mikwallace
Newbie
I've read as many double din (further referred to as "DD") installs as I could find for the GMT400. I looked at all the YouTube videos I could search and decided to make a build thread here that hopefully might benefit someone. I don't have videos but maybe the pics will help. It's still a work in progress, so I'll add the pics as I continue the build. My gmt400 is a daily driver, but fortunately I've another vehicle to drive to work so I can take my time on this. I researched for a replacement radio and decided on the Pioneer SPH DA210 APP4 radio. My objective is to upgrade my vehicle instead of buying a new truck. Nothing against new trucks, I bought this one new in 1999! It's that - this truck fits me! This truck saw two of my sons through their teenage years and now it's back in my hands. Thus far, in the last 18 months; I've added
- a Rough Country suspension lift kit
- installed new carpet
- installed DynaMat sound deadening to floor below the new carpet and other places in the cab
- added a DIC to the overhead console
- upgraded the instrument panel and courtesy lighting to LED
- replaced the front bumper with a custom made front bumper that holds a Model 8274 Warn winch that's been lying around my shop since 1989
- and probably a few more things that I can't think of at the moment!
I purchased an instrument panel bezel from eBay for $70 to use as a trainer so if I completely destroyed it, I'd have the original to fall back on. Yes I know that there's a couple of companies that make a modified bezel for purchase to fit this vehicle with a DD installation. But I like the challenge of doing it myself. I used a dremel tool with a small diamond wheel to cut the plastic. It melts it more than cuts, but it worked.
Image 1 is after bezel and original equipment are removed. From top to bottom - Radio, HVAC controller, and CD player.
Image 2: Dry fit of radio prior to modifying the dash, note - radio is not completely snapped into place because the upper inner plastic of the dash must be trimmed.
Image 3: Next I used a felt tip pen to mark where I needed to cut the upper interior part of the dash panel
Image 4: First cut was along the forward (forward being the front of the vehicle) most line that I drew; however, that wasn't enough removed and had to cut along the rear line I had marked.
Image 5: Final cut along the rear line (rear being toward the rear of the truck) and a slight cut on the interior right upper angle that was hitting the radio when I installed it. Also, I had to remove the original equipment radio "stop", a small white piece of plastic on a clip at the left top side toward the forward side where the original equipment radio was.
Looks like I'll have to post the next pictures in another post??
- a Rough Country suspension lift kit
- installed new carpet
- installed DynaMat sound deadening to floor below the new carpet and other places in the cab
- added a DIC to the overhead console
- upgraded the instrument panel and courtesy lighting to LED
- replaced the front bumper with a custom made front bumper that holds a Model 8274 Warn winch that's been lying around my shop since 1989
- and probably a few more things that I can't think of at the moment!
I purchased an instrument panel bezel from eBay for $70 to use as a trainer so if I completely destroyed it, I'd have the original to fall back on. Yes I know that there's a couple of companies that make a modified bezel for purchase to fit this vehicle with a DD installation. But I like the challenge of doing it myself. I used a dremel tool with a small diamond wheel to cut the plastic. It melts it more than cuts, but it worked.
Image 1 is after bezel and original equipment are removed. From top to bottom - Radio, HVAC controller, and CD player.
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Image 2: Dry fit of radio prior to modifying the dash, note - radio is not completely snapped into place because the upper inner plastic of the dash must be trimmed.
You must be registered for see images attach
Image 3: Next I used a felt tip pen to mark where I needed to cut the upper interior part of the dash panel
You must be registered for see images attach
Image 4: First cut was along the forward (forward being the front of the vehicle) most line that I drew; however, that wasn't enough removed and had to cut along the rear line I had marked.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Image 5: Final cut along the rear line (rear being toward the rear of the truck) and a slight cut on the interior right upper angle that was hitting the radio when I installed it. Also, I had to remove the original equipment radio "stop", a small white piece of plastic on a clip at the left top side toward the forward side where the original equipment radio was.
Looks like I'll have to post the next pictures in another post??
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