My Double Din Install/ICE Thread: Eclipse DD
04-19-2006, 12:36 PM
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Thread Starter
My Double Din Install/ICE Thread: Eclipse DD
First I have to say that it's because of this thread
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&f=26&t=142163
that I decided to pursue installing a double din deck in my s2000. Without these brave souls I would not be cutting a whole in my new 2005 S2000 to install a radio. So a big Kudos to everyone who contributed in this thread!
I started this thread as a log to show the progress of my stereo install since there were some setbacks encountered during this install. The main difference in my install is that we are not installing a simple screen with no depth but rather a full double din chassis that requires a depth of roughly 7".
Another twist besides installing the deck is that I want the final bezel to be "recessed" rather than protrude from the dash. The idea was to sink the entire assembly behind the dash so a final trim cover can be made that hides everything so it looks like the dash was NEVER cut in the first place when not in use.
Project goals are simple - to have a full audio system that sounds crystal clear with the top up or down, no rattles, maintain all OEM space storage areas, keep the spare tire, and leave the tub open for storing a flat tire if needed. I don't carry the spare around town but it can be loaded into the OEM space at any moment.
I'm 6'2 the car is already a tight fit so I refuse to give up any legroom for the driver or passenger (hey even I have to sit in the passenger seat occasionally)
With these system goals, my amp rack was custom built as a modular unit that slides on top of the gas tank. We use OEM screw holes so it can be slid out for maintenance, etc. The subwoofer is a single JL Audio 10w6 that we will fiberglass'd into the driver's side of the trunk. This leaves enough space in the car for a weekend trip.
2/16/06:
This is the day that all the planning got started. After reading many threads and how-to's on what others have done, I was pretty set in stone to do the same thing with a 7" screen flushed into the dash and using an Alpine DVD deck to feed the video. My main focus at the time was to have video but no NAV since this was my
daily driver. But then realized I actually used my NAV more often driving around town than on long road trips plus how much I hated my PALM GPS NAV. So adding an Alpine NAV into the equation put costs much higher and I had to find space for the NAV unit.
Then it hit me to use the Eclipse AVN5495 as my main focus piece since it has all the features I wanted in one single double din chassis. We have installed this deck in over 40 E46 m3's for clients and I love how reliable the deck is. But as in the BMW, fitting this into an s2000 turned out to be a bit more tedious than initially anticipated. This deck requires about 7-8" of depth and as you can see in the pics we had to remove some items.
First off the airbag metal bracket was in the way so that had to be cut and then a new bracket. Also the temperature ducts that feed the passenger vent has to be cut. I have yet to decide if I'm going to fabricate a new thinner vent or just leave it blocked off. The center console vents, upper window vents and lower footwell vents still work as OEM.
The OEM radio location will be used for other in-car electronics like this:
4/19/05:
Most of the dash cutting and clearing space for the new deck has been done. These pics show the open hole in the dash. As you can see there is a lot of room back there once the airbag bracket has been modified. Also the vent duct has already been cut in this photo. Normally there is a black plastic tube that runs to the passenger vent. Wiring for the NAV antenna, radio, RCA's, Valet switch, AUX
Input for Ipod has all been connected at this point.
Almost done, now comes the paint work:
Finished Product:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&f=26&t=142163
that I decided to pursue installing a double din deck in my s2000. Without these brave souls I would not be cutting a whole in my new 2005 S2000 to install a radio. So a big Kudos to everyone who contributed in this thread!
I started this thread as a log to show the progress of my stereo install since there were some setbacks encountered during this install. The main difference in my install is that we are not installing a simple screen with no depth but rather a full double din chassis that requires a depth of roughly 7".
Another twist besides installing the deck is that I want the final bezel to be "recessed" rather than protrude from the dash. The idea was to sink the entire assembly behind the dash so a final trim cover can be made that hides everything so it looks like the dash was NEVER cut in the first place when not in use.
Project goals are simple - to have a full audio system that sounds crystal clear with the top up or down, no rattles, maintain all OEM space storage areas, keep the spare tire, and leave the tub open for storing a flat tire if needed. I don't carry the spare around town but it can be loaded into the OEM space at any moment.
I'm 6'2 the car is already a tight fit so I refuse to give up any legroom for the driver or passenger (hey even I have to sit in the passenger seat occasionally)
With these system goals, my amp rack was custom built as a modular unit that slides on top of the gas tank. We use OEM screw holes so it can be slid out for maintenance, etc. The subwoofer is a single JL Audio 10w6 that we will fiberglass'd into the driver's side of the trunk. This leaves enough space in the car for a weekend trip.
2/16/06:
This is the day that all the planning got started. After reading many threads and how-to's on what others have done, I was pretty set in stone to do the same thing with a 7" screen flushed into the dash and using an Alpine DVD deck to feed the video. My main focus at the time was to have video but no NAV since this was my
daily driver. But then realized I actually used my NAV more often driving around town than on long road trips plus how much I hated my PALM GPS NAV. So adding an Alpine NAV into the equation put costs much higher and I had to find space for the NAV unit.
Then it hit me to use the Eclipse AVN5495 as my main focus piece since it has all the features I wanted in one single double din chassis. We have installed this deck in over 40 E46 m3's for clients and I love how reliable the deck is. But as in the BMW, fitting this into an s2000 turned out to be a bit more tedious than initially anticipated. This deck requires about 7-8" of depth and as you can see in the pics we had to remove some items.
First off the airbag metal bracket was in the way so that had to be cut and then a new bracket. Also the temperature ducts that feed the passenger vent has to be cut. I have yet to decide if I'm going to fabricate a new thinner vent or just leave it blocked off. The center console vents, upper window vents and lower footwell vents still work as OEM.
The OEM radio location will be used for other in-car electronics like this:
4/19/05:
Most of the dash cutting and clearing space for the new deck has been done. These pics show the open hole in the dash. As you can see there is a lot of room back there once the airbag bracket has been modified. Also the vent duct has already been cut in this photo. Normally there is a black plastic tube that runs to the passenger vent. Wiring for the NAV antenna, radio, RCA's, Valet switch, AUX
Input for Ipod has all been connected at this point.
Almost done, now comes the paint work:
Finished Product:
