2003 Supercab Lariat

I see bunches of chatter about later model trucks so I’m looking for anyone who has stuck a Apple CarPlay unit in the double din. Also, did it come with backup camera set up? These things are really getting cheap.

 

I'm not sure what you're really asking here, but a double-DIN unit will fit into the stock radio location with just a little material trimming/removal at the top of the opening behind the trim plate. There are myriad aftermarket choices. Pick your poison.



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Looks nice. That answers my question about fitment. I don’t like some I have seen where the unit is sticking out of the original radio opening. I haven’t found a wiring harness plug and play yet. Do you have a source or just start splicing? Thanks for the response

 

The correct wiring harness will be determined by the type of factory radio you have, but it should be this one: .

Several threads in this section discuss what needs to be done to fit a double-DIN in the factory opening. Typically it involves removal of about 1/4" from the top of the opening. (I recommend measuring *your* mounting bracket to verify.) Using an oscillating cutting tool made short work and a clean cut for me. When it came time to fasten the unit in, I drilled holes through the factory framework and bolted the radio directly to that. I used no installation kit at all except the wiring harness to get power to the new radio without cutting the factory wires. Thick, closed-cell foam weatherstripping is what you see along the sides.

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I’m gonna give you a tip for this, many people don’t do it. Personally I believe it makes this job easier and takes out the part of sitting in a hot vehicle cutting with no good angles. The black support bracket will actually remove! It will, Ive done it. It’s tricky to do but once it’s out it’s so much better. You can get proper measurement, angles and make it so much cleaner than just cutting through a small hole in the dash and getting crap everywhere. You will need to remove the speedometer/tachometer cover, the plastic above that will reveal bolts on top. There some on the bottom, and one hidden one on the side. That one is on like a metal bracket and has the shiny tip and not the black bolts the rest have.

 

Not at *all* worth the additional hassle. Five minutes or less for measuring and cutting, and negligible mess if you use a vac while doing it. If not, just lay a towel down underneath the working area, then ball it up and shake it out when you're done.

 

Tried it both ways and I agree with eFarmer. *Definitely* worth the additional hassle, which is minimal. With the bracket out, you can make cuts with a hacksaw for a more precise fit that removes less structural material.

I do like your idea on weatherstripping. Looks better than the Metra trim kit on mine. Also, I like the way the control panel on that Pioneer unit overlaps the trim.

One additional tip for the OP: get a unit with hard buttons for volume control. Touchscreen buttons like mine suck to operate while driving. I put in an aftermarket steering wheel control kit, but the quality is marginal. Oh, and get a backup camera. Image will be great on that new 6.8" screen.

 

I found it easier to leave the metal bracket connected to the plastic support bracket. Disconnect the screw fastening the bracket to the transmission hump and the whole assembly slips out. At least that is how I remember it. Easier than trying to jimmy the blind screw. An electric screwdriver with 7mm socket and magnetic parts dish come in handy when pulling the dash cover.

 

I must have missed something, then, because I used my oscillating multitool with a plunge blade and had it done with a super-clean and accurate cut in no time at all.

I tried a trim kit, but it wouldn't work because the top bit interfered the faceplate when it was tilted (necessary for removal). Unless you look closely, the wx strip looks like plastic, though, so it turned out OK. As fo the bottom lip, I didn't think I liked it at first, but it gives a place to "index" my hand/fingers when pushing buttons, etc. The only thing I really don't like about the deck is the lack of a **** for volume, but that seems to be the case with 90+% of them these days. On-screen controls would be even worse.

EDIT: Waitaminute. Did you say "...you can make cuts with a hacksaw for a more precise fit...?"

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Well, if you were to accuse me of being overly **** retentive on minor projects, I won't deny it. I just like to see what I am cutting, and I've disassembled the dash enough times that it doesn't take more than 5 or 10 minutes. The first time I tried it with the bracket in, the unit didn't quite sit right. I swung by the junkyard and grabbed a spare bracket, test fit it with the radio, and changed my plan slightly. Even if you do it with the bracket in, it's worth knowing that if you make a mistake cutting or you don't like the results, you can easily replace the bracket. There are a jillion of them available at any u-pull-it yard, sometimes sitting right on the seat because someone yanked it to get at something else.

Non-mechanical buttons suck. Mine are almost a safety hazard. Bugged me so much that I installed this remote. It is cheap Chinese crap, so it only worked for 6 months before the volume buttons wore out. Strongly recommend making mechanical volume buttons a go/no-go criteria for shopping.