Ok www.crutchfield.com say the Avic Z-1 won't fit. Best Buy says it will fit. While Crutchfield is probably the more credible source, that's not the answer I want. :D

Does anyone know if an Avic Z-1 can fit a 2002.5 Protege ES?

well crutchfield said it wouldnt fit in my 06 Ford Explorer. it did. it SHOULD pretty much fit any double din enclosure you have with little or no modifications... with the proper brackets. these are just my assumptions tho.

Thanks. Two things -- 1) some sources list my opening as a 1 & 3/4 DIN (WTF? Is there such a thing?) and 2) where might I go look for the proper brackets?

I don't know what your car looks like but you could try www.installer.com they have a good search engine and lots of parts like this.

Didn't see anything at www.installer.com . . . .any other resources?

I have asked a friend to build a block of wood in the same dimensions as Pioneers published dimensions and am going to pull the OEM HU and see if I can fit the block of wood in there. If I can, then next step would be to purchase the Z-1 and figure out how to mount it.

Because Crutchfield really pushes the DIY aspect, their fitment guide makes things as simple as possible. Technically the opening in your car is not designed to receive a headunit that uses the DIN style mounting method, so they say it won't work.

In reality, it will work just fine, but you'll need to either purchase a double DIN install sleeve, or use the included mounting brackets to ISO mount the Z1 in your dash.

skicrave . . . .that makes sense to me. Btw, is that "skicrave" as in "ski crave" as in "craving some skiing"? Water or snow?

Ok, next set of questions: what is "iso mount" (yes, I'm clueless) as opposed to sleeve mounted? I think I know what sleeve mounted would mean (crutchfield or whoever provides a sleeve that goes in the DIN opening, and then the Avic Z-1 mounts to the sleave, right?

I've grown up waterskiing and snow skiing, so yep, that's where the name comes from.

ISO mount is what some manufacturers use to secure the headunit to the car, and it entails a set of brackets that secure to the sides of the headunit and then bolt directly to the dash. Typically that is performed before the trim bezel of the dash pops on which covers all of the mounting hardware and sets the reveal of the headunit.

As long as the opening is double DIN sized and the aftermarket headunit support DIN sleeve mounting (which the Z1 does) you can use that method to install. I know Pioneer offers a double DIN sleeve kit but I don't know the part number and last time I checked it was back ordered. A DIN sleeve from any manufacturer will work though (Kenwood, Alpine, etc.). The sleeve slides into the dash, then you bend out some tabs to hold it in place, and the headunit slides into the sleeve and locks in place.

Thanks for the information. Going to proceed with the test fit fo the block of wood 1st, then the sleeve mount. Will keep the forum posted.