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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 04:32 PM
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mattpolantz's Avatar
mattpolantz
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5
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Post How-To: Install an Aftermarket Stereo

I've been poking around the forums for a couple of weeks and I was able to piece together what I needed to do, but I never found a step-by-step guide on how to do everything. Since I'm an auditor I figured I'd do my best at giving a detailed explanation.

Tools/Items Needed:


  1. Wiring Harness: Scosche VW01B
  2. Antenna Adapter: Male or Female ended Euro Adapter. I went to a local shop and found it cheaper.
  3. Wire stripper and crimp caps: Crutchfield has a good deal.
  4. Stock stereo removal keys: Crutchfield has a multi-tool for $10 or CarDomain has single key version for $4.
If you're new to Crutchfield. You can use the code: pt8dp-h92ij-qce2d and get $20 off of your purchase. Yes this is a referral thing they do which gives me cash off my next purchase, but it is helping you out as well by getting you all this stuff for a lot less than you would normally pay. You have the option to use it or not.

Remove the Stock Stereo:
  1. Insert the keys into the slots at the bottom of the stereo with the notches facing inward. The Crutchfield keys had to be inserted all the way to latch. You should hear a click for each key.
  2. Pull the unit out and disconnect the harness and antenna.
  3. On each side of the stereo you'll see the latch that the key is attached to. Use a screwdriver and press down on the latch until it clicks and releases the key. (See Picture)
Splice and Attach the Harness:
  1. When splicing the Scosche harness to the aftermarket harness that comes with your new headunit remember that you can do this inside.
  2. Match the colors of each wire and crimp them together with the crimp caps. Do this for all the wires EXCEPT the Red, Yellow, and Blue wires. The constant and switched power wires are flipped, so you will need to connect the Red wire of the Scosche harness to the Yellow wire of the aftermarket one and the Yellow wire of the Scosche harness to the Red wire of the aftermarket harness. The Blue antenna wire on the Scosche unit is actually the remote wire. Attach the Blue-White wire from the aftermarket harness to the Blue wire on the Scosche harness. (See Picture) It is usually recommended that you use the RCA Pre-Outs in the back of your aftermarket unit so that you do not blow out your speakers. However, I have yet to have any problems. I haven't seen any posts with problems from this either.
  3. Now is a good time to run the wires for a Line-In connection to an iPod or any other device (See below)

  4. Insert the metal sleeve that comes with your aftermarket single DIN headunit into the slot in the car. In the top of the sleeve are two metal fins that can be pushed up to lock the sleeve in place. The fins at the bottom will not fold down.

  5. Plug each end of the finished harness into the car and headunit
  6. Plug each end of the antenna adapter into the car and headunit.
  7. Test the headunit.
  8. Slide the new headunit in and enjoy!

Line-In Hookups:
  1. Open your glovebox and look towards the bottom left seam. You will see a small hole that conveniently goes into the space behind the stereo. If you have hands small enough to reach into the stereo hole you can feel for this.
  2. The hole is not big enough to run any RCA or Line-In connectors through, but it is big enough for the wires. If you remove the screws around the glovebox (See Picture) you will be able to move the casing enough to be able to fit a connection through the hole.
  3. There is also an open seam running back to the floor mat of the passenger side (See Picture). Any wires put through the hole can be run along this seam and under the floor mat. I used this to run a Line-In over to the center console to my iPod. If you cut a piece of one of those sticky pads the size of the top of your "cup-holder" you have a nice place for an iPod.
I hope this helps everyone out. This is really not that hard of an install, and it is definitely not worth $135 like I've seen some people say they've spent. Take an hour on a Saturday and do it yourself. You can use the extra cash on more toys.
 
Attached Images
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Radio.jpg (51.1 KB, 4096 views)
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Wires.jpg (82.9 KB, 5008 views)
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Glovebox.jpg (61.2 KB, 3899 views)
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Floormat.jpg (68.2 KB, 3662 views)
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Finished.jpg (52.8 KB, 4241 views)
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