To DIN or DOUBLE DIN...That is the question

[ANIGAV Inc.]

I'm looking to upgrade my sound system and have been tossing around some ideas. Looking at my 850 i just so happen to have the perfect size opening for a double din radio.

This gives me limitless possibilities.

As we all know, the major downside to a double din in the 850 is once its done...it's done.
This doesn't bother me too much seeing as this is a 13 year old car and i'll more than likely be the last owner (maybe donate to a family member).

How many of you guys have done the DD swap and what has your overall impression be?

With that being said would you guys mind posting up pics of DD installs.

Tnx

[Ozark Lee]

There are double dins and then there are double dins. - there is about 1.5 mm difference between them yet they call them the same thing.

My biggest problem with most of the aftermarket radios is that they look like a Mexican whorehouse with all of the purple and pink graphics on the face. I guess it sells radios to the kids but not to me.

There was a thread a few months back where one of our members installed a very nice looking (I think) Kenwood from Crutchfield.

I put a single DIN Alpine in my son's car and it sounds terrific - way better than the factory radio and CD. The "pocket" to fill the other half of the space however is a pile and it keeps falling out and it never really looked right from the get go.

...Lee

[meine39]

As we all know, the major downside to a double din in the 850 is once its done...it's done.

Ok I'll admit to not knowing what we all know - are you saying replacing the radio is irreversible?

[ANIGAV Inc.]

to install a double din radio you have to sand/cut/file down the plastic dividers on the sides. After thats done a single din will fit fine on teh bottom but the top is done.

[outlaw6bob]

The "pocket" to fill the other half of the space however is a pile and it keeps falling out and it never really looked right from the get go.

...Lee

Totally agree. The ones in my S70 was the only one I could find at the time. Not sure of the brand but a lot of them are the same. Some prototype mold developed in china for the US that was supposed to be destroyed is now pumping out volvo dash kits using plastic that some chain gang of Chinese political prisoners dug up from a landfill.

[FCPEURO]

I know when I replace my stereo in the 850, I am going to fit a Double DIN LCD GPS unit in there. Figured, if I was going to do it, I might as well do it right.

[meine39]

Metra makes the pocket - they are incredibly brittle and don't take to removal too well - usually one of the plastic fingers on the bezel or main box snaps off.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120889000/ ... rch=pocket

[RSM-GA]

I have one of these (from Crutchfield) and it sucks big time! It is a piece of crap! The "fingers" cracked when trying to put it on the tray and the front trim ring will not stay attached. The one I had one my V70 (came from a local stereo shop) was much nicer and more durable and it would not come out unless you tried to pull it out. Don't waste your money on this one!

Rob

[NightTrain]

I feel your pain, as well with the pocket from Crutchfield. I have 2 850's, and one broke and the other didn't. I just superglued the fingers in and the little detents. Works fine.....haven't had any problems since, and they get a workout on the hers-850, with 2 kids and 3 different ipods.

[iselloil]

I just went single din and bought the harness and a pocket to fill the space uner the radio.Bought all the peices from crutchfield. My volvo ic a 1999 V70 XC and the kit fit perfect,no sanding or cutting. I can send pics if wanted.
I used the pioneer Deh-p6600.
I used the factoty sleeve to mount the radio and the factory trim.