Who’s added an aftermarket 9” or bigger head unit in their ST? Pics or feedback?

[Kale D]

I’m getting jealous of all the new vehicles with screens and want one, been looking from the budget brands to the “high quality” brands. Honestly don’t need much as my sound system is just 4 Sony 6x9’s. Also don’t want a 6” or 7” really as I could just keep using my phone. 8-10” looks sweet. CarPlay will be the main use.

Anyone else installed one these bigger screens or floating screens In their ST?

 

[curtis james]

Not sure what a floating screen is, but i had a 10.5 overhead and a 7 flip out both kenwood and put a 15 in my excursion but it was to big for my trac and the 7 flip out was about as big as i would do in the trac,,just not enough room. the flip down was way cool with window down chillin on deck lid when i was out riding.

 

[blert]

I’m getting jealous of all the new vehicles with screens and want one, been looking from the budget brands to the “high quality” brands. Honestly don’t need much as my sound system is just 4 Sony 6x9’s. Also don’t want a 6” or 7” really as I could just keep using my phone. 8-10” looks sweet. CarPlay will be the main use.

Anyone else installed one these bigger screens or floating screens In their ST?

Thought about it when I recently changed my head unit, then thought better of it. The screen would block the ac vents. Blow cold onto the back of the unit potentially causing condensation on, or in, the unit... or... blow hot onto the back of the unit probably causing it to overheat... or... close those vents. None of those option were good to me. Also ends up blocking the ac controls. If you can live with that, cool. If not, just stick with a normal double din.

 

[Kale D]

Thought about it when I recently changed my head unit, then thought better of it. The screen would block the ac vents. Blow cold onto the back of the unit potentially causing condensation on, or in, the unit... or... blow hot onto the back of the unit probably causing it to overheat... or... close those vents. None of those option were good to me. Also ends up blocking the ac controls. If you can live with that, cool. If not, just stick with a normal double din.

Legit points for sure.


Which one did you go with?

 

[blert]

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130DS6220B/Pioneer-DEH-S6220BS.html?tp=72310
To install a true double din you need to semi-perminately modify the dash, I say "semi-perminately" because once you install the double din kit it cannot be removed without ripping the whole dash apart. You also have to modify the facade slightly with some cutting. If it is ever needed to change it back to stock (or single din) it's a headache. Besides, I freaking hate AndroidAuto, would rather just have a straight-forward, no-hassle bluetooth connection.

 

[Kale D]

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130DS6220B/Pioneer-DEH-S6220BS.html?tp=72310
To install a true double din you need to semi-perminately modify the dash, I say "semi-perminately" because once you install the double din kit it cannot be removed without ripping the whole dash apart. You also have to modify the facade slightly with some cutting. If it is ever needed to change it back to stock (or single din) it's a headache. Besides, I freaking hate AndroidAuto, would rather just have a straight-forward, no-hassle bluetooth connection.

I’d be using CarPlay.

Im ok with installing the double din, I have an aftermarket in there now but it’s an older Panasonic so I won’t be going back stock.

As far as I know, it’s a pain but you don’t have to rip the dash apart, you do have to pull the whole bezel off though to get at anything. They do make it sound intimidating though.

The hardest part to me is hooking up the wiring for the parking brake so you can use all the decks features. Or just use a bypass but I’m not the greatest electrician lol

 

[blert]

Oh, and whatever you do, do NOT get one of those "do-everything wonder-device" Android headunits off Amazon unless you want to come back to your truck and find the dash melted or on fire. So many horror stories on the net concerning those things. If it has the features of a $1000 headunit for the price of dinner at Chili's with the family it's probably not a wise choice.

 

[Kale D]

Oh, and whatever you do, do NOT get one of those "do-everything wonder-device" Android headunits off Amazon unless you want to come back to your truck and find the dash melted or on fire. So many horror stories on the net concerning those things. If it has the features of a $1000 headunit for the price of dinner at Chili's with the family it's probably not a wise choice.

Can’t say I haven’t looked at them lol

They do have a lot of people that say they do a good job for the price. Atoto, Boss, Joying among the main ones.

Im researching a lot on this one though, probably end up waiting for a sale or a price beat on an Alpine or Pioneer. Once it’s installed I’m hoping it’s the last stereo this truck will see. My Panasonic got 20 years, need 20 from the next one lol

 

[blert]

Many units on sale at Crutchfield right now. Pioneer, Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, JVC. The absolute lowest quality I would suggest going down to would be Boss. They are total junk but they carry a 5 year warrantee, just make sure to buy from an official retailer (whatever you buy) as you dont want to have to deal with them directly. Much easier to deal with Crutchfield than with the manufacturer. If you buy it off of Amazon you are pretty much SOL if it you need to warrantee it.

 

[Kale D]

Many units on sale at Crutchfield right now. Pioneer, Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, JVC. The absolute lowest quality I would suggest going down to would be Boss. They are total junk but they carry a 5 year warrantee, just make sure to buy from an official retailer (whatever you buy) as you dont want to have to deal with them directly. Much easier to deal with Crutchfield than with the manufacturer. If you buy it off of Amazon you are pretty much SOL if it you need to warrantee it.

Yeah Crutchfield has this Alpine which I can get a 15% price beat on at Visions

https://www.crutchfield.ca/p_500ILXW650/Alpine-iLX-W650.html

 

[blert]

Seems like a legit operation. Make sure to confirm they are an authorized dealer. With the sheer amount of counterfeit units and shady dealers out on the web, manufacturers have really been cracking down on warrantee support. No authorized dealer, no warrantee. Hell, just a short while ago Pioneer (I think it was) would not honor any warrantee unless you purchased it from them directly. They loosened up though and are again honoring warrantee claims through authorized dealers.
Keep in mind that Crutchfield gives you 60 day to decide if you want to keep it. For any reason at all you can return for a refund or exchange it for something else. They also include harnesses and dash kit at deep discounts (sometimes free) and lifetime support. Might be worth the extra 75, would need to do the math on total cost. No, I do not work for them.

 

[Larry Holmes]

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130DS6220B/Pioneer-DEH-S6220BS.html?tp=72310
To install a true double din you need to semi-perminately modify the dash, I say "semi-perminately" because once you install the double din kit it cannot be removed without ripping the whole dash apart. You also have to modify the facade slightly with some cutting. If it is ever needed to change it back to stock (or single din) it's a headache. Besides, I freaking hate AndroidAuto, would rather just have a straight-forward, no-hassle bluetooth connection.

I bought the BOSS double DIN with some trepidation about removal if it fails. But I got it from Crutchfield with a lifetime warranty to make dashboard removal worth the trouble if it does. Plus I had to go with the backup camera option since the daughter will be driving it. I put the rear bumper through a lot connecting the trailer so that helps too. The bezel mod is pretty easy and it needs painting badly. There are some good YouTube instructional videos on the wiring. Just need to take the time to get it right the first time.

 

[curtis james]

The main reason i went with a flip out was to have option on having it open or closed and i had in for 13 years until head unit finally was going out and had no issues and in fact i will replace with another flip out, i would not go past 7 and it was so nice having a screen while driving and having option to tilt for angles or closed and still have functions.

 

[curtis james]

On a side note i would highly recommend a reputable shop for install if ya go with a high end unit and not a best buy, i can install stereos but with a high end unit they have decent warranty, and a good shop will back there work and it might be a little pricey but its worth it. a good shop will pull it out for you for free if needed. the shop i used did.

 

[Kale D]

I bought the BOSS double DIN with some trepidation about removal if it fails. But I got it from Crutchfield with a lifetime warranty to make dashboard removal worth the trouble if it does. Plus I had to go with the backup camera option since the daughter will be driving it. I put the rear bumper through a lot connecting the trailer so that helps too. The bezel mod is pretty easy and it needs painting badly. There are some good YouTube instructional videos on the wiring. Just need to take the time to get it right the first time.

So no issues with the Boss? How long have you had it?

I’m going to pickup all the interior trim pieces from a pick a part this weekend, so I’ll end up with an extra stereo bezel. Gonna paint all the trim pieces prior to doing the stereo.

Yeah the wiring seems easy enough just unsure of the parking brake wire? Did you do this on your Boss?

 

[Kale D]

On a side note i would highly recommend a reputable shop for install if ya go with a high end unit and not a best buy, i can install stereos but with a high end unit they have decent warranty, and a good shop will back there work and it might be a little pricey but its worth it. a good shop will pull it out for you for free if needed. the shop i used did.

I am tempted to have a shop do it, get it done 100% with warranty would be nice piece of mind. Good advice!

 

[blert]

I am tempted to have a shop do it, get it done 100% with warranty would be nice piece of mind. Good advice!

Clear it with your choice of shop first. Some places won't install unless you buy the hardware from them, or won't warrantee it... totally reasonable IMO.

 

[Larry Holmes]

So no issues with the Boss? How long have you had it?

I’m going to pickup all the interior trim pieces from a pick a part this weekend, so I’ll end up with an extra stereo bezel. Gonna paint all the trim pieces prior to doing the stereo.

Yeah the wiring seems easy enough just unsure of the parking brake wire? Did you do this on your Boss?

I haven’t started the project yet but I considered buying the bezel from eBay to expedite the process. The heat from the factory unit is high and probably caused the paint to peel so I bought the plastic adhesion primer and paint. I’m fairly confident of success having done several projects on my 02 Boxster including the OEM touchscreen and OBC installation wiring. I retire this month so I’m taking my time with it and will post any significant progress or issues going forward.

 

[mcarroll02]

I havent installed my system yet either. I ordered a new bezel for an explorer so i can wire up my new heated signal mirrors to the defrost button. I went with a boss double din touch screen with back up camera, same one that munnday86 installed on his youtube video. I also have all jbl speakers, sub, and amp to go in. First non pioneer head unit ive ever bought. If the boss doesnt work out, i will go with pioneer.

 

[NorgeMan]

I havent installed my system yet either. I ordered a new bezel for an explorer so i can wire up my new heated signal mirrors to the defrost button. I went with a boss double din touch screen with back up camera, same one that munnday86 installed on his youtube video. I also have all jbl speakers, sub, and amp to go in. First non pioneer head unit ive ever bought. If the boss doesnt work out, i will go with pioneer.

I saw the same video and am contemplating the purchase too. I wonder if it has held up over time and you will have the same success.