How-To: 2nd Gen 1.5 Din to Double Din Head Unit Conversion

[Azzurri]

This applies to 98-02 S-Series with the factory 1.5 Din head unit. I'd seen a few pics of this done but never really a thorough step-by-step description of the process, so I thought I'd throw this together for anyone interested. This actually isn't that difficult at all, there's minimal cutting involved, you just gotta have a little patience.


Materials Needed
- '03 and up Dash Bezel
- Metra '99-'03 GM Multi-kit (Any GM double din mounting kit should work though) Side Note: I'm told Schosche makes an S-Series double din kit that should bolt right up, maybe someone can confirm this?
- 5 minute epoxy glue
- A dremel, or your cutting tool of choice

First of all, a comparison shot of the two different bezels, the top one is the guy you're looking for. Snap one up if you see it cause they can be tough to find!



Now, once you've got everything out, you're going to need to do a little trimming. On top, you'll need to take about a quarter inch out of the plastic support piece, and then while I didn't get a great shot of it, you'll need to trim off the piece that supports the factory head unit. This will give you enough clearance to fit your double din unit.



As it turns out, I took off waaay more than I needed to up top, but you get the idea. Now you're gonna have to fab up your own mounting brackets, so grab some masking tape, then take some time popping the new bezel on and off to figure out exactly where you want everything to sit. It'll make it easier to get some measurements that way too.



Now, you're gonna need to modify you're mounting kit a bit, you'll see what needs to be trimmed off when you test fit it. Then you'll need to fab up some ears where the kit will mount to the dash. I just cut up some extra pieces that came with the kit, but I'd reccommend using something a little bigger, as the pieces I used left you VERY little room to work with as you can see. This is also where your epoxy glue (or any high strength adhesive) comes in to play. This part will be holding a fair bit of weight, so don't be afraid to go nuts with it.




And there she is! I wasn't totally loving how little the left side screw was holding, so I popped in a self tapping screw just for extra support. I'll probably go back and re-do that part later.



Before:


And After! It looks a little crooked because I didn't have the bezel totally buttoned up yet, but you get the idea.



Overall, I'm very happy with how this turned out, looks much more factory than a single din unit with a bunch of plastic around it, plus I love my D3!!
Enjoy!

[BobOnAir]

What's a D3?

Looks good btw!

[purplepassion]

it's a pioneer D3 headunit

[PandaS10]

the unit is a pioneer avic d3

[-Giggles-]

i instal theses all the the time at work,we had to cut 1/4" out of an 06 f150 today to get one to fit,there sweet but sometimes the work to get it there isnt work it imo

[SgtM]

A friend of mine just got that same head unit installed in an 08 Accord. I want one.

[Azzurri]

For the money, they're a wicked deal for the amount of features you get with them. Anything else with GPS seems to almost always be $1k and up

[SlamBlackSdime]

got mine in nyc for 600$ with 2 year warranty in my colorado, great hu...nice write up now i can do it in my s10..thanks and good job

[Big_Bake]

nice little how to. i have an 02 with a double din panasonic in it, no mods lol

[Azzurri]

Quote: Originally Posted by Big_Bake

nice little how to. i have an 02 with a double din panasonic in it, no mods lol

I guess they switched halfway through the model year. Some of the '02s have it, some don't.

[zachmartin83]

cool writeup i put one in mine back at the beginning of the year and i am going to have to redo it. it bounces around too much

[travisn]

Quote: Originally Posted by Azzurri

I guess they switched halfway through the model year. Some of the '02s have it, some don't.

yea i was thinkin the same thing, my 02 has the dd one.

[Big_Bake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Azzurri

I guess they switched halfway through the model year. Some of the '02s have it, some don't.

yeah i read the mid 02's and 03's had them. i was being sarcastic. i'm really happy my truck is one that came stock with double din. when i got the install kit i told him i needed the double din for 02 and he was like "are you sure" like i didn't know what i was talking about. i was like yeah it came stock with the rds radio. he just gave me this dumbfounded look. came outta the back with the right kit and sold it to me. that prick still won't hire me and i've been applying for about 3 years. he even told me he had openings, then he jsut loses my application. anyways, back on topic. lol

[frgarcia]

anyone put a double din in a 94-97 dash?

[AwesomeO]

Quote: Originally Posted by frgarcia

anyone put a double din in a 94-97 dash?

yes. i did i will post some pics

[folsom25]

has anyone put a double din in a first gen yet

[B.K.]

So no mods to the A/C controls?

[loweredd]

Bumping this up for a guy that was looking today.


I was told these brackets work fine with no modding needed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-Chevrolet-S...QQcmdZViewItem

[jwood562]

Quote: Originally Posted by loweredd

Bumping this up for a guy that was looking today.


I was told these brackets work fine with no modding needed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-Chevrolet-S...QQcmdZViewItem

I doubt they would work. they might but I only say this because I have tried 3 different gm double DIN kits, universal and vehicle specific kits. Some were close but the holes never lined up and I just had to drill my own holes. no biggie. it just took a few tries to get the radio completly centered.

[stevehelmuth]

I have a 96 Chevy S10 SS and i was wondering if my Avic D3 would fit....i just bought the truck and picking it up in a couple days and i was wondering if anyone knew if the truck has a 1.5 din or a double din. If it has a 1.5 din then what bezel do i need, and what installation kit do i need to make my avic d3 fit in the truck.

[MARS2878]

Quote: Originally Posted by kronicking1

yes. i did i will post some pics

still waiting for picson the 94-97 double din install

[MARS2878]

Quote: Originally Posted by folsom25

has anyone put a double din in a first gen yet

x2

[K Dawg ONE]

Quote: Originally Posted by MARS2878

still waiting for picson the 94-97 double din install

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f27/my...a-96-a-361110/

[MARS2878]

thanks

[Wrkn prgs]

looks awesome

[reckless59]

what is the part number on the dash bezel

[Mr.woodscrewsNbondo]

kenwood head units are smaller so you dont even have to cut any plastic out of the dash just move the a/c control down like half a inch

and you can use you 1.5 din bezel you just gotta cut the trim between the radio and a/c control

but the rest is the same




this is my 1.5 din bezel

[low sonoma]

Just out of curiosity, would I be able to fit a double din in my 03 sonoma? It really does not look like I could. Just wondering.

[Mr.woodscrewsNbondo]

^^^yes your factory radio is a double din

[low sonoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by dustin42069

^^^yes your factory radio is a double din

Thanks. I just wasn't a 100% sure.

[low sonoma]

If I already have a double din, is it recommended that I buy a METRA kit when trying to install an aftermarket double din unit? Or would I be ok with out one?

[xkwizit04]

I have an '02, but I'm not sure if I have the double din. Is there an easy way to tell? Anybody got the measurements? Thanks

[DPOG_FLACP]

Im Looking into getting a double din but have a 1.5 din set up. i was going to buy a double din bezel online but it shows it only fits 02 and up an i have an 01 would it work in my truck?

[tyhodge07]

Quote: Originally Posted by dustin42069

kenwood head units are smaller so you dont even have to cut any plastic out of the dash just move the a/c control down like half a inch

and you can use you 1.5 din bezel you just gotta cut the trim between the radio and a/c control

but the rest is the same




this is my 1.5 din bezel

i like how u did the flash drive.. looks cool

[MCarmer]

I know im bringing this back from the grave BUT there is nothing out there that i can find about my current question here on S10Forum or google or anywhere else.

Azzurri, you have a PM, its about the same thing im listing below. I see you havent been online in a while, so im posting this on the thread relating to it, and to your pm box.

I know this sounds weird but how about switching from the RDS style (double din 02+ S10) bezel to one of the NON RDS (1.5 DIN 98-02)???

THE REASON:
My wifes 02 S10 truck was broken into and the thief cracked the dash bezel, we are looking for the exact bezel(02+ DOUBLE DIN RDS STYLE) and cannot find it. BUT we are able to find a TON of these NON RDS 1.5 DIN 98-02 style dash bezels.

DEALERSHIP PRICE IS 369$+
ONLINE NON RDS STYLE PRICE IS ALOT CHEAPER.

We have an aftermarket cd player in her truck now and dont plan on ever going back to the factory radio ever again, or going to a DOUBLE DIN player.

Would i be fine getting one of the NON RDS(98-02 1.5 DIN)dash bezels, and a new dash mounting kit(98-02 S10 Metra) to center it into the receiver hole on that NON RDS bezel?

Thanks very much gents/ladies.
Mike

[MCarmer]

just wanted to say merry christmas to all...

[MCarmer]

Anyone?

[blazed16]

Saw this thread last summer then couldn't find a metra kit and gave up and used my normal din dash on my 2001 blazer.Well this summer decided i want it to look good and got a double din from dealer.Now i just have to find the metra kit.My question is do i use the plastic frame that goes around the dvd double din and then use the metra kit or do i not use the platic fram for the player ?
let me know thanks alot

[BATMAN]

If I buy just the Double DIN dash and take it to a professional stereo install shop would I still need to get the bracket and hardware or should they have some sorta kit that would work?

[hboss2192]

Hi all,

I just purchased a double din dash bezel for my 2002 s-10 ZR2 and i am going to install a Kenwood DNX7190HD. With that said, do i have also have to buy a radio mount to install the radio or can i use whats in the box? does anyone have any recommendation of a good radio mount to use? thanks everyone for there input!

[svmcgover]

bumpity bump bump because this was an awesome write up. thanks for helping me out three years later OP

[Drain Bamaged]

Thank you for this again it me as well

[mecanicman]

Just wanted to say thanks for info, followed this and just got my own installed and love it.