First, there are way too many choices. For what it's worth I'm thinking of going with this unit. Pioneer AVH-X491BHS DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com (https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X491BHS/Pioneer-AVH-X491BHS.html?search=pioneer_491&skipvs=T)
I'm looking at double din radios and am troubled by this warning from Crutchfield which appears to apply to all double din for the 2006 Econoline. "Once the kit is snapped into place, you won't be able to remove it without also removing the entire dash panel."
Here is a copy of a chat I had with the Crutchfield CS.
12:45 p.m. Jim: Hello Levi, I'm back looking at
the Pioneer 491 now. I'm
looking at double din radios
and they all come with a
warning for my 2006 Ford
Econoline which says that
once the radio is snapped in
the entire dash has to be
removed to remove the radio.
Can that be correct?
12:47 p.m. Levi: Yeah it looks like you have to
remove the dash panel if you
want to get the kit out. Let me
see if they have anything
further in the instructions
12:53 p.m. Levi: Yeah it looks like it snaps into
place and I talk with a couple
of guys who have installed and
they said it is a major pain to
get it out once it snaps into
place without taking the dash
out.
If this is true I wouldn't want to install a double din. Anyone have any idea if this is or isn't correct?
Jim
I had a Pioneer double DIN 7" installed in my 2003, but I had problems with the software. I had it replaced with a Kenwood DDZ672BH double DIN 7" (probably replaced with a newer model now). The stereo shop has no issues removing the Pioneer and replacing it with the Kenwood.
Maybe that particular model mounts differently than the one I had, I can't remember the model of mine. But at any rate they just pulled it out and installed the Kenwood.
Maybe that particular model mounts differently than the one I had, I can't remember the model of mine. But at any rate they just pulled it out and installed the Kenwood.
That warning applied to every double din that I looked at on Crutchfield's site and that was what the CSR was telling me. It seems hard to believe. Do you think the opening is different on your LD from an 06?
Jim
no idea. I had the factory Sony radio that was standard in 2003. The installed had to cut out a small bit , but not very much.
pic of radio
Why a double DIN? Some special feature you need?
Crutchfield has several CD radios that are one and a half DIN. The installation instructions do not have the warning that the double DIN radios do..
I replaced our Factory radio with a JVC CD radio from Crutchfield, using one of their kits. It wasn't hard at all and the radio will come out.
Larry
I removed my old stereo and installed a blank panel with some USB charging ports. Music now comes from iTunes (saved on a phone) through a Bluetooth speaker. Portable, and I don’t have to listen to the inane chatter of DJs. I do listen to NPR normally, but RV time is time to disconnect from the world, so it’s not missed.
I was looking at various stereo options, but decided to go this route. Might as well get with the technology of this century.