As much as I hate to replace the stock stereo in my baby, the little bit it still worked finally stopped working altogether.

I've already chosen the replacement stereo from Crutchfield and will have it next week. While I await its arrival, I want to pick up any loose ends or parts that I might need and get suggestions and opinions from those of you who have replaced the stock stereos in your 1st gens.

Specifically, I am concerned about the faceplate in my dash. Currently, the radio is thin (about half the size of a standard radio) and the space below the radio has a storage compartment. Can I replace that compartment with a smaller version that will fit underneath a standard radio, once it's installed?? Otherwise, what do you do to fill that space? Can that piece be cut and altered to work underneath the new radio?

Thanks!!
Pete

 

I also replaced my headunit with one from Crutchfield. You'll get everything you'll need from them to install it. The DIN stuff you'll get will come with two styles for the extra gap. You'll either get a flat plate or a little cubby holder. I used the cubby holder but once I installed my vac guage, I removed it.