How can you make sure a stereo will fit?

[DR3W]

Many online websites say if it will or not. Im looking at the Kenwood DDX318, DDX418, and the DDX 512. They're all the same basically but some websites say one will fit and one will say another doesn't fit.

Can anybody help with this? Thank you.

 

[toms89]

The largest I can install in mine is a din and a half. Thats a double din.

Crutchfield is usually pretty reliable.. I would check there.

 

[GAINMOB]

what sites are you checking for fitment? i swear by crutchfield.com

 

[Thermo]

DR3W, you can fit a double din radio into your truck, BUT!!!!!!! You knew that was coming. The trick is that the opening is truely a double din opening, but after about 3" into the opening, part of the dash interior protrudes into the radio area. This makes it so a Din and a half radio will only work. But, if you pull the plastic off from the dash that goes over the radio, you will see that the plastic is not supporting anything and that you can cut this plastic out and give yourself the room to fit a double din radio. I recommend removing the plastic above the radio for the dash as there is a wire that runs up there and I would hate to see you cut a wire bundle and then have to fix that later.

I've had a double DIN radio installed in my truck in the past. I had the Pioneer FHM-75. I loved that radio. ONly radio I know of that had karaoke in it.

Any questions, give me a shout. The hardest part of this will be finding a mounting kit for that radio. I know I ended up using plumbers tape to make my mounting. But, that was 12 years ago when I did that install, so, maybe someone makes a kit now.

 

[toms89]

DR3W, you can fit a double din radio into your truck, BUT!!!!!!! You knew that was coming. The trick is that the opening is truely a double din opening, but after about 3" into the opening, part of the dash interior protrudes into the radio area. This makes it so a Din and a half radio will only work. But, if you pull the plastic off from the dash that goes over the radio, you will see that the plastic is not supporting anything and that you can cut this plastic out and give yourself the room to fit a double din radio. I recommend removing the plastic above the radio for the dash as there is a wire that runs up there and I would hate to see you cut a wire bundle and then have to fix that later.

I've had a double DIN radio installed in my truck in the past. I had the Pioneer FHM-75. I loved that radio. ONly radio I know of that had karaoke in it.

Any questions, give me a shout. The hardest part of this will be finding a mounting kit for that radio. I know I ended up using plumbers tape to make my mounting. But, that was 12 years ago when I did that install, so, maybe someone makes a kit now.

I was originally going to mount my stereo on the top half of the din & half kit. That part of the dash you are refering too was in the way. So I had to turn it over and mount it on the bottom.

Thats good info to know because it does give you a lot more options on receivers then! Just need a sawzall and a little tweaking.. LOL..

 

[toms89]

Thermo...You could have let me know before I installed mine. But now I do have that little useless bin. Its is good for holding my receiver remote till I hit the gas and it comes flying out.

 

[Thermo]

Tom, if you ever want to upgrade, let me know. I'm south of you by a little bit and I will be more than happy to help you slide in the double DIN. It is easier than you think. Granted, I also went overboard on mine as I mounted the screws the hold the radio in place in the back so anyone trying to take my radio would have one hell of a time trying to get it out. Paid off once as someone broke in to the truck and I could see where they started to go after the radio but then gave up when they saw the four 1" metal straps holding the radio in place.

 

[toms89]

Tom, if you ever want to upgrade, let me know. I'm south of you by a little bit and I will be more than happy to help you slide in the double DIN. It is easier than you think. Granted, I also went overboard on mine as I mounted the screws the hold the radio in place in the back so anyone trying to take my radio would have one hell of a time trying to get it out. Paid off once as someone broke in to the truck and I could see where they started to go after the radio but then gave up when they saw the four 1" metal straps holding the radio in place.

Cool... thanks for the offer. Where abouts do you live? Im about 10 miles west of Baltimore.

 

[LameSuburbanDad]

I have a JVC KW-NT3HDT head unit. the plastic inside the stock hole had to be trimmed as stated above, but install otherwise was a snap. besides that stupid piece of plastic there is GOBS of room back there for radio and wires. the best part is with a 6.1 inch screen (as opposed to the 7 inch screen models like the avic-d3) you do NOT need to cut the expedition trim that comes off in the beginning, just slide the radio into it's sleeve, place the radio trim around the face, then put the car trim back on, it fits like a glove.

and with a double din it seems to fit these big trucks better. just my opinion.

 

[Thermo]

Tom, I live down in California, MD (an hour south of DC). So, we are about 2 hours apart.

 

[DR3W]

I found it on sonicelectronix.com

Its the Kenwood DDX318. It is a Double DIN.

So it will fit? And i might just need to so some custom cutting or fabricating to make it fit?

Thanks.

 

[Thermo]

Dr3W, yes, it will fit provided you remove that plastic piece in the top of the radio area. Not a hard retrofit, but just be careful when you are cutting the plastic as there are wires in the area that you can't see unless you pull the plastic dash off from above the radio.

 

[panda24619]

go to f150online.com there is a real good install on that. i think ever 2 of them. either one is good.

 

[DR3W]

Wait, do i cut the new HU stereo...

Or something else?

 

[panda24619]

no the surrounding around the radio. lemme find it.

http://www.f150online.com/forums/articles-how-tos/434671-how-install-double-din-unit-2003-f150.html

dont follow the install of the radio its self since its a little different. but the cutting of the surround is what im talking about. and the removal of the original radio too. also we have another step. when you take out the radio there should be a bar that goes across the back. you have to cut that off too. use a dremel as well.

 

[Thermo]

Dr3W, when I installed my double din, all I had to cut was the plastic piece that sits above the radio. The headunit slipped right into the opening of the factory piece with no cutting. Maybe some radios are going to be slightly bigger than others, but mine fit with minimal cutting.

 

[DR3W]

Sweet thanks guys

That post had everything i needed! aha Ima get my new HU nexy week sometime. I'll post pics when done.

But can the HU be locked into place at all???

 

[Thermo]

DR3W, find some stuff called "plumbers tape". You will find it at any hardware store. It is going to be metal strapping about an inch wide with holes drilled into it. I used this to mount my radio and wrapped the tape around the supports near the radio. It locked the radio in really solid. The only down side to using this is that you normally end up pulling out the support part around the radio which will require more disassembly of the dash. But, once you get it installed, the radio will be mounted very solid and if someone tries to take the radio, I wish them luck. All the screws to get the radio out are going to be on the backside and you have to pretty much destroy the radio to get it out if you don't remove the radio from the dash first.

 

[DR3W]

Okay cool, i have a shit ton of plumers tape Thanks alot.