1999 Toyota Avalon, Alpine with OEM amp?

1. To mount the LCD so that when closed, the nose of it is about flush with the HU, the LCD case will be mounted farther into dash (need to check clearance)
2. The LCD is very heavy (appears to be counter-weighted at the rear). May need to reinforce the OEM HU brackets or fab new ones and suport with straps from behind
3. In order to retain the Alpine HU bezel and the Xenarc LCD nose/bezel, the LCD will need to be spaced up off the top of the HU by about 1/4". Maybe screw appropriate thickness of thin plates or washers to bottom of LCD case (pretty safe to bolt onto the bottom of LCD as case is pretty empty
4. Due to LCD case being slid back so far to align fronts, it appears that I will not be able to use either of the sleeves that came with the HU and LCD as they are not close to lining up front to back - way offset
5. Looks like I will need to fab something to strap the 2 units together on the sides. Thin plates perhaps. Drilled, then screwed into the equipment slides - preferably into existing holes but not the ones that match up (if at all) with the Toyota radio brackets

Ok..toyos use whats called an "iso-mount" method..which basically means it bolts to the factory brackets and the "sleeves" are not used.

Once the units are bolted to the brackets..and then bloted to the dash..trust me..it will be rock solid..even it the units combined are heavier then the stock deck.

The tricky part will be lining everything up perfectly as there are many factors..as you are noticing already. what I do (and I do these type installs alot) is modify the factory brackets by re-drilling the holes which position the units as even and flush as possible..and not interfere with the dash bezel once reinstalled (you might have this issue if you space the lcd up to much).

The alpine should have exsiting holes that line up perfectly on the bracket so you will most likely be drilling for the perfect placement of the LCD..it may take some trial and error..basically install it all...snap the dash back on..check for fit..and repeat until it's right. No real shortcuts but with patience you will get it. In the worst case you may need to trim/cut/file some of the plastic dash bezel if the monitor hits but that is not difficult, once again just requires patience.

Sounds like progress..good. Most of the times with iso mounting the trim rings are not used..thats normal. However..if you are not happy with any gaps I have used thin foam to surround the circumference of the front edge of the deck..the stuff that tapes on. It comes with some speakers but you could probably find something similar at home depot or place like that. Once you put the dash on over it..it looks professional and hides any gaps well. It's less work then making a trim ring fit.

option 2 is to mount the deck back further and put the trim ring on from behind..this looks the best but would not be easy with the double stack as you are already having a tight fit.

option 3 is to space the head unit out as well..equal to the face of the LCD with the face of the alpine deck. This may or may not allow the use of the trim so if you decide to try it this way... test "line" them up before you drill. If you won't be happy with the look it is not worth the effort.

option 4 is to leave it as is..if it looks acceptable to you..then it works.

Continued good luck.

1. Design/Fab/Install slide-out shelf in trunk under package tray for CarPC gear
2. Run 4 ga from battery isolator to trunk (with 100 amp breakers at each end)
3. Install battery box in trunk and run short 4 ga ground
4. Install antennas (cellular, GPS and Sirius)
5. Pull a gajillion interconnects from the trunk to the dash and console
6. Connectorization-fest / testing / fun!

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Lookin good.  I can see what a tight fit that massive LCD is but you got it in..patience pays off. you got a bunch of connections and wire runs yet but it really should be downhil from here.

I will be off line for a few days since I am moving from sunny South florida to freezing NY. I figure 2 -4 days min. before I am settled in and have my PC and internet set up. Looking forward to seeing the progress, until then hope all goes smooth.

I'll check back once I am set up. have a good wire fest