DIY: Radio DIN cover cost- $0

[Hoffman5982]

I kind of got the inspiration from broadfield. I'm sure this has been done but I figured why not show ya'll a way to do it for free. what you need:

-DVD case-razor( or anything to outline your faceplate)-dremel

Time- appox. 20 minutes

Results: clean!

It's just a trim that goes around your head unit and covers the bottom DIN up. Some may not like it, I just happen to think it looks really clean and looks a lot better than having junk stuffed into the bottom DIN. It's pretty easy, just take your time.

Step One:use this side of your case. Tear the plastic off the front and rip this side off from the case.

Step Two:Next you need your faceplate. Outline it( I used the razor) onto the plastic and start cutting. Don't rush it.

Step 3: Once you cut it out you might have to trim until it fits snug around the faceplate.

Step 4: Now you get to have fun running back and forth from your car trimming little by little until it fits inside the bezel. I had to cut about 1/2"-1" from the bottom and a little off of each side

Final Step: Install it. very simple. Take your bezel off, put faceplate on, and put trim around it. I didn't take the bottom DIN out as it presses the trim against the bezel, basically supporting it. reinstall bezel and tada! admire your free interior mod.

p.s- make sure you take your time. If you look at the right side of mine you can see I messed up a little. Also, my cuts aren;t too straight on the bottom. It's not easy to get straight cuts using a dremel, but no worry. When your sitting in the seat you can't tell.

[Hoffman5982]

I will take better pictures tomorrow. My camera isn't the best for night shots

[OutToWinPAHC]

looks homemade. I would cut with something better. And use a better material, like carbon fiber sheeting or 2mm Alum.

[s13 iDRIFT]

it looks ok, i think ill take out my cd player because it doesnt work anyways and try this out!

Edit: how did you get it to stay in place?

[FolkertSX]

very nice. i always loved how broadfield had this. i hope he chimes in and can tell us how he did it. i just love stuffing all my junk in that pocket so im afraid to do it. once i get a nice headunit like the alpine IDA series then ill do this. nice writeup! 2 thumbs up for creativeness

[SupahTyTeTwoFowty_y0]

I'm really not trying to criticize here.. seriously.. but what is the point of this? I could understand wanting to cover the opening to put maybe gauges or something.. but personally I like the little cubby there, its a good place to put stuff, like cigarettes, candy, my wallet, crack cocaine, coupons for shampoo, raisins, speeding tickets, and glow-sticks.

It looks ok, i would have spent a little more time on the cuts, but if you like it then its alright by me.

[FolkertSX]

you should just sand the edges and paint it. it would look alot better

[Hoffman5982]

please criticize it. You won't hurt my feelings. It's a matter of opinion, some like it some don't. I stuff all of my stuff inside of my center console and behind my seats. I spent all of 20 minutes on this and I have a stack of DVD cases so I'll remake it until it comes out as perfect as I can get it. I was extremely bored and put very little thought and effort into this, and it came out OK. Broadfields was 1000x better because well..... he's broadfield.

To the person who asked how it stays: It goes around the faceplate so that keeps it from moving around, and the bottom DIN presses it against the bezel and theres no movement between the two, on mine anyways

[daconkiftador]

+1 for being creative.

[ventrex]

why would you use a dremel for a dvd case? its plastic. Why not just use a razor or utility knife several times, im sure it would come out alot cleaner.

[Armstec_S13]

thats pretty cool, use masking tape so that way you know where to cut come out nicer but dont worry im not talking crap, just sayin sice you said you got more dvd cases, i wouldn't mind doing that either, what i want to do is find a way to cover my stereo kinda like my scion tc cause i have a double din dvd/navi that i put in, i want to see if i can do something that can slide up into in like a garage door

[Kalypso]

looks great... love your avatar op

[94_240sx]

I'll tell you better material. Black office trash can!! I made mud gurads out of it and it's easy to deal with and cut. I highly recommend it.

[2ndnissan]

I did the same thing but on an s-13. I covered the filler piece in a black felt so the edges weren't ragged. The piece just press fits into the opening. later I'll put some rectangular Dakota gauges in the panel (oil and water). I got tired of looking at the big gap too.

[presidential]

Next time, use an exacto blade and a straight edge, make a series of deeper and deeper cuts into the plastic. Or, just take an old donor center console and pirate a piece of the side plastic out of it for that OEM perfect match. Did the latter for my setup.

[Broadfield]

i always loved how broadfield had this. i hope he chimes in and can tell us how he did it. once i get a nice headunit like the alpine IDA series then ill do this.

I simply used a sheet of ABS to do mine. So basically to make the main hole, I started with a die grinder to get the hole very close. I then use a file and then sand paper to get the edge perfect. I then used a DA to sand it perfectly smooth and then some SEM black paint to finish it off. To get things like this perfect, it takes a steady hand... which some just don't have. It also takes a lot of time to get perfect results. I sell the sheets of ABS in different thicknesses and sizes.

On a side note FolkertSX, I am selling my iDA-X100 that is in the pic. I did an advance exchange with Alpine to get a new one. I figured it would be nice for the person buying it to receive a new one..... and it didn't cost me anything to do it. I am selling it for $150 shipped. I'll throw in a wiring harness if you need it also.

[AIRFORCEONE]

Broadfield, do you rigorously wipe down your interior after every drive to get the oil from your skin off?

[240sx_nissan]

Broadfield, do you rigorously wipe down your interior after every drive to get the oil from your skin off?

lol. super clean! thats whats up