sporcanm

I wasn’t expecting anything special when I ordered this kit. However, when I got it, I was somewhat surprised that its overall construction was better than other kits I’ve purchased in the past. Every piece is sturdy, ABS plastic. Black and texture-matched to most Honda accessory dashes. Everything was sorted in separate bags, according to model, and extra hardware was included. Instructions in a booklet, with excellent little diagrams that make the assembly seem completely fool-proof.

So why the poor review? Well, here’s why:

I followed the directions to prepare the kit to fit into my model Honda, the 90-93 Accord. I followed the instructions and diagrams, removing the tabs that the instructions listed in order to fit my application. I then placed my DIN head unit’s sleeve into the kit’s DIN slot, fitted the radio, and tried mounting it into my 90 Accord’s dash. All seemed well. Until I tried fitting it into the dash. It didn’t lock into place, and had plenty of play on every side.

That’s right. It didn’t fit. Why? Well, because the instructions asked for the removal of the WRONG tabs, and so the kit couldn’t brace itself into the dash with the added weight of the radio. Shocked and puzzled, I double checked to make sure that I removed the right tabs. Sure enough, tabs C and H were on the kit – the only pairs required, according to the instructions.

here are the instructions, word for word (grammar mistakes left intact):
“…Cut and remove the all mounting clips on the Radio Housing EXCEPT clips “C” and “H” (The clips can be identified by the stamped letter near each clip).”

I was pretty disappointed. Angry, actually. Yes, I was pretty peeved.

Unable to return the opened kit, I went to a local hardware store and bought some epoxy putty and a can of flat black paint – $7 total. With the putty, I sculpted and sanded made my own set of tabs on the kit, after locating some areas in my car’s DIN radio slots to secure the kit and radio as best as possible. Oh, not only that, I also patched some holes that were in the sleeve below the radio slot, and a few that were above the radio on the outer bezel. Yeah, it has holes. Holes that are where (I’m assuming, by the looks of it) where the mold was injected with plastic during production. I was able to salvage some donor parts from the remaining reservoir of pieces available in the kit for other model Hondas, and fabricated them into the bottom of the kit to be sure that it would fit snug into place in my dash, without room to play or damage the radio over a bump or pothole. I painted the whole thing over, with multiple coats of the flat black paint, and it came out looking exactly like it had before paint was applied. Perfect.

In the end, with my custom fabrication work, I was pleased with what I made out of this abysmal Metra kit. Although disappointed at first, the extra work paid off in the end. I’ve pretty much made a custom kit out of it for my model car, and because of that it fits perfectly.

I can’t speak for the other model Hondas that this kit supposedly works for, but as far as the 90-93 (CB7) Accord goes, don’t purchase this unless you’re willing to put a little effort into it, because the fitiment is absolutely ridiculous.

Be sure to study the kit and your Honda’s radio dock to be sure that you’re removing the appropriate tabs. This is one instance where I’m requesting that you DO NOT follow the instructions, but rather overview the instructions AND your application before you begin tailoring it.