The Metra Electronics 99-5700 is a vehicle-specific radio installation dash kit designed to help fit a 2-inch-tall Single-DIN aftermarket stereo into select older vehicles. Its ABS plastic housings, brackets, spacers, and mounting hardware are meant to create a cleaner, more factory-like installation than trying to adapt an aftermarket radio directly to the original dash opening.
The biggest point to understand before buying is that the 99-5700 is not a universal plug-and-play radio kit. Fitment varies significantly by vehicle, some applications require trimming or removing specific mounting tabs, and the kit does not automatically replace the need for a vehicle-specific wiring harness or antenna adapter. If your exact vehicle is supported, however, the 99-5700 remains a practical way to install a modern Single-DIN receiver in many older dashboards.
Quick Answer
Is the Metra 99-5700 worth buying? Yes, if Metra’s current fit information confirms your exact vehicle and you are installing a compatible Single-DIN radio. The kit includes the physical dash-mounting pieces needed for many supported applications and is backed by detailed instructions, technical support, and a 1-year limited warranty. It is less suitable for buyers expecting a completely tool-free installation or an all-in-one kit containing the electrical wiring harness.
Key Takeaways
- Single-DIN design: The 99-5700 is intended for standard 2-inch-tall aftermarket radios.
- Vehicle-specific fit: Compatibility depends on the exact year, make, model, and dashboard configuration, not simply the vehicle brand.
- ABS construction: Metra uses ABS plastic designed to provide an original-style fit and finish.
- Multiple mounting pieces: The installation kit includes radio housings, brackets, spacers, and mounting hardware for different supported applications.
- Installation difficulty varies: Some vehicles require removing selected plastic mounting tabs or performing other vehicle-specific preparation.
- Electrical adapters may be separate: A wiring harness, antenna adapter, or radio-removal tools may still be required.
- Support is available: Metra lists installation tech support seven days a week and a 1-year limited warranty for the kit.
Metra 99-5700 at a Glance
| Product | Metra Electronics 99-5700 Radio Installation Kit |
| Radio size | 2-inch-tall Single-DIN aftermarket radio |
| Primary material | ABS plastic |
| Main purpose | Adapts a compatible aftermarket stereo to the factory dashboard opening |
| Mounting provisions | DIN and ISO-DIN provisions, depending on vehicle application |
| Instructions included | Yes |
| Tech support | Available seven days a week through Metra |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
| Wiring harness included | Do not assume so. A vehicle-specific harness may need to be purchased separately. |
Metra Electronics 99-5700
Check the current listing, vehicle-fit information, seller, price, and availability before ordering.
Price and availability can change at any time.
What the Metra 99-5700 Actually Does
An aftermarket radio rarely matches an older factory dashboard opening perfectly by itself. The Metra 99-5700 provides the physical mounting structure needed to position a compatible Single-DIN receiver securely and give the installation a more finished appearance.
Metra describes the kit as being made from high-quality ABS plastic for an original factory-like fit and finish. That does not mean the finished installation will look identical in every vehicle. The final result depends on selecting the correct housing and mounting tabs, preparing the dashboard correctly, routing the wiring properly, and following the instructions for the specific vehicle.
This distinction matters because a dash kit and a wiring harness do different jobs. The 99-5700 handles the mechanical fit of the radio. A wiring harness handles the electrical connection between the aftermarket receiver and the vehicle’s factory wiring.
Vehicle Compatibility: Check Before You Buy
Compatibility is the most important part of this purchase. Metra’s current product information identifies the 99-5700 with select older Ford, Jeep, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. Current retailer information may also show additional applications. Historical Metra installation documentation contains varying model-year coverage, which is another reason not to rely on a broad year range alone.
Examples found in Metra documentation include selected versions of vehicles such as the Ford Econoline, F-Series, Taurus and Thunderbird; Jeep Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer and Wrangler; Lincoln Continental and Town Car; and Mercury Cougar, Grand Marquis and Sable. This is not a complete compatibility list.
What’s in the Kit?
Metra’s installation documentation shows that the 99-5700 uses several components so one kit can serve different supported dashboard layouts. Depending on the revision of the kit and the vehicle application, components include radio housings, vehicle-specific mounting brackets, spacers, ISO-DIN brackets, and screws.
The important point for buyers is that you may not use every included part. The correct pieces depend on the vehicle. Extra brackets or unused tabs do not necessarily mean something is missing or installed incorrectly.
What Is Not Necessarily Included
Do not treat the 99-5700 as a complete electrical installation package. Depending on your vehicle and receiver, you may also need:
- A vehicle-specific radio wiring harness
- An antenna adapter
- Radio removal keys for certain factory head units
- Wire connectors or other approved connection hardware
- Additional hand tools required by your vehicle’s dashboard
Buying these parts before starting can prevent a half-finished installation with the dashboard already apart.
How Difficult Is Installation?
Installation difficulty ranges from relatively straightforward to moderately involved. Metra’s documentation shows that vehicle procedures are not identical. Some dashboards require simple trim and screw removal, while other applications require cutting or removing selected mounting tabs from the kit before assembly.
The manufacturer’s older instructions list a Phillips screwdriver and cutting tool among the required tools, with radio-removal keys used on certain applications. Your exact vehicle may require additional sockets, trim-removal tools, Torx bits, or other tools.
This makes the 99-5700 suitable for a careful DIY installer, but it is not a product where every owner should expect to snap two pieces together and finish in a few minutes.
Basic Installation Overview
The exact procedure must come from the instructions for your vehicle, but the general process looks like this:
- Confirm fitment first. Match the kit to your exact vehicle and confirm that the new receiver is a compatible Single-DIN unit.
- Read both instruction sets. Review the Metra vehicle instructions and the aftermarket radio manufacturer’s instructions before removing anything.
- Disconnect the battery when instructed. Metra’s installation documentation tells installers to disconnect the negative battery terminal before installation to reduce the risk of an electrical short.
- Remove the factory radio and dash trim. The number and location of screws, clips, bezels, and removal tools vary by vehicle.
- Prepare the correct Metra housing. Some applications require specific mounting tabs to remain while others are removed.
- Install the radio into the housing or DIN cage. Use the mounting method specified for that vehicle and receiver.
- Connect the wiring. Use the proper vehicle-specific wiring solution rather than guessing at factory wire functions.
- Test before final reassembly. Confirm power, sound, controls, and receiver operation before reinstalling all dashboard trim.
- Reassemble carefully. Make sure wiring is not pinched and the radio and dash panels sit securely.
Fit and Finish
The main benefit of choosing a vehicle-specific dash kit is appearance and support. The 99-5700 is designed around compatible factory dashboard openings rather than being a generic trim panel.
ABS plastic is a sensible material for this application because it is lightweight, moldable, and commonly used for automotive interior components. The finished installation should look much cleaner than an improvised mounting solution when the correct pieces are prepared and installed properly.
However, older vehicles introduce an important variable: the dashboard itself. Plastic panels can become brittle, warped, cracked, previously modified, or damaged after decades of use. A brand-new dash kit cannot correct every problem caused by an altered factory opening.
What We Like
- Purpose-built design: It provides a much better starting point than fabricating a Single-DIN mount from scratch.
- Multiple vehicle applications: The multi-kit format accommodates several older dashboard designs.
- ABS construction: The material is appropriate for automotive dash installation and is designed for a factory-like appearance.
- Detailed vehicle instructions: Metra provides application-specific disassembly and assembly guidance.
- Manufacturer support: Tech support is available seven days a week.
- Warranty coverage: Metra lists a 1-year limited warranty for its dash kits.
Potential Drawbacks
- Fitment is easy to misunderstand: Similar models can use different dashboard configurations or model-year applications.
- Not an all-in-one electrical kit: A wiring harness or antenna adapter may still be needed.
- Some installations involve cutting: Certain mounting tabs or openings may need modification according to the instructions.
- Older dashboards can be fragile: Removing trim from a decades-old vehicle requires patience.
- Extra pieces may be left over: Because it is a multi-application kit, not every supplied bracket or spacer is used in every installation.
Who Should Buy the Metra 99-5700?
The 99-5700 makes the most sense for someone who owns a confirmed compatible older vehicle and wants to replace the original radio with a standard Single-DIN receiver while retaining a reasonably factory-style dashboard appearance.
It is particularly useful for DIY owners who are comfortable removing interior trim, identifying the correct mounting pieces, following vehicle-specific instructions, and completing or arranging the electrical side of the installation separately.
Who Should Skip It?
Consider another solution if your vehicle is not explicitly confirmed as compatible, if you are installing a Double-DIN radio, or if you want a completely plug-and-play package containing every wiring and antenna component.
A professional installer may also be the better option when the dashboard has already been modified, factory wiring has been cut, trim panels are damaged, or you are uncomfortable making the electrical connections.
Warranty and Support
Metra currently lists a 1-year limited warranty for its dash kits. The company’s warranty information states that coverage applies to defects in design, material, or workmanship and requires proof of purchase. Damage caused by misuse, modification, improper installation, or other non-manufacturing issues is not covered under the same terms.
Metra also provides technical support for installation questions seven days a week. That is useful with a multi-application kit because the correct housing, tabs, spacers, or installation sequence may not be obvious from looking at the loose parts alone.
Before You Buy
Check these five things before ordering:
- Your exact year, make, and model are listed as compatible.
- Your dashboard or factory-radio configuration matches the supported application.
- Your new receiver is a 2-inch-tall Single-DIN model.
- You have the correct wiring harness and antenna solution for the vehicle.
- You have reviewed the installation instructions and are comfortable with any trimming or dash disassembly required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Metra 99-5700 fit every Ford, Jeep, Lincoln, or Mercury?
No. It fits only specific vehicle applications. Compatibility must be verified by exact year, make, model, and dashboard configuration. Do not assume that every vehicle from a supported brand or general year range will fit.
Does the 99-5700 fit Double-DIN radios?
No. Metra identifies the 99-5700 as a kit for standard 2-inch-tall Single-DIN aftermarket radios. A 4-inch-tall Double-DIN receiver normally requires a different dash kit.
Does the kit include a wiring harness?
Do not assume that it does. The 99-5700 is primarily a dash installation kit. Metra’s installation instructions refer to using the proper mating adapter for wiring, so the appropriate vehicle-specific harness may need to be obtained separately.
What tools do I need?
The tools depend on the vehicle. Metra documentation lists tools such as a Phillips screwdriver and cutting tool, while some applications use radio-removal keys. Your vehicle may additionally require trim tools, sockets, Torx drivers, or other basic hand tools.
Do I have to cut anything?
Possibly. Several supported applications instruct the installer to cut or remove selected mounting tabs from the Metra housing. Some older dashboard configurations may involve additional preparation. Follow the instructions for your specific vehicle rather than cutting parts based on another model’s procedure.
Can a beginner install the Metra 99-5700?
A patient beginner with basic automotive trim and wiring knowledge may be able to install it in a straightforward application. If the dashboard requires significant modification, the factory wiring has already been altered, or you are unsure about electrical connections, professional installation is the safer option.
Does the Metra 99-5700 have a warranty?
Yes. Metra currently lists a 1-year limited warranty for its dash kits. Coverage is subject to Metra’s warranty terms and generally applies to manufacturing-related defects rather than damage caused by improper installation, abuse, or modification.
Can I return it if it does not fit?
Return eligibility depends on the retailer, seller, purchase date, and condition of the product. Check the current return terms where you purchase the kit rather than assuming a universal fit guarantee or return policy.
Final Verdict
The Metra Electronics 99-5700 is a useful solution for installing a Single-DIN aftermarket radio in a confirmed compatible older vehicle. Its strongest points are the vehicle-oriented mounting system, ABS construction, detailed instructions, manufacturer support, and 1-year limited warranty.
The main limitation is not the kit itself but the complexity of fitment. The 99-5700 covers multiple applications, and those applications do not all install the same way. Some require specific brackets, some require selected tabs to be removed, and the electrical adapters needed for the stereo may be separate.
If you verify your exact vehicle before ordering and prepare the wiring and tools in advance, the 99-5700 can provide a secure, clean foundation for upgrading an older factory radio without resorting to a homemade mounting solution.
Product Verification Sources
This review was checked against current manufacturer information and installation documentation. For the latest fitment and warranty details, see the official Metra 99-5700 product page and Metra warranty information. Vehicle applications and product details can change, so confirm fitment again before purchase.
