[alexanderbright]

I recently installed a double din, Alpine ILX-207, which I quickly swapped out for the ILX-107, in my 2004 Astro (Cargo). Sorry the pic is sideways, not sure why it's posting like that!

The ILX-207 doesn't have wireless carplay, which was what I was going for. Main difference is that ILX-107 does not have Android Auto, but does have wireless carplay. ILX-107 connects with bluetooth initially then uses wifi to transfer wifi. This unit does not have true bluetooth in the sense that it doesn't send audio through bluetooth (my understanding).

The ILX-207 has android auto and bluetooth, but does not connect to carplay wirelessly. I chose the 107 because I need to stop looking at my phone while driving! This will allow me to keep it in my pocket or wirelessly charging in the console if I need battery for GPS.

I wish there were volume knobs, because I always preferred a knob over pressing up or down 20 times, especially with touch screen volume buttons. I may do a modification that I previously saw when installing.

Installation: The installation was very straightforward with the ILX-207. The ILX-107 didn't work immediately, it required a micro bypass switch, about $12 on Amazon and 3 connections to the wiring harness. This also removes all restrictions while driving. The issue requiring the bypass is pretty common. Without the bypass, my van wouldn't recognize that I was in park, so I couldn't access any of the carplay connection settings.

The metra dash kit doesn't look stock, but looks pretty clean for such an easy modification. The kit came with a trim plate that was self explanatory and only required a little trimming on the top and bottom of the dash opening. I did this with a dremel tool in about 10 minutes.

I don't have any pics of the install as it was simple, but I can take some more pics if anyone wants. I'm installing a backup camera in the next week or two, so I'll have it taken apart then.

 

[Leeann_93]

Nice job!

I fixed the photo for you. Normally, pics preview rotated because the forum software ignores the metadata, but when you click on the photo it is correctly-oriented. Yours wasn't, so I rotated it in Photoshop and replaced the uploaded photo.

CarPlay - and wireless CarPlay - is cool. But I, like you, need volume knobs. Buttons drive me nuts and make it harder to change volume while driving, since you have to look at what you're doing.

 

[AstroWill]

Which metra kit did you use?
Edit: Thanks! I was going to say that it looked like it was designed for our vans. And it was

Without the wiring harness https://amzn.to/332TXj4

With the wiring harness and antenna adapter https://amzn.to/33d6EYR

View attachment 95-3005_PRODUCT_SHEET.pdf

View attachment 95-3005_installation_instructions.pdf

 

[sixsix]

That's a real nice looking install. Clean!
Great info center ( guess they aint 'stereos' anymore ) selection.

Interesting program choice too.

Mike

 

[Dirge]

Which metra kit did you use?

It's a Metra 95-3005. They might be new. I didn't see them earlier in the year. I may post a few pics when I'm done with my install.

 

[Dirge]

Just looked it up...they are new. The kit was announced at CES and are now starting to show up at dealers.

 

[AstroWill]

But I, like you, need volume knobs. Buttons drive me nuts and make it harder to change volume while driving, since you have to look at what you're doing.

This is the biggest downfall of so many aftermarket radios. Even if they would integrate an external/remote knob, it would make so many of them much more attractive.

BMW multimedia controls are about the best, would be awesome to integrate them with some of these aftermarket radios.

 

[alexanderbright]

Thanks for the replies! I'd been looking at installs since I bought my van almost a year ago, so when I saw this one I assumed it was new. Yes, it was the Metra 95-3005.

I've seen some volume knob modifications and I'll probably end up doing one once I get the rest of my van built out. I'll definitely post a tutorial if/when I do it.

 

[DriveDog]

Looks great! I'm definitely going to use that particular Metra kit, as I like that it covers the sides.

I'd like Android Auto but the head unit prices I'm looking at are nearly twice as much as those with most every other feature except Carplay and AA and I'm just not up for that.

Also, I hadn't thought about adding knobs other than clamp-on steering wheel controls. I suppose it still uses that remote interface that the wheel mounts use. I'm off to see where I want to put the knob(s)!

 

[Stroverlander]

That looks nice! Thanks for the heads up on the new Metra double-din dash kit too. :thumbup:

I just put a Kenwood wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto head unit in my Subaru and love it. Been thinking how nice it would be to replace the old Blaupunkt in the the Astro with the another Kenwood and definitely makes the install a little easier. :banana:

 

[alexanderbright]

I'm probably going to put the knob where the cigarette lighter outlet is. For charging my phone, I'll have a wireless charger mounted somewhere, haven't decided yet. Unless I'm on a long drive, the phone will stay in my pocket.

 

[Leeann_93]

The install looks great. I'm glad Metra made a new kit because it looks a lot better. If the aux box I have ever fails, I'm definitely getting a CarPlay-capable headunit.

My problem is I get overwhelmed with all the options and my uncle's no longer around to ask for help. He was my anything electronic guru.

 

[Stroverlander]

Yeah, it only took them 25 years for a double-din kit! :lol:

Leeann, I know what you mean. I ended up doing a ton of research since I hadn't really paid attention to any car audio stuff for the past few years.

I got a great deal on my Kenwood and some other stuff from Mike at Custom Sounds in Austin, TX (512) 750-8726. He beat the best prices I found and even did the transaction through Amazon so I could get the 5% cash back. When there was an issue with the Kenwood - an incorrect description and photos on Amazon, he took it back and upgraded to another Kenwood at no additional charge. Not affiliated in any way, I'm just happy with his prices and customer service. Will definitely purchase from him again. :thumbup:

 

[AstroWill]

I don't have any pics of the install as it was simple, but I can take some more pics if anyone wants. I'm installing a backup camera in the next week or two, so I'll have it taken apart then.

Pics are always appreciated!
There are some customer pictures in the reviews though. https://amzn.to/332TXj4 https://amzn.to/33d6EYR

Yeah, it only took them 25 years for a double-din kit! :lol:

Better late than never!

I'm glad Metra made a new kit because it looks a lot better.

100% agree. Single DIN adapters are just ugly and less functional to compare. Not only that but the best radio/nav units are all 2DIN or larger. Sure the new 2DIN kit requires some minor trimming, but totally worth it IMO as it looks great.

My problem is I get overwhelmed with all the options and my uncle's no longer around to ask for help. He was my anything electronic guru.

I'm the go-to guy for my friends and family and even I get overwhelmed with all the options when it comes to car stereos. Especially once you get into the generic rockchip head units. So many of them with the same chip but different software tweaks and features available under different makes and models. Some you can run custom software on, some you can't, ugh, enough to drive someone crazy.
I just noticed that some have support for a front camera in addition to the rear backup camera. Would be cool to streamline my dash cam into the HU.

I might as well wait anyway, 6months from now they will have some other new feature that I want Wash, rinse, repeat.

 

[Meili]

I think that's the same kit I got from Crutchfield in May. Check my build on how you have to trim the dash.

 

[DriveDog]

I'm glad Metra made a new kit because it looks a lot better.

100% agree. Single DIN adapters are just ugly and less functional to compare. Not only that but the best radio/nav units are all 2DIN or larger. Sure the new 2DIN kit requires some minor trimming, but totally worth it IMO as it looks great.

There are precious few single DINs with fixed screens, which are necessarily tiny, and the flip-up type all seem to want to block the controls above. Even Pioneer's slick new phone-holder head unit wants to hold the phone above, which I guess might work if the adapter located the head unit at the very bottom of the 1.5 DIN space. But I'm also hesitant to make everything depend on the phone all the time. Having separate devices for separate functions has its virtues.

I need a rear monitor to ease trailer-hitching so I don't have to jump in and out several times, as well as to occasionally glance at the lower parts of the trailer en route. I've looked and looked at good locations for a monitor and without covering up the trip computer I just don't see another good location, so the head unit needs to show the backup cam's view.

 

[ADDvanced]

Wow. Yeah, this is an awesome upgrade. I'm definitely doing this when I pay off my credit cards for all the astro parts.

 

[AstroWill]

I think that's the same kit I got from Crutchfield in May. Check my build on how you have to trim the dash.

Yep, looks like the same kit.

There are precious few single DINs with fixed screens, which are necessarily tiny, and the flip-up type all seem to want to block the controls above.

Yep, and I don't like the flip up screens.

Even Pioneer's slick new phone-holder head unit wants to hold the phone above, which I guess might work if the adapter located the head unit at the very bottom of the 1.5 DIN space. But I'm also hesitant to make everything depend on the phone all the time. Having separate devices for separate functions has its virtues.

Agreed, having a standalone GPS and a USB port for playing downloaded MP3s is high on my requirement list.

I need a rear monitor to ease trailer-hitching so I don't have to jump in and out several times, as well as to occasionally glance at the lower parts of the trailer en route. I've looked and looked at good locations for a monitor and without covering up the trip computer I just don't see another good location, so the head unit needs to show the backup cam's view.

I still haven't installed my rear view camera in my Nissan(cheap 2DIN with nav), even though I tow often with it, the trailer I use 99% of the time is light enough to just roll it into place.

 

[stent]

:rockon: YAY!!!!!!! :rockon:
finally a 2-din mount!!!!!!
:banana-dreads: :character-beavisbutthead: :music-headbanger:

 

[sixsix]

:rockon: YAY!!!!!!! :rockon:
finally a 2-din mount!!!!!!
:banana-dreads: :character-beavisbutthead: :music-headbanger:

NICE selection of rockin' smilies - LOL

Mike

I have always enjoyed 'car entertainment center' talk
...just doesn't roll off the tongue like ' stereo stuff '
:shrug: