Advice on double din install in cubby space

[teflon]

I've read almost every relevant thread I could find on this (eg the car pc threads especially) and asked a couple of people their experiences but thought I'd see if anyone had done this or had advice on it.

I own the MY05 Liberty GT with the McIntosh HU. I removed this and installed the Eclipse AVN4400. The Eclipse unit is wired directly to the speakers I believe which doesn't fuss me too much (since I only really listen to MP3s and if I had a choice would spend bigger bucks on home theatre than car SQ).

I wanted to put the Eclipse in the sunglass cubby area thereby needing to purchase the centre console panel and the information panel relocation kit. Initially I thought my only option was to buy the axxess auxiliary in adaptor or the FSL-21 auxiliary adaptor and run the eclipse via the auxiliary input of the Mc.

However, since the eclipse is already hooked up and has an auxiliary in option, could I just hook up the Mc to the auxiliary in of the eclipse? I would be using the eclipse the majority of the time anyway and the main purpose of this mod is to have that stock look back and to have the GPS unit closer to eye level as well.

Any input appreciated. I assume the eclipse will fit in the area provided (it is 180x100x165mm)

[teflon]

From reading more of the various threads on here and the internet, I presume that the prefacelift McIntosh can have the outputs modified to RCAs (line out converter?) to plug into the Eclipse aux in? Just wondering if I should buy an Auxiliary adaptor to have on standby for the install or send more of my money PhatGT's way instead.

[The Sean]

Mate, I'd send Tanglca a PM, he's probably the one who has come closest to relocating / utilising the cubby hole for something double din size.

Honestly, I think the Car PC thing would be a better path to take seeing that the Eclipse is already in the standard location and I'm not exactly sure why you'd want to run two decks when they've already cut over your speakers to the new deck (meaning they probably haven't utilised your stock amp with it's balanced inputs)

Have you considered relocating your Eclipse to the top cubby area (this is where Clarence aka Tangcla may be helpful) and simply put a double din cubby hole in the stock deck location (may be fill it with boost guages or some such later on)

[teflon]

Yeah, PM'ed Tangcla but he aborted that plan.

Main reason was to have the stock look back and to have the GPS at eye level. I do like tinkering with PCs but have four of them in the house already so not looking to start another project in the car . I'll give Northfields a call today and see what they recommend on how to put it all together.

[teflon]

Small update.

Ordered the FSL-21 from this link after being directed there by George:

http://electric-design.com/FSL-01.html

Ordered last Friday, arrived today which was impressive. My McIntosh HU is currently boxed up so I checked the connections and it fits as expected into the 21 pin slot of the MY05 McIntosh.

Just waiting for the centre console panel and information panel relocation bracket to arrive after ordering those from Phat. Then hopefully will get the install done with the Mc. back in place and the Eclipse HU in the cubby slot. I think it should work out.

Any suggestions on what I should use the second aux input for? Run extra cables to the glovebox? Get an a2dp bluetooth receiver? Headrest screen for the little ones?

[teflon]

I'm talking to myself a bit in this thread but need a little assistance.

I swear that I found a pdf on this forum once of the instructions (in English) on how to remove the cubby space and air vents, and how to install the information panel into the ashtray area with the information panel relocation kit. If anyone could help out with a link it would be greatly appreciated. The car is booked in for this attempted install next monday and I was hoping to gather as much information as possible to help the installers out.

Thanks in advance.

[tangcla]

To remove the cubby space, just lever and grab it if you have small/strong fingers.

The ashtray gets removed as part of the gear shifter surround piece on the 04-06.

[teflon]

Thanks tangcla... I read on the legacy forums that some people had airbag light problems with the pre 06 model legacys when they plugged in the information panel to the relocated position. I don't think this applies to the JDM and AUDM models though from what I've read?

[tangcla]

Thanks tangcla... I read on the legacy forums that some people had airbag light problems with the pre 06 model legacys when they plugged in the information panel to the relocated position. I don't think this applies to the JDM and AUDM models though from what I've read?

Don't know, never heard of it, but that sounds totally dumb. It should have nothing to do with SRS.
I haven't got the info panel relocation kit (emailed Phat about it with two follow-ups, no response) but I believe it comes with a wiring harness extension.

The only way I can think of it causing an airbag issue is if they've bumped the SRS module, which is behind the centre console.

[teflon]

Yes, comes with a wiring harness extension.

In theory, everything should fit. The only issue might be the depth of the cubby space. I ?think they might need to be creative with how they get it in there. The cubby space av panel comes with some brackets, but looks like those brackets are designed for a screen. Taking the parts to northfields tomorrow to show them what kind of install I'm aiming for and hoping for it to be done early next week. Will update my member profile thread if it's successful, otherwise there'll be a few parts on the market

[Lib 3.0LR]

Yes, comes with a wiring harness extension.

In theory, everything should fit. The only issue might be the depth of the cubby space. I ?think they might need to be creative with how they get it in there. The cubby space av panel comes with some brackets, but looks like those brackets are designed for a screen. Taking the parts to northfields tomorrow to show them what kind of install I'm aiming for and hoping for it to be done early next week. Will update my member profile thread if it's successful, otherwise there'll be a few parts on the market

Here's what you get in the kit to relocate the clock

[teflon]

Yep, that's what I've got George. I thought I had seen those instructions in pdf in English on this site once, but can't seem to locate it now (might have been on a different forum though). Holding the double din console panel in front of the eclipse looks like it should fit HxW. A bit wider, but northfields should have a frame that they can put around it I'm sure. There is a small scratch on the console panel (knew about this when I bought it) - don't think I'll carbon fibre it, but if it annoys me enough I'll cover it with something! Small Subaru sticker maybe

[teflon]

Ok got back from northfields, and now I am 50/50 about going ahead with this. Main issues are:

1. Depth. Not quite sure how much space is back there. From what I've read on the legacygt forums, it is 10-12cm without cutting into anything... so some people have cut into the plastic beam at the back to create some more room.
2. The double din console panel is slightly wider than the Eclipse unit. Options here are to place plastic strips either side to fill in the gaps. More $$ option is that they could bog, sand and paint it. I *think* plastic/strips frame should look ok. I could investigate the other console panel which supposedly comes with a frame (but did read on this forum that someone had bought that one and it did NOT come with a frame, so this might be a dead end option).
3. Cost. I think I'd be up for 3-4 hours labour? This would be offset by selling off the current AV panel frame surrounding the eclipse.

The FSL-21 adaptor plugs into the back of the Mc unit. My Mc unit doesn't have a "changer" button. I assume I just hold down the disc button to start up the aux function?

The other option is to say, forget it, too hard, try to flog off the parts for a small loss(the fsl-21 would be easy to sell here I guess at the right price, the frame and information relocation panel kit might be a bit harder) and put the money towards the dixcels or dump pipe. Will ponder further.

[tangcla]

1) Depth shouldn't be much of an issue, AS LONG AS your headunit is angled the right way.
2) This is the problem I had with the project. The two panels available are either 185x115mm, or 100x200mm (a standard double-DIN headunit is 185x100mm) so there will be some 'modification' to gap-fill one way or another.
3) Why not just keep the AV panel if you already have it? Trust me, if you've ever used a PND satnav before, it's pretty annoying at night.

Regarding the Mcintosh CD changer, yes - you press the CD button twice.

[teflon]

Thanks tangcla. Clears things up for me.

Depth was the main concern but your comment is reassuring. The gaps I would need to trust their skills - their other jobs have all looked very neat.

As for the annoyance factor - screen can be turned off and if I really need to use it at night it can be dimmed. I think I'll give it a go and if it really gives me the sh*ts in a few months I'll put it back (by that time would have someone close by who could help). I think if I don't give it a go I'll always be thinking about it.