So first off, a little background. I'm pretty tech savvy, worked as a circuit board technician, so I know a thing or 2 about electronics. I purchased a Sony XAV-AX100 to replace the stock radio in my 13' RS. I also purchased an American International Bezel Kit so I could install said radio.
So I start assembling the radio in my living room. Crimping all the wires together, get the radio mounted on the bezel, etc. I take the thing out to my car to start removing the old and I realize the damn bezel is a different color! Well poop. So I go online, start looking for a 2013 RS aftermarket bezel. Nothing. From what I can find (or lack there of), nobody makes an aftermarket bezel with the same color pattern as the stock RS, either gray or black. So I install it anyways just because I already had everything ripped apart and wired. The fit is okay, but looking at it just screams "replacement". And the more I look at it the more I dislike it.
I get to thinking, consider modifying the stock bezel to hold the new radio, but I did that on my previous car and it didn't look great. This is where my current idea hit me. I still have my stock radio obviously, what if I tear apart both radios and try and "fit" the old radio faceplate, buttons and all, to my new radio? The physical buttons on the Sony match the buttons on the stock, it'd take some extra special wiring but I bet I could get them to match. The screen sizes don't match up, stock being 7" (assuming a rounded number) and the Sony a 6.4", but the Sony is wider than the stock, so that's really something I wouldn't be able to compare until I get it torn apart. I'm also wondering if I could get lucky enough that the LCD screen connectors to the boards match, and I could use the screen from the stock on the Sony.
Idk, crazy idea, 99.9% chance it wouldn't work out and I'd probably end up screwed and without a radio, but as you're shaking your head and calling me an idiot, let me know of anything that jumps out as a major red flag to you. Or if you've happened to see an aftermarket bezel with the RS cross-stitch pattern on it, I'll take that too.
I've managed to figure out the original color name and part number for the stock bezel: Elusive Silver, 95157883. Alas though, no longer produced so I can't buy a second one to attempt to cut up
So I start assembling the radio in my living room. Crimping all the wires together, get the radio mounted on the bezel, etc. I take the thing out to my car to start removing the old and I realize the damn bezel is a different color! Well poop. So I go online, start looking for a 2013 RS aftermarket bezel. Nothing. From what I can find (or lack there of), nobody makes an aftermarket bezel with the same color pattern as the stock RS, either gray or black. So I install it anyways just because I already had everything ripped apart and wired. The fit is okay, but looking at it just screams "replacement". And the more I look at it the more I dislike it.
I get to thinking, consider modifying the stock bezel to hold the new radio, but I did that on my previous car and it didn't look great. This is where my current idea hit me. I still have my stock radio obviously, what if I tear apart both radios and try and "fit" the old radio faceplate, buttons and all, to my new radio? The physical buttons on the Sony match the buttons on the stock, it'd take some extra special wiring but I bet I could get them to match. The screen sizes don't match up, stock being 7" (assuming a rounded number) and the Sony a 6.4", but the Sony is wider than the stock, so that's really something I wouldn't be able to compare until I get it torn apart. I'm also wondering if I could get lucky enough that the LCD screen connectors to the boards match, and I could use the screen from the stock on the Sony.
Idk, crazy idea, 99.9% chance it wouldn't work out and I'd probably end up screwed and without a radio, but as you're shaking your head and calling me an idiot, let me know of anything that jumps out as a major red flag to you. Or if you've happened to see an aftermarket bezel with the RS cross-stitch pattern on it, I'll take that too.
I've managed to figure out the original color name and part number for the stock bezel: Elusive Silver, 95157883. Alas though, no longer produced so I can't buy a second one to attempt to cut up
Last edited:
opcorn:
