Best vehicle for radio installs?

[Kegan30317]

I'm about to start looking for a new car, probably an SUV, maybe a sedan. Any thoughts on a vehicle that has a better than average amount of 'in-dash real estate', and what I mean by that is a few extra in-dash mounting DIN spaces? I am tired of radios, etc hanging down and displays in such a way that I have to crane my neck or whatever to read them (these eyes ain't what they used to be).

<b>Any thoughts on a vehicle that accomdates after market radio installs nicely?</b>

 

[BoxAlarm187]

With the ever-changing vehicle interiors, you're probably going to be hard pressed to find a sedan now that will have much dash room for radios. Naturally, you can look at any vehicle with a double-DIN OEM radio - take the OEM unit out, and you'd be able to fit a DIN-sized scanner (Pro-2096 or the upcoming Uniden 996T) and a DIN sized AM/FM in there with little problem. Just a few days ago, there was a Ford Explorer posted here with a set-up like that.

If you're more concerned with space for radio mounting than what type of vehicle you get, you'll probably want to look into a SUV. There are so many mounting options here, it's hard to list them all. As stated above, the Explorer and Toyota 4-Runner have the double-DIN dash option, but there are also the radio consoles for nearly every SUV out there (made by Jotto Desk, Havis Shields, and Troy Manufacturing), and if you feel really froggy, you custom build your own console.

I'd suggest going over to the Batlabs Batboard (http://batboard.batlabs.com), and do a Search for Explorer, Tahoe, Yukon, etc, and see some of the installs over there. It will definately fuel your imagination.

 

[MacombMonitor]

HUMVEE might do the trick!

 

[Dolceg]

Try a Yukon or a Suburban they seem to have a lot of room in them. The new Buick also seems to have decent room in them for radio installs.

 

[gr8amp]

Try a Yukon or a Suburban they seem to have a lot of room in them. The new Buick also seems to have decent room in them for radio installs.

All the recent Yukons or Suburbans have a DIN and 1/2 sized dash opening, last time I checked. There isn't an easy way to install an "in-dash" scanner in one of these vehicles unless you A) ditch the stereo or B) do a lot of abs and glassing on the dash bezel.

You tend to find double din openings in Ford vehicles more than you do in GM, and they are even more popular in imports (some of the imports are even better because they provide a pocket, and allow ISO mounting)

Just simply pay particular attention to the dash when looking at vehicles....just as you would look at the engine, or take it for a test drive. If the car has a double din opening, chances are you can throw a scanner in the dash with little trouble. Almost every install will require a certain amount of "custom" work so that it looks professional. Dont really expect somehting to just drop in the dash like a car stereo would. Be prepared to do some cutting or modifications. Lots of vehicles are lacking the depth required to set the scanner back far enough so it sits flush. This usually means cutting away some rear support brackets, modifying heating ducts, etc.

Personally, I think a vehicle should be selected for other reasons (although keeping dash opening size in the back of your head isnt a bad idea). Find something you like and feel comfortable in and will really enjoy........and deal with the install later. I'd rather have to do a lot of custom work to a vehicle that I really enjoy driving, than being stuck with somehting I cant stand to just because it was easy to slide a scanner into the dash. Its more fun that way too

-Jim

 

[BoxAlarm187]

Personally, I think a vehicle should be selected for other reasons (although keeping dash opening size in the back of your head isnt a bad idea). Find something you like and feel comfortable in and will really enjoy........and deal with the install later.

For the past decade, all of my vehicle purchases were at least partially based on ease of installation.

You're very correct that the DIN-and-half opening in the GM's doesn't lend itself to in-dash scanner installs. Depending on how much money and mods you want to make to the vehicle, there are always options like this: Tahoe console or Explorer consoles.

 

[FCVPI99]

a ford P71 (crown victoria police) has a spot all rady for the radios!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kd7gxu]

Van

Vans are the best. I have a hooptie van (Aerostar) that I drive to work. The sliding door doesn't work anymore so I took out the passenger seat. It has a wooden box that hold all the radios that I can handle and has tons of room and ample groundplane for antennae on the roof. I have had a lot of radios in a lot of cars but never this much room or performance from the antennae. The downside is that a minivan is not cool at all.

 

[bonus1331]

Hooptie

Ahhh, the hooptie van AKA the ramshackle sleigh??

....haven't heard hooptie in a long time...

 

[Julian1]

Car for installs - Chev Impala

If you're looking at 2006 models, the Chevrolet Impala is available in a bench seat configuration. I had a 2004 Impala. The console mfg folks (Jotto Desk, Havis Shields, etc) have made mounts for previous Impalas. I suspect they will for 2006 model too.

If you look at 2005 models, the Impala is there again as are Taurus and Sable. All available in bench seat models.

Good luck and take care,
Julian

 

[fmon]

This 2067 install was replaced by a 2096 install. Note the time on the clock above the 2096. Exactly two hours earlier, UPS delivered the 2096 and I removed the 2067 and took this picture of the installed 2096.

 

[IW_RADIO]

Very impressive install !! Neat and functional... I like it !!!

 

[SCPD]

Best vehicle for Radio's

CROWN VIC.

I recently purchased a 05 Dodge Intrepid, an awesome car but now I have to look at the radio's sideways. The Ford Crown Victoria and Chevy Impalla with Bucket seating and the Shifter on the collum, make for the best and easiest mounting of everything. Jotto Desk, and other Consoles available through Galls and many others are designed for Ford and Chevy's. in addition; Ford and Chevy have better electricial systems with a more heavy duty alternator which allow for greater amp draw. but From experience, and without having to pull the front seat, a Crown Vic or an Impalla are wonderful vehicles for serious communications. Downside, in this day and age of EXPENSIVE GAS these two vehicles tend to suck alot of it.

KIA's are almost the worst vehicle to mount equipment in. (Been there - Done that)

 

[N9JIG]

I suggest a van without a center console. This frees up room between the seats for radios. My current vehicle is a Honda Odyssey that has a fold down tray between the seats. Although I don't use it for this now, this can be easily removed to provide a lot of radio room.

I also had had a Ford Expedition, this had a large center console that I was able to mount radios in, then close the door to hide them.

Prior vehicles of mine included a Ford Explorer that I was able to remove the center console from and mount radios in, then when I sold this car I replaced the console into it.

Cars these days just don't have the room for multiple radios. While you can sometimes get them with bucket seats and no center consoles, these are usually stripped down models. Anything nice has integrated consoles that make mounting radios difficult without major surgery. Buying fleet vehicles like Crown Vics mean having few niceties. Buying vans or SUV's allow for luxury items and radio room.

 

[dropkick]

Subaru Impreza (WRX here) has 3, count em, 3! DIN slots

1. DIN sized guage pack
2. AM/FM/CD/etc
3. BC780XLT

780 to be replaced with the 996 as soon as it comes out...

Oh and the tray in front of the ashtray holds a Kenwood D700 panel.

 

[oregontreehugger]

That is pretty smart of Subaru! (Nice install, too!)

 

[CVPI4Ever]

Find a retired police vehicle. They are made with that stuff in mind.

 

[Drifter]

by way of negative example, you DON'T want an older (pre 2000) Jeep Cherokee. There is no damn room behind that dash for anything!!!