Heres a couple pics of my radio install. First one is with the cover in place and the second is with the cover off. Radio is a JVC and I chose it because it has direct USB input, so with a 4 Mb stick I have hours of music and no expensive mp3 player to get stolen.
I basically carefully cut the face off the stock radio and glued all the buttons in place to conceal the new head unit. The window from the stock radio allows me to use the remote with the cover in place. Look through the windows and it just looks like a factory radio that will prevent thieves from wanting to break into my car.

cover on

cover off

 

What ever floats your boat. Ill give you props for a unique idea. And i think you have your pictures reversed.

 

ftl.......

 

WTF are you gonna do when you sell the car now?. You cut up the face of the OEM head unit so you can't sell off the car with it in that condition. The stealth thing is cool and all, but if you were going to go the stealth route you should have mounted the JVC head unit in the glovebox and you could have soldered a ribbon onto the pins to mount the JVC faceplate anywhere in the car.

 

As long as the car runs, i will own it. No plans to sell it within at least 10 years. By then the people interested would be happy with a metra or scosche kit installed. Also fairly easy to source the factory head unit if need be.

 

ftl.......

 

definately a unique idea. i am in the same boat as the op, not planning to ever sell the car that is so I can understand not caring what one does to the car. still, probably could have made at least $100 on the factory head unit on ebay or something. i would also recommend mounting in the glove box (cd changer too, since we have no "trunk" to speak of), that way, you leave the factory radio in place and hide you real radio.

now all we need is a locking glove box that would stand up to someone pulling it down....

 

I thought about the glove box, found that it was not quite big enough and even if I cut the back of the box off the wiring could interfere with the recirculating air flap of the fan box. Also have to worry about wiring breaking from opening and closing the glove box evertime you need to get to the radio.
This way i have the same access as the stock radio. Plus with remote I do not have to take the cover off except for the rare event I want to use a CD.

 

how did you remove the faceplate? can one put it back to orig. condition or did you have to cut it? i would like to color the stock radio buttons if i could, otherwise will wait till i upgrade

 

I cut it out. You cannot remove the buttons without dissasembling the faceplate, if you still want use of the radio I wouldnt attempt this.

 

I'll give you props. I haven't seen that or done that since the early 90's. I forgot all about that look. Works easier with GM radios from back then.

 

That may be one of the most ridiculous ideas I have seen yet, sorry just being honest! Why not just get a radio with a removeable faceplate?

 

I second that! A removable faceplate accomplishes the same thing. Why butcher up the OEM face plate. Your intention may be to never sell your Fit now but if things change in the future (and they do), you're left with a load of work to get it back to stock. Sheesh!

 

Its funny, all the different reactions. I appreciate all of them! We are a very diverse group and we all have different situations. I am lucky in the fact that I have a tiny bit of dept ($2000) compared to the average american and own 2 homes. I Live a very meager life and have built enough wealth that I dont worry about money or the state of the economy.
In my opinion its more of a hassle to have my car broken into and the associated repairs than to buy a factory radio on Ebay and reinstall it.

 

Like he said, when he gets around to selling it, that person will want to put a different radio in and a indash kit won't matter. I don't remember where I put my OEM radio to my Fit. +1 rep

 

Its funny that you state you dont have to worry about money, if I were in that situation I'd be driving something a little more upscale than a Fit. Don't get me wrong I really like mine, but it was somewhat of a neccesity for me.

 

I'm not particularly fond of the effect but I think it should be very effective. Any thief looking in there would go "OOPS, I'm too late" which IS, in fact, what he wanted to do. Haven't we all started projects that, after a hundred little seemingly innocent steps, had gotten all out of hand? We're supposed to learn from forums and constar ought to be applauded for having enough balls to show us. Forums are about learning from others not some stuck up fashion show. Sorry I ranted. Too much caffeine this morning!

 

That's why he stays wealthy, because he doesn't spend his money on frivolous things that are unnecessary.

You're mentality is why people can't achieve wealth without thinking they have to make 250k a year.

Personally, I think it's a bit much, but hell, if it works for you sir, enjoy!

 

Exactly! Trust me, as a California native Ive spent my fair share on cars. With age I realized it was such a waste and now know that its not worth it.

 

With age comes wisdom.