Hey everyone-

Today I ripped out my stock headunit and started putting together the Metra dash kit. I ran out of daylight, so I'm done for the day. However, I was test-fitting the X130BT with the Metra dash faceplate tonight, and I seem to be running into problems.

First of all, I don't see how the headunit itself attaches to the faceplate. The stock radio had built-in screw holes that you used to attach the stock faceplate. I don't see anything in the instructions about how this is done with the Metra kit, other than 'reassemble radio and dash assemblies in reverse order of assembly'. So what is it that I'm missing? I see how the Metra faceplate snaps in like the stock one, but what is the headunit supposed to attach to, so it stays secure? I do have the Metra side brackets attached to the headunit, but I really have no idea what they attach to (which I may if I go out tomorrow when it's light out).

Another problem is with the rear support bracket. I don't see a screw hole on the rear of the headunit to use for the bracket. The first pic below is the X920BT (notice the screw hole, top center), and the second is my X930BT. Pioneer also put the fan smack in the middle of the 930, instead of off-center.




So, I may just be tired, but I could use a hand figuring this out. Usually it's the wiring portion that holds everyone up, but I'm fairly sure I have that part figured out.

Thanks guys...

 

And here is the headunit placed inside of the dash. Sorry for the washed-out pic, but there was a lot of sun glare.



If you look closely, you can see the Metra side brackets attached, but they seem to be preventing the entire unit from sliding further back. The brackets seem to come close to matching those screws in the dash, but there's really no way they could fit there.

I'm going to call Metra when they open this morning, but any other ideas would be appreciated!

Edit: Okay, so I guess I didn't look at it for long enough in the dash. Looks like you DO attach the brackets with those screws, and you have to take out the center vents to get it in there. No big deal. BUT, I am still having an issue with the rear support. When I called Metra, they really didn't know what to tell me, other than to get some kind of strap to support it. I can't believe Pioneer designed this model with no way to attach a rear bracket.

 

the side brackets attached are held in by those screws then put the white clips on the faceplate and it should just clip in once the head unit is in. i guess you'll have to install it without the rear support bracket

 

Time to start cutting out some plastic...

 

Glad i saw this, i was about to Order this HU from amazon....
Id love to know how this works out.

 

Admitting I've never installing the RX8 Metra kit, it was released well after my time, but I'm sure it works in the same fashion as many of the other Metra turbo kits. The side brackets attach to the side of your headunit of choice. They then attach to the dash cavity with the little "ears" I can see in the pic in your second post, using the factory screw locations. Then the Metra faceplate just snaps on over top of everything, using the factory push fittings. Just a beauty panel.

I wouldn't worry about the rear support unless your CDs start skipping over bumps. If that happens, log back on here and let us know..... so I can make fun of you for still using CDs.

 

Thanks for the clarification Firebird. It's funny that Metra's installation instructions are pretty good, except that they say nothing about removing the center vents and using those screws to attach the faceplate. But, it's pretty easy to tell once you have it in there.

Anyway, we probably didn't even have to worry about that rear bracket. But the guy from Metra said that without it, the side brackets would start to bend under the weight of the radio (although with all the wires crammed in there, it probably wouldn't), so he did recommend using something to support it back there.

It's beyond me why Pioneer didn't put a screw hole in the back of this radio. So what we did was put a very short self-tapping screw into the heat sink area, under the fan. Then we cut the Metra bracket so that it wasn't blocking the fan. It's all metal back there, so no worries about hitting anything important. Now the unit is supported just like the stock radio, and I don't have to worry about it sagging (or CDs skipping, haha). Here's the setup:

 

Awesome. Glad you got it figured out and hope you're enjoying the X130.

 

I am, thanks. There are still some issues I'm working out, and I'll be posting another thread soon showing the final installed product and a break down of the problems I'm having.