Fit Aftermarket Radio

[Davo]

Hello everyone,

I looked at a Fit for the first time the other day. I had mixed feelings about the radio, or should I say, how the dash board is configured. I can't imagine how an aftermarket radio could be installed in the FIT dashboard. I keep cars for a long time and I usually replace at least one radio before I trade in or sell my cars. I would like to know if anyone has replaced their factory radio with an aftermarket unit. It would also help if you could tell me what radio/head unit you replaced the factory radio with.

Thanks,
Davo

[manxman]

Hello everyone,

I looked at a Fit for the first time the other day. I had mixed feelings about the radio, or should I say, how the dash board is configured. I can't imagine how an aftermarket radio could be installed in the FIT dashboard. I keep cars for a long time and I usually replace at least one radio before I trade in or sell my cars. I would like to know if anyone has replaced their factory radio with an aftermarket unit. It would also help if you could tell me what radio/head unit you replaced the factory radio with.

Thanks,
Davo
Davo,

I hate to say this, but the best place to get the info. that you want is on the
www.fitfreak.net forums. There are a lot of after-market sound systems that will fit in a Fit, but you need adapter plates for proper fitment in the dash. Another very good reference is the fitment charts on www.crutchfield.com.

Very important to keep in mind- the dash layout is completely different between the first gen. '07-'08 Fits and the new '09-'10 models.

The major limitation on how much wattage in after-market amps that you can run is the fact that the Fit battery is tiny, and no high-power alternators will work- alternator output is limited to stock settings by the ECU. No matter how much extra power a bigger alternator is built to produce, the ECU keeps it at stock (puny, low) levels. As long as you aren't trying to shatter windows with huge noise, there are quite a few different systems that are adaptable to a Fit.

[Davo]

Thanks Manxman,
That really helps. I will check out the Fitfreak and Crutchfield websites. I appreciate the info on the alternator and battery as well. I have no immediate interest in replacing the radio, but I do anticipate having to after a number of years. I wouldn't install anything other than a regular Pioneer, Alpine or Kenwood type of head unit if the original fails. I just couldn't imagine what type of adapter there would be for the dash.
Thanks again,

David

[manxman]

From another David, you're welcome! I have seen threads posted with all of those head unit makers' equipment being installed in Fits. The info. on the fitfreak forums won't be as reliable as the fitment info. on the crutchfield web site. Scosche, and at least one more adapter manufacturer make plastic surrounds that make after-market head units look as if they were custom-made for the dash of any Fit. Crutchfield is one of the largest sellers of car and home audio/video equipment. In addition to selling almost every car head unit made, they also sell the necessary wire harnesses and adapter brackets & surrounds, and almost every speaker, sub-woofer, and amplifier in the world. If you are not familiar with this company, you should visit their site when you have at least an hour to kill. Have your wife or partner hold your credit cards- you'll want to spend $1K or more on your first visit. But also keep in mind that any expensive head unit you find on Crutchfield can be bought cheaper elsewhere. Crutchfield's main value is as the source for everything you need to make the head unit fit your car, and the occasional good buy on speakers and amps.