Headunit needs 'filler' behind it, what can I use?

[Alfrz]

Bought a new headunit, fits flush in its placement, but the stock brackets/bracket it came with won't help/fit.

What can I do that's a simple diy to the unit stay in place?
1st pic you can see in the top right, how there's extra space
2nd pic is with the unit pulled forward, but obviously even touching it causes it to fall back, since it's basically just temporarily balanced there


Also if you have any idea what I'm supposed to do w this red cord that's attached to the fan, that'd be helpful.

edit: was just missing the brackets, im an idiot. lmao

[Dadhawk]

Make sure you can't adjust the brackets foward, which will move the unit back. If that doesn't work you should be able to fabricate some fairly easily.

NOTE: I can't tell for sure from the photos but I'm assuming the HU is sticking out to far. If it's recessed too far, just reverse what I said.

[Alfrz]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Make sure you can't adjust the brackets foward, which will move the unit back. If that doesn't work you should be able to fabricate some fairly easily.

NOTE: I can't tell for sure from the photos but I'm assuming the HU is sticking out to far. If it's recessed too far, just reverse what I said.

Nah I should've explained the pics a little more.

The first 2 pics, if you look in the top right corner where the trim meets the unit, (straight above the right knob) you can see what's going on. The unit can't stay *forward* enough*.


Not at my car rn, but are you saying the stock brackets may be movable?

[FR-S2GT86]

Originally Posted by Alfrz

Nah I should've explained the pics a little more.

The first 2 pics, if you look in the top right corner where the trim meets the unit, (straight above the right knob) you can see what's going on. The unit can't stay *forward* enough*.


Not at my car rn, but are you saying the stock brackets may be movable?

When installing many standard-sized DIN or double DIN aftermarket head units, you would normally remove the side brackets from the OEM head unit that you removed from your dash, and install them onto your new head unit. The new head unit you have in the pictures does not appear to be able to have those side brackets mounted to it. Did it come with its own special brackets that you are supposed to use instead? Maybe I just can't see due to the angles of the pictures.

[Alfrz]

Originally Posted by FR-S2GT86

When installing many standard-sized DIN or double DIN aftermarket head units, you would normally remove the side brackets from the OEM head unit that you removed from your dash, and install them onto your new head unit. The new head unit you have in the pictures does not appear to be able to have those side brackets mounted to it. Did it come with its own special brackets that you are supposed to use instead? Maybe I just can't see due to the angles of the pictures.

Lol thanks, never swapped a headunit before, didn't realize I had to remove the bracket off the oem, tbh dunno if I even realized it there was one there. It's all fixed and flush now

[dragoontwo]

Did you wire up the fan and attach what appears to be a loose ground?

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Alfrz

Not at my car rn, but are you saying the stock brackets
may be movable?

Sounds like @FR-S2GT86 was able to help you out, but yes most aftermarket headunits I've ever put in allowed for multiple attachment points of the stock bracket and usually some fine adjustments.

[FR-S2GT86]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Sounds like @FR-S2GT86 was able to help you out, but yes most aftermarket headunits I've ever put in allowed for multiple attachment points of the stock bracket and usually some fine adjustments.

Yeah, sometimes you have to get little creative in the installation process. My next suggestion was going to be shims behind the mounting tabs to bring the unit forward a bit, along with possibly using some longer mounting bolts if needed.

I'm also guessing that the fan power supply should have been plugged into one of the receptacles on the back of the unit.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by FR-S2GT86

Yeah, sometimes you have to get little creative in the installation process. My next suggestion was going to be shims behind the mounting tabs to bring the unit forward a bit, along with possibly using some longer mounting bolts if needed..

It is definitely more art than science if you want it "just right". I need to replace the aftermarket bracket in our Suburban because the one that came with the kit tends to slip in one corner for some reason, and the unit is always lower on the left corner. Probably a 15 minute fix but the unit works and I don't think about it unless i'm driving it somewhere.

[Alfrz]

Originally Posted by dragoontwo

Did you wire up the fan and attach what appears to be a loose ground?

So... I did not. Wanna explain that part like I'm 5?

[FR-S2GT86]

Originally Posted by Alfrz

So... I did not. Wanna explain that part like I'm 5?

If you don't connect it to a power source, your head unit will probably overheat. I suspect it is there to cool the internal amplifier. Did that head unit not come with an owner's/operator's or installation manual? In the very last picture, I can see on the label that your unit is possibly designed for use in a Corolla. Perhaps in the Corolla there is a specific receptacle already in the dash that it needs to plug into.

If you could supply us with some more information, it would help us to help you. Brand and model of unit, used or new, oftentimes when you pick up something second-hand the manuals don't get transferred with it in the process.

[bcj]

To me, the fan appears to have previously been plugged into the 4 pin slot pointed at by the red lines on the fan housing.
Mostly because of the existing bends in the loose wires.
Then again, those two arrays also look like monolithic plugs with locking arrangements.

Would be a good thing to find the manual to go with the head unit though before depending on random internet advice.