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Customized dash on 1st gen? Take a look at this situation

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by mattleegee, Aug 21, 2010.

  1. Aug 21, 2010 at 4:17 PM
    #1
    mattleegee

    mattleegee [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So i am very disappointed on the placement of the radio on the 1st gens, it is sooo low and very hard to use in that area, especially if you have a dvd player you got to crouch down to view it

    Overview
    Issue is low placement of radio din

    Possible fixes
    Construct new din
    Im talking relocation of air vents, cabin controls, and the radio din to bring it up to a higher level. Idea would be to put the radio din where the air vents are possibly or place the radio below the vents and move the cabin controls where the radio din is now (but controls are wider then din so might be difficult) the airbag switch maybe not included altogether

    Anyone seen something like that? Or want to chime in? Im thinking DIY project time... Looking for some input/ideas/constructive criticism

    Pictures of horrible placement of radio din for people to understand

    radio001_58eeed16f11b52f57010dbe70f17a73194b149a8.jpg
    radio013_fb0834a42e0e6407d69c5f5e00b8d1fc8283d1d5.jpg
    radio019_08cb2888b7c457a3c5cf4281417bc51b838f031f.jpg
    radio014_09df4d35a22b78dbc3858aab759b70940bec9250.jpg
     
  2. Aug 21, 2010 at 5:07 PM
    #2
    RAT PRODUCTS

    RAT PRODUCTS Well-Known Member

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  3. Aug 21, 2010 at 5:14 PM
    #3
    NelsonTacoma

    NelsonTacoma This is my derpawayinator!!!!!

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    Buy a 2nd gen......:eek:

    That sucks. I remember when I had my 89 4Runner. Same problem. So I never even considered a DVD style deck for this exact reason. If you do reconstruct the dash I would love to see it though. Relocating the air vents might be tough, but moving the A/C controls is probably your best bet.

    Maybe consider modifying the mounts for the din to angle it upwards???
     
  4. Aug 21, 2010 at 5:22 PM
    #4
    MHS2846bg8

    MHS2846bg8 Experienced Noob

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    if i wasn't lazy, I was thinking about removing the center vents (cuz I hate them anyways) and shifting my radio up to the top and moving all of the fan controls to the bottom...one of these days I may do it, but that'll be when I have a lot more time to do all of the re-wiring and customizing...But I did remove the ashtray and cut a little to fit my scanner on the bottom.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Aug 21, 2010 at 5:34 PM
    #5
    mattleegee

    mattleegee [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That is a good idea... i thought about it but i was more focused on getting the whole unit higher.

    My taco came with the player so i was just trying to make it work. Ive done some fiberglass gauge pods for Mazda3s before but i dont know if this will be worth it... :(
     
  6. Aug 21, 2010 at 6:22 PM
    #6
    dolbytone

    dolbytone Well-Known Member

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    In my '04 I had a single DIN DVD and the screen came out and up to cover the AC controls. It never seemed too low to me then.
     
  7. Aug 21, 2010 at 7:32 PM
    #7
    mattleegee

    mattleegee [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That would work, seeing it would be bringing it up to the a/c controls, but that would mean getting a new HU
     
  8. Aug 21, 2010 at 10:36 PM
    #8
    sirsaechao

    sirsaechao Well-Known Member

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    I had the same dilemma when I switched out my single din flip out Alpine to a Eclipse 726E...but with it tilted upwards...it doesn't bother me.
     
  9. Aug 21, 2010 at 10:44 PM
    #9
    sachou

    sachou Well-Known Member

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    I hate it, too...but you have to remember that Toyota designed the radio to fit a cheesy stock radio and not an lcd.

    I wanted to stick my eee pc with a 9 inch screen somewhere for a carpc, but even for a tiny ass netbook it was huge compared to the cab/dash...so I just stuck with my AVIC-D2 because it would take waaay to much effort to fabricate dash crap...

    Keep us posted if you're gonna do it, though. I'm interested.
     
  10. Aug 21, 2010 at 10:52 PM
    #10
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    I love the location of the stereo since I can rest my hand on the shifter to mess with the settings. ( in 1st, 3rd and 5th gear at least. lol)
     
  11. Aug 21, 2010 at 11:03 PM
    #11
    sachou

    sachou Well-Known Member

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    Actually...you know what? Me too. I hardly ever turn my music up or down when i'm in 2nd or 4th gear, lol.
     
  12. Aug 21, 2010 at 11:05 PM
    #12
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    me too, too lazy:D
     
  13. Aug 22, 2010 at 9:16 AM
    #13
    mattleegee

    mattleegee [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It was so far for me to reach i went the remote control route that i leave on my seat by the armrest to change the station/volume
     
  14. Aug 22, 2010 at 10:08 AM
    #14
    sachou

    sachou Well-Known Member

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    lol. Sounds like we should drive automatics....


    NOT.
     
  15. Aug 22, 2010 at 10:11 AM
    #15
    tacomakid96

    tacomakid96 Lions Not Sheep

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    Can you guys take those faces off when you leave the truck or is that face always in view?
     
  16. Aug 22, 2010 at 10:16 AM
    #16
    mattleegee

    mattleegee [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ive see where the face "climbs" back into the receiver when not in use
     
  17. Aug 22, 2010 at 10:17 AM
    #17
    tacomakid96

    tacomakid96 Lions Not Sheep

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    Should look into that then, because the scum I work with in the summer would have my truck broken into quicker then hell
     
  18. Aug 26, 2010 at 8:53 PM
    #18
    96er

    96er Sport Rally'er

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    shim the double din screen so that it points up by about 10 degrees or so. that might help with the viewing angle.
     

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