[mariner82]

Hi Guys,

I've been trawling the internet for some pictures of something and I came across this:

http://vantagecanada.com/?p=347

These guys have managed to install a double DIN unit where there should only be a single DIN, they say that they had to do some surgery however I still think that it is interesting and there are some who have asked about doing this and what it might take to achieve.

Perhaps one of our Canadian members knows this shop? If not then perhaps it might be worth us (I don't mind doing it) getting in touch with them and asking them to tell us more about how they went about it.

I know that this isn't to everyone's taste and they admit that the finish isn't the best. I might even give this a go myself, having only removed the central fascia once I can't remember how the metal plate is held in place nor if it is structural to the dash. If it isn't then I see no reason why it can't be removed and replaced. The fascia will need to be modified obviously but that shouldn't be a problem.

Let me know if your interested in finding out more and I'll see what I can do about finding out more about this.

Cheers,

 

[PaulP38A]

Hi Mariner - I am very interested in this project and would like to find out more. I've been wanting to do something like for this quite a while and have even got hold of a spare centre console to practice on.
Please let us know what you find.
Cheers, Paul.

 

[rogan]

I looked at doing a double din in mine, it looked doable but there would have been some butchering. Hacking into the air vent system isn't everyone's cup of tea; I've done it on my BMW to fit a double din without any adverse effects but I've heard of horror stroies from others. An option I looked at for my BMW was taking the nosepiece off the double din (was using an Alpine IVA-W200) and then extending the flex to make it a screen with a hideaway brain. I got it to 88cm long flex without any touchscreen or video issues. Didn't go ahead with it cos I couldn't find anywhere to mount the double-din brain behind the dash or under the seat.
IMO If you really want a big screen then go for a carpc and get an even bigger screen, or use a flip-out single din.

 

[tnfno]

I gave up fitting a double din unit in my car and built in a 8' screen with GPS intead. It is also connected to a backup camera and the video out on a Nokia E95 giving mobile web tv on the screen.

 

[996TURBO]

Here's my setup : Pioneer screen and AVIC8 DVD Nav in the trunk, reverse camera too but fed with licence plate lights in order to survey back even in Drive.

 

[mariner82]

Hi Guys,

I have written to Vantage Canada and asked the person named in the Contact Us section (Jordan Lin) to come and visit us and give us some more information. I have also offered to post any information that he would care to share whilst giving full credit to him for the work.

I'll let you know when/if I get reply and what it is.

Cheers,

 

[vantageaudio]

Hello guys, this is Jordan who did the double din install on the rangerover. yeah i know the finish isn't so good, but that's all i can do with the short amount of time i was given to finish the install. the customer had to went back to Prince George which is hundreds of miles away from Vancouver. Anyway, enough of the excuses, here are the things that you might need to watch out when do the install.

from my install picture, i remember i needed to remove the metal supporting bar right in the middle of the place where i want to install the deck.

portion of the the air vent behind the deck was also removed to create space for the deck to sit properly.

think back, I would try removing only portion of the clock way instead of the whole thing, because it doesn't look too good without the clock.

the mounting cage is mounted onto the factory fascia. the black ABS trim place you see is just glued on with black hot glue.

we were gonna replace the black trim with some sort of wood grain panel or even carbon fiber look, but he never came back for it.

I will upload some more pictures on my website to let you see what i looks like

let me know if you have any questions, i will be happy to help you with what i know.

 

[mariner82]

Hi Jordan,

do you remember if it is possible (space wise) to move the air con controls up to where the cubby box and clock are once you have taken out the metal supporting bracket? Also what does this bracket support? Does it look as though it is structural? I'm thinking of doing something similar but not with a double din.

Cheers,

 

[vantageaudio]

I remember that i ended up making a small hole on the side of the storage box on top of the radio. so the air conditioner unit would still be able to function properly. the metal bracket i believe was to hold the stock radio in place so it's not a structural piece for the car. remember to tape up the air vent with aluminum tapes (not duct tapes) so cold air or hot air won't get into the space and cause condensation issue.

i just updated the page again so check it out if you like.

http://vantagecanada.com/?p=347

 

[mariner82]

Hi Jordan,

Thank you for the pictures much appreciated, now I just need to find a side picture of the HEVAC unit and perhaps a picture of all of this area without the HEVAC unit as well.

Plans are formulating, this could get a) drastic b) expensive.

Cheers,

 

[slden]

Hi,
CarPC a good alternative of double DIN:

It was discussed here:
viewtopic.php?t=26173

 

[rhino_ed]

Ok, I will TRY my best to be nice and positive. I have come across that install before and good on you for trying something new. Honestly, every member example was better than that install hands down. That said, we all seem to turn our trucks into part-time jobs.

 

[rogan]

now I just need to find a side picture of the HEVAC unit

It's thin for the top 2/3 then has a deep bit in the bottom 1/3. Probably standard stereo depth in the bottom 1/3.

 

[PaulP38A]

Jordan of VantageAudio - thanks for dropping by and sharing your knowledge with us.

Mariner - I found this pic of a "half cut" P38A Rangie from Japan... notice how the HEVAC control unit has been moved up above the radio? No idea if this is standard in Japan or if the PO did this themselves. Looks like it is possible though.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[mariner82]

The poor Rangie!

Rogan, thank you for the description, it helps a lot for mentally (a double entendre perhaps?) planing.

Thank you for the picture though Paul that definitely gives me encouragement to have a go at this. Unlike the last photo I saw of this type of an alteration I very much doubt that this is a photoshop effort. I think that there will be cutting involved none the less at least the metal bracket will need to go in part if not all and some extensions will need to be made up. I don't suppose any one has ever seen the HEVAC loom for sale on it's own?

Now I just need to work out exactly what I'm going to put in there and how, so that it looks factory.

Cheers,

 

[rogan]

http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/lcdlights.html

Pretty sure I've seen them mounted up high before. Also note there's a heap of space underneath your current hevac location.

 

[rogan]

from this thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14738

 

[mariner82]

Hi Rogan,

That's the one that I was referring to (has been referred to in the the topic) as a potential photoshop effort. It would be very interesting if the person who did this would like to come forward and give some details on how they did this and what was needed.

Cheers,

 

[RUS]

All is here http://club.lr.ru/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=409 but only russian version :wink:

 

[rogan]

I might be up at the LR garage for drinks tomorrow. If so I'll grab a HEVAC and a the dashboard bit and see if they go together