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#252777 - 27/03/2005 16:43 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
I'm thinking of getting an '05 Outback VDC, trouble is it has an integrated climate control/radio & no way to replace it. I just found this link for a double DIN insert to replace the stock dash pocket. No other info yet, but it sure looks interesting.

-Zeke
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#252778 - 28/03/2005 00:54 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: Ezekiel]
cushman
veteran

Registered: 21/01/2002
Posts: 1380
Loc: Erie, CO
Quote:
The navigation screen and double din bezel is not available as standard or optional equiptment in North America Legacies. This is available to the Japanese Domestic Market.

If this is available to US customers I may just have to re-think my decision not to get a 2005 Outback XT. I hope it is also true DIN size and not the standard '00-'04 dash size (which has to be trimmed).
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#252779 - 28/03/2005 02:15 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: cushman]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
Well, looking at the picture more closely it seems like the double DIN is below, and the NAV screen above. The two DIN slots are above the standard environment controls (not the auto-adjusting kind found on the turbo & 3.0 models). The unit as shown (I assume it includes the NAV) is $1500 (they got back to me even on Easter Sunday!). I've asked if the bezel is available by itself, and it is, for about $250-$300! It might still be worth investigating, as I don't see any other option for this vehicle. It all seems to depend on whether or not the NAV screen is wide enough between the vents to take the DIN slot (if so we could make something to fit).

-Zeke
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#252780 - 28/03/2005 03:04 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: Ezekiel]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
Jeeesh, JDM stuff is so expensive!
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#252781 - 28/03/2005 13:54 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: Ezekiel]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
The guy in this post put an aftermarket stereo in his Legacy GT.

http://www.pimpmyauto.com/Pictures/Stereo%20Install/BIG/3.JPG
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#252782 - 28/03/2005 14:26 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: robricc]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
Rob,
Do you know whether or not the Legacy GT shares the same dash as the Outback LTD's? I've been assuming it does, am I wrong?

That's a really nice install. My hopes for the empeg in a 3.0 VDC are growing.

-Zeke

Edit: The DIN dash pocket replacement part is available at AVO Turbo World $115.00


Edited by Ezekiel (28/03/2005 15:06)

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#252783 - 28/03/2005 16:24 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: robricc]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
How do the two stereos interact?
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#252784 - 28/03/2005 17:27 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: Ezekiel]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
I don't know if they're the same off the top of my head. My internet connection is being very slow for some reason so searching for photos is becoming frustrating and I can't remember off the top of my head. It has been a few months since I have been in those cars.
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#252785 - 28/03/2005 17:30 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
I assume the stock stereo is just being disabled since this guy is using external amps (no need for the stock stereo).
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#252786 - 28/03/2005 17:38 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: robricc]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
I've been thinking about the amp/headunit switching thing and it seems like there's two ways (not counting the hardwire CD input mod which breaks the CD player technique). The first, lower complexity, lower quality way is to use and FM modulator on the empeg's output and feed that into the FM input on the stock system. This leaves most stuff alone. The other way that I can see to run two units is that you'd need the Sony 2-head switching unit (or similar), plus speaker to line level converters for the output of the Subaru HU. The out from the Sony switch would then feed your amp(s). You'd also need a voltage sensor as the Subaru HU has no amp turn-on line as far as I can tell. If I did it, I think I'd try the FM Modulator system first. If it didn't work I'd only be out a few tens of dollars.

-Zeke
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#252787 - 28/03/2005 18:03 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: robricc]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
Well, I stitched product shots from Subaru's web site, it's a little small (poor source resolution) but the left is the center dash from an Outback 3.0R and the right is a Legacy 2.5 GT. They look identical to me.

-Zeke


Attachments
252298-LegacyOutbackDashComparo.jpg (9390 downloads)

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#252788 - 28/03/2005 18:13 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: Ezekiel]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Looks pretty good. The dealer closest to my office is making their own trim level of the new Legacy. They look pretty hot and for the prices quoted there, they include ECU mods for 318HP at the crank now. At least, that's what I heard. I haven't talked to them about it yet since I don't need another car... well, I shouldn't get another car.
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#252789 - 29/03/2005 01:37 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: robricc]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
I didn't see anything about ECU mods on that page, and that seems like a lot of extra power for a non-turbo car and only an ECU mod. But, regardless, it looks like a pretty good deal!
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#252790 - 29/03/2005 01:37 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: Ezekiel]
FireFox31
pooh-bah

Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
I think those Sony source switchers may still be hard to get. There's always the trusty Precision Instrument Electronics PIE MPSS-4 source switcher. That'll only set you back $20's of dollars, so you could skip the FM mod all together.

I think I still have the info sheet on my webspace.... Yeah, here's the specs, if that's even still available. Been working for me for 2.5 years with no problems. Good luck.
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#252791 - 29/03/2005 02:29 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: FireFox31]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
Well, the switch I already have. But the amps, the wiring, the speaker to line level converters, the replacment speakers I'd need to go w/ the amps...it snowballs pretty quick. One thing at a time. If I a)get the Outback and b)do the full wire, I'm definitely going to stash the amps under the floor flaps in the cargo area instead of under the driver's seat where I have them in the Forester. I think later this summer or early fall as the Forester has 228,000 miles on it now ('99). I'm not sure she'll last another winter, but if I clear an even quarter million, I'll be happy.
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#252792 - 29/03/2005 20:48 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: Ezekiel]
cushman
veteran

Registered: 21/01/2002
Posts: 1380
Loc: Erie, CO
Regarding the size: this site lists the size of the Panasonic video unit installed in this picture as 9 5/8". This is well over the 7.3 inches needed for the Emepg.
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#252793 - 30/03/2005 22:58 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Quote:
I didn't see anything about ECU mods on that page, and that seems like a lot of extra power for a non-turbo car and only an ECU mod. But, regardless, it looks like a pretty good deal!

There was someone representing Bill Kolb Subaru at an auto show, but not working for Bill Kolb Subaru. He was quoting those HP figures and said they were possible due to a piggy-back ECU program and the mod was included in the prices seen on that site. So, he very possibly could be wrong.

The Legacy GT is turbocharged though...
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#252794 - 31/03/2005 00:27 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: robricc]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
Quote:
The Legacy GT is turbocharged though...


Oh yeah. Duh. And I call myself a Subaru nut...
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#252795 - 08/06/2005 05:32 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
ianken_ms
new poster

Registered: 24/02/2003
Posts: 2
I've been trying very hard to get the EMPEG into my '05 LGT. I've talked to some very good installer/fabricators the the bottom line is this: The sled is too wide to fit in the cubby above the radio stack, if it is hacked up enough it will interfer with the vent movement.

The stock radio and climate controls are integrated and share a common PCB. The radio cannot be removed without killing the AC so the cool double din parts you can get from AVO Turbo World are a) useless and b) will not fit in left hand drive cars.

Summary : You can fit a single or double dine ISO sized unit in the cubby, depending on how much fab work you want to undertake due to the dash supports directly behind it. But the EMPEG is just too fat.

Just for laughs I looked at the various hard disk based offerings from Sony, Pioneer and Eclipse. What a joke. They actually exepct the user to sit in their car and rip CDs. The Sony guys are the ones with a ton of gall: they let you "check out" music from the head unit onto their less than useless "Magic Gate" DRM memory stick. WTF, eh?

It baffles me to this day that someone has not cloned the EMPEG and shrunk it down a bit to fit in these wee ISO-DIN sockets without cutting.

Anyway it looks like the EMPEG goes in the wifes car and I get , well, something. I'm still searching. Nothing is a cool as the EMPEG and it is a shame I cannot stuff it in my car.

This all makes Mobile Audio Awareness Panda VERY sad!

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#252796 - 08/06/2005 13:07 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: ianken_ms]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
For the record, the empeg is DIN compliant. There are just two standards, colloquially E-DIN and J-DIN. Most European cars have E-DIN slots that fit the empeg. On big-name aftermarket stereos these days, you use the sleeve with the bend-out tabs to install them. Most Asian cars have J-DIN slots. Big-name stereos are installed in them by throwing away that sleeve and screwing the stereo directly into a bracket of some nature. Given that screwing the empeg into the dash is less than useful for a stereo that needs to be removable, J-DIN doesn't seem appropriate.

I don't know which standard is the official one. Perhaps both.
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#252797 - 08/06/2005 22:42 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: wfaulk]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
And I'm guessing that we wouldn't be able to squeeze two 2.5" hard drives if the empeg was any smaller.
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#252798 - 09/06/2005 01:12 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback Double DIN Bezel - Replaced Pocket [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
In anticipation of the 3.0 VDC Outback Wagon in my near future, I ordered the DIN dash kit from Turboworld. It arrived and I looked over a cow-orker's Legacy XT. It looks like the trim surround will have to be dremeled to accept the empeg (just like the Forester), but that the protruding edges of the fascia will cover the sharp edges that'll remain once I'm done dremeling. I expect to get(order?) the car at the end of this month. Mvigneau posted some great information over at legacygt.com detailing the FM modulator wiring, which is my plan for the short term. I've got a lot of other wiring to do, and I don't want to get into the switches & amps needed for a dual head/aftermarket amp setup, at least for the time being. I can't wait!

-Zeke
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#252799 - 01/07/2005 10:38 2005 Outback Wagon Install - Not Possible [Re: Ezekiel]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
--Despair--

I removed the console cubby bezel yesterday and found out that there's a large dash support strut which completely prevents installing a DIN radio in place of the cubby. Well, it would be possible, but the radio would stick out of the dash 2-3" (50-75mm). Gah.

I can't tell you how bummed I am. What to do, what to do...

[edit]Other people have cut the support it seems. I'm wary of doing so. It is plastic, so it wouldn't be too difficult.[/edit]

I'll post a photo later.

-Zeke


Edited by Ezekiel (01/07/2005 10:51)

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#252800 - 01/07/2005 11:18 Re: 2005 Outback Wagon Install - Not Possible [Re: Ezekiel]
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3582
Loc: Columbus, OH
Is this dash support made of plastic? Do you have a dremel? :evil grin:

[edit]Doh! beaten by the Ezekiels edit[/edit]
[edit2]You can always use ABS goop to "weld" a piece of plastic in its place when you remove the stereo.[/edit2]


Edited by JBjorgen (01/07/2005 11:28)
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#252801 - 01/07/2005 12:54 Re: 2005 Outback Wagon Install - Not Possible [Re: JBjorgen]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
It's two posts 6-8mm thick, about 20mm wide (each), so it'd have to be one big dremel! More of a sawing job really.

That's a good idea about the abs glue.

-Zeke
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#252802 - 09/07/2005 22:14 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback - INSTALLED! [Re: Ezekiel]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA

After two Saturdays' work, it is done. I had to cut the bejeezus out of the plastic dash support - I used a dry wall saw, it worked pretty well. The sled is not bolted into anything, but it angles down strongly (about 15 degrees) so there's no chance of anything sliding out.

I used a 100 channel FM modulator (Power Acoustik EFM-100 100-Frequency Pll FM Modulator) mounted in the glovebox. I had to drill holes through to the central console to route its wires. I got the Subaru FM antenna connector from Metra Online. The sound is OK, not competition quality, but definitely listenable. The power (permanent & switched), headlight sense and ground were all available by tapping the lines that feed the display directly underneath the emepeg.

Now, I need to get a new lens and lighting kits to match the light blue / red lighting in the Outback, and use some of the wonderful buttons firefox31 sent me for helping him out a few months back (thanks man!).

I still need to retain the sled a little better, but it's good enough for now.

The surround had to be heavily dremeled, as did the adjacent vent tubes. There's basically zero clearance between the sled and the vent tubes. The trim piece directly above the sled also had to be dremeled and then hot glued into place, since the dremeling removed the screw mounts it would have used.

I'm so happy. I was getting very tired of CD's.

<JOY!>

-Zeke


Attachments
259795-IMG_5672_1024x768.jpg (30085 downloads)


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#252803 - 10/07/2005 05:07 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback - INSTALLED! [Re: Ezekiel]
iank
new poster

Registered: 24/08/2000
Posts: 33
Mine is in but the dash-surround pice is not finished. I pick that up next week. I'm going for an as clean as possible install and the guys at Magnolia are having a tough time with the bondo. They got the pice done but the rubberized coating on the rest of the piece bubels when primer or any paint is applied so they need a few more days to tweak the part.

I have the factory head unit going into a line-out converter into the aux in on the EMPEG and then a run to the amps in the back. It works OK, but needs some more tweaks as the radio soudns a bit weak.

I have the EMPEG tuner module but the audio from it was very quiet, so decided to go with the LOC for radio.

EDIT: my dimmer is not working. I know the harness has two dimmer lines. Which one is the correct one?


Attachments
259805-IMG_0010.JPG (45978 downloads)



Edited by iank (11/07/2005 04:31)

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#252804 - 11/07/2005 13:54 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback - INSTALLED! [Re: Ezekiel]
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3582
Loc: Columbus, OH
Is that as deep as it will go? Just wondering, because in the picture, you can still see the bottom of the sled.
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#252805 - 11/07/2005 14:14 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback - INSTALLED! [Re: iank]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31563
Loc: Seattle, WA
Quote:
I know the harness has two dimmer lines. Which one is the correct one?

The empeg harness does not have two dimmer lines, it has only one. Do you mean that the Subaru harness has two?

And anyway, are you sure that the dimmer isn't working? Maybe it is, and you just haven't set the level yet.
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#252806 - 11/07/2005 19:40 Re: 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback - INSTALLED! [Re: JBjorgen]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
The camera used to take the photo is very low, I wanted to be sure the FM modulator in the glovebox was visible. When you're sitting in the car you cannot see that edge. You can see a little silver sliver around the edge of the fascia, but that can't be avoided.

-Zeke
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