Double DIN in an 02 Bonneville SE

[Foo2U2001]

Hi everyone, I'm the noob on the block so be gentle.

I have a car computer in my current 04 Mitsi Galant.
I have a small Dell sitting in the trunk and a flip out VGA
touch screen in the dash that sits in a double DIN hole with
my head unit.

I am going to be trying to move this setup over to my
Bonneville here in a couple of weeks.

I have checked out Ebay for Double DIN kits and have found only this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0146039172

I thought I remembered a kit that had a trim plate and better mounting hardware.

Anybody out there with experience converting to double DIN...

Thanks
Jeff


Edit: fixed link

[bonnevillain]

hmm the link doesnt seem to work.

this thread was about all i could find as far as double din. depends on if you want to keep the chimes and steering wheel controls
http://www.b onnevilleforum.com/t275036/

[Foo2U2001]

Thanks for looking. I fixed the Ebay link, so it can be checked out.
The ones on Ebay are pretty small and look like they screw/bolt onto the side of my 2 units and
then just get bolted to the dash using existing mounting holes.

The way I have things setup now is the the fold out screen sits in the lower position
to keep it from being too high up on the dash and having a police officer wanting to
check out what movie we have playing at the time. When open, it folds out...up and
in front of my head unit, I actually like it this way because my head unit has such
bright lights in it.

The computer has the usual stuff a car/mobile computer has:
DVD player, GPS, Sirius, 4000+ tunes, a keyboard and presenter(mouse).
I have a small business that I run out of my car, I repair copiers, printer and computers.
So I have all my copier and printer manuals stored as PDF's so I can reference
them when needed.

Audio is connected to the head unit through the Aux. input and the video is a
VGA cable run under the carpet and console from the puter in the trunk.
I also have USB plugs inside the console lid.
The Dell is run off a 1500watt inverter in the trunk also.
I ran HDD lights and reboot buttons to the dash and a remote switch for the inverter
in the console.

I've been running this way for 2 1/2 years and really enjoy it.
I drive 100 to 150 miles a day all around the St. Louis area and have never
had an issue with this setup.

But the only way I see to switch to the Bonneville is to go double DIN again (which I like).

Anyone else out there tried a 2 DIN setup.
How'd you get them in there and make it look somewhat stock?
Also any links to mounts, kits and other stuff I may need are appreciated.

Thanks
Jeff D.

[RJGill84]

This should be relatively easy. I did something sorta similar - I also own a computer repair business, and do quite a bit of work out of my car. I, however, use a laptop mounted to the center console. I ran a USB cable and power inverter into the trunk, and I print my receipts to a Lexmark printer in the trunk of the car, haha. People are like "WTF?" when they see it.

The radios in the Bonneville are really a tricky thing. Bonnevilles, in general, have some interesting electrical/architectural stuff that most cars do not. Seems everything is connected to everything else via a databus, moreso than the average car. For example, you can't simply take out a radio from another Bonneville and replace yours with it. The TheftLoc system knows what VIN/Car the radio belongs to, and won't work unless it's in that vehicle. Additionally, systems like OnStar and chimes are played through the Bonneville's audio system. Without the stock headunit, you will lose that functionality. There are adapters available to correct some of these issues, but to me it wasn't worth it. I just went with a laptop mounted in the car - which is nice because then I can take the laptop into the house/office with me and have the same files.

[Foo2U2001]

Yea but it's the Double DIN I need to get sorted out. I already have the
Screen that folds out of 1 of the DIN's and a decent HU for the other.
Had these 2 running together for the last 2 years and really wanted
to keep this together as much as possible. So figuring out the mounting
comes first, if the 2 DIN setup won't work then I will have to figure
something else out. Since looking around I have seen a couple of
2 DIN kits but I like to hear how that went for anyone that attempted
it. Installing this is a chore but if it will fit in the dash I should be fine
from there.

Anyone try a 2 DIN ?

Thanks
Jeff

[blackout]

No but it sounds like you will be doing some cutting and fiberglassing.

[blackout]

No but it sounds like you will be doing some cutting and fiberglassing.

or maybe not http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... =13&t=6962

[Foo2U2001]

Interesting...I better just pull out the OEM HU and see whats in there, maybe take a few measurements.
I'd say it looks like it's close and may take a little trimming of the trim.

I'll keep coming back here to see if anyone has a pic or something and to report my results.

Jeff

[Looong4]

Did you install yours yet? I just bought a double din and am looking for the correct dash kit as well.

[bonkjmma]

The kit that's linked in the first post is exactly what I used and the only thing I used on my double DIN install.