3rd Gen HU update - Recommended Dash Kit?

So I got all the dash kits, here we go...

Scosche TA2121B vs AI

$22 TOYK9714 2016 Toyota Tacoma Dash Mounting Kit

TOYK9714 vs

$18 Metra 99-8251B Mounting Kit for Toyota Tacoma 2016 & Up,Black

Metra 99-8251B



As you can see from the initial picture, they are basically the same, but there are some quick subtle differences. We will get into them as we delve into each of them.

$23 Scosche TA2121B Compatible with 2016-Up Toyota Tacoma Premium Model ISO Double DIN w/ Pocket Dash Kit Black

Scosche TA2121B



Of the 3 kits that I got, the Scosche kit is the most different. The first thing that will stand out is the fact that the opening of this kit is pushed up to the top of the opening in the dash, I'll get to that more in a second. The next this is how it bevels around the stereo opening. It has a very small edge with a near right angle turn at the opening. This leaves a very small gap around your stereo at the opening.



Now, about that offset opening, if you click on this picture you can see what we mean, the opening is centered left to right, but it is all the way to the top of the opening. This means if you use this dash kit, your stereo will be at the top of your dash opening. I have to say this is a poor decision by Scosche. They should have the opening dead center, top to bottom, I'm not sure why they decided on this, but the result:



This isn't the only difference, they also chose to use metal mounting brackets. To me this is a huge plus, because tearing out your stereo isn't just breaking some plastic tabs, but having to bend/break some metal. It won't stop a real thief, but it is something.



The mounting brackets screw into the back of the faceplate as shown. If you are planning a single-DIN installation, you can see where the pocket would mount in this picture, the set of holes from the bottom are for the screws to hold it in.



The pocket you can see here, there are some "vent" holes in the back, so small things can fall through. It also has a glossy finish up front, which doesn't match the matte finish of the dash kit. Fortunately it is just small edges, but the gloss finish is also inside. The depth of the pocket is 3 3/4".



Fit and finish:

All of the kits are a matte black. You can see an up close in these pictures. They match the dash pretty well as you can see here. There are some subtle differences in color here, I am not sure it is major, but it's something. Every kit will have this.



There is one other difference for the Scosche kits, they only included the faceplate for the wide 8" opening in this kit, the 7" opening faceplate is in a different dash kit. I didn't order that one.

AI TOYK9714



Here is the American International kit. This kit and the Metra kit are pretty similar, both are all plastic. This kit also includes both the large and small opening for the dash (SR vs every badging level). For our faceplate, the opening is nice and centered. Now the bevel around the opening is a little more curved than the Scosche kit. It butts up against your stereo, but it's not as steep of an angle, more gradual, leaving a small gap at the bevel.



In the dash, this is how it looks.



The brackets are pretty standard on the AI kit, being plastic. Instead of full holes, the mount points are Y's. I included the back of the pocket on this to show how the pocket for single-DIN would mount, it snaps in



Here is the back of the faceplate, standard screw holes. Also mounted on Y tabs.


The pocket is pretty stock as well as you can see here. No holes in the back, so nothing can fall out. It is a touch glossy inside, but the exterior portion has a brushed plastic finish. It has a short depth, only 2 7/8 deep.



Fit and finish:

Here is an up close of the matte black finish. Like the other kits, it matches the dash pretty well with the same subtle differences in color. As noted, this is going to be how each kit will be.



Metra 99-8251B



Finally, the Metra kit. Like the AI kit, it is all plastic. Like the other kits, the exterior is matte black, though this finish is more tackified almost rubbery. Like the AI kit, this one includes both the small and large opening faceplates. Both are centered. The main difference this kit has is the opening. It has a recessed area where the head unit mounts.



It could have just been the kit I got, but the faceplate was very tight to get into the dash opening, almost difficult unless it was lined up. This could be an issue with getting the dash back together when you're buttoning everything up.



Like the AI kit, this unit has plastic brackets that mount with Y forks on both the car and to the faceplate. The single-DIN pocket screws into the side brackets, you can see the screw holes here.



Here are the mounts on the back of the face plate. Pretty stock here.


More about that pocket, you can see it here. This is the one thing I don't get about this kit, the pocket is gloss all over. It contrasts the matte finish of the faceplate in a way I don't understand. If I had to use this, I would not be a fan. Though they do have the biggest pocket as this one is 4 3/4" deep.


Fit and Finish

Like the others, the matte finish is a pretty close match to the interior. More close ups of that. But again, the fit becomes an issue - there is a possibility that this would be a pain to get the dash to snap back onto the truck as you put things back together. Big FYI point here.



Compared

I wanted to put the 3 faceplates up close to each other so you can see the physical and subtle color differences.









Conclusion

I would put them ultimate decision up to the owner. You might like different things about each kit. To me, had Scosche not made the odd decision to move the up-down offset of the faceplate to the top, this would be a no brainer, to me metal brackets win out. I still am going to pick the Scosche kit, but I certainly understand why that's a negative for others. Frankly, I actually like the faceplate of the AI kit more. I just hope this helps you make a solid decision.

 

nice comparison!

one of things that was mentioned earlier, that you'll run into later when mounting up on the truck is that none of these kits actually line up like you showed in the truck. they all sit further into the dash, and require washers to get the flat/flush fitment like your pictures ideally show.

really a pain to have to install, remove, fight to add washers, reinstall, remove, further fighting/words to add/remove washers, re-fitting...

 

Good job on the comparison, very detailed and will help others for sure. I hate the looks, but I may ditch the AI and switch to scosche for the metal. If only we could get scosche to center the opening, it would nearly be perfect. Odd choice by them.

 

Have you tried interchanging any of the parts . The AI that I have has everything flush , but I wonder if the metal brackets would work with it?

 

On initial look - I am not sure it will work, certainly not without some modification. The holes don't match up across any of the bezels. I could solve that with a drill of course, so that's not a total deal breaker. I might play with the AI bezel + Scosche bracket and see what might be possible.

HOWEVER ...

I did realize something - mounting the Scosche bracket upside down might be possible. It's likely only doable with a double DIN as I think you would need to break the pocket mounting pins off because they interfere with the bracket when it's flipped. But instead of the stereo being all the way to the top, it would be all the way to the bottom, that MIGHT be better?

The real issue I am having right now is that my FIL changed his mind and now does in fact want a new car (could have made this decision before I went to all this trouble), but it keeps me from running any in car tests with the stereo I was going to install in the Accord since I need to return it. I might be able to when I get my DMX back, depending on how soon that is.

 

i thought there was some in-dash bracketry that prevented the scosche mount from being mounted upside down. i roughly recall attempting it with mine.

 

Do any of you have a picture of the scosche fully assembled on the dash with a radio on it? I’m tempted to buy it but would really like to see if I’ll hate it or not beforehand.

 

The brackets can only be mounted one way. But I am talking about mounting the faceplate upside down. I'm not sure that it will ultimately will work, because the bracket is ultimately forcing the stereo into a particular place, which likely doesn't align with the upside down opening. But we will see what's possible.

This is also the same with trying to adapt the AI faceplate. But fingers crossed.

(I'm returning the Metra kit).

Not yet. Since I am going to return the Sony, I ordered the literal cheapest double din unit that fits the Taco from Amazon (the Boss 480BRGB). I don't feel bad returning an opened package to them (i have a stack of stuff going back tomorrow). I will get something in the next few days.

 

I wanted to get back to this because I wanted to give some full details AND I need to return a few things.

The first question was what do these dash kits look like? Now I will say I returned the Metra kit because I didn't like it, but it will look, placement-wise, just like the AI kit. Clearly it fits a little different, but that's the idea.

So what do they look like? (Sorry about the glare, the sun was right in front of my car when these were taken)

Scosche


AI (Metra should be similar)




You can see the difference how the HU sits in these: AI/Metra Centered, Sosche up to the top of the space. Given that I am going to put a floating unit in there, I might not care, we will see.

Another thing I wanted to look at was could you use the default mounts to install a stereo?

Not without modification. There are 3 issues to solve:

First, the holes likely won't line up with anything on your HU, they might, but it would be pure luck. They are designed for a custom fit HU, and the other brackets have rails for easier installation


Second there are dimples on the inside of bracket, designed to help with alignment with the Toyota HU, but they also restrict you from putting them on any other HU. you would need to take them off.


Third, there is no faceplate and no means of attaching one (you can see it in the first picture) you would need to attach one from the kits. This is of course doable, but would require modifications. And this of course assumes that the HUs are the same width, which I forgot to check.


Just some other things I came across - the top mounting screws are only into the plastic, with metal clips. The bottom mounting screws anchor into the metal frame of the dash.

Anyway, I hope this is helpful to others that want to decide which dash kit to go with. What I have decided on my end is to keep both the Scosche and AI kits and see what is possible when I finally install my new DMX1037S (yes I will share pictures).

 

The scosche might actually be ideal for a floating head unit because it will keep it higher for viewing the HAVC screen and such. Might be ideal since you won’t see the ugly opening location.

Sadly I use a 6.8” screen. I really want the scosche for the metal brackets (my AI brackets are junk and are warping), but I’m really struggling to get past the appearance of the scosche.

 

I couldn’t help myself, I decided to try out the Scosche kit after using the American International for a year and a half. I was hesitant because of the weird looks.

I have to say, it turned out looking not near as bad as I expected, and the metal brackets are a huge plus. They are very sturdy which is how they should be. The open ended plastic fork slots for the bolts would spread and barely be captured under the bolt heads after a few removals and installs. My radio was barely secure, really the trim panel was holding the radio in more than the bolts.

Finally, the last benefit of this kit is that the brackets are actually the correct height. On the AI kit, the right side was short by around 1/8”, recessing half of the radio into the dash just enough to be obviously noticeable. Looked really dumb. I used some washers to shim it out on the two right bolts, but that’s a pain because they want to fall out. You basically have to pull the radio out, slip them in and hold them there, then hurry and get the bolt in. Overall makes radio removal a pain. Ideally you don’t remove the radio that often, but for various projects I find myself in there quite often.

Anywho, it is my opinion that the Scosche is the way to go, unless you just absolutely cannot stomach the look.

Scosche:



AI:



I don’t see a reason to buy Metra at all. Scosche is the most functional, AI is the best looking. Metra doesn’t win in any category so I see no reason to choose it. I wish AI would make some metal brackets. Wonder how hard it would be to fab some up.

 

I finally installed my DMX1037S. This is how that unit looks on the Scosche.



I should get some views of the back of the display so you can see how that looks.