Single Din Head Unit Adaptor Problems

[Gruntfuggly]

Sorry to bring this up again, but searching didn't really reveal any answers for me.

I've just bought an adaptor kit to fit a standard head unit, but although the kit looks well made on the surface, when I tried to put it together I had several problems.

First, the attachment of the lower 'pocket' to the front of the surround is rubbish - the bits where the screws go in are semi circular so hardly grip at all - the pocket just fell off again when I was putting the cage in.

Second, there is hardly any material for the cage tabs to engage with - the top part is so thin that none of the tabs worked - this is a standard Pioneer cage with plenty of tabs too. The sides of the surround are the opposite - too much material so that none of the tabs can even be bent.

Lastly the gap for the cage itself is too big - there is a gap of about 1-2 mm above the cage.

Has anybody else had these sort of problems? From looking on eBay and the links people of posted on here, the kits all look like they come from the same supplier, so I'm worried they are all the same.

I was really disappointed because I wanted to get the new head unit fitted last night, and it felt like I was assembling some really poor quality parts. I would be ashamed to put them in the car - I could just imaging the whole lot rattling and squeaking away, when the rest of the car is so well put together it's almost silent!

[IHgs300]

This is the one i had in my last is200.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Connects2-CT24LX01-Lexus-IS300-01-04-Car-Stereo-Single-Din-Facia-Fascia-Panel-/251294014017?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D261234689762%26ps%3D54

[Gruntfuggly]

That looks exactly the same as the one I've got - did you have any of the issues I've had? I hope it's not just me being incompetent. I've fitted plenty of head units in the past, but you never know...

[IHgs300]

It;s not you they are all cheaply made..pity they aint to buy. I ended up using superglue to assemble it as well as screws. Luckily once mounted in the car it seems to strengthen it a bit.

[Gruntfuggly]

OK - thanks for that. I was starting to worry. I've emailed the shop I got it from and got a standard "we've sold hundreds and this is the first one that's been a problem" response, so I've asked if they'll look at some photos to confirm I'm not making a mountain out of a molehill...

[Gruntfuggly]

OK, so I got the dremel out and some glue and managed to cobble it all together, but when I went to attach the wiring adaptor it was the wrong one!?

The connector in the car has small pins, and there is only one connector. The adaptor that came with my kit has two connector and the pins are quite thick.

Could somebody do me a massive favour and point me at the correct adaptor on eBay?

(and I hope it's not the one that's currently on at £1000 - wtf?)

[Gruntfuggly]

Ah - should have done some more research:

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/82809-lexus-is200-stereo-harness-adapter

Looks like that's what I need. So what is the problem with the autoleads one? Think I'll get the decent on anyway...

[GME]

Its all made by autoleads. Depending which IS200 you have got, there are a number of harness leads for almost each modell.

And yea, the double din facial is made rubbish. Had to improvise and used my glue gun to keep it all in place. Dont quite like the look of the facial with the dashboard so might change to a double din Pioneer head unit sometime.

How did you get on? Have you got a sat nav built in?

[Gruntfuggly]

I'm waiting for the new lead to arrive - the suspense is killing me...

No sat nav, but I'm hoping that means it's easy to fit. :)

[Pete Shawn]

do let us know the result :zee:

[Gruntfuggly]

Well it all went in OK eventually. Took plenty of skin off the back of my hands getting the plug out of the back of the OEM amp, but managed it eventually. The single din adaptor isn't fantastic, but it seems to work OK once it's glued together and in place. For a few days it creaked and rattled a bit, but it seems to have settled down now - back to the quiet comfort that I'm really enjoying with this car!

I ended up buying the cheaper autoleads connector, and to be fair it seems to work fine.