Already got all the equipment on the way necessary to replace my stock EX head unit with a pioneer and my empeg...when looking at the DX install instructions and the hondacars.com audio section pictures, it occurs to me either one of two things is the case:

1) The Honda add-on radio is taller than DIN, explaining why the pocket and all the extra units (mp3 cd player, in-dash 6-cd changer, cassette player) are all not quite as tall.

2) My assumption that the opening is double-DIN height was in error!

I have a feeling that #2 is the case. Argh!

If so, is there any chance I can nibble/dremel out the bottom lip or top trim of the surround to make room for two DIN units stacked on top of eachother, or did I just blow it entirely?

-brendan

Ok. A quick ruler-check seems to indicate my empeg is 2 and 3/16 of an inch tall, and the opening is 4 and 3/8 of an inch tall. Since the empeg is supposed to be DIN sized, that seems to indicate the opening is double-DIN.

Is that right? Perhaps I shouldn't worry so much?

The only radio-install-kit I've seen is from METRA and is designed around a single-DIN install with a shorter-than-DIN pocket, but there's some unused room above the radio and above and below the pocket for "framing" that seems to be robbing the pocket area of some of it's height.

Since I'll be doing a two unit install, it looks like I'll be securing the units in the dash in some custom manner.

-brendan

I guarantee that the opening in the Element without anything installed in it is double din. Therefore, since the empeg unit is single-din - I guarantee that it wil fit in the opening and also accomodate another single din unit or pocket as well.

Thanks eMass. Any suggestions on additional hardware/clamps needed to secure two units, or is it likely the hardware I need is already affixed to the EX unit?

-brendan

You'll need a dash install kit - do a search for Metra and you should be able to find what you need.

[quote:19ec9e38b1=" "]You'll need a dash install kit - do a search for Metra and you should be able to find what you need.[/quote:19ec9e38b1]

The only metra kit I could find after searching far and wide was a single-din-PLUS-POCKET affair. That seems not quite right. Or is the pocket secretly removable? I need room for two separate DIN units.

http://www.metraonline.com/innovations.aspx

2nd item, part #99-7863

-brendan

The pocket on the metra kits aren't removable. The opening in the E is actually slightly larger than a DIN opening. The 90+ up OEM stereo pockets are slightly larger from Honda. The factory radios are DIN sized, the oversized pockets make up for the difference. If you have to use 2 DIN components, Metra sells DIN trimrings in 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 sizes. You can use these to fill up the gaps between the units.