When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
FINALLY -- A Stereo/Head Unit that Fits in a C5 (mostly)
This is the Joying JY-HOS01N4GS-1. There were a few challenges getting it in (it's designed to go on the outside of the dash, which I don't care for) but overall, I now have a backup camera, phone, music.... It is just small enough to fit behind the dash. I've never seen this in a c5 before... have any of you ever done this? If so, let me know; I have a few questions for you.
Ok, brief instructions. Again, the unit is the Joying JY-HOS01N4GS-1. Please understand three things before beginning:
1. This was all trial and error for me. The last time I installed a car stereo was in 1982, an Alpine in my 1974 camaro, so don't for a moment think any of this is authoritative. Also, I've never seen this unit in a C5, so I had to figure it out as I went.
2. I'm not responsible (of course) if you break your car or brick your head unit.
3. The only real problem I had with the install was the screen being a little too wide for the opening. It will still fit in the dash fine and is functional, but the edges of the screen are hidden by the factory trim on the dash bezel. If the dash bezel were flat like in most cars, you could just cut the opening a little wider. But the C5 has a much more dimensional, rounded shape, making trimming virtually impossible IMO. Also, I would advise you set up your home screen just the way you like it BEFORE putting the dash back in place. Once wiring is complete you'll want to turn on your ignition to see if it powers up anyway. This unit has a ribbon cable that is a foot long (or more) to the screen that will allow you to hold the screen in your hand like a tablet to set it up with the apps you like. Much easier than trying to set everything up while in the dash, especially since the home button will be hidden by the trim, as well as the first words in many of the menus. In the end, I was able to successfully root the unit with the instructions here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/and...-unit-t3915530and several pages in there is a file addition specifically for this unit. Once rooted I was able to easily resolve the screen size issue using Screen Resizer app on the Google Play Store.
The overall quality of the Joying head unit is really very good. Sound is great, love the included equalizer. The screen is glass capacitive and the trim around it is metal, not plastic. Just a note: you may be tempted to remove the screen's metal trim to provide a little more room for adjustment, but that would be inadvisable. The glass digitizer is separate from the LCD panel and is just laying on it. The only thing that keeps them together is the trim piece. Love having full android as the OS. Any visual customization you can imagine is possible. The wiring was pretty self explanatory. I used a c5 install video here:
to guide me on wiring (he uses the same harness i did). You'll also see how to remove the dash, etc... Once the dash is removed there are only 4 things you will need to alter to get the head unit to fit. 1. With the plastic dash removed you will notice two metal mounting feet (I'm not sure what they are called) attached to the steel frame that will have to be removed. They were used to mount the original stereo in place, but now they are just in the way. They are held on by two rivets, and the only way I found to remove them is by securing them with vice scrips and gently but firmly rocking back and forth until they came off. Each one took about 10-20 seconds to dislodge and remove. 2. Remove the bolt marked in the photo. You don't need it (the plastic around mine was actually broken anyway). Assuming your plastic piece around the bolt isn't broken, you'll probably need to break it/cut it to make for a flat mounting surface.
3. On the plastic center dash panel that has been removed, turn it around and notice tabs on the top. You'll have to trim them as in the photo. DO NOT break them or cut them off entirely! You DO need these tabs, but they need to be trimmed for the sceen to fit correctly. 4. Part way down on each side of the dash piece on the back side are two plastic christmas trees (that's what the look like to me, I don't know a lot of industry words). They are plastic spikes that stick in holes on each side of the metal dash. You'll have to cut them off entirely as they are in the way. IMO you don't need these at all, they do nothing; I honestly don't know why they are even there, as the dash fits snugly without them. (sorry, no picture available).
5. When you open the wiring that came with the head unit, you'll need to cut the head off. It doesn't connect to the interface kit that you can buy here:
nor does it connect to anything in the c5. The cut wires will connect to the new wiring harness.
6. Joying wisely provided a way to adjust the position of the screen. You will need to move the adjustable connection tabs on the back of the screen to the very bottom (I'm going from memory here but I'm pretty sure that's where I put them):
7. Once you've altered the pieces I've mentioned and finished your wiring, the main part of the stereo just sits in the dash. Be sure no rogue wires are under it or behind it, as it needs to go flush against the back of the bracket. All the wiring harness needs to be carefully pushed down the back throat of the console. There is a lot of extra room behind the ac control unit; push it down into that area. If it is in there correctly, once you click the screen into place, it should fit pretty much perfectly in place on it's own: Because the screen is the absolute maxim dimensions possible to actually fit in the dash, once it is attached to the back unit and put in place, it forces it into a snug, tight position, so much so that there is no need for brackets or bolts to secure it. Once the plastic dash is screwed back on (by the way, insert the plastic tabs at the top that you trimmed into its place very slowly, being careful not to break them) you're done! BTW, I ran the gps antenna down the center console and hid it in my waterfall (I have a vert). Works great, but don't know where to advise you hard top guys. If you get it done, post some pics! Here's a final shot:
One last suggestion, --once installed you will want to go into settings -sound -- and turn on the amp in order for your sub to work.
That looks great, man!! I just installed the 8" version that sits just on the outside of the bezel. Yours definitely looks sharper. The radio isn't without it's quirks though, but it's good enough for the price that I think I'm going to keep it.
This is the Joying JY-HOS01N4GS-1. There were a few challenges getting it in (it's designed to go on the outside of the dash, which I don't care for) but overall, I now have a backup camera, phone, music.... It is just small enough to fit behind the dash. I've never seen this in a c5 before...
Looks great! It's definitely nice to have more options, besides 2 DIN, and not having to change the factory radio bezel. Very interested in reading about the challenges you mentioned and installation details.
Why did you say it "mostly" fit the 1.5 DIN opening?
The unit fits behind the console cover fine, but the viewable screen is 8.8" and the dash opening is 8.1" so... as you can see in the photos, the screen is slightly too wide. The result is the home button on the far left of the top bar is not visible. There are apps in the play store that allow you to change the screen dimensions, but they all require rooting the device first. For general use it isn't a problem, as I can hit the open apps button to go back to the home screen. I do like it visually better than a double din unit, as it fits in the original dash, and I did not have to cut, drill or alter any of the metal in the dash. As installs go, it was pretty easy.
A long-shot question: is it possible to adjust the display properties to resize the screen graphics to the console opening area (for example, say resized to 90%...like when you shrink the display size of a Microsoft Word document)?
Couple of quick questions, Are you using the stock speakers and did you run into any wiring problems and is it possible to just move the icon for the home page? Not really an Android guy. Any pictures of the install? I really like the way this set up looks
Sorry I'm working tonight. I'll try to post some instructions tomorrow night. I'll try to answer a few questions now, but let me mention the good news about the device and install:
1. This fits in the original dash; no need to pay $200-$300 for a new dash!
2. Install requires NO cutting, drilling or alterations to the metal base of your dash. This installation is MUCH easier and is completely reversible if you ever want to reinstall your factory radio.
3. I did fix the screen problem of it being too wide. Yes, there are multiple free apps in the Google Play store that allow you to change your screen resolution but they all require rooting. I ended up using "Screen Resizer". Screen is perfectly centered now.
4. The factory opening makes for a larger screen (8.1 inches) than a 7 inch double din, and it looks better in the dash IMO.
5. The total cost for me was $356 for the stereo (direct from Joying's china store https://www.joyingauto.com/joying-an...card-slot.html) , $34.03 for the wiring adapter in Amazon (
).
6. WARNING -- Don't buy the new updated UI version, with a clock on the right side of the screen. It takes up about 23% of the screen, is unremovable, non customizable, and is on every screen, including GPS, so you're really getting a 6 inch screen. Why Joying would do this is beyond my comprehension. Even if you install another car UI from Google Play there is still that ugly clock on the right side! Although to be fair, after I complained to them, they did send me a link for the older UI, which is much more customizable. The link I provided in number 5. above is for the correct older unit. They assured me it is identical except for the UI.
Here's a quick pic, this is with the Google play app "Car Launcher":
Yes, I am using the stock speakers, and they work fine with the unit. It sounds notably better than the stock stereo. I could not figure out how to move the icon. Install pics or instructions coming tomorrow (if possible).
I thought the same thing, wouldn't take much to trim off the little bit of the edge of the bezel. This looks really good, I may consider this option now instead of the double din. It would also look really good in my 2001 Silverado that has the 1.5 din. It needs an update too.
Well, looks like I just found my next project. Had been toying with the whole double din swap, but wasnt thrilled by the parts cost or quality. This looks like a viable option. Thanks.
06-19-2020, 05:25 PM
FINALLY -- A Stereo/Head Unit that Fits in a C5 (mostly)
It's definitely nice to have more options, besides 2 DIN, and not having to change the factory radio bezel. Very interested in reading about the challenges you mentioned and installation details.
Had been toying with the whole double din swap, but wasnt thrilled by the parts cost or quality. This looks like a viable option. Thanks.
