Do I need this for my install?

[nitro71]

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120305613/Ford-Mazda-In-dash-Receiver-Kit.html

93 Explorer. If I don't need it I don't want to waste $10. I'm dirt poor right now.

 

[CmdrPopNFresh]

i dont think so.....ive had plenty of stereos in my days and ive never worried about supporting the back of them....

 

[nitro71]

Thanks commander. I can fab a strap if I have to. Just saved 10 bucks!

 

[chetzar]

That piece should be free with the stereo. But I wouldn't bother paying for it if its not, I dont even think I installed mine. ****, if I didnt, and you want it, i'll send it to ya Lol.

 

[nitro71]

Thanks chetz! My clarion is on the way!

 

[jad2411]

You can take the sliding thing from your stock HU being that your HU is broken anyway...

 

[Anime]

That support from Crutchfield is only useful if your stereo support rail is on the TOP of the radio compartment. Most Explorers I've seen have the support rail on the bottom.

I suppose you could re-drill the support mounting hole on the C-bracket, but it seems pointless on the bottom since the bottom beam tapers at the very back, and so that support bracket isn't going to be holding onto the beam.

I might try to modify mine to make it work, but it seems like a lot less trouble to take a piece of sheet metal and bend it around the bottom support to make the back/middle of the head unit level with the front.

The bracket comes with any receiver you order from Crutchfield, I sure wouldn't pay $10 for it. Too bad the plastic support can't just be tacked on the back like the factory radio due to the stupid DIN sleeve.

 

[nitro71]

Or just buy some plumbers tape. It's metal and has holes in it. Make your own bracket and screw it in where ever. Works pretty slick!

 

[thegaffney]

I just unbolted the support from the stock stereo and it bolted right in to the new one and fit perfectly

 

[Anime]

I just unbolted the support from the stock stereo and it bolted right in to the new one and fit perfectly

So how did you get it mounted to the rail with the DIN sleeve installed?

The DIN sleeve has to be installed first to allow access to the tabs to bend them out so the sleeve stays in place, and the DIN sleeve blocks the part of the rail that the support slides onto, plus the receiver won't fit through the DIN sleeve with the support attached, hence the reason for this C-shaped support that goes through the sleeve and is there for rear support once the receiver slides though.

It would certainly be possible to mount it from the back if there were enough room to reach around...way too much wiring though.

 

[thegaffney]

I mounted my stereo with the dash kits pocket on the top and the radio on the bottom, i attached the sleve to the dash kit, slid the radio though, then bolted in the bracket from the stock radio, plugged the wiring harness in, then i set the support on the end of the radio i just attached onto the flat plastic bar in the dash so it slides on it, and pushed the whole assembly in untill it snapped into the dash

I didnt think i was doing anything special, I just though that was the way you were supposed to do it haha,

I suppose i wouldnt need the support, i just thought a would add it to keep the radio from sliding side to side, and obviously to support it from the bottom a little better too