Installing a 1 DIN Head Unit??

blackauman · 10-10-2006, 05:24 PM

On Saturday I picked up a new head unit for my XR8. I was wondering how easy this was to wire up??

I know there is a Plug into my factory unit, would I need to remove this plug from the wires and rewire it or can I buy the other end of that plug and attach the new wires to it. (Priced install at $88 including spacer pocket) Would like to do myself if possible.

I am also going to get a spacer pocket for the time being until I put a TV screen in above the head unit.

Any comments welcome.

Cheers

Abacus · 10-10-2006, 05:40 PM

Look through this thread:

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=67791

carratt · 10-10-2006, 05:49 PM

I installed my new headunit for the first time a couple of months ago and used one of THESE which made it heaps easier. One end plugged straight into my car and the other end had bare wires (all labelled for correct speaker etc) that I wired up to the new headunit. All in all it was about a 20min job. The hardest part for me was getting the damn original headunit out lol.

AUTickford · 10-10-2006, 11:55 PM

Go to a stereo place and they only charge between 50-80 to install a head unit, well worth it if u accidently cross wires and blow up the internal amp{from personal experience} also the au falcon has a rounded fascia and no stereo fits properly.

TwistedEL · 11-10-2006, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUTickford

Go to a stereo place and they only charge between 50-80 to install a head unit, well worth it if u accidently cross wires and blow up the internal amp{from personal experience} also the au falcon has a rounded fascia and no stereo fits properly.

It's a pain in the ***! If the head unit is too far forward then it sticks out of the dash (duh) and if it's too far back then there will be a gap between the pouch and the unit. It's one or the other, no middle ground.

JC · 11-10-2006, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwistedEL

It's a pain in the ***! If the head unit is too far forward then it sticks out of the dash (duh) and if it's too far back then there will be a gap between the pouch and the unit. It's one or the other, no middle ground.

Middle ground can be reached with the help of a couple of self tapping, countersunk screws through the inside of the bracket/cradle into the side of the facia.

TwistedEL · 11-10-2006, 12:17 AM

How does that stop it from sticking out / sitting in?

JC · 11-10-2006, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwistedEL

How does that stop it from sticking out / sitting in?

It locates it about midway, so it kinds of looks normal - not quite, but nearly. I get a pic and throw it up.

Normal, crappy install (AU2 wagon):

And another (AU1 XR8):

Better install in XR8:

TwistedEL · 11-10-2006, 12:45 AM

Maybe it would just be easier to add some preouts to the factory unit

clontarf_x · 11-10-2006, 01:41 AM

Hmmmm I considered hacking up a spare AU unit and just cutting the hole for the single DIN unit. Never got around to doing it though...

Abacus · 11-10-2006, 09:24 AM

Has anybody done an aftermarket double DIN install?

I know that the top part would be sitting in the recess in the facia, and the bottom part would be sticking out, but I'm not sure that it would look worse than the single DIN installs.

Guys with black fascias could look at this pocket available from Repco, as per my post last week:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abacus

They are made by Aerpro. P/N FP995200

www.aerpro.com.au

"Ford AU Falc/Focus 2000-2004/Ford Cougar Facia Kit Facia Kit
Suits Models:
- Ford Falcon AU Ser 1
- Ford Focus 2000-2004
- Ford Focus ZX3 2 dr. 2000-2002
- Ford Focus ZX5 4 dr. 2002
- Ford Cougar 1999-2002
Comprises moulded facia plate with pocket and rear mounting bracket. To suit DIN mount aftermarket radio.
Packed in poly bag with full colour header card.

Barcode: 086429077458 "

They only come in black, so no good to me.

Repco at Artarmon say they have some other models available, including one that has fold-out drink holders and another that has a fold-out CD tray. I will stop by and look at their catalogue if I can find the time.

Smoked · 11-10-2006, 09:53 AM

I havent seen any double dins yet.

That Bracket and loom connector look like quite useful bits of kit.

blackauman · 12-10-2006, 12:29 PM

Thanks guys. I have a wiring loom on the way and will buy a spacer pocket on the weekend.

Whats the easiest way to take to old unit out?? I Don't have the tools unfortuneatly. I heard an old coat hanger may do the trick??

kryzak260 · 12-10-2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackauman

Thanks guys. I have a wiring loom on the way and will buy a spacer pocket on the weekend.

Whats the easiest way to take to old unit out?? I Don't have the tools unfortuneatly. I heard an old coat hanger may do the trick??

Take it to ford and ask them to take it out. It is a 5 second job and they should do it for free. I broke one of the clips in my headunit using the coathanger method and had to drill the headunit out after ford couldnt get it out.

GlennBA · 12-10-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kryzak260

Take it to ford and ask them to take it out. It is a 5 second job and they should do it for free. I broke one of the clips in my headunit using the coathanger method and had to drill the headunit out after ford couldnt get it out.

I tore the face off my old one! lol..
I had to dismantle it from inside the dash to get it out

:

janek · 12-10-2006, 12:43 PM

i think ive said it befiore. Useful only for the au1's with thge older 1.5 din system.

blackauman · 12-10-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janek

i think ive said it befiore. Useful only for the au1's with thge older 1.5 din system.

Sorry, but what are you talking about??

Abacus · 14-10-2006, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janek

i think ive said it befiore. Useful only for the au1's with thge older 1.5 din system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackauman

Sorry, but what are you talking about??

Janek is referring to this post in the other thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by janek

The aepro ones are for AU1 only.

If you have a double DIN player, its no good... Trust me, i know frem experience. same with the loom adapters, au1 only

I didn't see this post until I went back and had a look just now. So that seems to be the end of that idea.

Smoked · 14-10-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abacus

Janek is referring to this post in the other thread:

I didn't see this post until I went back and had a look just now. So that seems to be the end of that idea.

Perhaps trying a well know installer to see if you can purchase something to fit into the dash. Here in Melbourne, Gary's Car Radio are one of the best and they will sell you one on problems.

foxtrot · 13-10-2006, 11:32 AM

I ripped the face off my headunit, used pliers to bend the metal on the stock headunit into a handle and yanked the crap out of it

the headunit came ripping out and cracked my surround a bit with it

i was happy with the end result hahaha the crack is small and i'll hot glue and double sided tape my headunit in..

you can't tell that i removed it the way i did.

Would hate to know how long that took Glenn...

superroo · 13-10-2006, 01:10 PM

Well depending on how confindent you are with metal work, you could do what i did and make up a surround that fills in that gap between the head unit and the pocket.

They way it works is it was made out of this sheet aluminium (.5mm thick??) and it sits behind the surround that you get for the head unit.

I do consider that one a roughly to good one, but i was gonna make another one and polish it up when i get the time(if i get the time)

Cheers

foxtrot · 13-10-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superroo

Well depending on how confindent you are with metal work, you could do what i did and make up a surround that fills in that gap between the head unit and the pocket.

They way it works is it was made out of this sheet aluminium (.5mm thick??) and it sits behind the surround that you get for the head unit.

I do consider that one a roughly to good one, but i was gonna make another one and polish it up when i get the time(if i get the time)

Cheers

thats pretty nice might try it

superroo · 13-10-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxtrot

thats pretty nice might try it

Yeah it's pretty easy to do, you just got to be careful about marking the aluminium as your working with it.
What i found was the two clips on the botttom tray had to come off, then you've got to file down the two ridges where they used to go, so that the surrond can sit flush with the pocket.
A big tip though, is make a dummy out of carboard so that you get the shape and size, then make the aluminium bigger and file to the right size. That way you get a nice tight fit.

I must say though i would of thought other people would of tried this but for all the au's i've seen, i'm the only one with it.

I should also mention that i installed my own head unit and put it as far back as the surround would allow. This also means that the stereo is level in it's craddle

Cheers

blackauman · 13-10-2006, 01:20 PM

Does anyone know where I can buy the tools to remove the factory HU?? I need the tools to take my HU out and transplant it into another car.

I am sure ford would have them for sale, wouldn't they??

bodes-sh · 13-10-2006, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackauman

Does anyone know where I can buy the tools to remove the factory HU?? I need the tools to take my HU out and transplant it into another car.

I am sure ford would have them for sale, wouldn't they??

ford probably would, you can get them on ebay and probably at any car audio store, they are just a universal tool, i think they are called din removal tools

Lukeyson · 16-10-2006, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackauman

Does anyone know where I can buy the tools to remove the factory HU??

i went to strathfields and they gave me the 2 keys, they had a bucket full of them

jimt3te50 · 17-10-2006, 12:55 AM

Can anyone who has done the pocket install tell me if an inverted pocket (if you turned the pocket upside down) will fit the contour of the top of the 2 din hole........

I made up an MDF fill panel that just closes the whole thing in but I am in the mood to try something a bit different now......... It's a bit agricultural but I want to make up something with a hidden switch panel for future projects

blackauman · 18-10-2006, 11:54 AM

Hey guys

Still trying to find the easiest place to get the tools to remove factory HU and to get a spacer pocket for my AU1??

Also thinking of getting replacement speakers. What size are in the parcel shelf and doors?? They are oval in the back, so I think 5x7, I maybe be wrong?? Do 6x9's fit??

Any comments welcome

Cheers

Mr Hardware · 18-10-2006, 12:02 PM

They are 5x7 yes.

Smoked · 19-10-2006, 01:57 AM

Alpine make pretty decent 5x7's.