Many drivers dream of equipping their car with a new radio. Today you can choose a player that allows you to listen to music with very high-quality sound. Many of today's media devices have a multimedia screen.
Its use opens up new opportunities for the driver, who can:
- listen to music in excellent quality;
- use a navigator;
- plan routes using a satellite map;
- watch movies while relaxing.
Replacing a factory audio system can be difficult if the new media device has non-standard dimensions. Manufacturers have solved this problem by releasing many models of frames for modern radios.
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Purpose of the transition frame
New car players are designed not only for listening to audio files, but also for playing video. Often, they have dimensions that are smaller or larger than the standard niche for their installation.
To ensure that your media device is installed without gaps, you need to purchase a special frame that will fit your car model and fit perfectly into the design of its interior.
Manufacturers produce special boxes for new radios that are suitable for most car models. When choosing a design that will help you install a new radio in the interior of your car without gaps, you need to take into account the year of manufacture of the car, the type of new player, and its dimensions.
Adapter frames for car radios 1 DIN and 2 DIN
Adapter frames for car radios come in two standard types:
- With 1 din size.
- With 2 din size.
Features of the Din 1 standard
An adapter frame for a 1 din car radio is needed to install a player for listening to the radio and playing audio files. Its seat size is 180x50 cm.
Features of the Din 2 standard
Since 2000, all machines have used new frame sizes of 2 din (180x100 cm). Adapter frames for 2 din car radios are designed for the installation of multifunctional multimedia systems. Their height is twice the height of the frames for devices that can only play audio files. Universal adapter boxes that fit all cars have a special pocket. It allows you to install such a car radio without gaps if its height is less than standard.
Installation of players in various cars
Looking at the dashboard, you might think that replacing the radio is practically impossible. Car dealerships usually offer to install standard Chinese audio systems, and do not agree to connect branded media devices. But in fact, in the online store you can select a plastic structure for mounting a new player for any car.
These devices are available in simple and complex shapes. They may have different prices. But, if necessary, you can choose an excellent plastic adapter for a car of any year and model.
Ford Focus 2
There is always a large selection of frames for new media systems for this brand of car. A design that allows you to beautifully install the system can be purchased at a cost of 540 rubles for size Din1, and at a price of up to 1000 rubles. for a design made for a Din2 size audio system. Adapter frame 2 din Metra 95-5026, designed for the Ford Escape 2001-2007, will cost 2,500 rubles.
Frame Metra 95-7951 for Chevrolet Lacetti
It will fit a 2din size media device. It will decorate the interior of the Chevrolet Lacetti, produced in 2004-2008. Its cost is 520 rubles.
Opel
The adapter frame for din 1 car radio for Opel will cost 800 rubles. The price of a design with din 2 dimensions ranges from 1,000 to 18,000 rubles, depending on the model of the car and its year of manufacture.
Lada Granta
Model Intro 95-3311 will help you install a new audio system instead of a standard player. This design is perfect for the interior design of the Lada Granta. Its price is about 780 rubles.
UAZ Patriot
A frame for a 2 din INTRO RUZ-01 radio will fit this car. The strongest plastic was used for its manufacture. These adapters are made in the original shades of the car's dashboard.
Volkswagen
The frame for the 2 din Intro radio RVW-N05 was created specifically for the VW Passat B5, released in 1996-2005. Its cost is about 250 rubles. It is suitable for installing a modern 2 Din turntable.
Frame 2 din Intro RVW-N05 will cost 880 rubles.
Kia Rio
The adapter frame for 2 din car radio Intro RKIA-N28 BL is suitable for installing a modern car radio instead of a conventional audio system. This adapter will fit perfectly into the interior of the KIA Rio from 2011. The kit includes special fasteners.
Mitsubishi
The Intro RMS-N01 model for 1270 rubles helps to secure the new player in place of the usual one. This design is ideal for the Mitsubishi Pajero 4 car brand.
Mitsubishi Outlander
The INTRO RMS-N20S model is needed to install a modern media device. It was created specifically for the Mitsubishi Outlander model, released in 2012. The kit contains all the necessary fasteners.
Toyota Altezza
The frame for the 2 din Intro RLS-IS01 car radio allows you to install a modern video and audio player instead of a standard audio system.
Toyota Prius
The Metra 95-8239B adapter frame for 2800 rubles allows you to install a new double-height radio instead of a regular player. This design is suitable for Toyota Prius-C models produced in 2012-2014. The kit includes standard fasteners.
Is it possible to make a frame with a box for a car radio with your own hands?
There are videos on the Internet showing that it is possible to make an adapter box yourself. But this process requires certain skills, otherwise you can ruin an expensive radio.
If you have a very rare brand of car, for which even universal adapters will not fit, then you can order the production of a special frame for the radio from craftsmen who will do it professionally. In all other cases, it is better to buy ready-made designs produced in factories.
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It is better to order in specialized stores, so you will buy high-quality products made of safe and durable plastic. If you install an adapter that is properly matched to your car, your new multimedia device will look like it was factory installed. If properly connected, your new media device will serve you for many years. Therefore, there is no need to skimp on details that will help achieve the perfect result. It is also better to entrust the installation of a new player to specialists who will do the work carefully and efficiently.
The statement that any on-board device must be securely and correctly secured is trivial. Typically, universal fittings are included in the delivery package, and standard devices imply a similar design with factory elements.
Problems with installing an audio device usually do not arise due to the accessories included in the kit. But there are always exceptions; universal radio mounts can help when you need to install a non-standard model on a used car, and do it yourself.
Universal kits provide easy DIY installation, but cannot always provide the necessary reliability and structural protection for your radio.
Fastening Options at a Glance
On sale you can find several options for devices for 1 din and 2 din, including modular modifications that are complete solutions. The most modern, of course, is a robotic elevator, which includes moving elements. This option should not be considered publicly available. In most cases, well-proven methods are used.
Installation to the dashboard
In some cars, in order to ensure the reliability of the installation of the audio system and the absence of risks of failure as a result of vibration, the installation is carried out to the dashboard, that is, to the power fittings of the car. The entire dashboard is supported on a pipe, to which it is fixed using specialized corners. This installation option is practiced in a number of premium cars, for example, Toyota, Mazda and others. A well-thought-out power structure, in turn, ensures a quiet interior.
The version of the “power” mounting of the media system complements the standard shaft, but installers often remove these very “power” corners and install the radio only on the “light” fittings of the shaft. This option cannot be considered reliable and is designed for extreme driving and minor road accidents, which could result in damage to the audio system.
Where can I find the necessary spare parts? In the catalogs of spare parts for your car, for example, the corner numbers for Toyota Carina are as follows - 86211-20330 and 86212-20320. It looks roughly like in the photo. A rigid mount for a 2 din radio is implemented in a similar way.
Installation using a shaft
Installation of a 1 and 2 din radio using a shaft without additional fixation is practiced by AvtoVAZ. Basically, it is customary to attach the device to the center console using a shaft. In turn, the media system is secured with ordinary plastic latches. This is the so-called screwless fittings, also used in Lacetti. Despite all the convenience of installation, it turns out that, in fact, the device hangs and cannot withstand even a small shock load. At the same time, the device weighs about 1 kg.
The result of such an installation is clear without additional explanation; in addition, such an installation can also damage (or simply break) the front console. Most motorists do not think about why additional holes are made in the sides of the car radio housing.
They are made specifically for high-quality installation of din 1 and 2 to the dashboard, using the corners described in the first option. These are factory mounts that complement the standard shaft or frame. They can be purchased at automotive stores. Some suppliers sell them as a radio mounting bracket. But this is a wrong interpretation; the bracket and frame are similar installation methods, but different from those described.
“Easy” installation options may result in the device simply cracking in several places. And this will happen precisely because of the characteristics of ill-conceived fastening fittings.
The lack of installation without rigid fixation first manifests itself in the form of extraneous noise. Then the console also bursts. If you want to avoid this, attach the car radio initially correctly, as specified by the manufacturer.
Basket and other options for shaft-type fastening fittings
The shaft, basket, 1 din frame and double din versions are modifications of the shaft installation. But as mentioned above, not all designs provide the necessary rigid position for the car radio, which will protect it from damage at the time of impact and driving on uneven roads. Manufacturers of original spare parts and replicas offer various kits, including those consisting of several additional parts assembled into a single mounting module.
Screwless installation for 1 and 2 din, implemented, for example, by Lacetti, was discussed above. This is very convenient for self-installation, but does not provide structural rigidity. Universal solutions with guaranteed reliability use snap-on mounting and additional fastening with angles to the power fittings.
Conclusion
The problem for the final car owner is that the fittings for installing the devices are not well thought out in their design. For this reason, it is better to stick to the installation option recommended by the manufacturer. Moreover, this applies to single-din and double-din versions. In the second option (2 din), the weight of the car radio may be greater, and the build quality is sometimes worse. The likelihood of failure due to vibration is higher.
The only way to ensure long-term operation of the media system is to use the 1 and 2 din mounting option proposed by the manufacturer. There may be exceptions, for example, mounting the Kia Spectra audio system on two brackets can hardly be called reliable. A double-din car radio without additional fixation will not withstand long-term high-speed driving.
Some craftsmen eliminate installation deficiencies or lack of devices with their own hands, but this is only possible for people who know the design of their machine well. The 2 din radio should always be attached to the power fittings of the car. The reliability of the screwless installation of the same Lacetti can be tracked in reviews from motorists.
Many motorists know that the radio in a car becomes obsolete the fastest. Technology is developing rapidly, and in two decades there has been a tremendous leap from radios to multifunctional devices capable of playing video and connecting to the Internet. Therefore, those car owners who keep up with the times often face the question of replacing an outdated device with a new one.
Transition frame
At the moment, there are two universal standards for radio tape recorders - 1 din and 2 din. They differ in size - the second option is 2 times wider than the first. This is due to the fact that new media devices have screens (often touch screens) on which all information is displayed and video playback is possible. Naturally, older car models have 1 din radios, while new ones have 2 din radios.
What is an adapter frame for 2 din radios and what is it for?
Very often, new modifications of devices are produced slightly smaller than previous ones. The frame serves as a means to securely secure the device and hide possible gaps. In general, the frame for a 2 din radio performs the following functions:
- provides reliable fixation of equipment, which protects it from mechanical damage;
- carries an aesthetic meaning, closing gaps and making the overall style of the salon complete;
- ensures correct installation even with your own hands;
- improves sound by securely fixing the device in the socket.
Popular transition frames
Due to the mentality of Russian people, there are several car models whose owners most often replace the standard radio with a new one. Demand creates supply, so finding transition frames for the following brands and models of cars on the market is not difficult.
- 2 din frame for Toyota radio. Typically for Land Cruiser and Corolla models. There are specialized accessories for them that fit perfectly into the socket and into the interior, leaving no gaps or gaps. Do-it-yourself installation is as simple as possible, so owners of Toyota cars are very lucky.
- Frame for Ford Focus 2 din and Ford Fiesta radio. Available in two colors - black and silver, so you can choose the one that best suits the style of your Ford Focus.
- 2 din frame for Grant radio. The creators and designers of the car did not think much about what a 2 din radio would look like in a car and whether it would fit in at all, so almost every owner of a Lada Granta purchases an adapter frame.
Less popular, but still in wide demand, are accessories for Mitsubishi Lancer 10 and Kia Rio.
DIY transition frame installation
If you need to change the 2 din radio to a device of the same size as in the Mitsubishi Lancer 10, then you can do it yourself without much difficulty, since the accessories are universal, ideal for the car panel. The same goes for Toyota and Ford Focus models.
But if you are the owner of cars such as Lada Granta or Kia Rio, then everything is not so simple, since they come with 1 din radios as standard. However, with due diligence, it will be possible to install a more modern device.
When installing a radio in Grant's car, you will probably encounter the fact that the new device will stick out from the dashboard by a couple of centimeters. Few people are happy with this, and most owners simply cut off the rear plastic partition. However, not everyone manages to do this correctly and leads to good results.
Since the Granta manufacturer does not produce the corresponding accessory for 2 din, you will have to make it yourself. It is best to use cold welding for this. Additionally, you will need masking tape, cling film and nylon thread.
The adhesive tape is glued to the form of welding and the future frame so that it can be removed, and not glued to the car forever. Cling film and nylon thread are placed on top of the tape. Next, welding is applied. Be very careful not to damage anything or damage the 2 din frame itself. To ensure better attachment to the radio, you can immediately install the device, also after wrapping it with tape and cling film.
After the cold weld has hardened, it is removed and given an aesthetic appearance. Use #40 sandpaper to remove any excess. At the same time, you don’t have to worry if somewhere the stripping has gone too far - you can restore the layer again and clean it again. After shaping, a two-component putty, primer and paint are applied. Yes, the process is quite painstaking, but in the end you will get the perfect adapter frame for a 2 din radio.
If you are dealing with a Kia Rio car, then it will be much easier - you just need to remove the front panel and cut it to the appropriate dimensions of the adapter frame purchased in the store.
Installation of 2 din adapter frames can be simple, as in Ford Focus or Toyota cars, or more complex, as in Kia Rio or Lada Granta. In any case, the main thing is patience and accuracy, then the installation with your own hands will go without problems.
Every car enthusiast wants to do everything to make his car look beautiful from the outside and inside. Particular attention is always paid to the radio, especially if it has non-standard dimensions. In this case, it will not be possible to install it properly or the interior will seriously deteriorate. In this article, we decided to tell you how to make an adapter frame for a radio with your own hands, and we will show you step-by-step instructions.
After purchasing a radio of non-standard sizes, many people immediately try to install it in its rightful place. As a rule, it will look terrible, see photo:
It will return to its rightful place, but the appearance will seriously deteriorate. You can fix all this without much effort, and we will tell you about this later. buy a fuel-free generator or better think with your head.
Making a transition frame from scrap materials
To make it easier for you to perceive the information, we decided to make step-by-step instructions with photographs.
- Initially, we need to cover the surface of our console. This must be done using masking tape, which will not glue the radio and our future homemade product “forever” to the case.
- Place cling film over the masking tape. This is done so that after welding you can remove the tape and film from the structure. If this is not done, the tape will stick tightly to the structure.
- Next, we take epoxy resin and sculpt a small semblance of our frame from it. To avoid problems in the future, it is better to reinforce the structure. This will allow you to stretch out the frame after it has “hardened”.
- Now we need to apply resin to our frame, see photo.
- Draw out the frame. Note! You need to pull out not only the resin, but also the factory frame. Everything will become clear from the photographs.
- Here cold welding comes into play. Using it you need to mark all the contours and align them with the surface.
- After welding, we take 40-grit sandpaper and begin to clean our surface. It should get the desired shape.
- At this stage, you need to putty the surface to give it shape. Then, we use 120-grit sandpaper, which will remove all the unevenness and make the frame truly beautiful.
- We prime the surface. It is extremely important not to overdo it, but if this happens, it’s okay. Sandpaper can be used to restore the appearance without any problems.
- We paint the surface with an ordinary spray can and insert the frame into its rightful place.
As you may have noticed, making a frame is incredibly easy. You will only spend a few hours, but the result will definitely surprise you. You will also be able to save a lot of money, because now ready-made frames have an impressive price, plus they are quite difficult to find on the market. Similar instructions will also allow you to make a metal detector with your own hands.
We also recommend watching this video; after watching it, you will be able to understand how to make an adapter frame for a radio at home.
Also read: chandelier made of threads.
