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2008–2012 Subaru Forester Head Unit Kit
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  • DM Plus head unit kit$790
All kits

2008–2012 Subaru Forester Head Unit Kit

Series SG, SG5, SG9

Head unit
Display
HD IPS
Chip
UIS7862S, 12nm
Memory
4GB
Audio
AKM7738 DSP
  • Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto
  • Google Play Store
  • Micro-SD capable

Includes all our features with impressive audio and performance that won't let you down.

Discover DM Core
Display
QHD QLED
Chip
UIS7862S, 12nm
Memory
6GB
Audio
AKM7738 DSP
  • Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto
  • Google Play Store
  • Micro-SD capable

Same great performance as DM Core, incredible display. Our recommendation for most.

Discover DM Plus
Display
QHD QLED
Chip
UIS7870, 6nm
Memory
8GB
Audio
AKM7739 DSP
Bluetooth
aptX-HD
  • Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto
  • Google Play Store
  • Micro-SD capable

A noticeable jump in performance and studio quality audio. For the power users.

Discover DM Pro
Display
QHD QLED, 11.5"
Chip
UIS7862S, 6nm
Memory
8GB
Audio
AKM7738 DSP
Bluetooth
aptX-HD
  • Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto
  • Google Play Store
  • Micro-SD capable

Big is good. If you want your head unit to be your portable cinema, this is the one.

Discover DM Max
Display
QHD QLED
Chip
UIS7870, 6nm
Memory
12GB
Audio
AKM7739 DSP
Bluetooth
aptX-HD
  • Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto
  • Google Play Store
  • Micro-SD capable

Complete overkill, created simply because we could. If you want the absolute best in performance and lossless audio, here it is.

Discover DM Flagship
Compare specifications
Dash camera

Dual Cam DVR Dashcam

Two high-definition cameras record the road and cabin, giving you crisp coverage of what’s ahead and inside the car.

  • Easy phone connectivity
  • Loop recording
  • 24/7 parking monitoring

Triple Cam DVR Dashcam

Capture every angle of your journey with three high-definition cameras that record the road, cabin, and rear—so you don’t miss a thing.

  • Easy phone connectivity
  • Loop recording
  • 24/7 parking monitoring
Microphone
Extras
Delivery4–⁠11 business days
Total$790

About this kit

Value upgrade that looks factory and makes every drive easier. This kit suits the Forester cabin, keeps steering-wheel controls and the factory camera where fitted, and wakes quickly for the school run or commute. Tested for Australian summer traffic heat so the display stays stable when the cabin warms up.

Supports Apple CarPlay & Android Auto via CarLink 2.0 (pre-installed).

Android head unit installed, showing split-screen maps and music

Compatibility at a glance

Years
2002–2007
Series
SG, SG5, SG9
Trims
X, X Luxury, X (Satnav), X Weekender, XS, XS Luxury, XS Special Edition, XT, XT Luxury, X Columbia
Steering wheel controls
Retained if present
Premium audio systems supported
All
Camera retention
Retained if present

What’s included

  • Head unit of your choice — select your preferred tier
  • Vehicle-specific fascia — OEM-match finish
  • Core plug-and-play harness; trim-specific adapters added if your car needs them (free of charge)
  • Factory reverse camera retention (where fitted)
  • Antenna adapter (where required)

Install snapshot

Time
60 mins
Difficulty 1 to 5
2
Tools
Trim Removal Tools, Phillips Screwdriver, 10mm Socket

Ask a fitment question

Built for Australian conditions

AU warranty

Engineered for AU heat soak and rough-road vibration; backed by 12-month AU warranty and tracked shipping.

  • Active fan & heat-sink
  • Voltage-stable power stage
  • 12-month local warranty

Features you’ll use

Keeps what works, modernises what doesn’t. You get a factory-look fascia with steering-wheel controls retained and a responsive display that’s easy to read at a glance. Tested for summer traffic heat so it stays consistent on hot days, with simple wireless pairing for everyday calls, maps and music.

2008–2012 Subaru Forester Head Unit Kit

Designed to look factory

The kit suits the Forester dash and keeps the tidy, factory-look finish. Steering-wheel controls remain active, and the factory reverse camera is retained where fitted. The cabin uses a double-DIN opening under the centre vents, so there’s no odd gaps or trim guesswork—drop it in cleanly and keep the upper centre clock untouched.
  • Factory-look finish
  • Suits Forester dash
  • Keeps SWC working

Cleaner sound, easy upgrades

Tune your system the way you like it. A multi-band EQ and per-channel time alignment help clear up vocals and stage the front image. High-resolution formats play nicely, Bluetooth sounds solid, and adding an amp or sub later is straightforward. Start stock for now, then step up when you’re ready.
  • Multi-band EQ
  • Time alignment
  • Amp/sub friendly

Wireless every day

Hop in and it reconnects—wireless via CarLink 2.0 means no daily cable routine. Use voice to handle calls and messages, keep eyes on the road, and run your two essentials: Google Maps and Spotify. It wakes quickly, remembers devices reliably and keeps the dash free of dangling leads.
  • Wireless pairing
  • Voice-first control
  • Maps and music

Offline maps & Torque

Download map areas before a trip to cut data use and keep guidance when coverage drops. Pair a low-cost OBD2 dongle and use Torque Pro to watch temps, boost and fault codes from the driver’s seat. It’s handy for weekend runs and quick checks after a service or mod.
  • Works off-grid
  • Save mobile data
  • Live OBD2 gauges

The DriverMods difference

Real performance — and real transparency

The current standard is still 28 nm—slower and hotter, with only the highest end units running 12 nm.
Our units start at 12 nm for smooth, lag-free performance (Core & Plus), stepping up to 6 nm in Pro/Max/Flagship for lightning-fast response.

  • spec transparency
  • modern silicon
  • fast boot
  • cool, stable runs
Displays you enjoy looking at

No dim, plasticky panels.
Our Plus / Pro / Max / Flagship use QLED QHD for razor-sharp maps, media, and text.
Our Core tier unit uses a bright, vivid HD IPS display—clear, clean, and easy on the eyes.

  • higher resolution
  • higher brightness
  • premium panel tech
Bigger screen, less bezel, factory-style fit

More screen, minimal bezels, tidy fascia—designed to look like it belongs in your dash.
Controls stay accessible and integration stays clean.

  • OEM-style fit
  • modern look
  • tidy install
Tuned software that makes life easy

Lean, fast, and stable—plus full customisation.
Keep our optimised setup or download and swap to a different launcher if you prefer.
With an Android OS head unit, the options are endless.

  • fast UI
  • no bloat
  • choose your launcher
Memory & storage that keep up

Gone are the days when 4 GB of RAM was “top-end.”
Ours start at 4 GB and go up from there, so app switching stays smooth.
Add maps and media with microSD expansion and you’re set for offline trips.

  • more RAM
  • smoother multitasking
  • microSD for expandable storage
Built for value, backed locally

Top-tier hardware at fair pricing, with AU support and clear documentation.
We care about the experience after install just as much as unboxing day.

  • local help
  • real warranty
  • easy ownership
Why we do it

The concept isn’t new—the standard should be.
Modern processors, better panels, lean and fast software, fair pricing.
We build head units that make driving feel effortless, not frustrating.

Checkout & shipping — how it works

  1. Order your kitChoose your preferred head unit tier and place your order.
  2. Upload a photoAfter checkout, we'll provide a link for you to easily upload a photo of your dash and any steering wheel controls.
  3. We assemble the correct kitWe confirm your exact model and include any needed adapters and the correct fascia. Correct-fit guarantee applies.
  4. Tracked shippingAU-wide tracked delivery in 4–⁠11 business days.

FAQs

Does it fit all 2002–2007 Forester SG trims?

Yes. The kit suits SG cabins across X, XS and XT variants within 2002–2007. Steering-wheel controls remain active and the upper centre clock is unaffected.

Will my factory reverse camera still work?

If your Forester already has a camera, it’s retained. If not, you can add one during install—there’s a simple trigger wire and video input.

How does it handle heat and bright days?

It’s tested for summer traffic heat and uses a responsive display designed for daytime readability, so it stays usable when the cabin warms up.

Is wireless reconnect reliable with my phone?

After first-time pairing, it reconnects automatically on startup. If you swap drivers, you can prioritise a device in settings for faster hand-offs.

Can I add an amp or sub later?

Yes. Pre-outs and setup tools (EQ and time alignment) make it straightforward to feed an amp or powered sub and fine-tune the system.

Do offline maps and Torque need internet?

Offline areas work without coverage once downloaded. Torque Pro reads data locally from an OBD2 dongle, so you can view gauges and basic codes off-grid.

Learn more

Want to dive deeper into features and how everything works? These guides break it down and help you choose the right setup.

Compare head units

DM Core
$685
DM Plus
$790
DM Pro
$990
DM Max
$1,170
DM Flagship
$1,450
Screen size9.0 - 10.1″9.5 - 10.36″9.5 - 10.36″11.5″—
ResolutionHDQHDQHDQHDQHD
PanelIPSQLEDQLEDQLEDQLED
Brightness1100 nits1500 nits1500 nits1500 nits—
UI refresh60 Hz60 Hz100 Hz60 Hz—
CPUUIS7862S 2× A75 + 6× A55 2+6 @ 2.0 GHzUIS7862S 2× A75 + 6× A55 2+6 @ 2.0 GHzUIS7870 8x Cortex A76 @ 2.7 GHzUIS7870 2× A75 + 6× A55 2+6 @ 2.0 GHzUIS7870
Processor Node Type12nm12nm6nm6nm6nm
RAM4 GB LPDDR4X6 GB LPDDR4X8 GB LPDDR4X8 GB LPDDR4X12GB
Storage64 GB eMMC 5.1128 GB eMMC 5.1128 GB UFS128 GB UFS—
DSPAKM7738AKM7738AKM7739AKM7738AKM7739
Pre-outs3 × 2.5 V3 × 2.5 V3 × 4.0 V3 × 4.0 V—
Optical outNoNoYesYes—
Coaxial outNoNoYesYes—
USB 2.02233—
USB-C 3.20011—
In shortIncludes all our features and great performance that wont let you down.Same great performance, incredible display. Our recommendation for most.A solid improvement in performance and studio quality audio.Big, is good. If you want your head unit to be the focus point, this is the one.Complete overkill, created simply because we could. If you want the absolute best in performance and lossless audio, here it is.