Stereo Replacement

JLN5thAve · Jul 18, 2018

ok - I had to buy a new radio unit for The Pearl.. the factory radio went out in 2007 or so, and as such was replaced by a cheap Walmart special of that time. It was too small and just “sat” in the gaping maw that was the radio slot.

NOW I bought a bigger and newer one - that actually works - and was about to slide it in after connecting all of the stuffs - lol and behold, the thing is roughly an inch too big for the dash cover - although it should fit in the housing.

If not - what modification could I make to preserve my paneling on the front - and still have the radio mounted and done?

volare 77 · Jul 18, 2018

Can you post a pic of what you got? There is a adapter plate for the smaller radios. Too big you may have to cut/trim the faceplate bezel

Poly · Jul 18, 2018

JLN5thAve said:
...
If not - what modification could I make to preserve my paneling on the front - and still have the radio mounted and done?

If your original radio is Din-and-a-half sized and you are trying to install a Double-Din in that paneling I do not know how to preserve the paneling. Of course the actual dimensions of what you are working with are a mystery at this point.

JLN5thAve · Jul 18, 2018

I removed the bezel panel with no issues, however the plastic slot for the radio itself was too small, and there was a metal bar running through the area that had curved edges that stuck up just enough to block the unit. I carefully bent it to slide it in, however it STILL just out way too far.

A cursory try of the paneling did not go well, so I’m kinda stuck. I am probably going to have to cut or trim the panel a little to squeeze it around the unit.

volare 77 · Jul 18, 2018

Odds are it is not going to fit without butchering the piece it slides into. The radio is just too large. The dash bezel would have been easier to trim. As i said before the adapter plate can be bought ( the last time I checked) for a smaller radio. Or you could make the plate to mount the radio. I know that doesn`t help with the radio you have now.

JLN5thAve · Jul 18, 2018

Agreed unfortunately - I eyed the unit at the store and thought it was close to the same size as the factory unit, and it is extremely close, but just about a half inch too tall. Maybe just a little more or less.

Should have been more measured for the unit. Dunno if I can return it either lol.

Poly · Jul 18, 2018

Is this the trim that you need if you are cutting up the bezel ?

volare 77 · Jul 18, 2018

something like this may work https://www.amazon.com/Stereo-Install-Dakota-wiring-install/dp/B000KL0JFK

JLN5thAve · Jul 18, 2018

The Dakota kit might work if I could get everything to go together, but it is still a little too snug in the compartment even after removing the bottom plastic in the slot .

This is the bezel :

Duke5A · Jul 18, 2018

Don't butcher it, trust me. Take the radio back and get a single din sized deck.

JLN5thAve · Jul 18, 2018

Duke5A said:
Don't butcher it, trust me. Take the radio back and get a single din sized deck.

That is probably what I am going to do.. The radio I took out was a single DIN little thing I had put in years ago and it just sat in the slot, so I dont think it would be a bad idea to exchange for a single, and put in the face bezel behind the regular paneling.

Duke5A · Jul 18, 2018

JLN5thAve said:
That is probably what I am going to do.. The radio I took out was a single DIN little thing I had put in years ago and it just sat in the slot, so I dont think it would be a bad idea to exchange for a single, and put in the face bezel behind the regular paneling.

It flopped around because you need the mounting kit for Chryslers. Pick up the wiring harness adapter too. You can get this stuff at Crutchfield.

JLN5thAve · Jul 18, 2018

Duke5A said:
It flopped around because you need the mounting kit for Chryslers. Pick up the wiring harness adapter too. You can get this stuff at Crutchfield.

I have the wiring for it, it was a simple connection, but the mounting kit is something I will need to invest in, so that way it will stay secure.

89.Fifth · Jul 19, 2018

If you want just a basic radio with CD capability I have one. Nothing fancy but I think it works.

JLN5thAve · Jul 19, 2018

Ok - single DIN with the same exact connections that made the previous 2 DIN thing work - NOW this thing acts like it has no power going to it. I believe the extra wire coming out of the back of this is the ground wire, however the prior radio had none..

If the unit has zero power even though nothing has changed with the wiring, am I needing to ground it? Or did I, in my infinite wisdom, exchange a working, yet too big 2 DIN, for a dud of a 1 DIN

89.Fifth said:
If you want just a basic radio with CD capability I have one. Nothing fancy but I think it works.

Appreciate that, unfortunately I need a new antenna and CDs are not something I have in abundance anymore.

Side questions though, is it a factory Chrysler radio? Lol if so I might forget the rest

Aspen500 · Jul 21, 2018

Unfortunately, there is only one option for a 1.5 DIN radio to fit our cars (that I know of), or many others for that matter. At one time there were a few made in that size. For some reason, they all discontinued them.
RetroSound Newport 1.5 DIN Direct-fit Radio

Stereo Replacement

JLN5thAve

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volare 77

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Poly

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JLN5thAve

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volare 77

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JLN5thAve

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Poly

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volare 77

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JLN5thAve

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Duke5A

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JLN5thAve

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Duke5A

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JLN5thAve

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89.Fifth

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JLN5thAve

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Aspen500

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