Single DIN In Dash

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RustyRatRod

I was born on a Monday. Not last Monday.
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Since my old shaft style stereo doesn't work right, I got a nice little unit that's single DIN. AM/FM/CD/Bluetoof/AUX/USB....."all dat". I mean hell, I had to cut the dash a little for my old shaft style unit.....although it would be hidden with the original radio......but I figure screw it, I want something NICE and modern since this car is gonna be a cruiser. So here's my question. I cannot get my head around how the sleeve installs and secures in the dash hole. The instructions say something like "choose the appropriate tabs and bend them down to secure" or some such. I see the tabs, but I cannot get my mind around how that works.....since I've never done a conversion. I've worked on some that were already single DIN, just not converted older stuff. Can someone clear it up for me? A picture or three would really help.
 
Stereo cage I use has a lip at front edge. Opening is cut to that stop fit. Sides of cage are perforated with many little tabs that bend outward behind dash metal to secure it. Then there should be a strap brace at rear like OEM radio has or had. Install the cage, slide head unit in.
This install has a custom made support plate for head unit and climate controller. A wedge profile plastic piece between angled bezel and cage to level the head unit. A support strap goes up from top rear instead of down under.
Look closely to see stop lip of cage, a spot of flat black paint missing.
DeMonDIN plus burl 02 resize.jpg
 
Since my old shaft style stereo doesn't work right, I got a nice little unit that's single DIN. AM/FM/CD/Bluetoof/AUX/USB....."all dat". I mean hell, I had to cut the dash a little for my old shaft style unit.....although it would be hidden with the original radio......but I figure screw it, I want something NICE and modern since this car is gonna be a cruiser. So here's my question. I cannot get my head around how the sleeve installs and secures in the dash hole. The instructions say something like "choose the appropriate tabs and bend them down to secure" or some such. I see the tabs, but I cannot get my mind around how that works.....since I've never done a conversion. I've worked on some that were already single DIN, just not converted older stuff. Can someone clear it up for me? A picture or three would really help.
You slide the "cage" into the dash opening, then the little tabs bend over, to the back side of the dash, to hold the cage.
The radio then slides and locks in, usually there is a stud or screw hole in the back side of the radio to hook a brace up to support the back of the radio.
Then the cover snaps on, to hide the "cage".
To remove the radio, you then have to remove the cover, and use the two supplied thin metal keys slide down the side of the radio to release it.
 
You don't need a radio Rusty. There will be plenty of music coming from under the hood LoL
 
My dash was already cut up so I put a modern Bluetooth radio in. As I recall, I did the same thing back in the day with the thumbwheel radio in my 68. According to my logic, that makes mine period correct.....

C7F41AA6-C03A-4530-8EBD-F6534CCD5A4A.jpeg


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You slide the "cage" into the dash opening, then the little tabs bend over, to the back side of the dash, to hold the cage.
The radio then slides and locks in, usually there is a stud or screw hole in the back side of the radio to hook a brace up to support the back of the radio.
Then the cover snaps on, to hide the "cage".
To remove the radio, you then have to remove the cover, and use the two supplied thin metal keys slide down the side of the radio to release it.

This. And with most older vehicles the metal frame or bracket that supports the HVAC controls needs opened up to fit the single DIN.
 
I believe the "whole deal", Rob, is the "DIN." The cage is designed to fit a modern "DIN" spec radio cavity, and our old stuff "aint" So you have to do what you have to do to make the cage fit. Consider things like soldering/ brazing some mounting tabs on the cage to retain it, and or a vertical support brace to hang the rear end of the thing.

My 67 had been hacked up for one. It was "OK" as long as that is what you are going to use, as the new bezel covered the hack.
 
I just finished fitting a single din in the dash of my 51 fargo. There was a block off plate for original radio hole. I slipped the cage off the radio, and cut the hole precisely so cage fits perfect. then all i have to do is bend the tabs on the cage to retain it in dash. Will also be adding the bolt/bracket as i know the truck will have a rough ride.
 
DIN is nothing other then a measurement
(well, thats not completely true, it stands for German Institute for Standardization, but when we talk about a singe DIN or a double DIN radio, we are talking about the dimensions)

so, you need a cage, like this

51xhLEsZk5L._AC_SX569_.jpg


then you seen which one of the little shark fins makes a good tight squeeze with the panel, and you fold them in

like others mentioned, the radio just slides in and locks into that cage
 
I have the cage or sleeve. I have the whole shebang. This is what I have.

USA-4 DIN Size Radio, Select Face Color

From yalls' descriptions, I think I can get it done. I thought that's how it attached, but with no real specific instructions with "big seeable" pictures I wasn't sure.
 
My 66 had a DIN hole in it when I got it. I wish they hadn't cut the original tabs out, but I will deal with that later on. I put a new radio in and called it good for now. It has Bluetooth so the phone will work through it. I hid the microphone in the ash tray, if I want to talk to someone I just open it up.

DSCN1739.JPG
 
I have the cage or sleeve. I have the whole shebang. This is what I have.

USA-4 DIN Size Radio, Select Face Color

From yalls' descriptions, I think I can get it done. I thought that's how it attached, but with no real specific instructions with "big seeable" pictures I wasn't sure.


hey, i had that exact same radio
loved the way it looks, but the quality just wasnt there
i think mine lasted about a year and a half, but if you deduct the winter it sat in the garage, that comes down to 8 or 9 months

i hope it serves you a lot longer
 
hey, i had that exact same radio
loved the way it looks, but the quality just wasnt there
i think mine lasted about a year and a half, but if you deduct the winter it sat in the garage, that comes down to 8 or 9 months

i hope it serves you a lot longer

Me too. We'll see I guess. It was the only one I saw that had the look and have all the features I want.
 
A little duct tape, bailing wire and plumbers tape and you are good to go!
 
Got my template all made up and taped on the dash and realized I'm out of wiz wheels. Dammit all.
 
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