dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

I know that this may belong to the "audio" forum, but since this is related strictly to 5th generation Maxima, i am posting here.
I am looking at $1k+ replacement for my stock non-bose headunit. (Pioneer, Eclipse w/Navi). Unfortuately, it looks like most/all double DIN aftermarket head units do NOT have any anti-theft protection. Removable faceplate would be great, but it is not an option.

For those who have these units installed....what solution are you using to "protect" your new, expensive headunit? I am sure there has to be a way to "hide" the nice screen.
I live in a nice area, but i do travel a lot and sometimes i have to leave my car parked in so-so areas. (even overnight). I really need to something that will hide the stereo.

I recall that someone on this forum posted pictures of a "cover" that he/she fabricated from the stock headunit. He was placing that cover on top of his aftermarket 2-din stereo. I cannot find this post. Does anyone recall this and can you point me to it??

Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

Hmm.... 40 views, no replies.
I guess, no one got his aftermarket 2-DIN headunit stolen.
Today, the guy at the Car Audio store was trying to convince me that it would be VERY difficult for anyone to take the 2-DIN stereo out of the car if they decide to steal it. He was insisting that the braket that holds it is strong and hard to be removed.
This doesn't mean that my car won't get damaged if someone decides to break in just to "try" to get my new unit out and then fail doing it. Actually, they may get pissed and cause even more damage.....like brake the screen of the unit or the interior of the car. There is got to be a way to "hide" this thing....so low lives don't even bother looking at my car.

max723

iTrader: (7)

theres no easy way, check cardomain, someone hid a single din stero behind a modified bose face but it was a lot of custom work. Im not sure if the single din pioneer navis have a removeble section you might want to look into that if it is really a big concern. the best thing to do is not make your car stand out or be flashy (rims, body kit, loud stereo) but if a theif wants something bad enough it theirs, there is no way around it.

also i know for ek civics they make somehting called a radio blockoff plate, basically a piece of plastic or carbon fiber that goes on the dash ( double din) when there is no radio installed. you may try installing your unit with a recess and using one these plates modified to cover it up when not in use.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/407837/6

Park2670

this may not be the greatest way to do this, but I just fabricated a piece of plastic that fits over my deck. It does keep it hidden from the random people passing by.

max723

iTrader: (7)

you have the gxe dash kit, how come there is that gap on the top of your deck?, i though it would fit without gaps.

Park2670

Its the Eclipse dimensions that dont fit perfectly. My friend has it in his WRX and it fits so well, it looks stock.

MyownNismo

iTrader: (13)

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/407837/6

max723

iTrader: (7)

check my first post

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Eclipse has a 1 year theft warranty.

Park2670

Only if you have it installed by a eclipse dealer.

MyownNismo

iTrader: (13)

I did not see that.

thrrrive

Actually, after getting my car broken into for my screen I am planning to fabricate a cup holder facia. The idea is to get the cup Holders that can hang from the vents and have some sort of back board so once placed no one can see the screen behind it.I would like it to be as functional as possible. I'll post some pics once I complete it.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Form = function, sweet.

hazardeyes

if you put an eclipse double din, they have a theft warranty, if you radio gets stolen they give a brand new one, tho you got to register the product with them and its got to be brand new in a box. if you install correctly thiefs cant take out a double din easly, they got to take a lot of stuff. pullin on the unit wont make it easier if you screw in the dash kit with on the metal cage from oem radio, wich also connects to your a/c unit

chr0nos

iTrader: (1)

omfg. after two break ins i realized that it's easier to register your equipment with the insurance company, and get new stuff if someone steals it. you don't even have to provide receipts. just take pictures of your equipment, and if it gets stolen, go to best buy and find similar equipment that will suit your needs + cover the deductible. this has happened twice in my family and this is exactly what i have done. think of it as a free upgrade every year or two, if there is a theft. you must make sure everything is BOLTED or mounted in some way to the car, in order for it to be covered by insurance. the adjuster came out, and i showed him the holes where my original amps were mounted to the back of the back seat, and the holes in the trunk floor for the subwoofer box. head unit is self explanatory.

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

why not just get a single-din with removeable faceplate? That way you get the "pocket" to put crap in as well

dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

Thank you! I heard about the protection but i also heard that the Eclipse unit must be installed by a professional shop in order to get this protection. I am not planning to pay $$ for install and markup on the price of the unit.

I am pretty sure that it is hard to take a double DIN unit out when mounted properly, but i have heard some horrible stories where people's dash got totally destroyed when the low lives were trying to take the unit out. Not only they stole the stereo, they also damaged the whole dash. This....i do not want to see. This is why i wanted to "hide" the unit so no one get tempted to even break a window or put a scratch on my car. Keep it stealth as much as possible.

Or, maybe i am overreacting. I live in the SF Bay Area, in a nice neighborhood and i am not sure if i ever heard of a LOCAL story that involved a stolen double din unit. I just don't want to be the first one....

reeloop

iTrader: (3)

I am wondering about this as well, was thinking about making a motorized face that you can close when you leave the car

how is the clearance with double din screens in 5th gens anyway? do they stick out, can you make it flush?, im getting an alpine IVA-W200 this week and im wondering how it fits and all, not really concernced, but couldnt come up with anything when i searched

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

You will be fine with fitment.

Progress

iTrader: (26)

I'm just simply going to stop by screens for my cars until I have a garaged apartment. I've had both an N1 and D1 stolen. Sucks.

illlojik

iTrader: (2)

^^How about that for theft deterrence?^^

Kruppa

iTrader: (1)

sorry this isn't on topic, but do all double din units leave that gap at the top whether it's a bose stock headunit setup or not?...I would assume Bose and non Bose are the same size originally.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

The OEM head units leave no gap.

In the 5th gen, the double din opening is actually an "oversize" double din, which leaves that little bit of a gap. The aftermarket double din head units are standard double in.

Dan

iTrader: (2)

Just get insurance with a low deductable and don't worry about it.

14psisupra

Originally Posted by VaporHead
double layer 5% all around baby. booooyahhh

^^How about that for theft deterrence?^^

can make them wonder what your hiding and they will want in, before i had my screen someone tried to get in my car through the keyhole making it unusable, but also where i worked everyones car was broken into at some point and they will do nothing about it..

misiek

iTrader: (2)

get a good alarm and sjust let it be.... if a theif wants something form your car bad enough he will get it and theif are not dumb so if they notice you have a big piece of plastic where the radio is then they know your hiding something good

MyownNismo

iTrader: (13)

That didn't stop mine from getting stolen.

dansmax2003

iTrader: (7)

I am getting a single DIN Pioneer unit, with no screen. It's not my top choice, it is not a DVD player or Navi, but i'm fine with it. I rather have a single DIN unit than find my car broken and vandalized by some idiots.
I can alway upgrade in the future.

BlackBIRDVQ

iTrader: (15)

Double DIN units are just as easy to steal as normal single din ones. They mount exacly the same- but with more screws holding on to the OEM brackets. My car got broken into approx 2 months ago and the thiefs couldn't get the radio out- so they broke my dashboard, center console, broke the climate control unit etc.... all to steal a 5 year old Alpine deck that was nothing special. After all said and done, my insurance paid 7K dollars in damages and repleacement equippment due to my break in. My dash is brand new, console brand new, got some body repainted too..... etc.

I have a single din Alpine slide out screen, it works pretty good- but I want the double din W200 Alpine.

Progress

iTrader: (26)

If I get a new HU, I will get one with a detachable faceplate.