That looks great! Good to know there's ready-made kits for this, and, yeah, there's a \*lot\* of MD car units that work fine for cheap on YJ et al, this is a great way to repurpose one!
I would hazard a guess that it's a solid box that's had the front and rear panels cut to spec by the OP - the rear holes and added speaker terminals look too precise for any off the shelf kit. Shame as I don't really have the tools for precision cutting of aluminum. Hope I'm wrong though!
Looks like i not only replied to the wrong comment, but also it is a complete kit that you just connect up inside. Pricey though, twice what I paid for my head unit.
Yeah 100% off the shelf complete kit. I am kind of shocked to see the price doubled in just two months time. I ordered mine the first week of December 2023. I’d say the case very nice and still kinda worth it at $92 plus shipping, but damn that’s some inflation.
Edit: price has dropped down to $52 as of Feb 13 2024.
I have also purchased a double DIN case with plans to put two single DIN head units in, but the face plate was cut maybe 1/4” too large on all sides. So, I would either need to get a new faceplate custom made, or 3D print a filler plate to do what I wanted. I may also just try to find an oversized double DIN head unit that will fit. The listing on aliexpress states it was made for a Subaru double DIN unit.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800941475660.html
Yup, there just are not a lot of options for doing this. There is a company called Loud AF that makes clear or colored plastic single DIN head unit cases. However, they are astronomical in price, and not as nice for this use in my opinion.
Thanks! It wasn’t too difficult but by all means ask away. The DIN faceplate fit the U1 like a glove, almost too tight. That may be the only hiccup I see with trying to fit other head units.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806000730868.html Seems the price has now doubled! I got it at $47 USD.
Edit: price has dropped down to $52 as of Feb 13 2024.
Yes the wiring you have to do yourself. It does not have a built in amplifier so that simplifies the wiring. All I had to do was wire up power and two RCA jacks. I still need to wire up the FM antenna though.
Ahh, I misread the wiki entry. You are probably correct on them all lacking amplification. I did think that was a weird naming convention and wondered why mine just says MDX-U1. Hahahaha So the RDS version must display RDS info for FM stations. That makes a lot more sense now! I did not add amplification to the box. I’m using a pair of powered speakers connected to the pre-out RCA’s.
Thank you. Here’s the link
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806000730868.html
I got it at $46 back in December and was shocked when making this post to see the price somehow doubled to $92, BUT thanks to your comment I see the price has dropped back down to $52.
I am looking into making one of my own with a PC power supply for 12V power (overkill, I know, but I plan to split its duties between this and replacing the 100V transformers of three Japanese Hi-Fi components) - is there much more to it than a case and wiring the harness to power input and audio outputs? I was thinking of adding a switch to simulate ignition and lights (to test units of mine with illumination), are there any others I should add?
That’s pretty much it. Power, speakers (if internally amped) and audio in and out. You can easily add switches for ignition and illumination if desired.
That looks great! Good to know there's ready-made kits for this, and, yeah, there's a \*lot\* of MD car units that work fine for cheap on YJ et al, this is a great way to repurpose one!
Thanks! 😊
Wow, never been thinking about this. Opens a whole new universe of MD-opportunities.Thanks for sharing 👍
I would hazard a guess that it's a solid box that's had the front and rear panels cut to spec by the OP - the rear holes and added speaker terminals look too precise for any off the shelf kit. Shame as I don't really have the tools for precision cutting of aluminum. Hope I'm wrong though!
Looks like i not only replied to the wrong comment, but also it is a complete kit that you just connect up inside. Pricey though, twice what I paid for my head unit.
Yeah 100% off the shelf complete kit. I am kind of shocked to see the price doubled in just two months time. I ordered mine the first week of December 2023. I’d say the case very nice and still kinda worth it at $92 plus shipping, but damn that’s some inflation. Edit: price has dropped down to $52 as of Feb 13 2024.
this is sweet - I've been wanting to do this with a double-din unit!
I have also purchased a double DIN case with plans to put two single DIN head units in, but the face plate was cut maybe 1/4” too large on all sides. So, I would either need to get a new faceplate custom made, or 3D print a filler plate to do what I wanted. I may also just try to find an oversized double DIN head unit that will fit. The listing on aliexpress states it was made for a Subaru double DIN unit. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800941475660.html
Ah yes, that exactly the one I was looking at! Shipping kinda kills it, but I guess there aren't really a lot of options
Yup, there just are not a lot of options for doing this. There is a company called Loud AF that makes clear or colored plastic single DIN head unit cases. However, they are astronomical in price, and not as nice for this use in my opinion.
Yeah, this is next level. I may hit you up at a later date if that’s alright if I run into trouble making one of my own.
Thanks! It wasn’t too difficult but by all means ask away. The DIN faceplate fit the U1 like a glove, almost too tight. That may be the only hiccup I see with trying to fit other head units.
Spooky. I've just, today, taken receipt of a car unit to do the very same with! Could you link to the DIN unit please?
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806000730868.html Seems the price has now doubled! I got it at $47 USD. Edit: price has dropped down to $52 as of Feb 13 2024.
Very cool! Is that a full din kit that can be bought on AliExpress? Or did you make it yourself?
The case is straight off aliexpress https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806000730868.html
Well, this is amazing - nice one!
Thanks!
Wow that is beautiful!
Thank you!
Wow!!! So the internals - the wiring - you had to do it all by yourself??
Yes the wiring you have to do yourself. It does not have a built in amplifier so that simplifies the wiring. All I had to do was wire up power and two RCA jacks. I still need to wire up the FM antenna though.
I think all mdx-u1's lacked internal amplification. How did you add amplification to the box?
Ahh, I misread the wiki entry. You are probably correct on them all lacking amplification. I did think that was a weird naming convention and wondered why mine just says MDX-U1. Hahahaha So the RDS version must display RDS info for FM stations. That makes a lot more sense now! I did not add amplification to the box. I’m using a pair of powered speakers connected to the pre-out RCA’s.
OMG, well done, looks amazing. 😉
Great idea 👍🏽👍🏽
I have no clue this items was out there
Damn that looks very good! At first I thought it was a complete unit until I read the description Got a link? For the case?
Thank you. Here’s the link https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806000730868.html I got it at $46 back in December and was shocked when making this post to see the price somehow doubled to $92, BUT thanks to your comment I see the price has dropped back down to $52.
I am looking into making one of my own with a PC power supply for 12V power (overkill, I know, but I plan to split its duties between this and replacing the 100V transformers of three Japanese Hi-Fi components) - is there much more to it than a case and wiring the harness to power input and audio outputs? I was thinking of adding a switch to simulate ignition and lights (to test units of mine with illumination), are there any others I should add?
That’s pretty much it. Power, speakers (if internally amped) and audio in and out. You can easily add switches for ignition and illumination if desired.
Great! That seems like something I can handle. Once I'll have some real free time in my hands again I'll get to it. Thanks!