Custom radio face plate

I went to put a radio in my car, so I searched for a face plate mounting kit.

 

I found this-http://www.bestbuy.com/site/scosche-stereo-installation-kit-for-select-subaru-vehicles/7200389.p?id=1218019616088&skuId=7200389

(notice 1st review on this one)

 

and this-http://www.carid.com/1990-subaru-legacy-stereo-installation/metra-stereo-dash-kit-4481418.html

 

neither of them look like they would fit, the stock faceplate is long and slants on the bottom. And in the best buy review, the guy says it wouldn't fit his wagon.

 

 

I could not find any more, so I made my own. heres a how-to with pics

 

First, I took the radio face plate out and traced the double-din square onto a piece of 1/4" plexiglass. I then cut the plexiglass square out, and fit it into the faceplate

Next I masked the front, so the glue would not seep through to the front, causing more sanding.

 

I Used a 2 part CA glue, one formulated for plastics. Very strong stuff. I put a couple of beads all around the back

After that I took the single din radio mounting sleeve, and traced it where I wanted it. I used a scroll saw to cut it out. I believe a cutting wheel would be best for this application, even on a dremmel tool. Plaxiglass is hard to cut, just because it melts right back together after your saw blade passes through.

I used spot putty to fill in the gaps. Bondo would probably fill in better, but this is easy to sand.

 

I did this 2 times, just to make sure it was smooth.

IIRC I used a fine metal blade to cut Lexan.

and then paint. you can see the seams in the picture, its barely noticeable in person. I also only got 1 coat of paint on it, It was near the end of the can.

 

Another way to cover it would be brush on bed liner. Looks good, and it would cover up any voids.

 

Note-I did cut 2 triangle braces out of plexiglass to hold up the radio sleeve. I just glued them in.

 

 

Pretty easy to do, it just took a piece of plexiglass, glue, spot putty and paint.

that looks like shit bro

Pretty ingenious

Why not get the correct mounting kit?.. or use ABS

You can toss that mounting sleeve and just use the OEM radio brackets. . . and an OEM pocket or two below it. No kit required. . .which is probably why they don't sell one.

 

Clever, tho.

"No kit required. . .which is probably why they don't sell one."

 

That is exactly why they don't sell one. It is called an ISO mount. You use the factory brackets.

Some gauges and switches would have looked better on it if you llaced the head unit lower

Bummer, sucks to get no love on a project you took some time on, put some of that product knowlegde and molding into something that isn't trivial or un-needed.when your doing work like that you should want it to be an important part or a focal point. It looks like from the pics of the dash your working with a 1st gen legacy..I love them myself, I think they are great looking cars but with little to no body modification support...so its up to the consumers talent to think up what no one else in the past 20 years has. Nice dedication though.