Audio Systems: 2001 Mercury Sable Stereo, 2001 mercury sable, abs plastics

Question
Hi Jerry,

I have the premium version of this car, where the climate controls and stereo are all accessible via a single dash panel. I have an awesome din-mount alpine stereo I wish to install, but can't seem to find any info. I am considering buying an after-market dash panel made for a din stereo, but (as far as I have found) it is only made for the standard climate control (with knobs).

Maybe I can cut both panels (mine and aftermarket) horizontally, leaving the lower half of the stock panel for climate control buttons, and adding the upper half of the after-market din panel for my radio?

Any suggestions?

I have found one aftermarket dash panel on ebay, but hope to find one in kit form, with more parts that go behinfd the panel.

Do you know where I can get these?

Are there companies that make panels?

Thanks,
Chris


Answer
You are asking alot of stuff that would need to be seen in person.

"Maybe I can cut both panels (mine and aftermarket) horizontally, leaving the lower half of the stock panel for climate control buttons, and adding the upper half of the after-market din panel for my radio?"

Maby you can (and it is probably possible).

Best suggestion would be to let a pro do it, unless you are very handy with ABS plastics.. ect.

I do not know where you can get these off of the shelf (not to say they do not exist, but Sables are not the norm for highly specialised audio).

If you call a professional installer/fabricator a company, yes, there are those that make such items to order. Finding such a specialised item on a shelf is a long shot (to put it mildly).

Seriously, I would dump the entire merc for a vehicle more suited to what you are trying to accomplish. That console will be quite an endeavour.
That is what I would do.
If that is not an otion, you may be looking at quite a paycheck to get this done exactly the way ya want it. If there is no real 'exactness' to your efforts, then you have a few options for using that existing auto. Most of them will deal with highly specialised and custom work. If you want to attempt this yourself, it could be a great way to show off your skills (or it could end up being an 'omg').

When I was doing this in a shop (late 80's>early 90's), it was common to hear $70.00 an hour and up for custom work.

Maby the one at Ebay will suffice :P
I wish things were different, but I cannot assist you very well with such a specialised task over the internet.


Sincerely,
Jerry Mael