i took my 8 to an audio shop to get a quote on an install last week and the guy said he has put a single din headunit into the space where the ashtray is. i dont know whether i believe him or not, but i have used the shop before and they are very well established.

ive not heard of anybody trying this - any ideas whether it is possible?

 

I assume he means where the ashtray and lighter is. I am sure you could find fomething to fit there.

 

what do you mean by "find something"? the installer suggested he could put a regular single din headunit into that space, im wondering if anyone has heard of this being done before

 

it would require a good deal of cutting probably, but it would be pretty cool to see that and keep the flip door usable so that you can keep the head unit hidden. but is there really enough space behind there to get a head unit in?

 

i would assume there would be cutting too i HIGHLY doubt the face plate will fit in w/o cutting

 

There is a truckload of space in behind the area provided that you do a monster amount of cutting there (and I know this firsthand). I would prefer my cd player mounted up a little higher personally, eyes on the road is more important than down in the lower dash. Ask the installer for a quote on remanufacturing the top dash panel. I am going to make one of these one day when I have some spare time.....(lets see, 5:00 am I left yesterday, almost 12:00 am for today....might be awhile guys).

 

forbidden - assuming youve done this before, does it look clean after the cutting is complete? it looks as if the width of 1 din is a little too wide to keep the shape of trim - i dont want corners to be sticking out.

do you think it will cost a lot more to modify or recreate the top dash panel?

 

I have cut up the backside of this area as that is where I remounted the factory boards out of the factory radio to retain the climate control system in the 8 that I did. I did not put a deck down the bottom, so I would want to see one in person again before I said yes or no to it's viability. As I am not a paying vendor here on the site it would be inappropriate for me to post pricing of custom work. Please contact me by PM or e-mail for further info.

 

My 5.1 audio processor control is mounted in the ashtray door. I use it for occasional audio parameter changes (subwoofer level etc.), but I would hate to look down there too often to do read anything often.

-Mr. Wigggles