Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

I just pulled the JDM DIN2 JVC Stereo from the dash, and replaced it with a cheap DIN1 unit that takes SD and USB cards (at least now I can listen to FM). If I could have found a DIN2 unit that supported DIVx I may have contemplated it, but not aware of any.

Now I have a gaping hole in the dash. I've contemplated putting my 2M VHF mobile in there, but it is a lot smaller than the hole, and I don't really have much use for 2M VHF anymore anyway. None of the dash kits in Wally World seem to be compatible.

Probably many have faced this same situation. Wondering how others have gone about plugging the hole in their dash?

High pressure laminate, cut to fit (a top and a bottom piece). It's thin enough that it can slide right into place without any trouble. The faceplate from the stereo covers the edges. In this case I used a foiled, textured piece, but you could also use something more subtle like a black.

It's a crappy stereo, but it was cheap, and it has an aux input. I was able to drive all the way down to las vegas and back without having to listen to anything twice listening to my ipod. Plus it came with a remote - which I thought was ridiculous, until I realized how much easier it is to adjust the volume with the remote, than with the long reach.

You can buy kit from any stereo shop that will have either a cover or a pocket.

I have a pocket below my stereo, and it's very, very handy.

There doesn't seem to be a specific insert for the double DIN, but any good radio shop should be able to make something fit.

Glenn - where did you get your centre console? I suspect you made it?

Thanks folks,

I I was a product designer for a company like Asus, I'd make a touch screen notebook or PDA with Bluetooth, WiFI and GPS that has a DIN2 form-factor. If I worked for Yaesu, Kenwood, or Icom, I'd make a multi band mobile radio with SW that had a DIN1 form factor.

Shortwave car radios are available if you want them: http://www.durhamradio.com/car-audio.html

I'm tempted...

A number of broadcasters no longer transmit to our part of the world (e.g. BBC World Service), and the propagation is crummy at this point in the sunspot cycle. I can listen to stuff just fine at home over the internet, but this does not help me when I travel.

...laura

J. Paul - Your suspicions are correct. This is my first prototype, and there are a few things I want to change. I'm a bit obsessive about my designs. While it's not perfect yet, the cupholders are great, as is the additional storage. Once I'm satisfied with it, I will take some photos and I will offer to make them for anyone who is interested. They won't be cheap, probably in the $300 range - I'll just have to see how much time is involved. This one just screws right into the existing holes and it reuses the original window switches. So, if your dying for an elegant solution to the lack of cup holders, stay tuned.

Glenn

Thanks Laura, I get a bad link from that one:

Page not found!
The requested page does not exist or you are not allowed to access that resource!

Do you remember the brand? I'll see if our supplier in the US has them at trade price. Bummer about BBC though. If all I can get is 'Voice of America', I'll drive my Deli off the Port Mann Bridge.

BTW, I've had both Siruis and XM satellite radio and I cancelled both of them. If you have to get one however, I'd recommend the former as at least it has CBC.

JMK wrote:Thanks Laura, I get a bad link from that one:

Page not found!
The requested page does not exist or you are not allowed to access that resource!

Do you remember the brand? I'll see if our supplier in the US has them at trade price. Bummer about BBC though. If all I can get is 'Voice of America', I'll drive my Deli off the Port Mann Bridge.

BTW, I've had both Siruis and XM satellite radio and I cancelled both of them. If you have to get one however, I'd recommend the former as at least it has CBC.

Siruis and XM are merging into one giant if it hasn't already happened. just an fyi

Typo in the URL, now fixed. Sorry.

Thanks Laura,

I see it is a Sony, I absolutely hate the button layout of their car stereos, but if that is the only ones that make SW then still worth considering. I wonder what sort of antennas it supports.

I've asked our supplier if they can supply just to see what the pricing would come out to.

My solution is to stuff the stereo compartment with one of these:

http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/car-aud ... ar-stereo/

Hard to find and pricey, but I found mine on EBay, should be here in a couple days. Now if only my van was here to put it in...

James

docsavage wrote:My solution is to stuff the stereo compartment with one of these:

http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/car-aud ... ar-stereo/

Hard to find and pricey, but I found mine on EBay, should be here in a couple days. Now if only my van was here to put it in...

James

OMFG! That is sweet! I'd love to have something like that in my dash - I love the 'classic' look. Price is a bit steep, though.

Wow, that is truly an amazing thing to put in that slot. Now you're going to have to hide it when you park or your van will attract thieves like iron filings to a magnet!

In fact there are a couple of more interesting double DIN devices linked on that bottom of that page that also look pretty interesting as alternatives for a DIN2 slot (but once again what would do it for me would be DivX compatibility):

Eclipse AVN2210p MK II
What's better than a head unit with built-in GPS? How about a unit with detachable GPS. The Eclipse AVN2210p MK II ($600) offers a detachable TomTom portable GPS for your way-finding needs, and also offers a CD player with support for MP3 and WMA discs, a double-DIN design, sleek blue illumination, a low-pass filter for adding a subwoofer, 50W x 4 power, and built-in Bluetooth and USB. In-dash GPS on the cheap.


(Edit: Ooops, sorry, maybe this one is not double DIN after all) Pioneer AVIC-F500BT
Add the latest in-car navigation, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, and voice activation technology to your ride with the Pioneer AVIC-F500BT ($TBA; Spring 2008). This semi-portable, do-it-all gadget integrates with your existing car stereo to offer voice-guided navigation, complete iPod control, and built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling. The 5.8-inch touch screen allows for simple controls, and VoiceBox allows you to keep your hands on the wheel, controlling the unit with your voice. Oh, and it also runs off battery power, so you can take it with you when you park your vehicle. Wowza.