radio bezel advice

[joatmon]

when I first saw the interior pics of a Voltz, I wanted to find one of the AC/Recirc/rear defrost switch modules so that I could replace the one in my Vibe and turn that dummy third button into something useful. THe newer Matrixes adopted this switch module, in 2005 I think. I found one at a junkyard and picked it up pretty cheap, switches/clock and all. Here is what the stock Vibe bezel and the new Matrix bezel look like. The connector for the AC/Recirc is the same, and the connector for the rear defrost is the same. Unfortunately, the mounting for these switch modules is a little different between the two bezels, so it's not a direct swap. Also lose the automatic recirc off when in defrost, but that is not something I care about because I almost never use the recirc.

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[joatmon]

So, I though I would just use the new bezel, find a way to put power to the clock. Not too worried about the passenger seatbelt reminder, since I have had that disconnected for a few years to keep my computer bag from making the thing flash at me all the time.Unfortunately, not immediately obvious from looking at the bezels individually, is that the radio opening is wider on the matrix bezel than it is on the Vibe bezel, and I'd rather keep the old bezel than look at the gap on the side of the radio all the time. So, what do you think I ought to do? I have a few options:1. Keep the old bezel because stock is the way it ought to be. This is an option, but certainly the least fun.2. Find a way to mount the new switch modules in the old bezel and find some use for the extra functioning switch3. Make some sort of filler plate to close the gap on the side of the radio, or perhaps adjust the mounting of the radio so that it is centered in the new bezel opening and make a filler plate for both sides.4. Get an aftermarket radio that will better fill the opening in the Matrix bezel. Not too keen on this option because that involves the most additional money.

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[brbo]

I like the look of the Matrix bezel,, the gap would be the deciding factor for me,, if it don't look factory once complete (proper filler plate) I'd stay OEM,,, What about a Matrix Radio as well ?? That's the only piece on the dash in a Vibe that doesn't fit in the GM Radio,, Thanks for the post,, Cheers B-'06AWD

[GMJAP]

(3,4) You're doing this to gain an extra switch, but if you go with the whole Matrix one either you loose the rear defroster or you don't get get an extra switch, so it seems pointless to go with the "gap" or aftermarket option.If you don't care about the defroster, then just use the stock Vibe and use the rear defroster as your extra switch!(2) I would think you could modify the Vibe bezel to accept the Matrix switch-block, although it doesn't look very easy. Perhaps you could cut off the socket walls on the Vibe one, and then remove the Matrix socket with an exacto where it meets the back of the trim. Epoxy it to the back of the Vibe trim.Probably easier would be to just remove the portions of the Vibe socket that interfere with the Matrix block (which may be the whole thing - hard to tell if the sides are moved from the picture), then just epoxy the Matrix block in. You'd not be able to remove it again, but maybe that's not such an issue?Let us know what you end up doing and how it goes!

[mcgusto82]

well, you can't use a matrix radio since the 05 and trix uses a denso unit with different connectors. the 05 and up are the ones that use the extra room in the bezel. i'd say the end result is not worth the time and effort to make it work.it would likely lower resale value if not than it will atleast give the second owner some issues he'll have to figure out.try using electrical tape for the harnesses, and an After M radio.

[AppleBoy69]

First .... If you wanted a Matrix Dash you should have bough a matrix ...Second .... why have 2 clocks since the gm radio already has one??? that would just be very anoying!Third .... the reason for the diffrent bezel is cuase the crappy matrix stereo doesn't show the time on it! hence the reason for the modified bezel!

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by brbo »I like the look of the Matrix bezel,, the gap would be the deciding factor for me,, if it don't look factory once complete (proper filler plate) I'd stay OEM,,, /QUOTE]The gap is a killer, and I'm not sure I can make something that would make it look good enough[QUOTE=GMJAP](3,4) You're doing this to gain an extra switch, but if you go with the whole Matrix one either you loose the rear defroster or you don't get get an extra switch, so it seems pointless to go with the "gap" or aftermarket option.Wierd how things change. Back when I first saw the three switch possibility, I had a very specific thing I wanted to use the switch for. ALl I can remember of it now was that I wanted the switch for it, but I can't remember what the "it" was. Looks like the rear defroster switch is a momentary switch, with the light controlled from the defroster circuit. Hmmm, perhaps make a circuit for ...But the Matric switch modules will fit in the Vbe bezel, but I'll have to make something to hold them in there. There are obstructions that would prevent putting the VIbe switch in the Matrix bezel, I'll try to get a comparison pic laterQuote, originally posted by mcgusto82 » i'd say the end result is not worth the time and effort to make it work.it would likely lower resale value if not than it will atleast give the second owner some issues he'll have to figure out.try using electrical tape for the harnesses, and an After M radio. I feel that way about a lot of the mods that people do to cars, that the end result is not worth the effort I don't particularly care about the resale value, I'll keep the car till it dies (or until it needs another tranny)I might go aftermarket for a nice GPS/NAV unit, but am not willing to commit to that many $. Perhaps if I ever went Car PC, but I don't think I'll end up doing that either.Quote, originally posted by AppleBoy69 »First .... If you wanted a Matrix Dash you should have bough a matrix ...Second .... why have 2 clocks since the gm radio already has one??? that would just be very anoying!Third .... the reason for the diffrent bezel is cuase the crappy matrix stereo doesn't show the time on it! hence the reason for the modified bezel!First, have you seen those things? Nah, I don't want a Matrix when I can have a Vibe Second, I don;t really need another clock, but sometimes a mod is a mod for mod's sake, kind of hard to explain/justifyThird, yeah, if you look, you'll see I actually already have a radio from an 03 Matrix, but it does have a clock. I think they also used the external clock in Matrixes and used to use it in VOltz's because those cars had an option for no radio at all. Thanks for all the great input, I do appreciate it Looking at the indicidual switches again, I think I'm gonna be stock for a while