Swapping one DIN to Two DIN

Pudsey Bear

Pudsey Bear

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Has anyone on here done it with pictures of how, I'm considering it to A change the radio and hopefully get rid of the noises we get even with it all off, and B to get Android Auto.

Places seem to be wanting £150 ish to fit them but I'm wanting to keep the cost down.

It's in a rattily van so not too bothered about sound quality sat nav is more important.

 
I never got round to bothering on mine, but you already have 2 slots? one with a radio and t’other just a cubby box?

Pull the radio, pull the cubby and the hole left is a double din with a couple of strengthening ribs. Remove those for a double din hole. Hook up your existing Din wiring to the new radio unit and push in the new unit.

DOUBLE CHECK the sizes before you go cutting anything.
 
You should be able to purchase a two din fitting kit for which ever chassis you have, changed mine over on the Burstner a few years ago.
 
Yes, I have the cubby in there which pulls out, I didn't know that the DINs were different sizes, defeats the whole purpose a bit.

 
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You can find quite a few youtube videos showing installs.

A few points .....
The body of a Double Din unit is a standard size, and that is what goes in "the hole" in the dash. What can vary is the front (facia) of the unit. And this is made worse by different manufacturers having their own dash styles. very often with newer cars, you would buy the headunit and by a facia kit to match the dash opening style.
My double din unit is installed, but the facia doesn't really blend in totally with the dashboard. Does it matter? well, it would be great if it did, but it doesn't bother me massively.
Most units nowadays tend to be "mechless" e.g. no slot for a CD (or even a cassette!). These can be easier to install as they are not as deep and so you don't have the issues trying to find room for all the cables behind.
For your purposes, if you bought a double-din mechless Android Head Unit, it will install fine in your van and be fairly simple to fit (but you do need to cut the sides as Simon said)
If you watch this video from the point I have saved, you will see these tabs and a way to remove them (note I do NOT recommend anything else about this video :D )
 
See what you mean a bit of a bodger, I have a multitool somewhere, not seen it since we moved here almost 4 years ago, but I can cut those bits out easy enough with out I tink.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
See what you mean a bit of a bodger, I have a multitool somewhere, not seen it since we moved here almost 4 years ago, but I can cut those bits out easy enough with out I tink.
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the Multitool was a good way if you have one I think. I do, but didn't think of using it for this! I think I used a dremel probably? One possible way is a heated blade or maybe a carving knife? (not tried either, just musing options :) )
 
wildebus said:
the Multitool was a good way if you have one I think. I do, but didn't think of using it for this! I think I used a dremel probably? One possible way is a heated blade or maybe a carving knife? (not tried either, just musing options :) )
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It'll be one of the latter if mine remains in hiding.
 
If you do decide on a double din version do your homework on the unit. A lot use NaviExtras for updates and at £135 for a years maps not cheap. You may also find that you have trouble with speed camera locations as they like to provide those as well but you have to pay. I tried an Android one a few years ago but it wasn't true Android and wouldn't run some of the Apps. I even tried a 10" screen but that got returned as I could not stand the shaking. Now we have a Pioneer in the middle which gets used for DAB Radio and TV sound and I have a Samsung Galaxy A7 Lite which sits on the right of the dash with Copilot and IGO Nextgen. I also have a digital speedo App that gives a clear display of speed. The table was cheaper than the map upgrade. I also use it for surfing and as an EReader.
 
I will go for the cheapest one which will run Android Auto or as some seem to do just mirror the phone screen, but not sure if the method of communication between phone and radio would allow me to control the sat nav on the phone from the radio screen, input of addresses etc
 
Pudsey Bear said:
I will go for the cheapest one which will run Android Auto or as some seem to do just mirror the phone screen, but not sure if the method of communication between phone and radio would allow me to control the sat nav on the phone from the radio screen, input of addresses etc
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In my car the head unit has Android Auto and that seems to work quite well. To use it, I need to connect the phone via USB.
you use the radio to control things one you have Android Auto running and connected.

in the van, I decided I wanted a full-blown setup which didn't rely on a phone connection to use the Apps and I went for a "Chinese" in dash system. Have to say I do prefer that it has the ability to work standalone. First unit I had in the Camper was a single-Din with. motorised screen. That worked well, but was a touch quiet, so when I got the Motorhome I bought another unit which was double-Din and I find it does everything I want and has good volume as well. Phone connects via BT, and I imagine I could use Android Auto, but never tried it as no need :)
These units are basically android tablets with a custom version of the software and amplifier at the back. impressive features for the cost.

One option you could look at is the single-Din units with the oversized tablet like screens? They look quite funky.
 
I had a single din in my Sprinter vans with a screen that slid out but they were always needing a helping hand to pop in and out so didn't consider another but time has moved on and I'll give them a look expecting them to be more expensive due to more moving parts.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
I had a single din in my Sprinter vans with a screen that slid out but they were always needing a helping hand to pop in and out so didn't consider another but time has moved on and I'll give them a look expecting them to be more expensive due to more moving parts.
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I had my doubts for sure, and had read reports about screens wobbling when out and getting stuck, etc. But I wanted a usable screen and a double-din unit was not physically an option so had little choice.
I was pleasantly surprised by the results and when I got the motorhome, I actually moved the unit from the LT camper to the Fiat Motorhome, but it was a bit too underpowered (the only complaint I had about it) so took the opportunity to get a double-din unit.

The pop-out screen one worked well and was fully workable even with the screen in AND still had a CD/DVD slot in it, which I did use

IMG_20190914_183847 by David, on Flickr

FWIW, this is the unit I bought (showing unavailable now, but I did get it in 2019) - https://amzn.to/3pyhVno
Apparently I paid between £209 and £249 for it, which was more than I remembered.
 
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The issue I might have with that type now David is we do use a lot of single-track roads out of preference to see more of the real Scotland, Ireland and Wales we meet some very nice people who are not anti MoHo, some of which are seriously rough and I fear the screen would just get too much hammer and fall off.

Finding a nice but cheap reliable double din would be nice.

Is anyone upgrading? I might be interested.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
The issue I might have with that type now David is we do use a lot of single-track roads out of preference to see more of the real Scotland, Ireland and Wales we meet some very nice people who are not anti MoHo, some of which are seriously rough and I fear the screen would just get too much hammer and fall off.

Finding a nice but cheap reliable double din would be nice.

Is anyone upgrading? I might be interested.
Click to expand...
If your main objective is to have Sat Nav and on a solid mount, then maybe get a dedicated Sat Nav unit and mount it securely? I adapted a Ducato Rear View Mirror so I have my Garmin fitted permenantly at the top of screen where the Mirror would usually be.
I have Sat Van on my radio head unit but to be honest the only time I have used it was just out of curiosity. There is nothing wrong with it (I have certainly seen and used worse) but the Garmin is so good, I stick with it.

I can see why a flip-out screen may not suit you if going on bumpy roads - a shaking display can be very annoying.
If you want the best price units, then you could check out Aliexpress for a no-brand unit. That will be the cheapest option, but not neccessarily the best option (warranty, etc.)
For example - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005040973366.html for £18 +VAT and Free Shipping
Podofo-2-din-Car-Radio-7-HD-Autoradio-Multimedia-Player-2DIN-Touch-Screen-Auto-audio-Car.jpg_.webp
 
I do have a TomTom already, and did have a Garmin but not impressed with those, and they are mega expensive for a one trick pony IMHO.

I'm not keen on any of the stand-alone sat nav options David and I already have all the sat nav apps I need with all my own POIs installed so it would be a step back I think, I mainly use Google Maps but also CoPilot & Organic maps, and occasionally WC POIs direct from the app utilising Google Maps or CoPilot which is why I would like either an Android Auto or one which will mirror the phone, but I need to be able to control from the screen, finding the info on that type of query seems difficult, Ebay and Amazon don't seem to want to answer, Amazon is difficult to even question, model numbers are meaningless at low price levels as they will possibly be all the same but badged for the seller
 
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