MisterT

After spending an hour trying to get the factory HU out, this morning I tried putting in the dash kit and new HU (ALPINE), but there is no place for the sleeve to attach to. I tried securing it on to the useless dash kit, but no such luck. It seems like there should be some way to secure both the dash kit and the new HU in this car, but Mazda can't make things easy. I replaced head units in Ford, GM, and Mitsubishi cars and didn't have the difficulties that I face with the Mazda (thanks to the near double DIN size radio). How did you guys secure your head unit and pocket in the dash? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Michael

MisterT

I emailed Crutchfield and they suggested having the pocket under the head unit (which it was) and then having either rigid styrofoam or a piece of plywood between the chassis of the head unit and the ugly pocket that goes in to the dash. Is this what you guys did?

Michael

yellowdragon

Hi... My previous radio (Kenwood KDC-MPV619) was installed with the pocket at the bottom and the radio on top... And a piece of styrofoam between the radio and the pocket.

The new radio (Kenwood KDC-MP922) is mounted with the pocket on top.

I Didn't had any kind of trouble with either radio. Just was in doubt with the 922 because according to the Crutchfield database, it doesn't fit the Protege... But it fits very nicely.

Your new dash trim should just pop in place. Mine had a second trim around the radio area that had to be extracted. Otherwise neither radio would fit...

MisterT

Thanks for your help. I ended up ordering a dash kit from crutchfield because of a local hifi shop sold me just the pocket that goes above or below the radio. I'll have to try to get the styrofoam piece out. I had a hell of a time taking the radio out. The time I got it out, I literally through it on the side walk next to the car.

Michael

yellowdragon

Ah, I guess you were sold the pocket without the dash trim...

But you'll see how easy it will fit once you get the complete kit