I DID IT! I got an aftermarket CD player working fine and my LCD display and my AC controls work fine.

And only after a day and a half of work. I'm not done yet, I still have to finish sanding the dash kit and get it painted and getting my Pioneer AVIC D3 (currently on backorder, but I don't mind cause its so cheap through my accomodations). I think all the hard stuff is out the way.

I just did a quick sloppy run just to see if things would actually work. I hooked up a single DIN Sony GT-500 just to see if it would work and it had no problems. Played nice and clear. Everything worked. Hazards, AC, heat, clock, temp.

I'll post pictures in a few days. Alright, gotta get back to work. Bye!

 

Diy???

 

Tease.

 

I'll get something up.

And this is a lot cheaper than paying $1200+ in labor like some people are saying.

Here's a run down of costs for me:

RX-8 Replacement Radio (eBay) - $143 shipped
Bondo (free cause we had some in the shop, otherwise) - $10
Fiberglass Resin (same as above, otherwise) - $12
28 Guage Wire (I wouldn't recommend anything too large and about 75 feet should do from Radioshack) - $8
Pioneer AVIC D3 (accomodation price) - $625 shipped

And of course, patience. I work in an audio shop and after reading the threads I decided to give it a try. I was expecting the worst but it was really really simple, just tedious. I was expecting the equivalent of working on a BMW or Mercedes or something, something you just regret working on in the first place.

I've been taking pictures since I started yesterday and when I get home I'll try and post some teasers until the final project is done.

Right now I'm just here to gloat

 

So are you just moving the whole stereo somewhere else?

btw, i'll give you a day to post results...otherwise I am going to start calling you nalin.

 

The stereo comes in two parts. The actual CD player and a secondary circuit board that controls the AC, LCD, etc. The CD player part can be tossed because i really don't mind that I will be losing that "beep" when you change stations or whatever. The main circuit board behind the factory radio and the secondary will be relocated. I'm debating whether or not to put them in the upper bin where the factory navigation would be, underneath the driver side dash, which has a crap load of room or behind the glovebox (which I have not check out yet). I'd have to do some measurements and whatnot, but I'm sure I'll find a spot for it.

And I have pictures. Only a few though. The main one will show that the Sony CD player is on and will also show that the AC light is on as well. I made it a point to take pictures of those two together for any non believers. And of course once it's complete I will be taking pictures. I might even borrow one of the crappy Jensen double DIN decks just to throw in there for more pictures.

I'll be leaving work in the next 30 minutes or so, after I put everything back together and I'll post up some pics.

 

yo i'm so stoked to see this... can't wait for pics

 

Leaving work now. Had to help some customers. Expect pics within the next hour.

 

Here are the pictures.

One picture shows how I extended the wires for the AC controls.

The next is a test fit for a double din. I used a Jensen double DIN as my tester just to get the size right and see how the fitment would be after I cut the dash and whatnot.

The last three are the proof of it working. You can see the LCD display working as well as the AC light on the controls and the CD player on.

Sorry about the crappy pics. I don't have a digital camera, I just use my phone.

 

Oh my! This is great! DIY??!!

 

WOW, nice job!!! can't wait to see it all together. So the board you have all that attached too, will you need to keep the large box part on the back? or can you take that off?

 

good job, cant wait to see the finished product

 

wow, looking forward to this... maybe I'll put the unit from my mustang into this... mmm

 

Bump for updates!

 

Hopefully I'll be doing another quick test. I am pulling a Eclipse AVN 6600 double DIN from the wall and hooking it up and doing a quick mount. I'll try to get video and pictures.

The only problem I have run into so far is that on certain model double DINs (Jensen and the cheaper bulkier ones) don't clear the bottom of the kit when it opens up and its not the prettiest of fits. I've noticed with Eclipse its a much better fit, but I didn't have it powered on to test it.

So, if it doesn't get too busy here at work I'll be getting some updated results.

 

Your my hero...

 

So I just did a quick test on it. Everything seems to be working fine. I took pictures and a few videos so I'll be posting those whenever I get home.

A few problems, nothing major those, just my fault for rushing and not taking the proper precautions.

1) The circuitboard the controls the AC has a small piece of the board missing. I went nuts when it didnt work and after looking at it I noticed the small piece. It sucks so now I have to use my factory stereo board. Thats why in the pictures I'll be posting you see the Piano Black faceplace on top of my dash (I was too lazy to take it apart the whole way).

2) Fitment issues are kinda solved, but not really. The Eclipse closes and shuts fine without any problems. Mounting it using the factory brackets is where the problem is. The brackets aren't perfect so I just played with it. Thats what it looks crooked as **** in the pictures.

3) I didn't tuck, zip tie and loom the wires like I normally do on installs like this (navigation units have a lot of wires). Because I didn't they were just bunch up behind the dash. I kinda just shoved it in and part of the dash that I modifed with bondo cracked. Its a small part and easily fixable, just takes time and patience.

So, yeah, there the update. If anybody knows how to convert 3MP movie files to AVI or something watchable, it would be great to know so I can post the video. I had to use my phone for pictures and video again.

 

Well, here the updated pictures. The video is currently in process with YouTube. Here's the link. Sorry for the horrible quality, had to use my phone. That loud sound once I'm in the car is the AC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv482LHVY5M

Is it possible that I post the video on here?

Just a few pictures. Shows the double DIN fitment. You can see part of the dash piece that came off from when I jammed it in there.

You can also see the piece of the circuit board thats chipped.

 

Nice! Thanks for the update. Are you going to finish the face plate in piano black?

 

Yeah, once I get it smoothed over and close to perfect. I have a guy who does paint, I just have to find the color code and pick some up for him.

 

will this be able to accomodate a single DIN unit and a space filler?

 

So im thinking of doing this. So ur using some of the boards out of the stock radio and just running audio out of the new deck? If that is true have you worked out anything like how to set the clock without the buttons?

 

The stock radio is not in the car at all, only the circuit boards that control the AC buttons, hazard switch and the LCD display. As far as setting the clock, it would have to be set before you put everything away, its really easy because the controls on the circuit board are just simple push buttons on the board.

Yes, once I find a company to make the mold, I will be making a double DIN version and a single DIN version. The wire harnesses are already in the process of being ordered/made to fit.

 

my hero

 

How long do you think it will take to get everything together i would be interested in a kit.

U1cracka