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Aftermarket radio install problems

10K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  cbnbmore 
#1 · (Edited)
I removed the panel to access the radio to determine the space afforded for installing an aftermarket radio in place of the media center 130 that is there now and I discovered a few obstacles.
It appears that the metal frame that sits behind the plastic mounting frame will indeed be quite easy to remove. The problem I'm encountering now is that the plastic mounting frame that secures the factory radio with four mounting screws has an opening that does not quite allow a double din NAV unit to pass through. It is wide enough but is a couple of mm too small top to bottom. The factory radio is almost an inch smaller at the back versus a normal DD sized radio. This will require custom work to either trim away some of the plastic support framing or to replace that entire section. By doing this it will also make it unlikely to reinstall the factory radio by simple means if desired at a later time. This is because the mounting holes for the factory radio are very close to the edge of the space the radio slides into. It looks like if you trim enough plastic away to slide a DD radio in that it will also take away the usability of the mounting holes.
I now notice crutchfield has the 2011 GC in it's database and indeed the aftermarket choices are very limited as to what fits. Mostly single din sized units and even these require custom mounting.
It seems it will not be as simple as acquiring a new mounting bracket from Metra or fabricating one to get a DD sized unit installed.
I'm sure most good installers will be able to figure a way to install an aftermarket DD unit but it will likely mean an unlikely return to factory like appearance should one desire to go back to the stock radio.
If anyone here has figured out an alternate way of getting a DD radio installed without dash surgery I'd love to know.
 
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#4 ·
i think you need to relax a bit and let the aftermarket catch up.

go ahead and be a groundbreaker if you wish but i think if you are a bit patient some solutions will be created.
You're probably right but I'm a little upset that jeep has made their radio such a pain to customize now after so many years of being very installer friendly.
It is now very difficult to use a DD sized unit which is the standard NAV radio size. There will probably be a bracket made that will let one use a single Din size radio but to go DD will require much more work and will eliminate most DIY's from being able to do the job.
 
#5 ·
Not surface work but support surgery. The surface opening is fine, in fact about a half inch of added filler is required on each side just as in prior years. The problem is the plastic frame that the radio attaches to. It's too small. This plastic frame looks to be part of the main support of the dash.
 
#8 ·
not unless I had a spare dash to replace whatever I might mess up.

jeep is not the only company to have NON standard screens. The REC, the 05-07 NAV was BIGGER THAN DD. then the myGig in 2008 was DD IIRC.
I wish it was bigger. That is much easier to deal with. A simple bracket with space fillers takes care of that. Having a smaller opening is a real pain as it involves modifying the support structures and likely making it a permanent modification.
 
#9 ·
can u take a pic of what ur talking about?? because im confused....on the wk there was a metal piece that was pressing against the stock radio (1.5 din) and i just bent it up to put the DD in there...
 
#13 · (Edited)
Quite a bit different than the WK. If I did this right there should be a pic attached of the dash with the radio removed. The shiny bracket of metal behind the plastic piece can be removed without much trouble. The problem is the plastic framing piece with the screw holes. It is just about a 1/4 of an inch too short to slide a DD unit through. I will say that I am very impressed with the construction and insulation I'm finding in the dash. It's no wonder the cabin is so quiet.
 

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#15 ·
I bet you dont have to take off enough to get all the way into those screw holes.

where in Baltimore are ya? i'd love to take a look.
 
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