freestyle72
New member
Ok so I am installing a DDX9903s since I already have it and wanted for the apple car play/android auto etc. Dunno what I am doing with the original single din spot yet, but probable will put one of those cup holder/storage things in.
So this job is not for the faint of heart, there is definitely some angle grinder work to be done in close proximity to A LOT of wiring. Before I started doing my cuts I tried to tuck up all the wires in behind the upper dash pieces.
Now First I had to remove the dash trim piece in front of the instrument panel to access all the bolts that hold the gear selector cover on. After undoing this its just a matter of popping tabs and pulling the unit out. It helps to shift to another gear (apply your parking brake) to give yourself room between the shift and the dash (you will see what I mean).
After that I had to do a lot of measurement and test fitting, and it was very close to not working due to the width of the unit and the location of the gear selector bracket. This can be remedied a couple ways I chose to strategically cut the bracket and then use a hammer to gain about an 1/8th of an inch in width so everything sits level and square to the mercedes plastic panel. I've marked in the pictures the areas that needed trimming.
Whats left for me to do is cut up the original mercedes plastic cover for now, but I will make up a new cover out of 1/8" aluminum plate to replace the plastic one since the plastic one is embossed for the switches and all that stuff.
I recommend doing move of the trimming with a dremel, I used a 4.5" angle grinder, but it was nerve racking working so close to all that wiring, I'd recommend covering the wiring while cutting and go as slow as needed to maintain 100% control.
So this job is not for the faint of heart, there is definitely some angle grinder work to be done in close proximity to A LOT of wiring. Before I started doing my cuts I tried to tuck up all the wires in behind the upper dash pieces.
Now First I had to remove the dash trim piece in front of the instrument panel to access all the bolts that hold the gear selector cover on. After undoing this its just a matter of popping tabs and pulling the unit out. It helps to shift to another gear (apply your parking brake) to give yourself room between the shift and the dash (you will see what I mean).
After that I had to do a lot of measurement and test fitting, and it was very close to not working due to the width of the unit and the location of the gear selector bracket. This can be remedied a couple ways I chose to strategically cut the bracket and then use a hammer to gain about an 1/8th of an inch in width so everything sits level and square to the mercedes plastic panel. I've marked in the pictures the areas that needed trimming.
Whats left for me to do is cut up the original mercedes plastic cover for now, but I will make up a new cover out of 1/8" aluminum plate to replace the plastic one since the plastic one is embossed for the switches and all that stuff.
I recommend doing move of the trimming with a dremel, I used a 4.5" angle grinder, but it was nerve racking working so close to all that wiring, I'd recommend covering the wiring while cutting and go as slow as needed to maintain 100% control.
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