Difference Between Scosche and Metra Dash Kits?
 

I'm doing my head unit install soon (Pioneer AVIC-920BT). I thought I wasn't going to need a dash kit at all since I have a Nismo. After reading DeEePiDDy's install it looks like I'm going to want one after all to clean up the gaps.

I was wondering if there was any major difference in quality between these 2 kits? DeEe is using a Metra so I'm leaning that way.

Thanks.

I've always preferred Metra when I was installing. I think the only Scosche kit I've used is for the old Taurus with the bubble dash. Damn that thing was ugly.

What you should find is a trim ring for a Double DIN radio. Something like 1/4" of trim around the whole face of the radio. I'll do a little research..

Looks like the kit (Metra in this case) actually does a good job. Didn't read your whole question initially lol.

Thanks for the feedback homie :tiphat:

I think I'm going to check locally if I can buy a dash kit, I want to get it in over the weekend. Shipping it from Amazon ect probably isn't going to work out on that time frame.

i thought the nismo has the base's bezel... if so, why not just get a doubledin and re-use your face plate? :confused:

Ken it's the same as the base HU. I know it will work with the stock "faceplate" but if you look at the guy's review I linked he said there are gaps when you use my/his Pioneer.

I remeber we discussed it briefly on another post. I remeber you or someone saying that you used that felt stuff and/or there is a Scosche double din trim piece used universally by some (but I think it's listed as a Civic trim). I think in the $20-30 though it might just be cleaner/easier to get the Metra kit right?

I just installed an AVH-p3200bt pioneer double din into my 2009 Base and did not need a dash kit. i think the Nismo is the same?? The install left 1/32 inch surrounding the radio which was adequate install. I did notice a very minute 'metalic' gap through this 1/32 inch gap but it was nothing a few wraps of black electrical tape could not mask.

Try it first; if you need the kit later on thats OK.

Shoot, I'm editing this post because I do remember one important thing. I had to use about 1/2 inches worth of washers on the HU metal shelf to pull it out of the dash and align with the factory bezel.

Still, it looks perfect and was less expensive than the kit.

For it to look clean with no gaps get the kit you do need it unless you want gaps.

I believe both are the same pretty much.

I have the Metra around my Kenwood 7160 ( the adaptor looks like crap) the next day I ordered a base radio bezel and got a big discount b/c our company has a account with local Nissan dealer:ughdance:

Are you saying the texture doesn't match on the Metra? Looks cheap?

I haven't heard anyone say that here and there's some nit picky bastards here lol. I am kinda picky too, I'd like it to look close to stock.

Yes the texture doesn't look good it has a grainy look so I sanded it down and put some paint on it (we have trim paint) and it still didn't look right plus I haven't heard many people comment on the color of the Metra mine doesn't match at all,so why have a 40k sports car with a kick a** stereo and a dash that doesn't match and has a adaptor ring,plus you only need the bezel out of the kit.
The problem is Nissan wants $225-250 for the base/Nismo bezel so unless you can get a good deal on a Nissan one I would use the Metra now the keep a look out for a factory one,that's what I did.

Oh, ok yes, there was a gap I had to fill using EZ Felt.
I've not tried the Metra faceplate so not sure if there is no gap or not.

Ok for those of you who keep saying you don't need the dash kit, I guess its a matter of preference BUT there clearly is a gap if you use the factory dash. Here are side by side shots of using the dash and not. First off there is a small but visible gap. Second, the Pioneer x920bt's face has a groove that goes around the edge that becomes VERY visible with the original dash. Using just a trim ring would not fit as the gap is too small for it. I have the Metra dash kit in mine and could not be happier. There is NO GAP AT ALL with it. As for the color, yes its a slightly darker shade of black than the original dash kit but when its installed I don't notice it. The steering wheel, seats, floor mats and dash are all slightly different shades of black so to be honest its really hard to notice. Its available from Crutchfield for $25 shipped and it came in 2 days!

You are right but what I have found is for some reason the Pioneer 's have more of a fitment issue with the stock bezel than Kenwood,Alpine.
If you can dig up a pic of a Kenwood with a stock bezel it usually has a good fit and also the Metra,the only reason I got the stock bezel is I think it is ridiculous that the Metra has a .25 spacer around it.

I cant comment on Kenwoods or Alpines as I dont have one, however I've seen pictures of Kenwoods all over this site with and without the dash kit. Personally I feel that it just looks "cleaner" with the dash kit, but again its user preference. That being said with the Pioneer x920bt, IMO the dash kit is VERY MUCH NEEDED...

Correct on both the pioneers need it the alpines and kenwoods do not really need it as much. Which I prefer them anyway.

Thanks for the discription. Also I already have the factory face as I have a Nismo.

Thanks Ken. After looking at the pics on post #12 I'm not sure there is enough space to do anything that will look right with the felt.

Thanks for the pics DeEePiDDy, that really helps. I think for $25 I'm just going to get one. If for some reason I don't like it I'm sure I can resell it.

I really like the features on the newer Kenwoods and I was considering one. However, when Amazon has the AVIC-X920BT for $899, then they have a 30% off promotion, a $100 mail in rebate and free shipping you just can't argue with the value. Anyway you slice it it's a really nice head unit for about $500.

i looked at post #12.

first off the thin factory gasket needs to be removed around the opening. that will clean up the look.

then the 1mm or so gap you see, you can fill it tighly with the felt.

the recess area around the sides and top... you might want to experiment if filling the recess area will look better or not.

if the HU's the one you want you'll figure out a way to make it look right. :p

In terms of this particular HU is seems much easier to just spend a measly $25 and get the dash kit. The dash kit I got is black and not grainy at all. In fact its smoother than my factory dash kit.

I ordered the Metra off Crutchfield. $25.

I have the Pioneer X920BT as well but with a little bit of custom work by my installer have no "gap" issue using the OEM faceplate. There is still a narrow valley between the receiver and the faceplate but I actually prefer that to the bezel that comes with metra kit that fills that area because it looks cleaner IMO. I'll post a pic soon to show you all what I'm talking about.

No kit, no gap, super clean.

That looks really good. What did he do differently to clean the gap up? I should have mine in this weekend by the way.

Looks good. What do you have going around the Headunit filling the gap?

He custom fitted a plastic trim bezel that I think comes with the head unit.

He had to get it else where... The head unit does nit come with a trim ring.

Whatever he did... fit and finish is perfect and looks way better than the dash kit IMO which was on stand-by during my install BTW (just not a fan of the bigger opening and over-all finish of the kit). I guess it's just a matter of finding the right installer. =)

Scosche and Metra make a lot of double din trim peices like that. The problem for everyone is if you don't have access to them all to try different ones out you have to just get the dash kit.

Imperial if it's not too much trouble maybe you can ask your installer if he remembers which one it was. That way others with Pioneers and base/sport/Nismo cars can buy one instead of the Metra kit.

Thanks again for the pic :tiphat:

ok can you install the factory bezel ring of any kenwood in base face plate? as mine i had to pull the kenwood a bit out to install the ring, and if i get this metra can i install the kenwood with the bezel ring, point i want is the double din hole of metra looks bigger?

It seems like the Kenwood users have more of flush fit. The Metra is bigger, but they give you trim rings of a few sizes to make it flush in the kit.

so does anyone knows if i can install this with kenwood with the outer ring of the double din? or if metra has a ring for kenwood?

You're welcome and will do... I'll get back to you guys as soon as I get the info but if anyone can't bear to wait, you can Google/Yelp All Star Sound in Long Beach.

sorry to bump an old thread...but did you ever figure this out imperial?

I would like to know as well, after doing my install I feel the Metra kit is crappy in terms if fit. I had to oval out all the screw holes with a dremmel and it still would not align right after several tries of reattaching the radio bracket different ways to try to help. In fact the fit was bad enough that it broke off one of the little rubber/plastic guide pins on top from too much pressure. It looks fine after you get it on but I would say the fit sucks being that you have to dikc with it so much.

Imperial, do you remeber who you delt with, or who did the install at All Star? I may be willing to go there just to remount the HU with the stock panel if it's not too much. LB isn't too far.

Gah... this is disappointing... I don't want to have issues when I fit mine in. :-/

Hey guys, sorry for not getting back sooner, I've been busy with other things concerning my Nismo (just got sponsored by Fujita Air) and haven't been able to drop by All Star Sound yet. For anyone local I would tell you, do not to hesistate dropping by their shop... the guys there are super friendly and extremely knowledgeable. The owners are brothers John and Jay, just tell them Rynil (Pronounced Rye-Nil... that's me) sent you and they'll take care of you. My intaller's name was Kay and he's their best guy. I hope this helps =)

Thanks Imperial, I think I'm probably going to go that route in the near future.

dont forget to share with the community. the z is going into garage duty tonight so i can start my x920bt/sub/amp install (until i finish...sigh). id love to know which trim ring to buy/mod to get the same fitment as imperial posted above! :tiphat:

well im not sure if this is mystery solved, but i went into a local car stereo shop today and asked about how to solve this problem us base/nismo owners have. he said one sec...and came out from the back with this:

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6667/img0067aw.jpg

he said they just trim these to fit any stock openings. not sure if its problem solved for us yet..but i will take the dremel to this shortly and let you guys know how it works out. he charged me $5 for it (quite expensive if ya ask me), and its only a really thin piece of plastic with some clips on the back, but i figured id rather just pay instead of searching high and low for another solution

$5 for that is cheap. ^^

Update..?