Head Unit Questions

[firebirdman225]

I wanted to get a hu, but i hate how they all look in our cars, and i dont like alot of the double dins out there. My question is can i keep the stock HU and just get a nice amp to run to the speakers??? Hit me with the pro and cons guys.

[whiteshark]

well first off ours is 1.5 din, so you couldn't fit a double din in there anyway. you could go with a 1 din and a .5 din equalizer, that looks good. i really don't mind that it doesn't fit perfectly. with the mounting around it to make it fit it looks fine. most people don't even notice that it wouldn't normally fit. as for hooking up and amp to your speakers yeah you could do it. but i'd probably get some aftermarket speakers first, the stock ones don't usually hold up too well.

[96firebird311]

Yes. We have 1.5 din. BUT They DO make a face plate especially for our cars that takes a 1 din head unit and a .5 din EQ. So no modifications are required. No sawing or anything like that. And yes, you can add an aftermarket amp and keep the stock head unit. Question though: Do you have the monsoon system? And yes upgrading the speakers is going to be a must if you plan on adding an amp.

[Backfire]

What is it you don't like about aftermarket head units? The fact that the face is smaller than the opening, or that many people have them installed so that the face and trim ring stick out from the dash?

[nikon]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Backfire:
What is it you don't like about aftermarket head units? The fact that the face is smaller than the opening, or that many people have them installed so that the face and trim ring stick out from the dash?<hr></blockquote>

I think its just that it doesnt go....I prefer stock hu too....I just dont like the fast of a plain dash and then a **** load of blinking blue lights right in the middle of it ...y'know what I mean

[firebirdman225]

Yeah I just don't like the look of all the cheap black plastic filler around the HU, and then just have this HU that kinda looks outta place. So could I amp the speakers (and of course not stock speakers) and would that improve the sound quality along with the power????

[Dominic]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 96firebird311:
Yes. We have 1.5 din. BUT They DO make a face plate especially for our cars that takes a 1 din head unit and a .5 din EQ. So no modifications are required. No sawing or anything like that. And yes, you can add an aftermarket amp and keep the stock head unit. Question though: Do you have the monsoon system? And yes upgrading the speakers is going to be a must if you plan on adding an amp.<hr></blockquote>

Ive looked forever for this face plate and I cant find it!! Does anyone have an online link to one?

[96firebird311]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dominic:

Ive looked forever for this face plate and I cant find it!! Does anyone have an online link to one?<hr></blockquote>

I had it bookmarked, but my computer ate them all so I'll have to find it again. But I DO know they make one. Hmmmmm... try this page. My computer is too slow to look at all the pictures. I think it might be 99-3900.
http://www.wholesaleaudio.com/metra%20kits.html

That one might not be for firebirds. If that's not it then I know it's out there somewhere. They DO make one for firebirds!!!! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] Try searching the metra website by vehicle type. It shows that they do make a din plus .5 din kit. My computer is being stupid right now. Hey dom... your last name doesn't happen to start with an "I" does it?

[96firebird311]

I have been told that Metra kit 99-4544 works also. Has anyone found the .5din EQ kit made especially for the firebirds? I'm positive I've seen it before!!

[Backfire]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by firebirdman225:
Yeah I just don't like the look of all the cheap black plastic filler around the HU, and then just have this HU that kinda looks outta place.<hr></blockquote>

That is kinda what I figured. You can do some simple work to improve that though. This picture is with a basic trim plate cut out of thin plastic and painted with a satin black paint. It matches the stock trim behind the HVAC controls quite well. And you don't see any of the cheap plastic trim ring or space like you mentioned. The face plate sits close to flush with the cover plate.


[ November 16, 2002: Message edited by: Backfire ]</p>