Car head unit help

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mdf

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# 208748 26-Feb-2017 12:13

Bugger. Another project that hasn't gone quite to plan.

Installing a new head unit in a Ford Focus. It's old so I didn't want to over-invest and got a JVC head unit on sale (seemed good for the price). The factory fascia surrounding the radio is some weird unique size, but Youtube showed it was relatively cheap and easy to replace with an aftermarket fascia which I sourced from Aliexpress.

I checked that the head unit would fit in the gap behind the fascia (tight but fits). I checked the head unit would fit the new fascia (again, tight but fits). I didn't check that the new fascia and the gap behind the head unit lined up perfectly. And unfortunately the new fascia is about 3mm too low/out of alignment and I can't get everything to slot in:

Before I start cutting the fascia, I wanted to check:

(a) whether anyone has any bright ideas for alternatives to cutting (I thought double din was a standard size, but is there any chance that another brand's double din is smaller)?

(b) how to cut whatever the plastic is neatly? Or should I be looking to sand or grind it?

Edit: fixing image

Dratsab

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# 1726486 26-Feb-2017 13:22

Bugger, that's annoying!!

I fitted a JVC double DIN stereo to my '07 Focus but got my fascia from a place in the UK as my trust in Aliexpress traders to have exactly the right measurements isn't particularly high. None of which helps here...

Have you tried clipping the fascia in at the top first and applying some upwards pressure when trying to get the rest of it to clip in place?

If it's mainly the lip at the top which is causing the problem and my suggestion above simply isn't going to work, maybe gently heat the plastic then apply pressure to it until it's cold to try and remould the shape?

I'm not sure cutting/sanding the plastic will work terribly well as there'll be silver paint on the plastic to make it match other interior components.

jpoc

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# 1726566 26-Feb-2017 15:15

Do you know anyone who has one of those $250 CNC laser cutters from aliX?

That might be your best bet to make an acceptable cut.

richms

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# 1726576 26-Feb-2017 15:58

Can you lower the headdeck at all by filing something that holds it etc?

Richard rich.ms

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# 1726602 26-Feb-2017 16:55

If you have to cut, I have found that carefully making notches by applying pressure with a Stanley knife and then bending the notched portion back and forth with needle-nose pliers until it breaks off, usually works best. It depends of course on the nature of the plastic and where the cut has to go.

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frankv

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# 1726606 26-Feb-2017 17:02

What are you pressing against at the back? Can that be moved/cut/reshaped?

Did you check whether the fascia is assymetric? Maybe it'll fit the other way up?

mdf

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# 1726652 26-Feb-2017 20:03

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Thanks guys. All suggestions worth trying.

@dratsab - yep I've tried every way of flexing it. Unfortunately when I force it, it still doesn't fit and the slot to the CD player gets an alarming bend in it. But the heating suggestion is definitely worth a try. And I've long since given up on Aliexpress for anything electronic, but I thought a lump of plastic they couldn't stuff up. Wrong. And unfortunately it's been lying around for months waiting for me to get around to fitting it so there won't be any come back.

@richms - lowering wont be easy. Basically the head unit sits on a shelf a few mm thick. Taking this out would involve major surgery (and the head unit would conceivably fall in the hole).

@frankv - yep, it definitely only fits one way!

@jpoc - no, but I am friendly enough with the guys at Makerspace that I could speak to them about whether their lasers would work.

Flipping annoying.

mdf

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# 1728563 1-Mar-2017 22:39

@dratsab: did you have any luck getting your JVC head unit to learn the steering wheel controls? I can't even get the button presses to register.

Dratsab

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# 1728567 1-Mar-2017 22:52

Only got cruise control on my steering wheel (on/off LH side, Set & ±/- RH side) so didn't have to think about that. What model do you have - mine is the KW-V21BT which does have canbus input which I didn't bother getting the adaptor cable for.

Wade

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# 1728651 2-Mar-2017 08:30

why cant you just slot the bracket holes that attach to stereo (assuming it is held in place with the usual L brackets)?

Might be able to get away with just slotting the front holes and introducing an angle to HU

MikeAqua

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# 1728671 2-Mar-2017 08:51

Wade:

why cant you just slot the bracket holes that attach to stereo (assuming it is held in place with the usual L brackets)?

Might be able to get away with just slotting the front holes and introducing an angle to HU

This.

There seems to be room between the bottom edge of the fascia and the dash panel

If it's held in place by a DIN bracket or similar I would modify that.

Or can you get a custom fascia panel 3D-printed?

Mike

mdf

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# 1730501 5-Mar-2017 18:43

Sorry, took a while to get another shot of the insides:

You can't see the proportions, but the shelf (above the a/c controls) and surrounds are exactly double DIN size. The new head unit fits in this slot nice and snug. But L-brackets don't fit inside the inbuilt brackets, and sitting on the shelf is what makes the head unit 2-3mm too high for the hole in the new fascia. I didn't really want to start hacking away at this, but in hindsight, perhaps this would be easier than trying to adjust the fascia.

mdf

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# 1730503 5-Mar-2017 18:45

And sorry, meant to say, head unit is JVC model KW-V220BT. I wanted a slightly higher spec model but Repco was out of stock when I went to get that one.

Dratsab

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# 1730534 5-Mar-2017 20:20

mdf: And sorry, meant to say, head unit is JVC model KW-V220BT. I wanted a slightly higher spec model but Repco was out of stock when I went to get that one.

That model supports CAN bus controls. All you should need (if it isn't supplied with the stereo) is a steering loom adaptor specific to you vehicle, which will be available from Repco or Super Cheap Auto, and you'll be away.

mdf

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# 1735379 12-Mar-2017 18:53

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Some progress. I went back to the original factory fascia. Took quite a lot of careful work with a mini hacksaw but everything fits, though it's still super tight. Either the head unit I got is marginally larger than standard double DIN, or the car surround is marginally smaller than standard double DIN (or both). Of course, didn't think to measure with the calipers until everything was closed up again.

While it was apart I had another crack at the steering wheel controls. That bit works now, so extra bonus points.

Dratsab

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# 1735423 12-Mar-2017 20:50

Excellent work! Post a pic.