i was browsing on crutchfield.com for a deck to put in the fc. and every deck that i clicked on was a MODIFIED FIT which meant that i have to file 1/16 of an inch off the trim. where can i get a deck that will just FIT, even for the component speakers they are modified fits, wtf

 

I've never had a problem putting in single DIN deck in an FC. It's been a few years, but it was definitely straight forward. Are you trying to do double DIN maybe?

 

Component speakers are modified fits because you have to find your own place to mount the tweeter, while placing the separate woofer where the stock speaker went. If you don't get components, it's a mostly bolt in deal.

As stated above, there should be no problem mounting a single DIN receiver in place of the stock radio. Even a double DIN should fit, as that is what the stock radio is.

 

Are the head units you're looking at made by Alpine by chance? The previous owner of my car put one in my car and cracked the hell out of the dash surround by trying to force it all back together. The Alpine head unit's chassis is about 1/8" wider than the opening in the dash. I was able to glue the surround back together, but in order to get it to sit flat and look right, I did have to Dremel out about 1/16" from each side of the bezel.

 

My kenwood was an 1/8 bigger too. Had to shave each side of the housing a bit. It was an S5surround though.

 

On the Alpine deck in my S4 surround, the head unit itself has two "ears" on each side that are what actually protrude beyond the opening, so I had to Dremel out two notches on either side to make room. The snap-on trim ring for the faceplate is quite a bit wider than the opening in the bezel, so it hides the notches I cut.

 

When compared to wiring in the new deck (or mounting tweeters for that matter), shaving off 1/16th off each side of the surround is small potatoes. I'm not sure you're going to find one that fits w/o that tiny bit of shaving, since that's the standard. Hell, you could do that with a bit of sandpaper if you really needed to.

 

I just put a Pioneer DEH1300MP in an 87 GXL. I used a scosche MA1530B indash mounting kit. I didn't have to file anything.

I just put a JVC kd-R210 in my 1990 Vert. I used the factory mounting brackets. I did file the trim ring that snaps onto the DIN bracket after the radio chassis snaps into place. I had to do this because I determined to mount the radio as flush as possible. The trim ring is flush with the front surface of the factory stereo surround.

Crutchfield lists both those units as 'FITS' for the S5. They list 115 different decks that are a 'FIT' for the 1990.

When I search for my 1987, S4, everything is listed as 'Modified Fit'. If you have any concerns about the install, pay someone to do it at a shop. The install fee is not that high.

I personally don't like the idea of modifying the car, ie filing the dash, to make a head unit fit. I would prefer to modify the head unit to fit the dash.

Good Luck.

 

Are you guys that are having issues with aftermarket deck width using the stock radio mounting brackets or not? I don't really think you should have any issues if using the stock brackets. I know a lot of aftermarket decks have that "sleeve" as part of the mounting assembly and I think that possibly could be what is causing those issues.

After reading the replies in this thread, I test fit my Alpine unit inside my S5 surround (both off the car right now) and it was fine as long as I didn't use that sleeve.

 

I use metra kits at my shop and I have never had to modify the dash of an RX7, not even my own.

I charge $120 parts and labor for a second gen RX7, and make you sign a waiver because of the brittle plastic.

 

which metra kit are you using right now ? is it double DIN ?

cuz I've been thinking of installing a Double D Navi unit into the 7, I have the stock radio and it looks like its the same size.

 

Single din. The stock "hole" is actually corporate double din even though it looks like your standardized double din. I shave the trim ring for the radio, not the dash bezel. Shaving the dash bezel is crazy when you can just shave the trim that came with the radio.

To add, the trim ring is what doesn't fit. The deck fits fine but looks ugly without trim. Funny thing is, the single din, din mounted radios fit fine. It is the double din ISO mounted **** that doesn't.

 

got it, thx.

 

My mounts were all messed up so my guy had to make a mount for my Double DIN Kenwood DDX514 deck bit it fit perfectly with out having to trim anything. And yes, definitely agree, shave the trim that comes with the radio, so much better~

 

How where the mounts messed up? He may have fabbed up some straps to mount it with, but that is ghetto IMO.

 

Put a double din in there and there will be about a 1/2"-3/8" gap. You can choose whether to leave the gap at the top or at the bottom.

I can't tell you where the gap comes out if you use the stock brackets on a double din radio, maybe jjwalker can tell you.

With the single deck and an install kit, you should be fine.

I had no issues with the Scosche kit, I have heard that the Metra kits are better, but the Scosche kit is very solid, professional looking and matches the oem dash as well as could be expected, considering that the plastics were manufactured 25 years apart.

Results should be fine with either the Scosche or the Metra.

 

got cha,

As long as I can slide the deck in, I don't care about the gap ...

Will start working on it asap ... at least until NYC weather gets warmer (fuxking 0 degrees tonite wtf ???)

Thx

 

I wonder if the S4 dash opening is narrower than the S5. My Alpine head unit is mounted using the factory metal brackets. It is the physical width of the head unit's chassis that is a little too wide for the opening and has nothing to do with the mounting bracket.

Mine is an older (c. 2004) unit with a motorized face plate, and maybe it was wider to accommodate that. I can try to get a photo of it later today.

 

The previous owner had stripped all the wires, didn't use a harness, the main power use to go straight to the battery... along with that the mounting points were dented and not lining up correctly with a kit. He didn't fab up some straps, he actually made a metal mount for the deck and it works perfect. Sure it's definitely ghetto, but that's not the most ghetto in this thing haha~

 

my harness won't fit. I'm pretty sure I bought the right one for my car too!