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How did you mount your aftermarket double-DIN cage?
I have an E430 with the original Comand 2.0 unit in it. I'm upgrading shortly, and I'm wondering if anyone could share how they secured their aftermarket double-DIN cage into the factory double-DIN bracket? I've hunted far and wide, but I can't seem to find any threads where folks have addressed this specifically. I realise I can just bend the metal tabs on the DIN cage, but I'm hoping to mount it more securely using fasteners if I can. I'm a little amazed that there are no mounting kits, but it seems like maybe they truly aren't needed for this application?
Before I get chastised, my existing Comand unit is not 100% functional. I'm utilizing all the original factory connectors - no hacking up the wiring - and I've selected a unit that doesn't scream "I'm not OEM!". I'll be holding on to my Comand in the hopes that I can repair it, and swap it back one day if I feel the urge.
Thanks in advance for any help y'all can give!
Last edited by Standish; 03-16-2019 at 08:44 PM.
Reason: correction to title
I have installed double DIN units in several vehicles and they were easy projects. From reading the threads, the tricky bit with the E430 seems to be the trim bezel.
Thanks for the link - I did find exactly what I was looking for hidden in that thread! This is the thing (although I'm still not entirely clear how this thing fastens to the car's DIN bracket)
I had done a lot of searching and reading here on the forum, but hadn't found much about mounting an aftermarket double-DIN cage to the factory double-DIN bracket. In most of the threads, there is a lot of attention to getting the old unit out, sourcing trim, sourcing the factory bracket, but then typically they skip straight to the end with a photo of the finished product.
Standish, Can you post a photo of your E430 with the original stereo removed? It should be easy to see how the parts fit. The vehicles I installed double DINs in were easy.
Yes! My replacement should be arriving tomorrow, so the timing will be right to pull some stuff apart. I'm a little terrified of taking off the wood trim (I have visions of cracked polyurethane...)
This at least shows about half of the opening. The insides are pretty smooth, and the only *real* attachment points are the original ones for the Comand's Torx screws.
Nothing in the way of useful attachment points on this cage.
That's the question I was hoping someone here would be able to answer!
Is there something off the shelf solution (for some other application) that can be kit-bashed to work? Do I have to just drill holes and put screws in?
Last edited by Standish; 03-23-2019 at 03:03 PM.
Reason: correction
Did you remove the old unit? I don’t understand your question, because I assume you did the removal. Correct assumption?
Please post a photo with good (daylight) lighting that shows the complete opening where the old unit existed. This project shouldn’t be that difficult.
The DIN cage is a perfect fit (also from front to back) - do I just drive a couple short screws through the cage to hold it in place? Or is there some more elegant/simpler solution than that? Thanks for the help.
Comand unit removed The new unit fits perfectly into the space.
Standish, did you remove screws to get the old unit out?
What model is the new unit? It looks like a Sony AX1000. Did you buy it from Crutchfield? Did you read the Sony manual and Crutchfield support documentation?
The rectangular smooth "can" you have installed is for a snap-in installation. You may or may not have that situation. You should also have two brackets. You must first remove the smooth "can", so that the brackets can be installed with screws. Take a few steps back in this process, and read all of the documentation. It is not a difficult process.
03-16-2019, 08:42 PM
