[specialk01510]

idk if its just me or does it look like its ganna be a bitch putting an aftermarket head unit in this car. the dials are molded into the dash.

picture courtesy of silverfox

 

[Xtreme Thunder]

I just posted a thread simmilar to this and was looking at the same thing, those bastards!! It will be a bitch because, like you said, the dials are bulging outward from it.

 

[Silverfox]

I doubt there will be problems with it. Anyone who has to install one will need to have a special shroud for the dash but it can be done. Most install shops can either fashion the needed shroud or buy one from aftermarket dealers. They make them for all sorts of cars now and the Caliber will be no exception.

At least it looks that way.

 

[specialk01510]

but the problem is that it looks like the ends of the head unit go behind the dash. therefore the only way to make an aftermarket h.u. work would be to cut out part the the dash, hindering resale value without buying a new dash.

 

[specialk01510]

also. y cant car companies just put in normal sized radios. y do they always have to be so tall. it makes the aftermarket units look wierd with all the excess space around it.

 

[Silverfox]

Probably because the Caliber has the option for a tape deck. Head units without that option are not as tall as the ones with it. The Neon head unit was the same way. Cars that do not offer tape decks have shorter head units.

 

[specialk01510]

who still listens to tapes. get with the times people. **** your tapes.

 

[Xtreme Thunder]

LOL tapes, so outdated, I don't even know why they waste money to produce something with that.

 

[suzq044]

for those who dont want to "waste money on a in-dash CD player" and just have a lil walkman or something. lol [which w/ the caliber, you can just plug in NEway--no need for the lil tape attatchment NEmore]

 

[heyitsstock]

i think the only reason for a swap out would be a motorized screen, the stock cd player would be fine for me

 

[Silverfox]

The stock CD player/6 dic in-dash changers combined with the Boston Acoustics sound package are really quite impressive on their own. The compatibility with other units is there, but the vehicle is so new it'll be a few months before we see Caliber-exclusive units and shrouds.

 

[dommo_g]

Check the other thread for my possible solution to your Caliber aftermarket deck woes.

 

[BMARIO07]

im a mobile install tech. (installing systems) 90% of vechicles need a mounting harness...

thats the kit that makes aftermarkets fit in the dash... only ones that dont are single din fords, and some imports...

so unless u have one of those vehicles ur goin to need a mouting harness anyways.. the Durango,Magnum,Charger,Caliber and 300 all share the same mouting harness

all of those vechicles have the large side dials..

 

[BMARIO07]

the only thing we dont have yet is the Caliber specific wiring harness

 

[ib2loud]

i used the dash kit and wiring harness to a magnum, only thing I had to do was splice into the cig lighter to get an aux +12v

 

[Huff]

It should be fairly easy to install an aftermarket head unit in the Caliber. There are several companies that make inexpensive (< $20) mounting kits. Those kits allow standard aftermarket headunits and have flanges that fill in the 1/2 circle where the factory knobs are. The stereo on my 2004 Durango is similar to the Calibers. The kit worked great.

The main issue I see is if you have the steering wheel stereo controls. I don't know if any aftermarket stereos are compatible with the steering wheel controls. Anyone know?

The 2nd issue is aftermarket compatibility with the dash cluster station identification display. I assume it uses the stereos canbus which again may compatibility problems.

So in essence aftermarket installation should be simple for Calibers without the steering wheel controls (MusicGate option) and dash cluster station display.

 

[BMARIO07]

It should be fairly easy to install an aftermarket head unit in the Caliber. There are several companies that make inexpensive (< $20) mounting kits. Those kits allow standard aftermarket headunits and have flanges that fill in the 1/2 circle where the factory knobs are. The stereo on my 2004 Durango is similar to the Calibers. The kit worked great.

The main issue I see is if you have the steering wheel stereo controls. I don't know if any aftermarket stereos are compatible with the steering wheel controls. Anyone know?

The 2nd issue is aftermarket compatibility with the dash cluster station identification display. I assume it uses the stereos canbus which again may compatibility problems.

So in essence aftermarket installation should be simple for Calibers without the steering wheel controls (MusicGate option) and dash cluster station display.

there isnt ne decks out now that can make the steering wheels controls work with the aftermarket.. once u go after market u loose them UNLESS u want to buy this peice from a company called peripherals the peice is like 200bones and unless u know how to do it urself installers will charge u an arm n leg .. its not easy..

as far as thedash cluster i have no idea, i havetn run into that problem but i bet its the same type of deal which is very anoying..

 

[playB0Y42]

If you switch to the Navigation bezel you can have an outcome like this. These are not my pictrues I took them from another post, sorry but I just figured it would help

 

[dommo_g]

There's a company in Santa Ana, CA that needs a Caliber for beta testing for steering wheel control interfaces. They also make one that is pretty much universal, but requires splicing.

Pacific Accessory Corporation
1502 S. Santa Fe Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Tel: 714-835-3022
Fax: 714-835-3233
Toll Free - Tel: 800-854-3133 • Fax: 800-832-9722