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I installed a new head unit and I went a little overboard...
I figure I'd make a mini-build thread for my new head unit install in my 87 TII.
I recently bought a Pioneer DMH-2660NEX dual din unit because my old alpine single din unit from 2011 doesn't charge phones and won't read from a USB cable. The new Pioneer unit has Apple car play and is super slick, I really love it.
Problem is though Crutchfield lists the unit as "not compatible" even though the unit will wire in and physically fit, no biggie. I first decided to get the typical Metra plastic kit, and this is the second problem, the plastic master kit is basically garbage. None of the holes line up to the unit and fits like crap in the car. The Metra kit also didn't come with a trim ring to fill the gaps, so completely useless.
I took my original OEM Pioneer AE unit which was a super double din or something, and I reverse engineered the mounting bracket and machined my own to fit the RX7 and the new Pioneer unit.
After that I wanted to make a super slick trim ring. I measured up the center console and the radio to make a trim ring that would be a nice close fit. I then machined it out of some aluminum plate I had laying around.
Anyway, here are some pictures of my install. It's still not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better then a crappy plastic kit.
I figure I'd make a mini-build thread for my new head unit install in my 87 TII.
I recently bought a Pioneer DMH-2660NEX dual din unit because my old alpine single din unit from 2011 doesn't charge phones and won't read from a USB cable. The new Pioneer unit has Apple car play and is super slick, I really love it.
Problem is though Crutchfield lists the unit as "not compatible" even though the unit will wire in and physically fit, no biggie. I first decided to get the typical Metra plastic kit, and this is the second problem, the plastic master kit is basically garbage. None of the holes line up to the unit and fits like crap in the car. The Metra kit also didn't come with a trim ring to fill the gaps, so completely useless.
I took my original OEM Pioneer AE unit which was a super double din or something, and I reverse engineered the mounting bracket and machined my own to fit the RX7 and the new Pioneer unit.
After that I wanted to make a super slick trim ring. I measured up the center console and the radio to make a trim ring that would be a nice close fit. I then machined it out of some aluminum plate I had laying around.
Anyway, here are some pictures of my install. It's still not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better then a crappy plastic kit.
Dude this is awesome! I've had an aftermarket HU in mine for 4 years, I took the original mounting brackets and beat them mercilessly until they fit as perfectly as I could manage
How much did the material cost and hours? I was about to ask you if you'd be interested in making one for me as well! I may have access to the machines if I ask around but I don't think I'd be able to produce anything as nice with twice the time (and I have very little in the first place)
Sweet! Looks like one of those newfangled CNC machines. I have occasionally used CNC machines when I was working (now recently retired) at an Army R&D lab small equipment prototyping shop, but nothing that sophisticated. Those types of machines were in our big machine shop used by real machinists.
