Double Din Install

 

 

This is a write up on how I did my install of my new Pioneer Navagation unit into my 95 Tahoe. This SUV only came with a "din and a half". A lot of guys on the boards have done the Double Din install into the 95-99 OBS trucks and SUV's. I believe it is now my turn.

The JVC unit that is being removed has served me very well, and it is not getting retired, a new home will be found for it I am sure.

Also, the Garmin Nuvi unit on the top of the dash will also be retired from active duty, but kept as a spare, in the event it is ever needed.

 

This is the new unit. A Pioneer Avic F90BT. Comes complete with Nav, bluetooth, ipod, and XM radio. Can't wait to get this puppy in there!

 

Yeah, I already made a custom boot up screen for it...

 

Now, of course, the big question is...Since no one makes a mounting kit for a double din in this type of truck, then how do we make it work...Ahh...Follow along...

 

As you can see, the factory radio is a total of 9" across with the slide mounts. The Pioneer is 7". Difference in height is a mere 1/8 inch. Should fit pretty easily, but...There is a lot more wiring on this radio as opposed to the JVC. We will be doing some surgery on the dash in a bit to cover that...

 

I have already removed the bottom metal plate to use for our new bracket. The total depth of the Delco radio is 6 1/2 inches due to the fan. The slide rails measured at 1" up from the bottom, and 3/4 from the front of the faceplate.

 

Here is the bottom of the radio. It has already been paid a visit by Dr. Dremel and the cutoff wheel. This is a much sturdier bracket than I could have created, plus, it SHOULD put the Pioneer at the right height.

 

These are our new spacers that I plan on using to center the radio and hopefully line it up to where it needs to be. The smaller ones are 4" long by 1 1/4 high. The larger ones I am using to secure the radio to these plastic pieces, which will be epoxied to the bracket. The radio will NOT be epoxied in any way. The 2 little pieces in the back in front of the keyboard were a thought, but they are no longer going to be used, as I ordered a universal double din trim plate for 6 bucks.

 

Testing my thoughts...

 

The epoxied pieces together to the rail. Holes have yet to be drilled for the radio.

 

Epoxied pieces, V2...

 

Ready to go on in the dash...

 

These are the little pieces that were by the keyboard, and what my intended use for them was. Plan has been changed.

 

This is what you see when you look to the upper radio area. Looking at this, It looked as though there was NO way the new Pioneer was going in there with that there, so got out the Dremel again, and cut out the red area .

 

While you are in there, cut these out too. Watch the wiring, don't slice it with the wheel! I didnt wat to chance any issues with the wiring because there is so much of it, so I cut where I figured would be good.

 

This is whats left in there when the cutting is done. See how much more room there is, especially at the top...

 

Give it a test fit at this point...Looks just perfect to me...

 

 

These 2 pictures show the dash bezel. If you cut where I have marked in red, it should be a good fit. I had to come a little close to the edge, but this enables the cd to come out of the top of the unit. With the bezel in place, you really can't see it.

 

This is the wiring mess...Going to massively clean this up...I am not going into the radio wiring, as each radio is going to be different, depending on its options and so on.

 

In and locked...

 

Looks even better with the bezel on. And it will be complete when Amazon sends me that universal trim ring. The radio fits perfectly around the bottom, and if you recall, there was no trimming around the bottom area. Can't wait for that mailman to get here...

 

Here's a few screen shots...

 

At this point, I am very happy with the results.. I started this job at around 1:30 in the afternoon, and completed what you see at this point around 7... And trust me, I'm in no hurry...

There will a little more added when the trim gets here. Now I get to sit and read the 167 page manual to know how to use it...

 

The trim is in...finally...it came from Korea or someplace over there...