Factory DIN-sized dash panel

JWA · 02-21-2008, 03:22 PM

Hi Guys,

I noticed that the Japanese accessories brochure had a picture with a normal single-DIN sized radio installed with what appeared to be a proper factory dash panel/surround. I checked and JapanParts.com listed something called an "AV Panel", so I ordered one hoping it was what I was looking for. It arrived today and it is.

Here's a pic of it from the front, and one from the back in case anyone wants to know where the clips are when removing their radio:

So, now we know that it is available and there is a better option than hacking together some filler strips or using one of those horrible cheap plastic filler panels that radio shops sell.

I'm going to install my single-DIN Alpine head unit with the old style black Forrester DIN-sized storage pocket tomorrow. I bought the steering wheel control adapter too, so we'll see how smoothly that goes. I'll post when I get it all installed and note anything interesting that I find out along the way.

--Josh

Spork · 02-21-2008, 03:30 PM

Sorry if I am not understanding this right, would this allow you to put in an aftermarket double-din radio without gaps around the outside?

GilMikalian · 02-21-2008, 03:31 PM

Or to put a single and a DIN-width cubby, as the OP intends on doing. Either way, good solution if you're not happy with the stocker.

Spork · 02-21-2008, 03:33 PM

Yes and thats a great solution over adding some crappy plastic frame around the aftermarket radio to close the gaps in the dash. Good to know.

jph · 02-21-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWA

Hi Guys,

I noticed that the Japanese accessories brochure had a picture with a normal single-DIN sized radio installed with what appeared to be a proper factory dash panel/surround. I checked and JapanParts.com listed something called an "AV Panel", so I ordered one hoping it was what I was looking for. It arrived today and it is.

Here's a pic of it from the front, and one from the back in case anyone wants to know where the clips are when removing their radio:

So, now we know that it is available and there is a better option than hacking together some filler strips or using one of those horrible cheap plastic filler panels that radio shops sell.

I'm going to install my single-DIN Alpine head unit with the old style black Forrester DIN-sized storage pocket tomorrow. I bought the steering wheel control adapter too, so we'll see how smoothly that goes. I'll post when I get it all installed and note anything interesting that I find out along the way.

--Josh

thanks for the info!

can you post a link to where you got the steering wheel control adapter ?

J.

JWA · 02-21-2008, 03:54 PM

The steering wheel adapter is made by PAC Audio, but the specific model that you need depends on the radio that you will be putting in. Most newer JVC, Alpine, Clarion, Kenwood, Blaupunkt, Pioneer, and Sony decks have a mini-jack plug on the back specifically for this type of adapter/control. Since I'm using an Alpine I bought the SWI-Jack model. Here's their product page: http://www.pac-audio.com/products/pr...el%20Interface

Some radio shops carry them and Crutchfield has them, but I had time so I ordered mine from eBay.

twigg107 · 02-21-2008, 04:15 PM

This one????

AV PANEL
Need this to changed the audio to DVD Navigation to 1 DIN audio
japanparts.com : - Not found -

crap the linky didnt work....

bklynpanman · 02-21-2008, 04:44 PM

Whats the difference between this panel and the stock panel. Please clarify

BlueF · 02-21-2008, 05:05 PM

08 Impreza (Outback, 2.5i, WRX, and STI) has a non-standard double-din radio bezel (8" wide). This JDM part will accommodate standard sized (7" wide) aftermarket head-units, WITHOUT requiring trim on each size (as the stock bezel does).

bklynpanman · 02-21-2008, 05:09 PM

thanks. Understood. I definitely will be ordering this

JWA · 02-21-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twigg107

This one????

AV PANEL
Need this to changed the audio to DVD Navigation to 1 DIN audio
japanparts.com : - Not found -

crap the linky didnt work....

That is the one. The broken English description is a little off, but that is the part. I mentioned that this part would be very desirable to the guys at SubaruGenuineParts.com, and they said that they would look into it. It might be worth asking them if they've found it.

Subw00er · 02-24-2008, 12:49 PM

I have a SWI-ALP for an Alpine radio I used in my s2000. I wonder if it will work in the '08 sti.. anyone know? Josh, please let us know what wire you tap behind the radio for the controls when you do it for the SWI-JACK and I'll try that one.

Do we have a model # or easier way to find the surround on JapanParts.com? I did some searching and I believe it is part # 317-008-028 - Its about halfway down this page: japanparts.com : PARTS DATABASE

$67.. ouch! Thats an expensive dash kit!

Lets all message SubaruGenuineParts.com and see if they'll order some for us.

BTW, for those that have taken the radio out - does this look like the radio connector? This would come in handy for aftermarket decks to be hooked up. The description on japanparts.com site is useless!

Item No.: 317-115-051-N

JWA · 02-24-2008, 01:07 PM

That is the part from Japanparts. With shipping it was ~$90, but a clean factory appearance versus the horribly cheap "universal" options is worth at least that to me. It's a main focal point of the entire interior. I did let the guy at SubaruGenuineParts know about it and he said they would look into it.

The harness adapter is listed as being for '07-up Nissans. It is different than the one from the previous year cars. Crutchfield has them, but I found one on eBay for a bit cheaper.

As to the wires in the harness for the SWI-Jack (which should be the same as your SWI-Alp) - it is two wires in the main harness - NOT any of the wires in the separate four-wire adapter that you would assume is right. PAC should have the '08 Impreza or WRX listed now after we worked it out. I am positive that it was the brown wire for the ground, and I'm fairly certain that it was the pink wire for the control.

Gray08 · 03-10-2008, 09:23 AM

The information on the PAC site isn't super clear, but I found this page, which I *think* is how to connect the SWI-JACK in a Subaru.

Imprezainformation

I'm planning to go with the Kenwood KDC-X891 because Kenwood's Bluetooth adapter is supposed to be pretty good. I've read nothing but bad reviews on Alpine's bluetooth unit. Apparently, the caller on the other end hears a very bad echo/feedback unless you turn the stereo down so far that you can no longer hear the other caller.

Anyway, it would be great if we had some solid installation information on the SWI-JACK adapter.

bklynpanman · 03-10-2008, 10:15 AM

turninconcepts on in the member journals installed this unit.

02-21-2008, 03:22 PM	#1
JWA STI Driver Posts: 292 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (3)	Factory DIN-sized dash panel Hi Guys, I noticed that the Japanese accessories brochure had a picture with a normal single-DIN sized radio installed with what appeared to be a proper factory dash panel/surround. I checked and JapanParts.com listed something called an "AV Panel", so I ordered one hoping it was what I was looking for. It arrived today and it is. Here's a pic of it from the front, and one from the back in case anyone wants to know where the clips are when removing their radio: So, now we know that it is available and there is a better option than hacking together some filler strips or using one of those horrible cheap plastic filler panels that radio shops sell. I'm going to install my single-DIN Alpine head unit with the old style black Forrester DIN-sized storage pocket tomorrow. I bought the steering wheel control adapter too, so we'll see how smoothly that goes. I'll post when I get it all installed and note anything interesting that I find out along the way. --Josh This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

02-21-2008, 03:30 PM	#2
Spork Silver Member Car: AW 08 STi Fav Mod: snow tires Location: Waltham, MA Posts: 175 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel Sorry if I am not understanding this right, would this allow you to put in an aftermarket double-din radio without gaps around the outside?

02-21-2008, 03:31 PM	#3
GilMikalian Silver Member Car: '08 DGM STI w/BBS Fav Mod: Britax Roundabout Location: L.A. Posts: 1,036 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel Or to put a single and a DIN-width cubby, as the OP intends on doing. Either way, good solution if you're not happy with the stocker.

02-21-2008, 03:33 PM	#4
Spork Silver Member Car: AW 08 STi Fav Mod: snow tires Location: Waltham, MA Posts: 175 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel Yes and thats a great solution over adding some crappy plastic frame around the aftermarket radio to close the gaps in the dash. Good to know.

02-21-2008, 03:54 PM	#6
JWA STI Driver Posts: 292 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel The steering wheel adapter is made by PAC Audio, but the specific model that you need depends on the radio that you will be putting in. Most newer JVC, Alpine, Clarion, Kenwood, Blaupunkt, Pioneer, and Sony decks have a mini-jack plug on the back specifically for this type of adapter/control. Since I'm using an Alpine I bought the SWI-Jack model. Here's their product page: http://www.pac-audio.com/products/pr...el%20Interface Some radio shops carry them and Crutchfield has them, but I had time so I ordered mine from eBay.

02-21-2008, 04:15 PM	#7
twigg107 Spec C Club Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: Me..... Location: Vancouver, Wa Posts: 1,463 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel This one???? AV PANEL Need this to changed the audio to DVD Navigation to 1 DIN audio japanparts.com : - Not found - crap the linky didnt work....

02-21-2008, 04:44 PM	#8
bklynpanman STI Driver Car: 08 STI WHITE ! ! ! Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: NJ Posts: 201 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel Whats the difference between this panel and the stock panel. Please clarify

02-21-2008, 05:05 PM	#9
BlueF Junior STI Driver Car: 08 STI (black) Fav Mod: none yet... Location: Oregon Posts: 134 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel 08 Impreza (Outback, 2.5i, WRX, and STI) has a non-standard double-din radio bezel (8" wide). This JDM part will accommodate standard sized (7" wide) aftermarket head-units, WITHOUT requiring trim on each size (as the stock bezel does).

02-21-2008, 05:09 PM	#10
bklynpanman STI Driver Car: 08 STI WHITE ! ! ! Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: NJ Posts: 201 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel thanks. Understood. I definitely will be ordering this

02-24-2008, 12:49 PM	#12
Subw00er STI Driver Car: White/Gold '08 STi Fav Mod: Right foot Location: NY Posts: 275 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel I have a SWI-ALP for an Alpine radio I used in my s2000. I wonder if it will work in the '08 sti.. anyone know? Josh, please let us know what wire you tap behind the radio for the controls when you do it for the SWI-JACK and I'll try that one. Do we have a model # or easier way to find the surround on JapanParts.com? I did some searching and I believe it is part # 317-008-028 - Its about halfway down this page: japanparts.com : PARTS DATABASE $67.. ouch! Thats an expensive dash kit! Lets all message SubaruGenuineParts.com and see if they'll order some for us. BTW, for those that have taken the radio out - does this look like the radio connector? This would come in handy for aftermarket decks to be hooked up. The description on japanparts.com site is useless! Item No.: 317-115-051-N Last edited by Subw00er : 02-24-2008 at 01:04 PM.

02-24-2008, 01:07 PM	#13
JWA STI Driver Posts: 292 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel That is the part from Japanparts. With shipping it was ~$90, but a clean factory appearance versus the horribly cheap "universal" options is worth at least that to me. It's a main focal point of the entire interior. I did let the guy at SubaruGenuineParts know about it and he said they would look into it. The harness adapter is listed as being for '07-up Nissans. It is different than the one from the previous year cars. Crutchfield has them, but I found one on eBay for a bit cheaper. As to the wires in the harness for the SWI-Jack (which should be the same as your SWI-Alp) - it is two wires in the main harness - NOT any of the wires in the separate four-wire adapter that you would assume is right. PAC should have the '08 Impreza or WRX listed now after we worked it out. I am positive that it was the brown wire for the ground, and I'm fairly certain that it was the pink wire for the control.

03-10-2008, 09:23 AM	#14
Gray08 Junior STI Driver Car: 08 DGM STi BBS Fav Mod: Flux Capacitor Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 49 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel The information on the PAC site isn't super clear, but I found this page, which I think is how to connect the SWI-JACK in a Subaru. Imprezainformation I'm planning to go with the Kenwood KDC-X891 because Kenwood's Bluetooth adapter is supposed to be pretty good. I've read nothing but bad reviews on Alpine's bluetooth unit. Apparently, the caller on the other end hears a very bad echo/feedback unless you turn the stereo down so far that you can no longer hear the other caller. Anyway, it would be great if we had some solid installation information on the SWI-JACK adapter.

03-10-2008, 10:15 AM	#15
bklynpanman STI Driver Car: 08 STI WHITE ! ! ! Fav Mod: Coming Soon Location: NJ Posts: 201 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Factory DIN-sized dash panel turninconcepts on in the member journals installed this unit. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.