I'm the new guy, I've been lurking a while but I finally dove in and picked up an el camino after only say... 8 years of wanting one.

Anyway, Just wondering if anyone has done a double din conversion for the radio dash? I've been browsing over at mp3car.com and carputers are just too cool to not have.

I'm pretty sure that the stock radio is a 1.5 din, and only another inch or 2 would have to be cut to make a double din fit, but I'm not sure if there's anything behind the dash that would need to be cut as well, or if there's enough room at the front to mount just a screen. The computer will be able to fit behind the dash, or possibly in the glovebox for convenience

I'm asking and not looking because I'm in iraq for another few weeks, and I want to have everything ordered and ready to go for when I return so I have something to do on my R and R time.

the computer itself probably wouldnt sit behind the dash, but it opens up a lot of options of its an easy cut to make. If I can get away with chopping some plastic just deep enough to fit the screen in, then that makes me happy. I hate the idea of destroying a perfectly good dash. but I'd rather keep it looking closer to stock vs fiberglassing an entire new console to hold the screen.

Should I look for a replacement at a junkyard first to try to fiberglass a screen into, or will Mr. Dremel be able to assist?


if anyone has pictures of the dash opening after removing the factory radio, It'd be greatly appreciated to help visualize what is behind the dash. I'm not sure if there's sheet metal or anything needed for support, or if it's (hopefully) just a big gap that chevy decided to make a 1.5 din sized opening in.

Yes, I have recently done that and posted some pics on another thread. But I will try to recap.

First of all it is not an easy fit. You will DEFINITELY have to cut the dash.

1. 4 screws to remove the radio bezel
2. The radio has two more screws to remove then it will slide out
3. Disconnect the wiring connector and the antenna cable
4. I had to also remove the A/C control and cut off the bottom 1/2" tab that holds the cover plate on just to get enough room.
5. Change the wiring to adapt to your new radio.
6. The bottom of the dash opening has a 1/4 lip that I had to cut down to get a taller opening
7. I made some metal bracket that screw on to the side of the new radio and hold it in the opening
8. because I cut off the bottom tab on the A/C control I just used scotch tape to hold the cover at the bottom edge - I really needed that 1/8".
9. Cut the opening bigger in the radio bezel and then decided to make a black vinyl insert to fit my new radio. Looks like this:
http://i1001.photobucket.com/albums/af132/jstanfield3306/El%20Camino%20Dash%20Repair/ElCaminoDashRepair004.jpg
Made the insert by cutting a cardboard template and then when I got it just right I cut the plate out of real thin aluminum. Glued black vinyl on the the aluminum plate and then glued that into the radio bezel.

Now the radio fits just right. Not through with the dash repair so no pics yet of the completed project.

looking good. I'm still debating between this and a gooseneck adapter bolted to the passenger seat mounting bracket. This way I can keep the radio stock looking and have a clean install by having the computer mounted somewhere behind the seat.

We'll see what happens

I'm the new guy, I've been lurking a while but I finally dove in and picked up an el camino after only say... 8 years of wanting one.

Anyway, Just wondering if anyone has done a double din conversion for the radio dash? I've been browsing over at mp3car.com and carputers are just too cool to not have.

I'm pretty sure that the stock radio is a 1.5 din, and only another inch or 2 would have to be cut to make a double din fit, but I'm not sure if there's anything behind the dash that would need to be cut as well, or if there's enough room at the front to mount just a screen. The computer will be able to fit behind the dash, or possibly in the glovebox for convenience

I'm asking and not looking because I'm in iraq for another few weeks, and I want to have everything ordered and ready to go for when I return so I have something to do on my R and R time.

the computer itself probably wouldnt sit behind the dash, but it opens up a lot of options of its an easy cut to make. If I can get away with chopping some plastic just deep enough to fit the screen in, then that makes me happy. I hate the idea of destroying a perfectly good dash. but I'd rather keep it looking closer to stock vs fiberglassing an entire new console to hold the screen.

Should I look for a replacement at a junkyard first to try to fiberglass a screen into, or will Mr. Dremel be able to assist?


if anyone has pictures of the dash opening after removing the factory radio, It'd be greatly appreciated to help visualize what is behind the dash. I'm not sure if there's sheet metal or anything needed for support, or if it's (hopefully) just a big gap that chevy decided to make a 1.5 din sized opening in.
You mention your post was while you are still in Iraq, Thank You brother for the great help you are doing to keep our FLAG and FREEDOM standing tall.I'm proud of all that have to serve in and around this world and for us to live in peace. I hope to GOD you get a big welcome when you get back to your home town. I hope more members read your post. Thanks for doing a great job, God Bless our service men and women................... Michael in Virginia (rango):You_Rock::You_Rock:

honestly, we all appreciate it, but it's really not that big of a deal. We're just doing a job somewhere else. :beer: