Metra Double DIN Dash Kit for GM Review: Strong Buy
“I replaced our stock receiver in our 2011 Tahoe… this kit makes it look like the Tahoe rolled off the assembly line,” wrote Best Buy reviewer chadb — a line that captures why Metra Electronics Double DIN Installation Dash Kit for GM Vehicles keeps showing up in GM stereo upgrade threads. Across platforms, the feedback leans positive on fit and factory-like appearance, but with real caveats about model-specific quirks and what the kit doesn’t include. Verdict: a strong buy for many GM owners doing a Double DIN swap, with a 8.2/10 based on the balance of praise and recurring complaints.
Quick Verdict
Conditional — great if your vehicle is on the compatibility list and you expect to buy harness/antenna parts separately; frustrating if you assume “complete kit” or your dash tolerances are fussy.
| Pros (from users) | Cons (from users) |
|---|---|
| Factory/OEM-like look after install | Missing accessories (harness/antenna/SWC) surprise some buyers |
| Generally easy to install for DIYers | Some models need minor tweaking or feel “a little wobbly” |
| Good fit for many GM trucks/SUVs | Occasional color/texture mismatch complaints |
| Solid ABS plastic feel | Instructions assume basic install knowledge |
Claims vs Reality
Metra markets these kits as “designed and manufactured with precision tolerances, resulting in a gapless fit” and “painted to match factory dash color.” Digging deeper into user reports, that claim often holds up — but not universally. Best Buy reviewer kody oscars said the kit was “super easy to put on in my 2011 Chevy Silverado fits like a glove,” and another reviewer, yakman 750, echoed the broad sentiment: “great product… easy to install… perfect fit.” For owners of common GM platforms (Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban), users repeatedly describe the finished look as near-stock.
But the “gapless fit” promise is where reality gets model-dependent. Best Buy reviewer angelp noted, “a little wobbly but firm in place when completely installed,” suggesting the tolerances can feel loose until fully screwed down. On higher-end or more complex dashes, the mismatch can be more than minor. Best Buy reviewer monte, discussing a Cadillac CTS kit, warned that “the silver finish is not an exact match… the one in the kit don’t fit,” highlighting that while Metra aims for factory appearance, some trims and colors are close-but-not-perfect.
Another marketing throughline is that the kit “includes brackets with detailed installation instructions” and makes Double DIN upgrades simpler. Many users agree. Best Buy reviewer ps 4 guy said it “worked well… easy install and no mods needed,” and haydend wrote, “works great easy to use and install.” Still, the kit doesn’t try to be a full electronics solution. Multiple user comments across platforms emphasize that wiring harnesses and antenna adapters are sold separately. Monte’s complaint is blunt: “it does not come with the steering wheel controls, or antenna adapters… you might want to shop around for just the items you will need.” While marketing does state harnesses are separate, buyers who miss that detail feel misled.
Cross-Platform Consensus
A recurring pattern emerged: people buy this kit to modernize older GM interiors without making the dash look hacked together. The most consistent praise is about the final visual integration. Best Buy reviewer chadb framed it like a time machine, saying the kit makes the aftermarket receiver look factory. Potsdam, another Best Buy reviewer, described the effect as a “natural looking update… the new stereo fits perfectly inside.” For GM truck/SUV owners who care about resale or simply don’t want an “afterthought” dashboard, that OEM illusion is the core win.
Ease of installation is another widely praised theme, especially among DIYers with basic tools. Vanessam wrote, “very good quality and for my vehicle perfect really liked it,” and skwidd relayed that their installer found it straightforward: “installer said it installed easily. good quality.” The user type here is important: weekend wrenchers swapping a head unit in a Silverado or Tahoe see this kit as a low-stress bridge between factory and aftermarket, reducing the need for cutting or custom fabrication.
Users also compliment material quality in practical terms, not just marketing language. Austing said it “fits well. looks close to OEM. overall decent quality,” and jakem called out “excellent fit and durability.” The ABS plastic and factory-style texture claims align with these experiences; people perceive it as sturdy enough to survive daily use without rattling apart.
After those narratives, the praised features boil down to:
- OEM-looking finish for common GM applications
- Straightforward install for typical Double DIN swaps
- Material/texture that feels “close to OEM”
Common complaints show up just as clearly when scanning negative or lukewarm reviews. The biggest frustration is incomplete expectations about what comes in the box. Even when users like the plastic pieces, they resent needing extra purchases. Monte’s review is the clearest example: “most of the kit not usable, had to buy more stuff… the only piece… I could use was the large plastic housing.” For budget-minded DIYers who expect a “full kit,” the added harness/adapter cost feels like nickel-and-diming.
Fit issues, while not dominant, are persistent enough to matter. The “wobbly” note from angelp reflects a smaller but real subset where the bracketry isn’t perfectly snug right away. Crutchfield reviewers of another Metra kit similarly mentioned needing modifications: “does not fit that well… had to modify it a bit for it to work better.” While that’s a different vehicle line, it reinforces the larger Metra pattern: most installs are clean, but some dashboards require extra patience or trimming.
Finally, color/finish mismatch hits certain trims. Monte complained the “silver finish is not an exact match.” That affects users who prioritize interior aesthetics — Cadillac or special-trim GM owners are less forgiving about shade differences than, say, work-truck Silverado owners.
Summarizing complaints:
- Surprise about missing harness/antenna/SWC parts
- Occasional looseness or minor fitting tweaks
- Color/texture not always a perfect match on some trims
Divisive features mostly revolve around “universal GM compatibility.” Officially, kits like the 95-2001 list broad year and brand coverage. Provantage’s summary says it’s “generally well-received for its wide compatibility,” yet also flags that it “may not fit all models perfectly.” That mirrors user experience: Silverado/Tahoe/Suburban owners often celebrate the fit, while some niche dashboards or luxury trims report mismatches. The divide isn’t about whether the kit works at all, but whether it lands in “fits like a glove” territory or “needed a little tweaking.”
Trust & Reliability
There isn’t meaningful scam chatter in the provided Trustpilot feed; the relevant notes focus on product-level concerns like fit variability and missing accessories rather than fraud. The Provantage sentiment summary reads like a steady mid-high score, calling it “a reliable choice for those looking to upgrade their vehicle’s audio system.”
Long-term durability stories are limited in this dataset, but the available comments lean stable. Best Buy reviewer dianev said they’ve owned it for “1.5 years” and it still “works great… looks good too,” implying the plastic finish and mounting hold up over time. Users who described a “professional fit” like farmington missouri generally talk about the kit as a set-it-and-forget-it part, not something that loosens or degrades quickly.
Alternatives
The only clear competitors referenced in data are other Metra GM kits for specific generations, like the Metra DP-3002B (1999–2002 full-size trucks/SUVs) and newer multi-kits such as 95-3305/95-3302 series. Those alternatives matter if your GM dash falls into a narrower year range. The DP-3002B is positioned for older trucks needing a full panel replacement, and user feedback on Metra’s newer kits (95-3305) is very strong on fit. In practice, the alternative isn’t “buy another brand,” but “buy the Metra kit designed for your exact generation.” Users praising the 2011 Silverado/Tahoe installs are implicitly saying the right model-number match is what makes Metra shine.
Price & Value
On eBay, Metra Double DIN GM kits cluster around the $12–$20 range for common models, with the 95-2001 listing at about $19.99 new. That low entry price drives a lot of goodwill. Even buyers who complain about extra harness costs tend to accept the plastic kit’s value as fair, and Best Buy reviewers repeatedly frame it as an inexpensive way to get a “factory install” look.
Resale value is also hinted at by the “natural looking update” comments — for GM owners who might sell their truck later, the kit’s clean appearance protects perceived interior quality. The biggest buying tip from the community is implicit: check your exact vehicle and trim before ordering, and budget for harness/antenna adapters upfront so you’re not annoyed mid-install.
FAQ
Q: Does this Metra Double DIN kit really fit a wide range of GM vehicles?
A: Yes, but results depend on matching the right Metra model to your exact year/trim. Provantage calls compatibility a key strength, yet warns it “may not fit all models perfectly,” and some users report needing tweaks on niche dashes.
Q: Will it look factory after installation?
A: For many trucks and SUVs, users say yes. Best Buy reviewer chadb said it made their Tahoe look like it “rolled off the assembly line,” and others describe a “natural looking update.” A smaller group notes slight color mismatches on some trims.
Q: Is everything needed for install included?
A: No. The dash brackets/trim are included, but wiring harnesses, antenna adapters, and steering wheel control modules are typically separate. Best Buy reviewer monte warned buyers it “does not come with the steering wheel controls, or antenna adapters.”
Q: How hard is installation for a DIYer?
A: Most users call it straightforward with basic tools. Reviewers like haydend said it was “easy to use and install,” though a few note it can feel loose until fully secured or may require minor trimming on certain vehicles.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a GM truck/SUV owner doing a Double DIN head unit upgrade and you want an OEM-looking dash without custom fabrication; users repeatedly say it “fits like a glove” and looks factory once installed. Avoid if your trim is picky about color match or you expect a one-box solution. Pro tip from the community: order the correct harness and antenna adapter at the same time so you don’t hit monte’s “had to buy more stuff” frustration mid-project.
