Got the radio installed today. And what a pain in the ass it was. Here is my story:
Started this morning about 9:30 gathering tools and stuff needed to trim the dash and start this install. I have read most post about installing a double din radio in a 97-03 ford truck I could find. So I had a pretty good idea of what I was up against. I removed the dash panel and removed the radio with minor difficulty (didn't bring the radio removal tools home from work so I used clothes hanger wire). Set the new radio in the hole and traced what needed to be cut. Got the dremel tool out with a 90 degree adapter (big help on this job) and made my first horizontal cut with the reinforced cut off wheel. All of the sudden the dremel quits. I figure I tripped a breaker or something and had the wife check. She said they are all in the on position. After scratching my head for a minute or two double checking the breakers, my daughter said the tv and wii quit working. A quick look at the stove clock and I notice its off. I call my parents house and ask if they have power, they don't.
Its 10:39 by now and I have made 1 cut.
Out comes the hand tools. I used a coping saw to finish the the cuts on the black plastic, and a file to clean them up. Radio fit great with the exception of depth, more trimming needed with dremel. I was stuck till the power came back on. It's almost noon, lunch time, no power, and I need some longer screw to bolt the radio in. So we head to town for some lunch and light shopping. Get home around 2 and the power is back on. The power came back on shortly after we left, (insert colorful outburst here).
So back at it with the dremel hacking away at the dash to make room. Got it cut out and found a little black box on a metal bracket sitting in the way. How I didn't cut it in half is beyond me. I tried bending the tab up to get more clearance but it wasn't budging. So I took it off the bracket and relocated it with zip ties. Finally I had all the depth I needed.
I assembled the mounting kit and attached it to the radio. Had to use a best kit as it was the only one in stock at the time. Guess what? I forgot to account for the side plates when I figured the width and now have to grind some more. Or do I. I started to look at the depth the radio would be mounted with the kit with the dash panel in place. It was way to deep in the dash and have a 1/4"+ around the sides and bottom of the radio. Unacceptable. The radio came with a trim ring plate but would not help. The dash trim had to be trimmed. So after getting over my fears of screwing it up I went for it. It actually turned out as I planned and the trim ring fit very nicely. I had to hold the radio out of the dash a bit and mark it with a sharpie so I could drill holes in the black plastic to mount into the side of the radio. I used the best kit side panels as a template (at least I didn't completely waste $16). Drilled my holes, made holes a little larger for adjustment, cut my 2" screws down that I just bought. And wouldn't you know it I cut them too freaking short.
Luckily I had some 1" screws that were just right in my misc. screw box. Lined up the holes and screwed it in tight. Finished up at 5:00. It is a very clean looking install with the radio more flush with the dash, and it is removable to add the backup camera and dvd bypass I am still waiting for.
I love the features of this radio, and the sound is so much better than stock. I can actually feel the bass with the stock mach system. I don't think you could pay me enough to do another one, but I'm glad I did this one myself. I'll try to get pics tomorrow.
