I just ordered an aftermarket stereo for my 95 Tracker.  Obviously, I also had to order a stereo installation kit so that I could actually mount the stereo in my tracker.  I got the install kit today, and I'm thinking they sent me the wrong one, but I want to verify it with you guys.  Here's a picture of what they sent me.





Now, as I've stated in previous posts, I'm coming from the land of the Nissan 300ZX... and in this land, we don't need installation kits for our aftermarket stereos, we use the OEM brackets and they screw right into the sides of the stereo.  I have, however, helped friends with aftermarket stereo installs in cars like Chevy S10's and Honda Civic's, so I have a little experience with what I'm going to be doing, which leads me to my assesment of this "kit."

The most obvious reason I think this is the wrong kit is because the OEM stereo in my Geo is a double DIN Cassette deck, and this is a single DIN kit.  While the CD player I ordered is single DIN, if I used this kit, I'd have a huge (single DIN) gap below my stereo... that's not acceptable.  So, is there something I'm missing or is this just the wrong piece.

Which leads me to my next question... what do I do?  Should I return it and sacrifice the shipping charges and also wait about an extra week to install the stereo (which should arrive tomorrow)?  Or should I go out and get some ABS plastic, cut and drill it to the correct size, and cover the gap that would otherwise remain?  (Assuming this kit will even work with my stereo and car.)

Third question... does anyone have installation instructions for installing this aftermarket stereo?  I know all the wiring, but I have NO idea how to take the OEM stereo out.  Because of this, it's difficult for me to even assess whether or not a kit like this would work.  I expected a kit like this...



which is very easy to decipher... but my kit is obviously nothing like that.

So any help on this issue is greatly appreciated.

(if anyone is interested, I got that "kit" from JC Whitney)

not sure if its the same as the one in my 97 but its looks nothing like the one i got for mine. the one i got put the radio up top and came with a little pocket under the radio to fill in the extra spot. comes in handy to to hold my remote and my wallet. if i had a digital camera i would out and take pics of it for you.

When I put one in my '93 Tracker it looked like the Crutchfield one you show above...which is where I got mine from.

At this point I'd be on the phone with Crutchfield for an install kit with some instructions.  Call up JCWhitney, give them hell, talk to their manager, be an all around disgruntled customer, etc until someone tells you they will take it back and give you your money back.
I can't even see how that kit you got would work for your Tracker so I seriously doubt it's the correct one.

When I put one in my '93 Tracker it looked like the Crutchfield one you show above...which is where I got mine from.

At this point I'd be on the phone with Crutchfield for an install kit with some instructions.  Call up JCWhitney, give them hell, talk to their manager, be an all around disgruntled customer, etc until someone tells you they will take it back and give you your money back.
I can't even see how that kit you got would work for your Tracker so I seriously doubt it's the correct one.

That's exactly what I figured, but I wanted to make sure I was right before I call and complain and end up looking like a dumb customer if I'm wrong.

The earlier ones didn't get the pocket.
My 95 doesn't get one which is fine.
it leaves a flat panel for extra switches.
My 97 has the little pocket.
Can't hold much, Everything falls out when I take off

The earlier ones didn't get the pocket.
My 95 doesn't get one which is fine.
it leaves a flat panel for extra switches.
My 97 has the little pocket.
Can't hold much, Everything falls out when I take off

I'm not even talking about a pocket (I could really care less).  The installation kit doesn't even have a panel, it simply has one single DIN mount that doesn't even appear to be for a Tracker.  If it had the panel or pocket, I wouldn't be concerned, but installing a stereo with that kit (if it's even possible, which it doesn't appear to be) will leave a single DIN gap in the dash... that's not a clean install.

Okay.
Long story shorter.
Yes, it looks like you have the wrong kit.
better?
It should have come with either a panel or a pocket to cover the extra gap.
Like you have shown.
a local stereo shop or even a normal store should have one.
Quicker than waiting for shipping.

take out the ashtray and undo the screws holding the bracket in. then you just need to remove the trim around the radio and heater controls to get at the radio. there should be 2 screws in the trim above the radio. i think on your year of truck the trim piece is 2 pieces. hope this helps

derek

take out the ashtray and undo the screws holding the bracket in. then you just need to remove the trim around the radio and heater controls to get at the radio. there should be 2 screws in the trim above the radio. i think on your year of truck the trim piece is 2 pieces. hope this helps

derek

beautiful, that'll help... thanks!

a local stereo shop or even a normal store should have one.

Apparently no one around here likes to carry them for my car (I've tried some auto parts stores [i.e. Pep Boys, AutoZone, Murray's] and electronics stores [i.e. Best Buy, Circuit City] and no one has them).  Perhaps I'll try a car-audio specific shop tomorrow.  Thanks! 

(btw, I know I type a lot when I ask questions, I just want to make sure all the facts are there... it's frustrating in the Z community when someone is like "will this fit my car" and they include a picture but no details and we have to keep asking him for info to answer the question)

The kit they sent you is for 88-91 Trackers that still had the single DIN opening in the dash.
92 and up got the double DIN radio I bought the Kit for my 92 at wal-mart