double din head unit question
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Nice. I have the same unit. Two questions: why did to choose the Metra install kit instead of the one from American International (CD 643, I think)?...and where did you end up putting the Nav module?
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
I have the American International kit on my double din in a 2011 and the fit isn't that great compared to the Metra kit. They didn't have the Metra in stock and I wasn't in the mood to fabricate my own kit at the time, so I went with the AI. I'll look around some locally and find the Metra kit, it fits better. If I can't find it anywhere I'll just go ahead and fab my own. The AI isn't horrible, and is fixable, I'm just not happy it didn't fit right. In my opinion with experience with literally 1000's of head unit installs on various vehicles, I'd choose Metra first over AI, Scoshe, or any others because their fit is almost always the best.
I had exactly the opposite experience...I ordered both the Metra and the AI, and thought the AI matched better. Surface finish and color match was prefect, and I liked the way it followed the contour of the dash, unlike the Metra which sticks out. To each his own I guess.
I will say this: it was a bitch to get the AI unit properly set on the Sony H/U so everything was flush once reassembled.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Slidell Louisiana & Osan, South Korea
I actually got the Sony a step down from yours, its all the same but without the Nav. I dont really use Nav in the USA and here in Korea i have to use my korean gps (the thing above the radio in the picture). As for the install kit, i didn't really put any thought into it. I ordered everything from sonic electronix and they included the Scosche install kit for free. Its a pretty good match for the dash, but installing it on the Sony was not ideal. The Sony mounting holes were recessed and the scosche kit was flush, so the countersunk screws included with the Sony didn't work and i have to find button-head screws to do the job.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 152
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton
Originally Posted by 2011 JKer
I have the American International kit on my double din in a 2011 and the fit isn't that great compared to the Metra kit. They didn't have the Metra in stock and I wasn't in the mood to fabricate my own kit at the time, so I went with the AI. I'll look around some locally and find the Metra kit, it fits better. If I can't find it anywhere I'll just go ahead and fab my own. The AI isn't horrible, and is fixable, I'm just not happy it didn't fit right. In my opinion with experience with literally 1000's of head unit installs on various vehicles, I'd choose Metra first over AI, Scoshe, or any others because their fit is almost always the best.
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Their double din kit is identical to the one from American International. Even has the same product number: BKCDK642, AI's is CDK642. The BK stands for "Best Kit", I guess.
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Cville