Many people are wondering if car stereo faceplates are interchangeable. The answer is yes, they are interchangeable in most cases!
If you have a head unit installed in your vehicle and want to change the look of it, all you need to do is swap out the faceplate for another one that matches your taste and the system. It’s really that simple.
However, there are some key things that you need to keep in mind while swapping stereo faceplates.
Changing Faceplate Won’t Give you Any Extra Features
You should never expect your car stereo to give you any additional features or a better sound quality just because you change the faceplate. You can’t simply put a CD player into an AUX jack by changing the faceplate, no matter how much it may look like one!
So while swapping out the head unit’s faceplates is very easy and simple, if you are looking for any extra features, then it’s best to check what is already available on your system.
People often ask this question to get an answer to whether a faceplate with certain features can upgrade their stereo to a more feature-rich one. The answer is- No! It won’t be possible for you to achieve what is not built into the system by simply putting on a faceplate.
The faceplate is like a keyboard and mouse on your desktop PC. It gets input from you but can’t change the core functionality of the machine. You can get an expensive keyboard with a great look, but that won’t add up to the processor capacity.
Incompatible Faceplate Swap Can Damage the Stereo
If you try to swap out the faceplates on incompatible head units, then it can cause serious damage and may not be covered under warranty. Faceplates should only be swapped when the existing one has some fault and cannot be switched on.
Composite faceplates can’t be swapped with each other since they have different wiring configurations. Even if it seems to fit, you will need a professional for this job or else the stereo may not work properly after being removed from its housing unit.
Before changing your car’s head unit faceplate, ensure that all other parts of your stereo are compatible. You should also be mindful of the wiring configuration and overall compatibility with the head unit you already have installed in your car.
Regularly changing faceplates can cause unnecessary wear and tear to other parts, so it is best to stick with a single one that fits perfectly into its slot for as long as you own the car.
It is Better to Replace the Whole System Rather than Swapping the Faceplate
If the original faceplate of your stereo is damaged or got bad, and you are not under warranty, we recommend replacing the whole head unit with a feature-rich budget car stereo.
Even if you find a compatible faceplate for your stereo which can be utilized, it will be better to replace the whole system rather than trying your luck by changing out individual components.
Replacement faceplates are hard to come by, and when they do, they are not so reliable.
Conclusion
Although you can interchange faceplates as long as they are compatible, it is not recommended to do so. And not all car stereos come with a detachable faceplate that can be swapped out. Especially, the modern-day touch screen double din head units are not easy to be dealt with.
So, it is better to replace the whole system instead of swapping faceplates for upgraded features or looks. This will not only give your car stereo a fresh look but also make things much easier if you are looking forward to getting enhanced sound quality and other advanced functionalities!