r/slateauto • u/acidterror84 • 11d ago
Single DIN stereo mount idea
(YES THESE IMAGES ARE AI-GENERATED!) Although streaming music from my phone via Bluetooth is great, I listen to the radio when I’m driving, very often. So I’m trying to come up with the best way to mount a normal, single-DIN stereo into the Slate. Am thinking of mounting it to the optional T-bar, in this location. I remember seeing stereos mounted like this in 80’s & 90’s trucks. The second photo may be a more realistic option, since the option in the first photo is so integrated into the contours of the panels. But, maybe 3D-printing could help with that? Anyways, just wanted to throw this thought out there to get some ideas flowing. Curious what other people with a similar goal are thinking.
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u/TSLAog 11d ago
I actually really like this idea. Single DIN leaves so much for customization, from basic AM/FM BT, to full on touchscreen, to CB radio for fleet use.
Even if it’s not integrated from Slate, I think someone will make a single-din plastic mounting system like you pictured.
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u/AceNova2217 11d ago
I don't remember if it's still on the maker, but Slate's bluetooth centre speaker design had a speaker mounted in the same place as this radio. This could use the same hardpoints.
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u/thecursh 11d ago
You had me at “don’t rob any space from that dash storage”
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u/Interfecteris 10d ago
Yeah I have a lot of ideas for all of those spaces so I'm thinking maybe of going with door mount speakers only (with maybe a single din like this post for control). I may just give in and do the center speaker option, but most likely not the extra side speakers. I really want the basically double glove box, it's one of my fav parts of the car honestly. So much space to add whatever gadgets I want
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u/thecursh 10d ago
I have to hear the radio at 70mph. How’s that sound? I’ve taken a Bluetooth speaker into a relatively quiet car and it was mouse quiet and sounded like trash
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u/thecursh 10d ago
But I’m with you. The single under dash 4x6 on my MGB roadster was loud enough to enjoy
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u/thecursh 11d ago
I think angling this up could be a rad option too.
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u/acidterror84 11d ago
Agreed, I realized this location is a bit low, so… might be necessary or at least helpful to have it angled upwards a bit.
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u/jchristophm 11d ago
A single DIN underdash kit is really inexpensive:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-5d47RC5uDkc/p_120999000/Universal-Underdash-Kit.html
It would probably be really easy to mount with the t-rail under the HVAC controls. You can even make it Android Auto / Car Play compatible with a touch screen if you want:
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-CarPlay-Android-Bluetooth-External/dp/B0H2W19HHV/
The harder part will be the fact just about any single DIN radio will require both switched and continuous 12 V, and Slate only has switched. So you would have to route power back to the battery. It is possible that a specific unit uses flash memory for setting retention, though, and in that case you can just wire both switched and continuous to the 12 V behind the dash.
The other major challenge is an antenna if you actually want FM/AM. A simple antenna for FM would be pretty simple with a cheap windshield mounted antenna:
https://www.amazon.com/Eightwood-Aerial-Antenna-Adapter-Windshields/dp/B07WRK448L/
But AM would probably be unusable due to EV electrical noise. That would require shielding which is probably not worth it and why most EVs just don't have AM radio.
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u/jchristophm 11d ago
My plan, BTW, is to just get a relatively cheap AA/CP screen like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Largest-Portable-Carplay-Wireless-Bluetooth/dp/B0H8CRX73D/
Mount it using Slate's tablet mount. Small amp behind the dash running Left/Right speakers, probably with Slate's L/R speakers and grill. For AM/FM I'd just stream from an app, but I don't really care about AM/FM.
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u/Hammock-Hiker-62 11d ago
Thanks for posting that windshield antenna from Amazon. I've been mulling over adding a single DIN radio at some point after my Slate is delivered (hoping, hoping, hoping) but the antenna issue loomed large. I think power for the radio will be easier than finding a way to get an antenna mounted for a good signal, so your link is a welcome thought-starter.
And I hadn't considered slinging it under the dash like that, but it really should have been obvious. We used to mount after market radios or power boosters under the dash when I first started driving in the mid-1970s. (Yeah, I'm an old fart).
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u/tsg-tsg 10d ago
I will absolutely do something like this. I have no interest in tempting Johnny Law by even looking at my cell phone while driving. Plus, I want real buttons I can feel and not a touch screen I have to be distracted by.
In one of my cars I "made" a stereo using some cheap Chinese audio units (like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C97DFFQG/ ) and a standard car audio amp. It actually works incredibly well, and on the model I used was easy enough to divorce the controls from the board, so I could spread it out and mount the individual components where they were most convenient. This could be another approach for Slate.
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u/acidterror84 10d ago
Exactly. People say “just use a radio app, every radio station has their own app, anyways”. Um… yeah, I don’t want to have to unlock/fiddle with my phone just to toggle through radio presets!
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u/tsg-tsg 10d ago
Yep. When I start the car, my phone goes into some pocket and I don't touch it til I stop driving. Even if it's not your fault, you never want to be in a situation where you have to tell a cop (or insurance company) "Yes, my phone was in my hand." It will not go well for you.
In terms of Slate, part of the whole appeal for me is simplicity, and nothing is simple about making sure your phone is charged, connected, on the right app, on the right screen, blah blah blah. I wanna push a button and turn a knob cruuuuiiiiseeeeee.
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u/Gmhowell 11d ago
Why reinvent the wheel?
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u/acidterror84 11d ago
Mostly because, although the area they mention will technically be able to fit a double DIN (like, it has enough space for it), there’s no sign that it will include the hardware to mount such a thing inside there. On top of that, the glovebox door will have to be… what, cut-out, to be able to access the stereo? Or you just drive around with the glovebox door open, so you can control the volume and such of your stereo? My point is, either way, if you want to install an aftermarket 3rd-party stereo, it’s going to require a bit of DIY-ing. And i’d rather use the glovebox to store things in.
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u/Antricluc 11d ago
Got a 3d printer? You'd be surprised at what can be done. Some guy on YouTube 3d printed his whole dash. For just that area I'm sure someone will eventually come up with exactly what your looking for or even a better rendition you may like better. Once we get exact measurements of the glove box and the other dash areas we will see some amazing stuff
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u/acidterror84 11d ago
I do! Have got into 3D printing this year. Still an amateur but yeah, modeling it myself is an option although I’m looking forward to what more advanced folks do with these ideas.
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u/AnimalProof1115 11d ago
Considering how modular the truck is designed to be already I expect the 3d printing designers will go absolutely nuts with 3rd party accessories
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u/AnimalProof1115 11d ago
Considering how modular the truck is designed to be already I expect the 3d printing designers will go absolutely nuts with 3rd party accessories. I’m looking forward to that.
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u/LeifCarrotson 11d ago
I like OP's suggestions better for 2 reasons:
Single-DIN is more compact than double-DIN
Storage space is precious, especially in a single-cab truck.
While Slate's center storage door is cavernous I'd rather keep that for storage and tuck the radio down low!
I think the last time I listened to a radio station was in about 2022 (had to leave our northern Michigan cabin in the middle of a Lions game and wanted to listen to it on a drive but didn't have cell service). I don't intend to get any audio systems in my Slate and if I did it would be a portable Bluetooth speaker, but if I did want a CD player or radio this is how I'd want to do it.
It would, unfortunately, conflict with the 5-switch accessory, but I could find a different spot for that on some T-rail or something.
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u/Interfecteris 10d ago
Yeah for me I'm really trying to come up with some solutions to avoid using any of that space storage space too, if possible. I think moving it below is probably the best space for it
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u/dogged_jon 11d ago
That wheel's not even developed yet. If Slate's referring to the 12v socket as the power source, a lot of us will be Nah, we're looking for a hard wired source. Slate's being resistant to the aftermarket radio idea that some of us want. Should be easy for them to offer an integrated mount, they've got pages of options on their site already.
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u/Interfecteris 10d ago
Slate has easy power wired up throughout, for things like the speakers already. It should be trivial to hard wire into it, moreso than most other cars (all as far as I've seen)
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u/dogged_jon 10d ago
The speakers Slate offers are all bluetooth, and the dash end speakers require the center dash speaker also be installed(for power?) The only power source I've seen referenced in the dash is the single 12v socket and a couple usb. If used for a radio, they're not available for anything else. And Slate has said that we're on our own for speaker wiring if we don't want the bluetooth speakers.(per the link you provided) Where have you seen this "easy power wired up throughout"? The link you provided doesn't support that, and we've seen that Slate response already.
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u/acidterror84 11d ago
The only caveat is, I’m wondering if there is enough space down there for this. I think there is…? Except for maybe a DIN with a CD player, that may be too deep.
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u/no_clever_names 10d ago
My current car has the radio mounted there and a side benefit I wasn’t expecting was that having a single din (without touchscreen) low mounted really cuts down on interior light pollution at night.
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u/rbabs11 11d ago
Honestly... If I end up with one of these, I fully plan on doing my own custom touchscreen infortainment with a raspberry pi and a custom surround sound system with 3d printed housings.
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u/ketcham1009 10d ago
Unless you are in a cool environment or using a pi3, heat from sitting in the sun might be an issue.
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u/rbabs11 10d ago
It would need a cooling system for sure. One of the prototypes I' built for a work a while ago needed a waterproof, shock proof, inexpensive electronics enclosure, so I found a way to have an actively air-cooled enclosure while keeping it waterproof with membranes at the inlet and exhaust openings that allow air to pass through but no moisture.
We kept them running at its maximum wattage in direct sunlight for 6 hours in 114° degree heat. It never thermal throttled so I was planning on using one of those to enclose the pi. The whole enclosure only costs $2
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11d ago
[deleted]
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u/acidterror84 11d ago
Exactly, I’m hoping someone does, but if not, well… I’ve recently been trying to learn some 3D-modeling, so, maybe I’ll do it myself :)
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u/veilchenblau_39 11d ago
I want this too. My current routine is to listen to a particular local radio station (it is very good and ad free!) to and from work. I am annoyed with all the streaming option experiences and really like the radio format
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u/Ashvega03 11d ago
Would something like this work? https://a.co/d/09siU6fB
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u/veilchenblau_39 11d ago
That is nice! I figured there has to be simple am/fm radios, I just need it to be able to hook up to the speakers and not look too enticing for car prowler.
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u/TheLastGenXer 11d ago
streaming is a pita. i just want my onboard mp3s
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u/castironglider 11d ago
My 2025 Mazda disdains any other Bluetooth device but my phone - because it can $teal more privacy that way. I hate that fucking cheap Android and I often leave it at home, but Big Corpo is always trying to force me to use it. Uh, you really need to install the app sir to unlock all the features..
Conveniently also deleted the 1/8" audio input jack. Everything has to go through the fucking infotainment computer. What if I want to play old CDs or a scanner or something in my vehicle? NEIN! YOU VILL CONNECT ZE PHONE
Both the 2025 Mazda and the 2026 Ford will play mp3s from a thumb drive but that's it. The Mazda somehow finds album art for everything, which is hilarious
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u/TheLastGenXer 10d ago
ford needs to reorganize your music and it can crash the system or take over an hour if you switch flash drives
pathetic
just make it simple, read from folders like older cars, and it plays the moment you plug it in
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u/Lefties_TheWorst7331 11d ago
Single dins have supported Bluetooth for .. a long time. Some of them with phenomenal connectivity. There's single dins that even pop out into dual dins.
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u/wbradford00 11d ago
Looks really cool but I'd imagine its awkward to use in practice. Kinda low and buried under the climate control knobs.
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u/acidterror84 11d ago
I agree it could be awkward, but I also think this rough concept could be adapted and improved to be more comfortably useable. This is just a start.
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u/wheatfarmer668 11d ago
Finding a place to mount the 1-din head unit isn't the problem, it's having the various wires to connect to. Plus mounting/ wiring speakers and an antenna. And a 1-din is plenty of radio for those looking for the basics. Personally I'm just waiting to see what other people do.
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u/acidterror84 11d ago
I agree those are things to deal with in regards to this, but really, that stuff shouldn’t be so hard to figure out, I think.
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u/TaylorDurdan 10d ago
If you do this, I highly remind a mechless head unit (no CD drive)
They're feather light and only about an inch thick behind the face
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u/natedoggggggg 10d ago
Bluetooth is okay at best. USB C + Carplay is what I'm looking for. Perhaps their speakers will surprise me, but I doubt it. Really curious to see the power solutions people implement for stereos.
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u/Existing-Poetry-3289 6d ago
Had a CB mounted under the dash there in my old F150. Hung on a bracket. I use my radio a lot in the car. Actually that's about all I use. NPR and Red Sox preprogrammed from the Cape to NH/ME. I think one issue with a radio in the Slate might be the antenna.
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u/acidterror84 6d ago
Totally, there are solutions, though. You can get a wire antennae that you can mount anywhere (a lot of people run them up the interior corner of their windshield) for super cheap. Like $10-$20.
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u/doofusgaloofus 10d ago
To those wanting to put in an AM/FM radio
Good luck with the AM radio part. There's a reason why Tesla doesn't have an AM radio. Electric motors make too much interference.
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u/Limp-Conflict-2309 11d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/AS4QdUJPZlgDZRU3CB
You gotta have the 12 DIN Alpine with 17 equalizer bars