Option for single din radio install

[Nomad]

I have no affiliation with these products but I'll post info about this product because it's hard to find options other than crappy looking (IMO) open pockets.

I have been waiting for a reasonably priced used MSP or MP3 pocket with door to come around but with no luck. New they are $70-80 which is rediculous IMO.

I will be trying a few pockets with doors from other vehicles to see if they will work for this application:

I know the 97-99 Acura CL has a single DIN pocket with a dampened door on it.

The '03 Subaru Forester has a single din door pocket that costs $25 new, but it may need a small trim ring (like the part around the aftermarket headunit) to fit right.

Then I came across these items on ebay. Search under "center console" "drawer" or "storage".

I attached pics 1 and 2 and I may buy one and custom fit it in the car. It can be had as a drawer (may be good for items like cards, keys etc) or a 6 disk CD holder where each CD slides out (sort of a cool idea, since I'd only need 6 discs of MP3 CDs anyway).

These all may not be direct fit items but for the price and a little effort they look like they would give a much better finished look than the cheapo kit pockets we all have to deal with.

I'll be installing a used Acura CL pocket here soon. I'll report back.

 

[Nomad]

So I got an Acura CL pocket from a 97-99. It has springs to hold it shut and looks pretty good. I'll rigup something and keep you posted. Paid $8 shipped for someone's old one.

Size is an exact DIN size wide, I'll check the top to bottom but as you can see from the previous post it fits right below the radio fine.

Looks a little different than the Mazda version but the color matches and the texture matches too. The pocket isn't long enough to accomodate full CDs but I could cut and epoxy the pocket deeper if I really wanted to. The interior is a nice fuzzy velvety interior. I'll use it to hold my USB memory sticks for the new headunit.

 

[Nomad]

Doing a preliminary install. I've cut some lexan sheet I had into a front radio surround. I was also able use the great stock radio antenna base as my bolt for the rear of the radio, fits perfectly.

The pocket I have from the acura is a little shorter than the factory unit. I'm debating getting the drawer version posted above as it is supposedly a perfect DIN size. It may fit together better.

The green is the plastic film on the plexi. I'll paint it black when I'm done. I will also be double stacking the plexi surround and epoxying it together to make a thicker plate.

Just thought I'd share the progress

 

[dezine]

Nicely done with finding alternatives to have nice looking pockets with doors. I'm been interested in this as well to get rid of that standard empty pocket that comes with most aftermarket head units after getting the adapter kits. Keep the progress coming

 

[Nomad]

Doubled the thickness of the plate, now it's a bit thicker than 1/8". I epoxied another sheet of lexan to the first adaptor, then re-cut it all out. It's a good bit stiffer.

I sanded, primed, sanded, painted, sanded, painted, sanded and painted Also did a little more trimming on the pocket.
Now I'm waiting on the adaptor to fully dry before I finalize the install.
I think it'll be good enough. THe more I get it done, the more I'd like to at least try one of the din drawer pockets on ebay, they have a nice look to them... unless they look like crap in real life.

I'm going to use black silicone adhesive to put this into the OEM frame, this way it should be easy to take out and rework in the future.

 

[Nomad]

mounted pocketwith black silicone, painted then mounted radio frame.
Installed it into the stock opening and adhered it with black silicone adhesive. I'll see how this holds up.

In the future, I'll definitely use a piece parge enough to use the two screw holes to the right and left sides.

 

[dezine]

Good work on making that fit. You still think the pockets on ebay though wouldn't be worth it to try?

 

[Nomad]

The opposite, I think the Ebay pockets would be worth it to try. I don't have $25 or so to spend on one just now. The install would be no different than this, and it looks like I'd be able to put a bolt on the back of it to go into the DIN bracket rear hole.
I got this pocket for $8 so that's why I used it. As a tip for the future, I'd actually make an oversized flat sheet with the DIN holes cut in it and two holes to use the center bolts (where the factory MSP horizontal crossbar would go). That would give a very sturdy mount. I would also get 1/8" black ABS sheet, this time I used what I had.

We'll see how it goes. I'm now just enjoying the better sound of this headunit. I'll work on installing the door speakers and dynamat this week.

 

[Nomad]

Final install pic.
Now for the door speakers, the amp and the sub...

 

[dezine]

Final install pic.
Now for the door speakers, the amp and the sub...

Looks good mang. (thumb) I wish my front panels looked that nice lol. When I was taking out the stock HU and installing the aftermarket HU, that panel got so scratched because I didn't think at the time to put down some masking tape or something protective. (doh)

 

[Nomad]

Added basic write-up to my cardomain page for posterity.

If anyone wants to buy and send me the Ebay drawer then I'll do that install to...
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2056679/3