mx5cartalk.com

I don't even know if that's the right term, I couldn't think of what else I could call it so feel free to correct me. I'll start by linking you to this pic http://images.bidorbuy.co.za/user_image ... terior.jpg That's the standard na interior correct? If not, close enough. Well under the head unit is a gap for coins, wallet, parking fines... Whatever. I don't have a picture available right now but in my car, I just have a big flat piece of plastic. It looks like one of those plastic fake buttons they put in cars when the buyer has not put in certain factory options and trying to cover empty space.
I wanna take it out but I don't want a void to nowhere, so is there something I can replace it with? Be happy to pay if there are any sitting around your garage!

i thought a 1.5 din was needed?

Depends what year of car! 96 onwards are 1 DIN, I know this much. Before that, I think gobsmax is right, it's 1.5 DIN.

I feel like an idiot asking this but what does 'din' mean?

The acronym DIN is actually German (Deutsches Institut für Normung) which is loosely translated in English to German Institute for Standardization.

DIN is the common accepted standard of measurement for the space for radios (etc) in cars.

1 DIN is equal to the size of an aftermarket stereo. A double DIN, you get it equals to two of them stack on top of each other. Common size for stereos with the touch screens and/or monitors. In the olden days double DIN was used if you needed a CD and a cassette player in your car.

Earlier NAs (89-93) had a radio with 1.5 DIN. My NA (94) has a radio with 1.5 DIN but the opening is only a double DIN. Meaning I have a cubby holder the size of .5 DIN.

Though with modern cars now incorporating the exterior of the stereo within their console design (ie. NC), the DIN is becoming less and less common.

nanotech wrote:I feel like an idiot asking this but what does 'din' mean?

DIN refers to a standardized radio/stereo size for vehicles (large enough to accept a CD). 1 DIN is the standard DIN specification. 2 DIN or double DIN refers to units that are twice as high as the standard DIN, half DIN is half high as 1 DIN.
International standard ISO 7736 defines a standard size for car audio head units. The standard was originally established by the German standards body Deutsches Institut fur Normung, and is therefore commonly referred to as the "DIN car radio size". It was adopted as an international standard in 1984.
Head units generally come in either single DIN (1 DIN), which is 50 mm high; or double DIN (2 DIN), which is 100 mm high. So you should check the player position height of your car carefully, if 50mm, you should get 1 Din Car audio, and if 100mm, please choose 2 Din audio.

you can also find these in auto places like supercheap/autobarn

an informative post guys - just goes to show the value of " standards" in cars. Looks like Nanotech can will be able to find a product to give some more usable space in the car.

If he has the taller, but narrower opening which requires a 1.5 DIN cubby hole, then he can always wander over to mx5mania's site for a later model fascia, which has the standard opening. That would be my advice.

From there he can buy a standard 1 DIN cubby hole as illustrated above, and if he has an after market stereo then it will fit more nicely as well.

Jules

Perhaps we should have a Top Ten Tips for the MX5, as this is certainly one of the most popular?

jules wrote: later model fascia, which has the standard opening. That would be my advice.

I think this is a good idea!

I agree with Jules. If you get yourself the upper centre console surround from a later model NA you will have a 2 din opening, which allows you to perfectly fit a 1 din head unit and 1 din cubby hole. If you are after somewhere to store coins, you can convert the ash tray by detaching the top of the ash tray and reverse it.

Here is one I prepared earlier, with both the later model tomb stone and modified ash tray.



J.

I didn't expect everyone to be so generous on this topic! thanks everyone who has contributed, I have a world of information now!!! Oh and for the record, mine looks like the picture just above, but instead of a cubby hole, it's just got a flat piece of plastic under my stereo (which is coming out soon). I think I'll take out the current head unit and behind the seat six stacker and replace it with my trusty Kenwood one I have gathering dust in the garage, then I can take out that ugly flat plastic thing and replace with with something more practical. I'll make sure to check out local places like Autobahn, Repco and Supercheap before heading to the online world.
Once again thanks a lot! I'll submit some pics when I get around to installing it

broady wrote:Depends what year of car! 96 onwards are 1 DIN, I know this much. Before that, I think gobsmax is right, it's 1.5 DIN.

This.

But Pre-96 had screw-in rear-view mirrors, chrome bezel, Nardi, one less O2 sensor, OBDI....xD