Im determined to install a Kenwood ddX719 in my R53. I've seen completed double din installs, but haven't heard any details. I plan on sliding the electronic climate controls and switches down. Does anybody have details on the installation? Are there any faceplate kits? Or should I fiberglass one?

 

I would be interested any info you come across. I've looked, but haven't found anything.
I would assume you would have to fabricate some sort of brackets or supports. Luckily, the Climate Controls and switch panel just slide into place between the downtubes, so sliding it down wouldn't make it look weird. Also, you won't miss the cup holders! Unless you drink a lot of red bull.....

 

I'll hopfully be ripping into it this week hopefully. Looking forward to getting rid of the empty gap and pointless cup holders.

 

im looking forward to your review, i have looked into this myself but im not sure you can just drop down the Climate Controls and switch panel if i remember it didnt look like the Climate Controls can be lowered but i can be wrong.

 

ttttttt

 

Start tomorrow.

 

Larger downtubes to accommodate hu and controls being moved outward, smoothed and painted console (with deleted useless cup holders), everything primed. Still have some work for fitting, then paint.

 

Seems having some difficulty uploading picture...

 

 

Striped Toad..... DIY instructions/pics would be GREATLY Appreciated! Where did you get the down tubes? It looks like a excellent install! I'm extremely jealous right now! Looks like your hard work paid off!

 

Thank you. I have some in progress photos, I'll upload them soon. I fabricated the new downtubes (fiberglasss).

 

That is really cool. I like the idea of the double DIN.

 

How did you get around the HVAC Control motor being in the way?

 

I'm still working on that. The housing wasn't really in my way, the motor I'm in the process of moving. I still have the variable speed, the vent selection is what I'm doing now.

 

Here's a quasi walkthrough for my Kenwood Double Din Install.
*Note* I am not an installer, just enjoy finding a way of doing things myself. The following is what I found to work for ME. Obviously it would be much easier to install a raw monitor than a double din unit, but that's not what I wanted.
The start, my old Kenwood Stealth HU:
Downtubes off:

Crossbar and some other plastic removed (motor will need to be relocated/removed for clearance):
Kenwood DDX719 bolted in:
After some small adjustments to bring HVAC and switches down and forward (they will actually slide down a spot fairly easily, may be all that's needed if just installing a plain monitor), to line up with HU (showing the need to make new downtubes [and get rid of cup holders]):

Tedious part, fiberglass. I used fiberglass resin and fiberglass net, I chose not to use filler due to the possibility of cracking/shrinking with the extreme weather fluctuations here, so it took longer. Removed (useless) cup holders, smoothed console, primed new downtubes and console. Some more fine adjustments and sanding and will be ready for paint, will be black. Plan on making an aux (3) power panel in place of cup holders.
-More to come.

 

So to do the conversion you have to make larger down tubes?

 

For what I used, yes I had to. You can see in the side picture, which the the black down tube, the unit sticks out a bit. You may be able to enlarge them a bit, and wrap them in leather or something. Redline goods may be able to help you.