Decided its time to go big and get a nice HU for the truck. This is the one I just bought. http://www.salectronics.com/detail.a...t_id=DNX5140RB

I know I have to modify the Dash Bezel, and have been doin my research but still have a couple of questions.

-My Bezel has a crosshatch texture to it, and was just curious if guys that modded there own bezel just sanded the whole thing smooth or what after bondoing.

-Will any plastic have to be cut where the actual HU sits in the dash? I've seen some say no and others say yes. The Dimensions are WxHxD=7-3/16 x 4-7/16 x 6-7/16.

- I have the standard 4 speaker setup so I dont think I will need any additional wiring other than what comes with the HU. (I do have the wiring pigtail already that you connect to the stock clip)

Thanks for your help, will update with pics and such as I do the install. I ordered it last nite, so hopefully I have it here to install this weekend.

Pics of your installs would be cool too.

 

I'm not sure about the 02-05 models as far as trimming goes, but I did see awhile back where things were moved around alittle and trimming was done. You will have to measure and see where the best fitment for the HU will be.
As far as the faceplate, yeah, most guys bondo and sand smooth and then throw paint on them.
I would be surprised if you didn't have to do any trimming because the Kenwood HU is much thicker than what you've got right now. I'd say pull the stock unit out and measure to see what kind of room you got.
Since you don't have the new HU now, you can go ahead and use those measurements to get a head start. Make a cardboard box that is the same size as he new HU so you can get things going and check fitment.

 

I can do the bezel for you if you want.

However, you will need to sand the entire bezel smooth. You will need a dremel tool with a (preferred - diamond) circular blade and cut out the parts of the bezel to make room for the DD HU.

You will need to cut the inside of the HU hole at the top and on the sides to make room for the DD HU.

You also will need to custom make some brackets to mount the HU in the hole and to the dash.

I probably could have saved you a ton of money and got you a much better HU than that one though.

LMK if you need any help. I have made several of them

 

Weed, I was lookin around quite a bit before I settled on this one. This one has the Garmin Navigation system which I really like. Ive also been a Kenwood loyal and also knew that I didnt want a full touch screen. I like haveing the volume *** and source buttons on the sides. But I dont mind the $$, its exactly what I wanted.

As for the bezel, Im very Inclined at this sort of thing so I wanna give a wack at it myself. I got the dremel and all else I think I will need to complete the job. During my research I came across your install and it was very helpful. (looks sharp BTW)

Thanks for the offer tho man.

 

Yup, lots of cutting involved. If you have a little dust buster, keep it close by as you cut. Dont be shy about taking off thplastic back there. None of it is structural.

 

Almost any good DD HU now-a-days will have Navi. The good thing I like about mine is all my maps are on my internal HDD and no DVDs to fumble, scratch and lose. Lots of HU's out there now dont do that. Thats one reason why I have kept mine and not upgraded even though i could.

There are three sets of pics in my sig link. Feel free to go through them. Thats what they are there for.

 

Where did you buy that ABS plastic?

 

I bought mine from a car stereo shop that i used to work at. It is what we used to use to make trim bezels and things out of.

You can buy it on ebay though.