Urgent Metra dash kit help.
 

Hey guys,

I have the Metra dash kit in front of me, and after searching, i think i may be the first person installing the dash kit to use with a single din head unit. I am running into some frustration as the kit is impossible to use on this car. Personally, I don't believe this kit fits our car for a single din hu application!!! check out the pics below:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...00326-0033.jpg
Aftermarket single din hu hooked up to the factory stereo frame.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...00326-0033.jpg
Metra dash kit with the pocket installed.


Problem: The hvac unit (white unit in the first pic) needs to be attached to the factory stereo frame. Using the factory frame, there is absolutely no way to use the metra dash kit. In the metra instructions, it does not even mention the hvac unit nor do they even show it in the pictures. I think they just neglected the fact that that part exists and made the kit without thinking about the hvac unit being attached. This kit seems like a total failure as of now. Anyone have any prior experience with this and can shine some light would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

Tim

question did you remove the five screws that hold the three buttons to the factory panel or did you assume they are glued on there. you have to transfer the knob unit to the metra panel

also i'm 90% that the metal frame and radio surround don't bolt together the frame is bolted to the dash and the surround is bolted to little raised area's on the same piece the metal frame is bolted to. do you remember how you took it apart?

I just orderd that kit as well and have a single din unit...its going to be awhile till it gets here. If worse comes to worse u can just unbolt the hvac unit push it behind all the wires...there is plenty of room back there.

Got your message.

My setup that you saw uses the Metra kit. I can't recall the specifics but what I recall is that you need to transfer the knobs. Also, to my recollection:

I ended up not using the factory frame.
You you need to toss the factory frame.
The white HVAC unit was ultimately unscrewed from the factory, and it is just layig on the carpet.

I need to look at the box of my left-overs from my install to confirm that I toss the factory frame.

Call me or swing by if you can.

Yeah i know about the temp controls and i didn't transfer them over to the metra unit. I'm also aware of the fact that they don't bolt together. I just don't get how they can manufacture this and not even mention the fact that the hvac unit which is an important part needs to be relocated. Windsor, can u pm me your number again? my fone ate hsit and i got a new one and have no numbers. Thanks bro.

cant you just mount the hvac unit somewhere? i mean this is a DIY world, you are free to move anything anywhere you want and do it your own way.

Ph # sent via PM.

Yeah, it is a diy world. That's why i'm doing a diy on an audio install and not paying someone an arm and a leg to do a shotty job. This issue has nothing to do with this being a diy world. They skimped out on a 10 second design issue and left out a very important unit with nowhere to go. It's the principle that matters.

Your kit should have come with more pieces. Where did you order it from? I'm installing mine tomorrow. I order mine from crutchfield and it has what you have shown and a few other pieces. Hope I don't run into the same issue. Reading the instructions it never mentions using the stock frame. There are 4 other pieces used to mount the frame. I'm in the office and can't check until I get home to verify.

Yes the kit did come with more pieces. Thanks for your concern. I'm just going to have to relocate the hvac unit and tie it down somehow. I hope different variations of this part starts becoming available. The Metra kit isn't the best built piece out there.

Important update:

I started messing around with the parts, and Metra DOES supply the brackets to mount the hvac unit to the dash. Other members had the same problem as me and opted to just leave the hvac unit unmounted because the instructions that Metra provides are utter crap. I think i got this and will do a detailed DIY once completed. Stay tuned. Thanks.

now we're talking.