

Kirk

12-13-2005, 09:35 AM

Excellent.

You are really going to like this setup.

AFR50

12-13-2005, 09:52 PM

Nice.

1slo5.0

12-18-2005, 05:30 PM

I have to say that your post came off like a complete asshole..

Maybe try and say things a little more PC?? Im sure greg appreciates that you found that kit, but dude, take a communication class or something..

That made me chuckle.

LMFAO

Politically correct? Gimme a break. Go hug a tree. If that dont work, add me to your ignore list.

That made me damn near piss myself!

1slo5.0

12-18-2005, 05:32 PM

Bob, I thought that was between me, you, Mark, and Darrell? :candycane

I thought we weren't going to discuss this in public......

1slo5.0

12-18-2005, 05:35 PM

Now THAT is what we like to see. I hear Darrell is pretty handy with a sawzaw?

LMAO...

I wasn't going to bring that back up.... :D

:biggrinsa Darrell's wife took his sawzaw away....... this thread cracks me up......

Hey now boys! Don't make me dig up dirt on you guys. :hehe: