[haroldgreenburg]

Hey guys, so I am trying to plan out a way to get a Carplay head unit into my '05 Pilot. The issue is that my Pilot has the navigation unit on the top of the dash, and the FM radio on the bottom half where other '05s just have some CD storage. (image below of everything I'm talking about.) I saw a youtube video where someone got past this problem by putting the head unit into the top, but then using a 2006-2008 Metra kit to mask that bottom half into a storage space. I was wondering if anyone had an idea on if there is a significant difference in the sizing of the radios between the '06 and '05 Pilot. I don't see why it shouldn't work as the components look to be very similar. (I am not concerned about the NAV unit sizing because I have a different part to cover that, more concerned about the bottom. Will this kit fit into my '05?

 

[plplplpl]

Just tossing it out there, but I would expect DIN to be DIN, and double DIN to be double DIN. ¯\(ツ)/¯

But maybe you'll get a more definitive answer from audio guru @scorrpio and/or in the Audio & Electronics subforum.

 

[royalbiggster]

The stereos are the same size. Double DIN, but the Navigation units are different. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the Navigation on 05 is double DIN, whereas the Navigation on the 06 is larger. The 06-08 Navigation kit will not work on 03-05.

 

[scorrpio]

Ok, to clear this up: 2005 and 2006 have a principally different nav units and different trim.

2005, nav unit face is much smaller. Pretty sure if you measure the nav unit faceplate and stereo unit below faceplate, they are same size.
The trim around nav unit is part 77250-S9V-A11ZA, just a frame (without vents). The trim from EX is 77250-S9V-A61ZA, but the difference is in side buttons, center opening is the same.

In 2006, nav unit has larger faceplate, but the body is still double DIN. The trim here is the frame plus vents.
Non-nav, trim part is 77250-S9V-A21ZA , has additional plastic trim making the opening smaller:

Nav, trim part is 77250-S9V-A41ZA, without that extra trim.

Scosche HA1703B: Scosche HA1703B Dash Kit (Black)

On 2003-2005 models, it can be used to replace:
Stereo unit at top of dash (non-nav)
Nav unit at top of dash (nav)
Stereo unit at bottom of dash (nav)

On 2006-2008 models, it can be used to replace:
Stereo unit at top of dash (non-nav)
Stereo unit at bottom of dash (nav)
You can ALSO use it to replace the nav unit at top, but you would need to replace the trim with part 77250-S9V-A21ZA

 

[plplplpl]

Glad we can all count on @scorrpio for such precise helpfulness.

 

[plplplpl]

While I've got you on the line, @scorrpio, even if I'm committing the transgression of asking this in the less than optimal subforum

, if I got this OEM cassette player add-on, could I make it fit in the front console stack, as well as connect it to the OEM head unit, of my 2006 EX-L w/RES?

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It's kind of a moot point because the seller didn't ship internationally, not even to your friendly neighbour Canada, for pity's sake, but must have sold it and forgotten to take it down until today, since when I inquired, it became no longer available.

In which case, what, if any, OEM cassette player add-on would fit and connect seamlessly?

That would be my plan A. My plan B, already standing by on my windowsill, ready to take out into the garage and hook up, is a little Walkman-type USB-powered cassette player I have, which I would connect into the RES' RCA inputs on the rear console via 3.5 mm to RCA cable, and which would be selectable on the head unit as AUX.

I'd rather go with my cleaner Plan A, if you're sure it would work, though.


Yes, I have some old mixtapes that are screaming to be listened to once again after years of abandonment.

 

[scorrpio]

Cassette player? Youch. Technically, on a car like first-gen Pilot with Nav, which has two double-DIN spaces available, you should be able to stuff in about any automotive player. And OEM is a bad choice here, cause it would be an integral unit, with amped outputs. I would go for something with preamp outputs so you could connect it to main unit's AUX (on first-gen, you could add aux/iPod interface by using a Y-splitter where CD Changer/XM module would connect...

That said, cassette players being obsolete, any car unit will likely be a used one, likely 15+ years age. In my experience, the rubber on tape advancing rollers degrades with time, becoming either dried out and stiff, or kinda sticky, usually resulting in severe tape damage.

I would just convert those tapes to digital.
I used one of these to convert mine long ago: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/544917-REG/Ion_TAPE_2_PC_TAPE_2_PC_USB.html

You might consider something like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Reshow-Cassette-Player-Compatible-Computers/dp/B018WBUJBS/ref=pd_lpo_1
A tape-to-MP3 converter unit is going to be new, not worn-out with degraded rollers.

 

[plplplpl]

Appreciate the input. You're right about the rubber parts, capstans and pinch rollers on a used 15-year-old automotive unit.

I would just convert those tapes to digital.

Oh, I've done that with a lot of them, using my home stereo system connected to my HTPC and Audacity and some other good, specialized programs to filter out wow and flutter from the original tapes, but now I'm wanting a more "organic" experience of playing the tapes directly, in the same vein as why for the first time in 30 years vinyl sales have surpassed CD sales. And yes, I know, who even uses CDs anymore? Me, that's who, as an occasional variation from Bluetoothing from my phone to my Pilot's head unit via the excellent GTA Car Kit.

https://gizmodo.com/vinyl-outsells-cds-for-first-time-riaa-music-media-1850211706

Sales of vinyl albums overtake CDs for the first time since the late ’80s


So which part # model OEM cassette player, if any, would fit seamlessly into my front console RES stack and connect to the back of the RES headunit and presumably be controlled by it?

 

[scorrpio]

Most likely answer is 'None' , in 2003-2005, cassette player is integral part of primary audio unit. In 2006 onward, in upper trims, cassette is ditched from the system entirely, with no provision for an add-on module. EX had an audio unit with integrated cassette player.

I am about 99% certain that Accord tape module would be useless to you.
If yours is a 2006-8 EX-L RES, (Non-Nav), your central stack, below vents, would be:
climate unit, DVD unit, seat heater controls with small pocket, and then coin tray/power outlet.

Swap in console bottom from a Nav model (77312-S9V-A62ZA) which includes seat heater controls instead of the coin tray. Though no guarantee that connectors would match Then you can ditch the single-DIN unit above it for an aftermarket cassette player, (wtih preamp outputs) which you can connect into main audio AUX.

 

[plplplpl]

I believe you are correct. There is a disclaimer which says:

• NOTE: Fits the LX and EX only

Honda Cassette Player (Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot)

Listen to all your music when you include a Honda cassette player in your vehicle. You’ll enjoy some of the most state-of-the-art features available.

www.bernardiparts.com

Therefore, I conclude that my EX-L w/RES already has too much going on (radio, 6-CD player, DVD, AUX, and now my GTA Car Kit to connect my phone via Bluetooth) and crammed into the front console stack. Oh, well, my little portable USB-powered cassette player plugged into the rear console RCA AUX inputs it is.

We use the Aux input via the Red and White RCA jacks in the rear of the center console facing the second row passengers (06 EX L RES). We have a RCA red/white jack to headphone adapter cable, then headphone cable to your phone headphone jack (or cassette player...)

Worked good for me and 16 year old likes it now as she is taking Ole Blue into retirement...

 

[WiiMaster]

I actually have that cassette player in my Odyssey. I've had it since it was new. It still works excellent.

 

[plplplpl]

I actually have that cassette player in my Odyssey. I've had it since it was new. It still works excellent.

What's your head unit like, and where does the cassette player plug in, in the back?

Is there such a thing as an RES in the Odyssey, like in the Pilot?

 

[WiiMaster]

What's your head unit like, and where does the cassette player plug in, in the back?

Is there such a thing as an RES in the Odyssey, like in the Pilot?

The Odyssey does have RES, but I don't have it on mine.

My center stack setup looks identical to this:

That part I've highlighted at the bottom is by default a little storage pocket that opens up. It's where the radio unit is located on models with navigation and where the cassette player is located on models equipped with it (that's why the page says it's not compatible with Odysseys that have NAVI)

Slightly different center stack photo in this one as this is from a model with RES but no NAVI, but this is what it looks like with the cassette player:

Mine looks just like that, except with the radio from the prior image since I have no RES.

The cassette player plugs into the same AUX port in the back of the radio that stuff like XM and the GTA Car Kit plug into.

 

[plplplpl]

Hmm, interesting. Since I only see an Eject button for the cassette player, what head unit buttons control Play, Reverse, FF and RW?

I guess it can't skip tracks like my home cassette deck can, i.e., search for the next track?

Does the tape autoplay when you inset it and the head unit switch to that source?

If you leave a tape in, but switch to another source, does the tape automatically stop running?

 

[WiiMaster]

Hmm, interesting. Since I only see an Eject button for the cassette player, what head unit buttons control Play, Reverse, FF and RW?

I guess it can't skip tracks like my home cassette deck can, i.e., search for the next track?

Does the tape autoplay when you inset it and the head unit switch to that source?

If you leave a tape in, but switch to another source, does the tape automatically stop running?

It actually switches to the TAPE source automatically when a tape is inserted.

Here's the tape section of the owner's manual. Interestingly, this implies that it is compatible with NAVI models, though it doesn't show how that would be mounted.

 

[plplplpl]

Fascinating, thanks. Almost makes me want to get one for cheap and try it out on my EX-L RES w/o NAV 2006.

Can you confirm the part number for yours?

• 08A03-5E1-000
  

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• 08A03-5E1-001
  Amazon.com
  
  
  

Was yours pre-installed, or did you install it yourself? I''m just wondering about the connections in the back of the head unit.

 

[WiiMaster]

Was yours pre-installed, or did you install it yourself? I''m just wondering about the connections in the back of the head unit.

It was pre-installed at the dealer when I bought it brand new back in 06.

I'm not sure what the difference is between those two part numbers, the actual player looks the same in both. The second one does look like what I have, with no extra mounting brackets.

 

[plplplpl]

Welp, I ordered this off of eBay. Got it for 30 bucks when I reminded the seller in Florida that we're talking about a cassette player here. Of course, shipping and the exchange rate bring it to over CDN$90, but curiosity as to if it can actually work got the best of me.

Honda 2003-2010 Civic Accord Odyssey Remote Cassette Player 08a03-5e1-000 for sale online | eBay


Gentlemen, place your bets. All hypotheses as to whether or not it does are welcome. ¯\(ツ)/¯

 

[royalbiggster]

 

[WiiMaster]

I'd expect it to work. Often times even with technically incompatible vehicles stuff still works, like when College Hills Honda retrofitted a USB port from an 11-12 Accord into a 2010 Accord.

As long as the radio firmware is similar, I would expect it to work.