For the past few months, I've been kicking around ideas to adapt a modern head unit into both my 85 Trans Am and my 78 Corvette. Started with the shaft style vette, which ended up providing a possible solution for the Third Gens. I purchased a cheapo android-ish radio off Amazon ( for $75 with tax. This unit has a couple of shafts for ***** that I was hoping to adapt somehow into the Vette. Didn't make much traction there as I wasn't sure how to source a smaller screen that I could build a bezel to use with the center dash. However, the screen size on the radio got me thinking about the 1.5 DIN, and sure enough - it is the perfect size. I designed a housing to mount it in the original radio location and still use the original bezel.

The radio is not a true Android unit, but is meant to link directly to a smartphone via Apple Carplay or Android Auto. It does have basic functions on its own, including AM/FM, bluetooth pairing, phone calling, and backup camera. The antenna requires a GM adapter that I don't have on hand, so haven't been able to test it out in the car, but all other features work fine.

Honestly, I'm looking for thoughts on the overall concept as I'm not sure where to go from here. Had an itch that I've now scratched, so at least it isn't rambling around inside my noggin anymore.

Below are a few pictures and a 2 minute video clip of it running (and me talking).

I'd appreciate any feedback!




First iteration. Ended up being 10mm to wide as I managed to write down the wrong number on my drawing, despite what my caliper shows. Later design is slimmed down in the width and rear.

Used brackets from a regular single DIN adapter kit that I had in the attic.

Faceplate installed.

 

That’s a funky looking radio. Never seen one where the middle sticks up like that. Turned out pretty nice though. Good job!

 

Thanks! It is made for a single DIN opening, where the screen and ***** stick out in front of the dash. I made the housing with a cavity to fit the entire piece I to, so it sits flush.

 

I like it. Keep going.

 

I like it too. Looks like it has GPS/maps on the link. That and bluetooth is the main reason i got a 2 din. Now if it only had a CD player.
I noticed there's a 9" version. Did you give that any consideration or is that basically a 2 din?

 

The 9" screen is too tall for the 1.5 opening. I have not yet tried the maps function, but it would only work thru the phone connection. Would be just like running Google Maps for Waze on your phone, I'm guessing.

 

I've seen those radios (or ones like them) on ebay, but I had not thought about doing this. I like it. Nice work!

 

This is genuinely a great solution! It looks like the headunit is Linux based, so added bonus that it won't need updates down the line and the connected phone does all the heavy lifting.

Any chance you'll post the .obj file for your bezel? I already have a friend that might like this for his bird (which'll put me on 3D Printing duty &#128514.

Thanks for sharing your progress!

 

I like it , you came up with something completly new. It modernizes the dash with out looking out of place!

 

Wow I really like this, apple carplay in a minimalist package that fits in the 1.5 DIN is very attractive to me. I would buy one of those adapters from you asap once you get it finalized, as I don't have a 3d printer currently. Nice work!

 

Thanks for the kind words. I'll be sure to let you know if I go into small batch production on this. Each print takes about 10 hours to run and uses a fair amount of filament. I also would want to design brackets as I borrowed the set I'm using now from another adapter.

I am far from a 3d printing expert, a very finicky process to say the least!

 

That looks nice actually. I like it. I was always a fan of the 1.5 over the single DIN. ....hated that the aftermarket never really got behind it, BUT....I also understand it.

 

Great idea, nice to see someone thinking outside the box. With the space at the top on either side of the screen, you could incorporate a couple more fast charge USB ports.

I'd like to do something like this in my Z28, but I love the classic look of the factory radio and/or the Pioneer period correct 1.5din CD player I have.

 

Looks good! I like the flush mount look.

 

Do you know if those usb inputs would function as a computer monitor? I'm wanting to have a small windows computer, and I'm wanting a radio to function as the monitor as well

 

I believe one USB port only does charging - and not very quickly at that. The second port is where you can plug in your Apple or Android phone and use the Apply CarPlay or Android Auto to mirror your device on that screen. I'd like to hear more about what you are targeting with the small computer, but doubt that the radio and screen will work for the functions you are looking for - unless it is to only mirror your phone.

 

I have dynamic efi and I have a mini windows computer that will be installed on the car, I would like to use a touchscreen radio as the monitor for the computer, but it doesn't seem like that is going to happen. How's the sound quality of that radio?

 

I am prefacing this opinion with the clarification that I am far from an audiophile.

My car has an amp and single subwoofer installed in the spare tire foot well, plus Sony xplod speakers in front and in sail panels.

I found the sound thru the deck to be fine. It has a built in equalizer, so that helps dial in the sound to personal preference. I did not have an antenna adapter, so was playing music via Bluetooth and my phone. Connection was good

 

Nice work! I am a total newbie in swapping out radios (And electronics in general ) and since my original radio died I thought I'd try an aftermarket one. Did you have to rewire the connectors in the back or were they just plug and play?

 

There is a Metra kit that allows you to connect directly into your dash wiring harness. Your aftermarket stereo will come with its own harness, so you'll need to splice the Metra to this one. The Metra harness is a wise investment - especially because it is cheap. Leaves your factory harness alone and allows much easier changes in the future. Hope that helps!

 

This helps a lot, thanks! Will start ordering stuff then

 

That looks really clean! And you didn’t have to cut the factory trim plate to fit everything in?

 

Correct, no changes to the face plate.

 

that's pretty dang cool! good work!

 

Per request, the FreeCAD file of the 1.5DIN faceplate I constructed awhile ago.