Figuring out what stereo fits your car can be tricky. When it comes to custom upgrades there are lots of choices, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Our team are here to help and so we’ve put together this blog to answer help answer the question “which stereo fits my car” once and for all.
Custom Fit Or Universal?
Looks and sound are the key drivers for any car stereo, but it’s not as simple as finding a system that looks the business and sounds amazing.
Choosing a universal fit gives you more flexibility but needs a little more research. If you’re looking to install a universal fit stereo, you’ll need to understand the difference between single-DIN and double-DIN car stereos and understand how to choose the right fascia.
For a custom fit, you can search using the make and model of your vehicle. Our what fits my ride service means you can find the perfect custom fit with ease.
Which Stereo Will Fit My Car?
Double DIN Or single DIN?
This is the first thing you’ll need to know when choosing your new car stereo. Single DIN is the most common size for car stereos and choosing a single DIN stereo like the fantastic Alpine ILX-F509A Halo9 means you don’t need to worry about buying a special adapter to make things fit. It’s as simple as measuring the space seeing if it matches the single-DIN dimensions (50mm x 180mm) and buying a brand new single-DIN stereo.
What If I Need A Double DIN?
A double DIN stereo space measures 180mm x 100mm and is a key feature of many luxe vehicles. The extra space is used for things like reverse cameras and navigation systems, as well as superb stereos. Simply measure your cavity to determine whether you need a double-DIN system and book an audio car consultation to discover your dream stereo.
Can I Put A Single DIN Stereo Into A Double-DIN Space?
It’s possible – you’ll just need to buy a special installation kit. This is a good solution if you need to keep costs down, or if you simply want a basic stereo system.
What Else Do I Need To Fit A Car Stereo?
There is a host of installation accessories that will make your brand new car stereo look and sound its best and our team are happy to offer all the advice you need.
Are Head Units Universal?
Most head units for car stereos are not universal, which means they don't fit all makes and models of cars. Some manufacturers promote 'universal' head units which are designed to fit most car stereo dashboards, but even these head units are not truly universal. Make sure that your car can safely sit any head unit before you buy it or you could find yourself wasting money on a universal head unit that doesn't fit your car.
Before you buy a new head unit, it's important to make sure that your chosen unit fits your car's dashboard, or it could come loose and cause accidents while you're driving. If you've got no experience fitting car stereos and audio equipment, it's important to hire a specialist in car stereos to source and fit a suitable head unit to fit inside your car.
How To Find The Right Head Unit Size For Your Car
If you're shopping around for a new head unit for your car stereo and you want to make sure it fits, there are a few ways to find out what size unit to look for. You could search for your car in an online database or measure the head unit size yourself. If you want to maximise accuracy, do both.
Use An Online Database
Search for the make, model and year of your car in an online database to find out what size head unit is the right fit for your vehicle. Online databases may be able to tell you whether your vehicle is compatible with single or double DIN head units and whether there are any other considerations you need to make before you purchase a head unit for your vehicle. It's usually possible to find comprehensive databases on car audio retailers' websites online, and these databases will usually offer you a list of compatible head units to use with your vehicle.
Measure The Head Unit Size Manually
Before purchasing a new head unit, it's always a good idea to measure the space yourself to make sure it lines up with your research. You might also have to use this method if you can't find your exact car make, model, and year in an online database.
Remove your current car's head unit and use a tape measure or a ruler to measure the space where your existing head unit sits. You may have to remove some of the trim around your head unit to get an accurate measurement, and as always take out all of the necessary safety precautions when working around wires and cables. Based on the size of the opening, you can ascertain what size head units will fit in your car:
50mm x 180mm: Single DIN head units
75mm x 180mm: 1.5 DIN head units
100mm x 180mm: double DIN head units
These are the most common sizes for head unit openings in Australia, but your vehicle could be somewhere in between these measurements - in which case you might need a mounting kit to fit certain types of head units.
Book An Audio Consultation
To discover which stereo fits your car, and to find out how to get the very best from your car audio system get in touch with our team. Our free car audio consultation will help you make the best decision based on sound, practicality and budget, as well as the specifics of your vehicle. Book online or call us on 07 3482 3861.
One comment on “What Stereo Fits My Car In Australia?”
I have a,ford falcon xr8 manual 2003 as someone put a stereo in it down the bottom and the original stereo is still in the car but does not work so I really need something sorted out with it as I don't think it was plugged in right please can you guys,have a look and help me sort it out properly and Profesionaly please,can I bring the car to you on Tuesday to have a look and give me a,price etc. On how to fix it then I can book it in to get sorted
I have a,ford falcon xr8 manual 2003 as someone put a stereo in it down the bottom and the original stereo is still in the car but does not work so I really need something sorted out with it as I don't think it was plugged in right please can you guys,have a look and help me sort it out properly and Profesionaly please,can I bring the car to you on Tuesday to have a look and give me a,price etc. On how to fix it then I can book it in to get sorted