codeman94

So...I am changing my head unit from an aftermarket Pioneer cassette to an aftermarket Pioneer CD (I got for free....yay)...and when I was taking out the old head unit, I was sadened to learn that the cassette player mechanism was the only part that went throught the dash, and two studs came though the stock holes to bolt the unit to the dash, and thus be the volume contol ***** and such...so I had to cut a hole in my dash in order to get the new din CD head unit to fit. is there anyone else who has done this....I have a few questions..

1. How do I secure the head unit to the dash.
2. How do I dress the trim of the head unit to make it look OE.

...cause it looks like the only option I have right now is to shim the ashtray for the head unit to rest on, and then use some kind of adhesive to keep it from sliding out if the hole....and as for the trim...I have a welding shop down the street that I'm pretty sure would make be a sweet alluminum bezel....but I just wanted to see what other peope have done instead of getting those kits from Mustang catalogs.

codeman94

nobody?

tricksixtyfive

Well my first choice would have been not to cut the dash and get the new usa one usa66 retro head unit. It looks just like the original stereo but has modern tech. it can hook up to a changer and a ipod..but i guess that a little late for that. I am waiting for them to make one that has a 70 am fm stereo face for my 70..but to answer your question you'll have to buy an aftermarket bracket, they sell them to mount your stereo securely to your dash..

codeman94

I could have done that...but I wanted the aftermaket look....I'm figuring it out.

tricksixtyfive

thats cool i had a aftermarket mounted under the dash on my 65, it was hidden and i got a radio delete plate they had on the shelby's.

codeman94

I think I'm going to use the sleave from the head unit and pull out two of those set prongs to hold it in the dash from the front, then cover it up with a custom trim plate I will make.

codeman94

Update....ok...so after being to afraid to screw it up and having a whole in my dash all summer long, I fianlly got a quote from a custom stereo shop to do the install. It looks like they do really good work. I told him that I dont want it to be "pimp my ride" style, just make it look clean, and like it possibly came that way from factory...He said it would be no problem. I'll use my old speakers and stuff for now and change tham as I see fit. Finally I'll get one of my comming soon mods off of the list....I hate having no talent/money. I'm scheluled for next thursday, 11/1....I'll take before and after pics.

codeman94

Before:...yes...I cut the hole...I hope everything turns out ok.

Dougxox

that looks like the hole in my 66 lol

codeman94

at fist I tryied to cut it with a saw bit on a rotary tool, cause I didnt want to risk cutting anything by accident with a wheel...but it was not going well and very ridged...I finally bit the bullet and did the rest with the cutting wheel. You can tell where I used which tool.....lol

codeman94

ok....So I think I;m also going to have them install two new JL 3 1/2"s in the dash. I'll leave the old 6x9s in cause they'll be easy to change myself. I also installed a new white faced Ammeter guage to replace that old yucky black one you see in the pic. I'll hopefully get new pics up tomorrow afternoon. I'm pumped!

GottaHaveIt

Dang if I knew that I have a sweet unit with an mp3 jack in its front face I never use

codeman94

yeah...that would be cool...hopefully the guy installs this headunit so that swaping it out for the next technology will be easier than this one...what will that be I wonder...a hard drive?

codeman94

well....its done! no pics yet though...I havent even seen it yet!! I had to go to work so my wife picked it up (and drove it home)...but its safe now and she says it looks pretty good. I cant wait to see it. I'll post pics ASAP!

codeman94

After pics!! I'm not totaly happy with the result...It sticks out just a bit, I'll see if they can fix that any, but other than that..I think its awsome. Sounds great, and I can listen to my CDs too!...much better than the hole in the dash....now I just need some 6x9s for Christmas....I'l try to take some better pics with my wifes camera phone....its a 2 megapixel EnV.