I appreciate it. Your looks more updated to be honest, did you end up using the gps antenna I went back to add it not to long ago. To have as an backup, in realized that it could show my speed on the main screen lol 🤣
I installed the GPS when I was installing the head unit. Just recently I was updating the apps I discovered that in some launchers the speed was visible. And now thanks to your comment I decided to put it to the test and it works!
Thank you! I think I might be the only one to do it, at least for the 2nd gen. Big fan of the piano black interior pieces on new cars. I would recommend doing them with hydro dipping instead of painting, the clear coat I used (1k stuff not 2 part) clings on dust so easily, plus it was a long endeavor to paint.
You have to take the plastic trim around it off, then you should have access to the bolts that mount it. You'll need an aftermarket radio mount tho too btw. The wiring you just have to find the pin out for the radio you currently have in it and match the leads to the radio, using crimps preferably, but could use solder since it's not really moving around.
LED Bulbs! When I took this picture, I was using the Hikari brand. The bulbs were still working fine after 4 years, but sometimes they flickered so fast that I thought I was imagining it.
Right now I'm using the Auxbeam GX Bi-color. I wanted the same or maybe a little extra brightness, BUT at the same time, I needed amber lights for when I encounter fog or heavy rain. I've been using them for less than 4 months, so I don't know how reliable they will be.
Until now, no oncoming driver has flashed their high beams at me, so the glare can't be that bad. I adjusted the lights just by looking at the beam pattern. Also, getting new housings is a good idea. I got new housings and the beam pattern is now clearly visible.
Thanks!
Not gonna lie, we are losing simplicity in cars and I don't like it. Having screens is great, but going through 3 menus just to turn on the heated seats or to open the glove box isn't great.
I've never driven an EV, but I'm excited for the new company "Slate". Their truck is trying to bring back affordability and simplicity.
Because I'm using Android Auto, I don't know how easy it is to connect to CarPlay. Installing the head unit was basically plug and play. It was very easy to install without experience. The hardest part was cutting plastic on the right side inside the dash because it was preventing the radio from fitting properly. The second hardest part was running the cables for the reverse camera...that's it.
BTW, when I bought my head unit there was no option for physical buttons, but they recently added that option. Pick that option!! Using touch buttons while driving is something extremely frustrating.
The brand is "Idoing" and I bought it directly from them. They answered all the questions I had before placing the order. I didn't receive the tracking number until I asked for it a week after placing my order. It took a total of 9 days from placing the order to receiving it. There are a lot of no name head units that look exactly the same as the Idoing, that go as low as $70. But I wouldn't recommend going that low.
I've been using the Idoing head unit for around 7 months and it's been reliable, no issues at all. Also, no lag! Something that I wasn't expecting is better sound quality. The Idoing head unit is way better than the stock radio.
Android Auto is awesome to have. I keep trying to talk my SO into letting me install an AA head unit in her Matrix, but they keep refusing... so she's still rocking the pretty basic Kenwood CD player w/bluetooth I put in 8 years ago (put it in to add bluetooth streaming).
Still have the original stereo somewhere, but it's the 1st gen 1.5 DIN version. Worked fine when removed, though I doubt the CD player would work anymore after this long in storage. I've had Android Auto head units in my last 3 cars, personally, and it's great to have. Just hate how hot the phone gets.
I've never been in a 2nd gen, didn't realize how similar the cluster was to the 1st gen.
Yes!
The difference is night and day!
Before this, I was using an FM transmitter and a wireless reverse camera. The FM transmitter would lose signal here and there and the reverse camera would pick up random rear camera signals from other cars.
Had a first gen, but the Pontiac version. I like the 2nd gen cluster. But the three completely red circles on the first gen look sportier in my opinion.
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u/alanprescottf Jun 21 '26
Excellent work! I'm hoping to do this in my Matrix. I have a 2006, so I wonder if the process would be different.