Trim kit - is it necessary on 2012 WRX?

WoRkX · 08-16-2012, 08:04 PM

I cannot find this info on the forum... so I might as well ask the question: I am looking to change the head unit on my WRX as soon as it arrives. I've selected a head unit (Sony XAV-601BT), steering wheel control adapter (Axxess ASWC) and a wiring harness (actually, SonicElectronix is giving it away with the deck).

But some vendors also sell this trim/installation kit (which seems to consist of two plates and a rectangular plastic surround trim) for the car. Is this necessary to install an aftermarket head unit in the 2013 WRX (supposedly the same as the 2012 model)? Will my install look better with this trim?

EDIT - 08.17

For anyone who would stumble on this thread in the coming months, here's a good photo that compares the two factory bezels, North-American version on the left, JDM on the right. The local Subaru part number for this trim seems to be 66065SC130 and should cost around 60$.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

XERO287 · 08-16-2012, 09:11 PM

Yes, you'll need it. Unless you buy the JDM trim bezel. It's $15 vs $67+

WoRkX · 08-16-2012, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XERO287

Yes, you'll need it. Unless you buy the JDM trim bezel. It's $15 vs $67+

Thanks for the info! What exactly is that JDM trim bezel though? You have to know that this is my first Subaru... and I don't even have it in the driveway yet.

I've searched a bit... but I can't find anything else than the trim kit I was talking about. It is made by Metra. It looks like it makes it much easier to install the radio in the dash... although the instructions seem to end smack in the middle of the installation process.

blessthekellen · 08-16-2012, 11:37 PM

Basically the jdm trim bezel eliminates the need for the dash kit as it is made for a double din. It looks cleaner. And for the price, go jdm

Niroth · 08-16-2012, 11:56 PM

Here is a shot of the JDM and USDM bezels side by side. As you can see the USDM bezel is quite a bit wider than the JDM.

Here is a shot of the JDM bezel installed.

WoRkX · 08-17-2012, 12:21 AM

Thanks for the help! If I understand this correctly, the JDM bezel is the 70$ part? I really like the clean look... but the other trim kit is only 15$ on eBay and seems to work at installing the deck. Honestly, I really like to have a clean looking dash... but I cannot justify paying 70$ for a nicer piece of plastic. The cheap one will have to do because I'm a on a tight budget. This will simply be one more of the things I envy on the other guys cars...

Thanks again for the help... this is why I love this place so much! I decided on the WRX because I'm convinced it's the best car for the money... but I didn't think the Subaru community was this cool too!

IZEROI · 08-17-2012, 08:26 AM

I would just fork over the money and go with the jdm bezel. I just ordered mine last week and got it in yesterday. I knew if I just got the plastic piece I'd eventually cave in and order a jdm bezel over time.

If you haven't already ordered your harness and aswc then you should order them from this guy. I purchased this as well from him the other day

http://ae64.com/20-pinfwdharness.htm

WoRkX · 08-17-2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IZEROI

I would just fork over the money and go with the jdm bezel. I just ordered mine last week and got it in yesterday. I knew if I just got the plastic piece I'd eventually cave in and order a jdm bezel over time.

If you haven't already ordered your harness and aswc then you should order them from this guy. I purchased this as well from him the other day

http://ae64.com/20-pinfwdharness.htm

The harness comes free with the radio at sonicelectronix.com where I am getting my head unit (Sony XAV-601BT - I haven't ordered yet... I just want to be 100% sure of what I am buying). They also sell the ASWC... and for the best price I've seen so far.

Niroth · 08-17-2012, 10:24 AM

The harness you get from the store selling you the radio will be missing 4 wires I believe it is for the steering wheel controls. So you will either have to buy another rip it apart and pull out some wires to install into that one, cut up the stock wiring harness, or buy the one from the link posted by the previous poster which contains all the wires and color coded correctly.

WoRkX · 08-17-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niroth

The harness you get from the store selling you the radio will be missing 4 wires I believe it is for the steering wheel controls. So you will either have to buy another rip it apart and pull out some wires to install into that one, cut up the stock wiring harness, or buy the one from the link posted by the previous poster which contains all the wires and color coded correctly.

So the harness they send for free with the radio isn't complete?

That sucks!

Okay then, thanks for the tip. I will probably just tap the original wires to connect the ASWC... but this custom harness is tempting as well.

justinkeith · 08-17-2012, 01:50 PM

I read somewhere that there are issues with just tapping into the stock wiring. SVXdc sells the harness with the extra wires for 13 bucks and he is pretty fast. I ordered mine last night around 7pm and within a few hours i had an email with the ordering information.

He will also sell you the Axxess ASWC with updated firmware which a lot of places do not do. (his price is cheeper than sonicelectronix)

If you plan to use your stock AUX port in the center armrest console he sells a piece for that as well.

WoRkX · 08-17-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinkeith

I read somewhere that there are issues with just tapping into the stock wiring. SVXdc sells the harness with the extra wires for 13 bucks and he is pretty fast. I ordered mine last night around 7pm and within a few hours i had an email with the ordering information.

He will also sell you the Axxess ASWC with updated firmware which a lot of places do not do. (his price is cheeper than sonicelectronix)

If you plan to use your stock AUX port in the center armrest console he sells a piece for that as well.

LOL You guys are pretty convincing... I think I will order from him then.

08-16-2012, 08:04 PM	#1
WoRkX Scooby Newbie Member#: 328902 Join Date: Aug 2012 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Qc	Trim kit - is it necessary on 2012 WRX? I cannot find this info on the forum... so I might as well ask the question: I am looking to change the head unit on my WRX as soon as it arrives. I've selected a head unit (Sony XAV-601BT), steering wheel control adapter (Axxess ASWC) and a wiring harness (actually, SonicElectronix is giving it away with the deck). But some vendors also sell this trim/installation kit (which seems to consist of two plates and a rectangular plastic surround trim) for the car. Is this necessary to install an aftermarket head unit in the 2013 WRX (supposedly the same as the 2012 model)? Will my install look better with this trim? EDIT - 08.17 For anyone who would stumble on this thread in the coming months, here's a good photo that compares the two factory bezels, North-American version on the left, JDM on the right. The local Subaru part number for this trim seems to be 66065SC130 and should cost around 60$. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by WoRkX; 08-17-2012 at 11:48 AM.

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08-16-2012, 09:11 PM	#2
XERO287 Scooby Specialist Member#: 253541 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Silver Spring, MD Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5DR Premium OBP	Yes, you'll need it. Unless you buy the JDM trim bezel. It's $15 vs $67+

08-16-2012, 11:37 PM	#4
blessthekellen Scooby Specialist Member#: 273859 Join Date: Feb 2011 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Alberta. Vehicle: MY98 WRX	Basically the jdm trim bezel eliminates the need for the dash kit as it is made for a double din. It looks cleaner. And for the price, go jdm

08-16-2012, 11:56 PM	#5
Niroth Scooby Newbie Member#: 63864 Join Date: Jun 2004 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Portland, OR Vehicle: 2012 STi 5-Door DGM	Here is a shot of the JDM and USDM bezels side by side. As you can see the USDM bezel is quite a bit wider than the JDM. Here is a shot of the JDM bezel installed.

08-17-2012, 12:21 AM	#6
WoRkX Scooby Newbie Member#: 328902 Join Date: Aug 2012 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Qc	Thanks for the help! If I understand this correctly, the JDM bezel is the 70$ part? I really like the clean look... but the other trim kit is only 15$ on eBay and seems to work at installing the deck. Honestly, I really like to have a clean looking dash... but I cannot justify paying 70$ for a nicer piece of plastic. The cheap one will have to do because I'm a on a tight budget. This will simply be one more of the things I envy on the other guys cars... Thanks again for the help... this is why I love this place so much! I decided on the WRX because I'm convinced it's the best car for the money... but I didn't think the Subaru community was this cool too!

08-17-2012, 08:26 AM	#7
IZEROI Scooby Newbie Member#: 325170 Join Date: Jul 2012 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2012 WRX Ice Silver Metallic	I would just fork over the money and go with the jdm bezel. I just ordered mine last week and got it in yesterday. I knew if I just got the plastic piece I'd eventually cave in and order a jdm bezel over time. If you haven't already ordered your harness and aswc then you should order them from this guy. I purchased this as well from him the other day http://ae64.com/20-pinfwdharness.htm

08-17-2012, 10:24 AM	#9
Niroth Scooby Newbie Member#: 63864 Join Date: Jun 2004 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Portland, OR Vehicle: 2012 STi 5-Door DGM	The harness you get from the store selling you the radio will be missing 4 wires I believe it is for the steering wheel controls. So you will either have to buy another rip it apart and pull out some wires to install into that one, cut up the stock wiring harness, or buy the one from the link posted by the previous poster which contains all the wires and color coded correctly.

08-17-2012, 01:50 PM	#11
justinkeith Scooby Newbie Member#: 328618 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: DFW, TX	I read somewhere that there are issues with just tapping into the stock wiring. SVXdc sells the harness with the extra wires for 13 bucks and he is pretty fast. I ordered mine last night around 7pm and within a few hours i had an email with the ordering information. He will also sell you the Axxess ASWC with updated firmware which a lot of places do not do. (his price is cheeper than sonicelectronix) If you plan to use your stock AUX port in the center armrest console he sells a piece for that as well.