So I did a lot of digging on the ‘net and found a guy who got a full-height 2-DIN unit to fit, but had to painstakingly modify the dash bezel. The steps he describes seemed laborious, but I thought I’d take on the project. So I ordered the Kenwood DNX-5120, a 2-DIN model from my favorite place, Crutchfield and got busy.

Well after enough time, it proved more than a challenge than even I had time for. So I decided to just see what the experts would have to say. I dropped in on my local car audio shop and I was happily surprised. They said it’d be no problem. By the end of the day I had a fully installed unit with all the extras like a backup camera, iPod cable and Sirius radio. It just barely fits in the existing opening. The disc slot on top goes right up to the upper edge and the buttons on the bottom go right up to the bottom edge. Also, they had to dremel trim it just a hair.

The results are exactly as I had hoped. It looks like the car was built that way from the factory! Have a look.

If you get to Sonic, ask for Kevin (the mgr.) or Oscar (who did the work).

First Impressions

Right after I got it installed, I took a weekend trip to Harrisburg. I set the nav and a nice female voice guided me the way there. I don’t like how nav units tell you to ‘continue on the current road’ when you’re on a highway but not exiting. I suppose they’re afraid you’ll exit even when you weren’t told to do so. Also, I haven’t figured out how to turn down the volume of the nav voice yet. It’s rather loud.

The backup cam engages automatically when you go into reverse. The unit takes a little longer to boot than I’d like (10 seconds?); it seems like a long time when you’re waiting to begin backing up. Also the image is initially ‘correct’ but what I need is a reverse image as one would get in a rear-view mirror. It took some poking, but I disovered that a tap on the FNC (function) button swaps it.

I haven’t tried the iPod interface yet. Sirius works like a champ. I was a bit disappointed that it didnt’ come with the traffic receiver. That’s an additional option. Maybe it will be a gift from Santa Crutchfield this Xmas.

As another upgrade, I’ll need to install an after-market adapter between the unit and the door sub-woofers. Without it, the sub-woofers don’t woof. I supplied it to the shop, but it somehow didn’t make it in the installation.

However, I have had time to refine my view.  I have always maintained that the unions have over-leveraged too sweet a deal for themselves.  They have done so to the point of bringing the Big 3 to their knees.  There, I said it.

Today it was announced that the bailout has died in the Senate.  In truth, it was mostly just a sweet and big loan, not a gift like the financial giants got. This could be a good thing (in a relative way).  The only way a domestic auto industry could succeed would be to have pay and benefits commensurate with those of foreign manufacturers who have plants in the US.  That was a central requriement of the proposal and the UAW would not budge (enough).

Clearly, the UAW leadership is only looking out for themselves.  I would think that jobs for the workers that are on par with the Japanese manufacturers would be way better than nothing.  American workers for Japanese and German auto companies seem universally happy and content with their lots.

Q: How would the same be unacceptable for their Big 3 counterparts?  A: far less pay for the UAW honchos.

Maybe it’s time for a new auto industry landscape in this country.  Perhaps the Big 3 will fold and the Japanese and Germans will get assets and workers at a fire sale.  At the very least, the foreign manufacturers will be left with more marketshare.  This will be interesting.