Double Din Install in 98 NB

Darius · Postby **Darius** » Thu May 06, 2010 12:02 pm

Hey Guys,

Looking at putting the Pioneer FH-P8000BT double din unit into my 98 NB. However upon a bit of research, it appears a double din unit won't fit into a 98-00 NB and will leave about a 1/4 gap at the bottom.

I realise that i'll probably need a dash kit to install it, but i'm having trouble locating a decent one. Anyone had success in installing a double din unit into a 98-00 NB?

Cheers,
Dave.

toymx5 · Postby **toymx5** » Thu May 06, 2010 12:36 pm

Hi Dave,

A double din unit will definitely a NB8A, I fitted a Alpine double din unit last year and it looks fantastic. All I had to do was take out the original radio and plastic pocket then fit the metal double din frame tray and the unit simply pushes into that and locks. I'm not sure if the metal frame comes with the Pioneer unit or you have to buy it seperately, any good car stereo shop will be able to supply one if it doesn't come with the unit.

Cheers,

Toymx5

Darius · Postby **Darius** » Thu May 06, 2010 12:41 pm

Thanks for the feedback Toymx5! I had heard some people say it would fit and some said it wouldn't without a dash kit, so it's a relief that at least a car stereo shop should be able to fit it fine.

The pocket, while practical is a bit of an eye sore, will be glad to see it gone

Thanks again!

toymx5 · Postby **toymx5** » Thu May 06, 2010 12:56 pm

Agree ! Not sure what Mazda was thinking putting an ugly pocket that high on the dash !

I'll send you a photo of what my unit looks like fitted tonight, it like the Pioneer, look like they are factory fitted units

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Thu May 06, 2010 1:28 pm

Here's my install of the unit in a 2004 SE:

viewtopic.php?f=55&t=38070

Also, the unit comes with a few mounting options, including a metal mounting bracket with a plastic black fascia to cover it so you wont need anything extra.

Darius · Postby **Darius** » Thu May 06, 2010 2:20 pm

It was actually your original post Lokiel that got me interested in that head unit

Do you remember which site you got the unit from since they aren't sold locally? The best i've come up with is $400 AU inc. shipping from http://www.onlinecarstereo.com.

I also noticed that if you try and order it from www.crutchfield.com and put in your car as a 99 Miata, it includes this dash kit so that you can fit it. That was one of the things that first made me aware of potential fitting problems in a 98NB. If you put a 2004 Miata it doesn't include that dash kit. But good to know I probably won't need it!

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Thu May 06, 2010 6:18 pm

I bought mine from http://www.ryda.com.au. They no longer sell these so I suspect that Pioneer have discontinued them in favour of producing Double-Din units that include SatNav+DVD playback (these now cost about the same as what I paid for my unit). I didn't want an LCD in my car since I wont be looking at it much and it just invites a break-in. I love this unit because it's subtle are very easy to use while driving.

Have a look at this Audio/Electronic forum for alternative ideas: http://forum.miata.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26

The http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=375374 thread has some info on the latest JVC units.

The dash kit you included in your link came standard with mine that I bought from Ryda. I didn't use any of it, just the double-din mounting cage and the plastic fascia.

Darius · Postby **Darius** » Thu May 06, 2010 6:32 pm

Thanks for the links Lokiel, i'll be checking those out shortly.

Lokiel wrote:The dash kit you included in your link came standard with mine that I bought from Ryda. I didn't use any of it, just the double-din mounting cage and the plastic fascia.

It did? Was it part of the pioneer package or a separate one that they included? From the picture on that link I provided, there's a plastic bar which separates the two dins on the one that doesn't include a pocket. For a double din head unit, didn't that get in the way?

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Thu May 06, 2010 6:39 pm

The unit came with "another" plastic fascia that didn't include the horizontal bar in the middle - this was the one I used.

Darius · Postby **Darius** » Fri May 07, 2010 1:02 pm

Bit the bullet and ordered it this morning, i'll do an update when it gets here and see how it goes getting fitted. Thanks for your help everyone!

Shambler · Postby **Shambler** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 10:22 am

How'd you go? I'm planning on fitting a 7inch touchscreen into mine, and I'm worried by the space you mentioned. It appears to be standard double din, I've got a stock headunit with cd player in there at the moment

Darius · Postby **Darius** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 1:16 pm

It's getting installed this weekend, if you can hold of till then i'll post an update on Monday

Darius · Postby **Darius** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:28 am

Update: The double din install was no trouble for the car audio guys that I had put it in. They fitted it perfectly using a mounting kit they had in the shop. I can post pics of the install if anyone's keen, the overall unit looks really good in the MX5, almost looks like it came stock with the car. The unit itself is a really great stereo, waaay better than the single din clarion I had in there previously.