Metra Double DIN *installed* SC
02-21-09, 02:34 PM
#1
Metra Double DIN *installed* SC
Okay guys I got my Metra kit in and installed. All in all the kit is okay. There are a couple of things I didn't like but nothing that couldn't be fixed.
Pro's - fit is pretty good. Color is almost a perfect match. Worked great on my Alpine head unit.
Con's - very small gap when put together between the A/C control and the kit. I put a small strip of felt between the two to fill in. Can't hardly tell and won't have to worry about any squeeks. It actually looks better than without it. Once some of you guys do th install you will notice this. **Update at the bottom of thread about the bowing of the kit** **Update 2/23/09 again, I ended up getting four of these kits total as I had them ordered from different places. Only one of the faceplates out of three was I able to use. The others had blemishes on them from not being wrapped when they were packaged. Metra needs to change this.**
Gap at the bottom of the kit when you raise and lower the ashtray. I made a 3/4 piece of MDF and covered with felt to close the gap. Worked perfect and now you can't see under the deck. I'm going to put some of the pics here, but will put most in my install thread. The dimensions on the wood piece are (6 3/4" width x 3/4" high x 5/8" wide)
You can see the piece I added here at the very bottom.
Shane
Pro's - fit is pretty good. Color is almost a perfect match. Worked great on my Alpine head unit.
Con's - very small gap when put together between the A/C control and the kit. I put a small strip of felt between the two to fill in. Can't hardly tell and won't have to worry about any squeeks. It actually looks better than without it. Once some of you guys do th install you will notice this. **Update at the bottom of thread about the bowing of the kit** **Update 2/23/09 again, I ended up getting four of these kits total as I had them ordered from different places. Only one of the faceplates out of three was I able to use. The others had blemishes on them from not being wrapped when they were packaged. Metra needs to change this.**
Gap at the bottom of the kit when you raise and lower the ashtray. I made a 3/4 piece of MDF and covered with felt to close the gap. Worked perfect and now you can't see under the deck. I'm going to put some of the pics here, but will put most in my install thread. The dimensions on the wood piece are (6 3/4" width x 3/4" high x 5/8" wide)
You can see the piece I added here at the very bottom.
Shane
Last edited by SSmith; 02-24-09 at 06:35 AM.
02-21-09, 04:02 PM
#4
Well, my **** retentiveness has taken over again. Like most double DIN kits out there this one has some "bowing" at the top and bottom once installed. That just won't do. I bought two of these so I was able to experiment with one of them. It's hard to see in the pics but it bows at the top. The felt hides most of it but I can still see it. Got out the table saw and some MDF to make inserts that will hold it straight once it's installed. They work great and keep it completely straight. Some of you may want to do this, some it won't bother. Me, had to do it. Some liquid nails hold them completely in but they are so tight I don't really think I needed it. Hope this helps someone.
Shane
Shane
03-07-09, 10:26 AM
#7
*** 3-6-09 *** Update
Didn't like the plastic Metra brackets at all. The factory brackets had two connecting points that held the console at the top that the Metra didn't and ...well....just not a fan of plastic. Broke out a set of factory brackets I had along with my dremel and drill and got to work. Kit is solid now and bolts up just like factory. Was actually pretty easy to do also.
Shane
Didn't like the plastic Metra brackets at all. The factory brackets had two connecting points that held the console at the top that the Metra didn't and ...well....just not a fan of plastic. Broke out a set of factory brackets I had along with my dremel and drill and got to work. Kit is solid now and bolts up just like factory. Was actually pretty easy to do also.
Shane
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03-10-09, 12:44 PM
#12
The metal brackets just had to have new holes drilled to line up with the Alpine and the plastic Metra brackets. Dremel was mainly used to hack the Metra brackets. All in all it was very easy to do. This is a must do if you use the Metra kit I believe. I didn't like how the top of the console moved without the metal brackets and the kit also sagged a little.
Shane
Shane
03-12-09, 08:12 AM
#13
I really like how you combined the two sets of brackets, I think I'm going to steal that idea ! I don't like how the metra kit doesn't actually tie the center stack to the hard points under the dash, that combined with it being plastic allows everything to move around a bit. Great work 
03-16-09, 04:41 PM
#15
i totally agree! I finished my install today, and it's much more rigid. Not only is the metal obviously stronger, but it has nice little holes for alignment pins next to the bolt holes, plus the clips to hold the big wiring harness underneath it. That plastic just didn't cut it for a heavy double din radio.