FL Stereo Surround Removal

[Jaffacakes]

Hi all,

I have just had a new Sony Double DIN head unit fitted by Halfords to my FL, but the guy couldn't remove the stereo surround from the old standard double din head unit and so just went ahead and fitted the new one without it (in my absence I might add). So when I got shown to the final install it looked a bit crappy!

He did fit the side fill panels, but I'm assuming from reading other posts on here that there IS a way to remove the old surround and that it will fit around a new double din head unit to complete the look. In fact I'm certain of it as I've seen pictures on here to that effect, so can somebody tell me how to remove the surround from my standard FL unit, it doesn't seem obvious to me either and I didn't want to force it, is there something holding it at the corners?

Then I guess I will have to remove the whole new unit again to fit the new surround around it, though the guy from Halfords did offer to help if I took it back, but its a bit out my way.

Cheers
Geoff

[Eastsoutheast]

I am afraid I don't know how to remove the trim but I had ordered the same in Halfords a couple of weeks ago and they told me the Sony double din unit would not fit!!!!!

How frustrating as I since advised another member the same so now I feel a plonka.

Good luck removing the trim.

[tomaky]

4 screws on the back, there are ball ache.

[Jaffacakes]

Hi all,

Tomaky, maybe different on the Pre-FL? Only screws seem to be to do with attaching the headunit and side fill panels rather than the surround?

EastSouthEast, pretty sure this is good for our car, see link to another post where Markb has one already neatly fitted!

Not sure I am being clear on what the problem is here, but as it happens I have now managed to remove the surround from the old unit, it wasn't hard at all, but I guess the Halfords guy was worried about forcing and breaking it. Anyway, I have the damn thing off now, just need to know how best to proceed. I assume I'm going to have to remove the whole thing to fit this? Anyone know? Some pics below...

So this is what it looks like currently with just the side fill panels fitted:-





i.e. a bit rubbish!

This is the surround off the old unit:-





Not sure what the two big prongs locate into, I assume if I go to the effort of removing the whole unit it will become obvious!

What I was hoping it would look like is markb's in this post:-

 l viewtopic.php?f=31&t=51863 l

How do I get to that point with the minimum of hassle?

Cheers
Geoff

[tomaky]

Dont think that surround will actually be refit with the new stereo.

[Topdownman]

I refitted my surround when I changed my stereo, mine still has a gap at the sides but it looks better with it than without.

The 2 prongs go into holes under the heater controls. Have you looked at the thread about fitting a new stereo? If not, have a look for that and it should help you. When I did mine it was all straightforward once I knew how to take the side pieces off so you can get to the screws etc. Once you have done it a few times its easy enough. I cant remember if you will have to take the unit out to get it on and I seem to remember taking the heater knobs off to get at screws to remove the heater control panel off the first time I did it but it should all be clear if you find the 'how to'!

Definitely worth persevering with.....

[Markb]

Dont think that surround will actually be refit with the new stereo.

It will with the side fillers  s:D s:D  same as mine.

I found the surround very hard to remove from the original unit.


Just looking at my own now.......i think if you remove the heater control panel.....pull the knobs off.....pull the slide knob off.....remove screws under the 2 outer knobs iirc.....lift the panel away.....be careful,theres wires to the clock.

 You should be able to fit the surround over the unit now while its still fitted......the prongs locate under the heater panel....

Its not a tight fit and can be moved in and out a few mm when in place.....tbh the pre facelift surround is better imo.

[stewart@boro]

Did mine a couple of weeks ago and fits fine with side fillers which are a couple of quid from you know where  s:) s:)

[Jaffacakes]

Thanks Markb and others, doesn't sound too bad, I will give it a crack on Monday as I won't get away with tinkering on Mothering Sunday!

Will post back if/when I get it sorted.

Cheers
Geoff

[Jaffacakes]

Out of interest, anyone know where I might lay my hands on a prefacelift surround?

Can't seem to find one on ebay at the moment.

Geoff

[Markb]

Out of interest, anyone know where I might lay my hands on a prefacelift surround?

Can't seem to find one on ebay at the moment.

Geoff

The unit would need to be removed to fit a pre facelift surround as the mounting brackets and side fillers use the same holes/screws......a bit more work but not too bad.

[Jaffacakes]

Oh I see, ok, well I'll see how I get on with what I've got tomorrow and see if I'm happy with it, but yours looks tidy to me.

Cheers
Geoff

[Jaffacakes]

Hi all, after taking it all apart and faffing around with it for a bit, this is the best I could get it:-

Side view:-


Front on and to right:-


Front on and to left:-


If you look closely you can see the side fillers aren't perfect. I noticed looking at a pic of Markb's, that his side fill panels fit to the side of the glossy black outermost edge of the Sony unit, but with mine, the only screw holes availble to fit them moved the side fills forward slightly so that they actually overlap the edge of the head unit. Hard to explain, but I had to loosen off the front screws on the sidefills to make them bend out slightly.

Picture of side fills with hole aligned and overlapping outmost edge of new head unit front:-


Picture of side fills with the front put flush with outmost edge of head unit which is where I want it, but as you can see, the holes don't line up:-


If you switch sides there is no way of fitting them with screws through the original plate that secures the stereo to the dash.

Side bracket screwed over original bracket:-


Additionally, the original surround doesn't fit brilliantly, its on there, but there is some play forwards/backwards in it if you knock it.

Anyway, looks much better with than without, but I am going to try and get a PFL surround and do something with that.

What I would say to anyone who is uncertain of fitting a head unit yourself (like I was!), that actually getting removing/replacing the head unit is a piece of cake and I wish I had never bothered paying Halfords the £30 to do a half ass'd job in the first place!

Fortunately, for the money, the new Sony unit is great and works brilliantly with my Galaxy S5 phone for bluetooth music and telephone and fits nice with the originaly interior, especially when lit at night.

Sorry for long post and all the pics, just these little details annoy me!

Cheers
Geoff

[mulaz]

For a neat factory finish look using a double DIN head unit
look out for a Sony radio trim from a PFL
This is my radio in my FL

It has metal hangers so the radio feels more rigid than the plastic ebay one's and doesn't have any gaps

The flash in the pictures makes the trim look grey but it is jet black and matches the trim perfectly

DSCN0619 by Mulaz1, on Flickr

DSCN0621 by Mulaz1, on Flickr

[shnazzle]

+1 on the pre-fl surround. So much neater I think.

[Jaffacakes]

Yeah, is it asking round breakers, or keeping an eye out on ebay, where did you guys get yours?

I spose I could see if I can get a new one from Toyota parts...

Geoff

[Jaffacakes]

Hey, just noticed something, Mulaz, you have some sort of cover behind the central console covering up all the wiring, where they on the car when you bought it or did you make them?

Looks much neater with all that junk hidden.

Geoff

[mulaz]

i posted a wanted add in the wanted section  l viewforum.php?f=68 l  
and had a reply soon afterwards   s:D s:D

[mulaz]

made carboard templates one left . one right
cut hardboard from the templates
covered them with black carpet stuck down with evostick
Make them a neat fit and they just push into place

[Jaffacakes]

Doh! Yeah, the Wanted section is a good start...

Mulaz, your side trim panels look neat, might have to give that a go myself. Where did you source the matching carpet?

Cheers
Geoff

[mulaz]

The material was off some sub woofer speakers that someone had made
How about trying a scrap yard for some carpet from a car boot?

[Jaffacakes]

Okie dokie, will see what I can come up with!

Cheers for your help  s:) s:)

Geoff

[trevsmr2]

Okie dokie, will see what I can come up with!

Cheers for your help  s:) s:)

Geoff

The black firewall carpet from a MK2 is ideal ,thick rubber backing so you don't need a wood template

or this sticky back acoustic carpet

 m http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Phonocar-4-36 ... 51b813578d m

Couple of posts for ideas

 l viewtopic.php?f=8&t=52380&p=602420&hilit=kick+panels#p602420 l

 l viewtopic.php?f=8&t=29590&p=389631&hilit=kick+panels#p389631 l

[Jaffacakes]

Thanks for the links Trevsmr2, will look into this in more detail now I have something to go on. Would be good to hide all that wiring away!

Geoff

[trevsmr2]

Thanks for the links Trevsmr2, will look into this in more detail now I have something to go on. Would be good to hide all that wiring away!

Geoff

Ive found a couple of old ones i made if you want them to give you a guide ,not perfect though




Shouldnt cost much to post