Well, I have an 89 s-10 Blazer. I'm ready to install a new head unit. I am having a bit of trouble with making the head unit solid. I think I made an error in my last install when I threw away the factory mounting hardware. It would seem to take mighty small hands to use the mounting strap supplied. (you know the thing you have to bend and put through the screw in the back of the head unit) The way it is, the solidity relies a lot on the sleave and install kit being solid. The last head unit, I used spray foam to make it solid but that makes it hard to remove. I may have to remove it for some reason, cutting away foam isn't my idea of fun. Any ideas or ways you handled this problem?
Troy
Replies (5)
UKinstaller on 08/9/2004 09:21:23
you shouldn't need a backstrap for making the unit fit solid. as long as you have the right dash kit and your cage is mounted to where it doesn't move at all, you should be fine. also, sometimes you may be using the right dash kit, but if the holes don't line up perfect, i.e. you have to push the radio or hold it up in order to get the screws back in, then this will cause it to not fit correctly. just make sure the screw holes on the dash kit fit flush against the holes where you screw the radio in.
-UK
ttocs on 08/9/2004 11:55:56
you should have kept the mounting brackets off the factory deck to mount the new deck, but it can be fixed. There are two kits that are general gm kits by metra, 99-4500, and the 99-4544. The 4544 has a few different faces to allow for different depths of decks, as well as most of the necessary mounting brackets. There are two needed for that truck and they are both in there. If you go to your local shop and tell them your story, and sweet talk them a bit more then likely they will help you out as those parts normally get thrown away.......
UKinstaller on 08/9/2004 23:51:01
is there anything the 99-4544 can't do?? they sure do work on a lot of cars.
-UK
SUBTROY1 on 08/10/2004 22:33:33
Thanks guys for the input. I went by the junk yard today and found the two little "nubs" that are attatched to the side of the factory stereos. If I could somehow use these to slide into the factory slots, it would do a lot as far as supporting the head unit. Not sure if you guys know what I'm talking about when I say nubs.
What would the Metra kit have that the Schosche kit wouldn't have?
Troy
ttocs on 08/11/2004 09:29:12
the "nubs" that mount to the side of the factory deck? If so that is what you need. Your radio should be mounted to a plastic kit that fills the extra space in the dash? On the side of it are holes that should allow you to mount those brackets to the kit using a screw and a nut(3/8" nut normally comes with the kit). Then you can screw the brackets into the stock location and it will be solid........
The metra kit 4544 had a few extra pieces. It came with a rectangular plastick cage that allowed 3 different faces to mount to the front of it to allow for more or less space behind it. It also had a seperate bag of parts consisiting of various chevy factory radio mounting brackets.
Troy
Replies (5)
UKinstaller on 08/9/2004 09:21:23
you shouldn't need a backstrap for making the unit fit solid. as long as you have the right dash kit and your cage is mounted to where it doesn't move at all, you should be fine. also, sometimes you may be using the right dash kit, but if the holes don't line up perfect, i.e. you have to push the radio or hold it up in order to get the screws back in, then this will cause it to not fit correctly. just make sure the screw holes on the dash kit fit flush against the holes where you screw the radio in.
-UK
ttocs on 08/9/2004 11:55:56
you should have kept the mounting brackets off the factory deck to mount the new deck, but it can be fixed. There are two kits that are general gm kits by metra, 99-4500, and the 99-4544. The 4544 has a few different faces to allow for different depths of decks, as well as most of the necessary mounting brackets. There are two needed for that truck and they are both in there. If you go to your local shop and tell them your story, and sweet talk them a bit more then likely they will help you out as those parts normally get thrown away.......
UKinstaller on 08/9/2004 23:51:01
is there anything the 99-4544 can't do?? they sure do work on a lot of cars.
-UK
SUBTROY1 on 08/10/2004 22:33:33
Thanks guys for the input. I went by the junk yard today and found the two little "nubs" that are attatched to the side of the factory stereos. If I could somehow use these to slide into the factory slots, it would do a lot as far as supporting the head unit. Not sure if you guys know what I'm talking about when I say nubs.
What would the Metra kit have that the Schosche kit wouldn't have?
Troy
ttocs on 08/11/2004 09:29:12
the "nubs" that mount to the side of the factory deck? If so that is what you need. Your radio should be mounted to a plastic kit that fills the extra space in the dash? On the side of it are holes that should allow you to mount those brackets to the kit using a screw and a nut(3/8" nut normally comes with the kit). Then you can screw the brackets into the stock location and it will be solid........
The metra kit 4544 had a few extra pieces. It came with a rectangular plastick cage that allowed 3 different faces to mount to the front of it to allow for more or less space behind it. It also had a seperate bag of parts consisiting of various chevy factory radio mounting brackets.
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