Hi all,

What is the neatest way of replacing the head unit? I notice it is taller than standard aftermarket units - does this mean I'll have to use an ugly facia or are there aftermarket units that will fit the Fabia hole?

Thanks!

Hi all,

What is the neatest way of replacing the head unit? I notice it is taller than standard aftermarket units - does this mean I'll have to use an ugly facia or are there aftermarket units that will fit the Fabia hole?

Thanks!

I used a replacement facia on mine, but it's so thin you don't notice it. It's the thin plastic strip across top of of cd player.

Hi all,

What is the neatest way of replacing the head unit? I notice it is taller than standard aftermarket units - does this mean I'll have to use an ugly facia or are there aftermarket units that will fit the Fabia hole?

Thanks!

The biggest problem you'll have, is that even with the official Skoda fascia adaptor (which only covers the top gap, but allows you to fit a single DIN head unit), you'll still have a gap directly underneath the head unit, where you can see some ugly plastic from the top of the tray beneath. You can get aftermarket fascias from a couple of suppliers, which replace the tray as well, but the problem I had was that a.) it didn't fit, and b.) the quality of the replacement tray was very poor quality. Another factor is that the dash is curved, and most head units are flat, so if you add a spacer to bring the head uit out a bit (to try and hide the gap at the bottom), you'll have the head unit sticking out a bit at either end, looking a tad unsightly.

Best bet, if you've got the budget, is a double-DIN head unit, that gets rid of the tray too, though you'll still have to contend with the curve of the dash.

Ultimatley though, no-one's done a decent fascia adapter for the fabia. If you knew an installer who was really good, they could probably fabricate one that would look great, but it would cost you.

Edited 30 August, 201015 yr by Slamby

I have the one like a above, you don't notice the gap unless you lay on the back seats looking down!

Mine looks like the JVC above with the top of the tray visible. I suppose you could put the tray on top and the stereo on the bottom, no idea what that would look like though. TBH I'm satisfied with it as it is

Here's my effort.

I had this Sony Xplod unit in my last car (VW Bora)

Then took it out and put it in the Fabia when I bought that..

Luckily, it has red or green illumination so suited either car.

Its almost the same colour/texture plastic as the OE unit

it sits slightly proud as stated above but only just.

Hehehe.. much prefer the function of these cubby holes than the original :

Edited 30 August, 201015 yr by JLneonhug

I used the OE replacement facia, but the headunit has a larger plastic surround than most so almost no gap is visible at the bottom.

just thoght id post a alternative for people heres my double din

just thoght id post a alternative for people heres my double din

That looks nice - and just what I need.

if you remove the standard head unit and tray does it just fit right in ??

Rob

That looks nice - and just what I need.

if you remove the standard head unit and tray does it just fit right in ??

Rob

Yes it does it's tight I would advice cutting out the plastic strip at the back to allow ease of loosing the cables as you can imagine there's alot on these video out aux iPod subwoofer etc

not great pic but another double din, was tight fit but didnt have to cut anything down, just lose the cubby hole and order strip of trim for the top (cost about £3) wires tucked away quite easy

Mine looks like the JVC above with the top of the tray visible. I suppose you could put the tray on top and the stereo on the bottom, no idea what that would look like though. TBH I'm satisfied with it as it is

I did try my headunit in both top and bottom slots with the OE adapter . It was slightly better in the bottom one as the top of the heater controls is better finished than the top of the cubby unit but not much. But - it's much harder to get at the headunit buttons etc. in the bottom hole.

I also tried covering the exposed bit on top of the cubby with electrical tape but it eventually moved or came undone and started showing again.

In the end I went for a connects 2 Double Din surround that replaces the top and side trim pieces and the cubby:

My link

My link

I reckon it looks better than before as there is no gap under the headunit, although it does sit a tiny bit proud (just needs a bit of trimming to the fascia surround) and the gap I had really annoyed me. The quality in the surround seems fine and the colour and texture seems to match OK but I found that the clips that hold it in place to the right of the radio do not match holes in the dash for the OE blanking plates (obviously they changed these between my 2001 model and the newer 2005 model as the sorround is for a 2005 model onwards).

At the top the clip fits into the right hand edge of the recess rather than the existing hole in the rear of the recess. I therefore had to extend the existing hole (yellow on Piccies) to the right and down slightly to suit (red on piccies) using a penknife. At the bottom the existing hole (yellow on piccies) needed widening slightly and also lowering slightly (red on piccies) to get the surround to sit level and not foul the switches above, again easy with a penknife.

Anyhow judge for yourself!

Edited 31 August, 201015 yr by skomaz

Another alternative is to fit the elegance spec draw in the space where the cubby fits. The front panel of the draw is much thicker and when I had my kenwood in it looked fine, no un finished edges showing...

Edited 31 August, 201015 yr by Rob.

Another alternative is to fit the elegance spec draw in the space where the cubby fits. The front panel of the draw is much thicker and when I had my kenwood in it looked fine, no un finished edges showing...

I have one of these fitted...

It's true, it does make for a tidier finish than the shelfy thing..

Also it stops my mp3 player from launching itself towards the back whenever I boot it

It does however use up a bit more "wire space" behind the dash than the shelf due

to it being a bit deeper and having a mechanism etc... The extra plugs and stuff from my parrot

were a bit of a squeeze after fitting the drawer.

My stereo was such a struggle to fit with all the wires behind it I daren't take it out unless I absolutely have to