So it looks like I'll be getting a new HU and Satellite tuner for Christmas. However, the Tuner isn't coming until January 9th or 10th due to being on backorder. I got a Pioneer DEH-P4800MP. I saw one person with it and the LEDs on the unit are green so it matches nicely and also has a silver finish that looks close to the center console.

I'm not too concerned about installing the Unit myself but I'm not entire sure how I'm going to mount the satellite receiver. Right now I have the Sirius XACT tuner that goes through a radio station but I'm having to change it often now that I'm back at home and figured I would just get the tuner.

My question with the hard line kit is how to run the wire through the car. Has anyone done this and what would be the best route. I would like to not see the wires at all and I don't mind taking off the paneling as long as someone goes through a step-by-step on how to do it. Right now my cables are being run underneath the door sills and right by the driver-side ear. I don't see it out of the back but I don't want the excess wires.

Thanks for the info in advance.

 

Yeah I've done this a couple times, but on different cars. I'm not sure what's easiest, but you might have to pull the passenger door sill to tuck the antenna wire under there. I was thinking that you might want to make a custom mount that supports the antennae bulb thingy, and try locating it under your rear window, or else just mount it on the roof ahead of the lift gate.

 

So, I got my head unit in today and I will probably try to install it tomorrow. Is there anything out of the ordinary that I need to know or look for when installing it??

I have everything I need (wiring and antenna kit, thanks Crutchfield), but this is my first stereo install. I guess my only question is the Factory Amp, will that get plugged right into back of the unit or do I need to do something else with it.

And for those who have installed them, after I unhook everything from the factory unit, how much of a hassle is it to figure it all out (like what's the hardest part of it all).

Thanks.

 

The factory radio has no pre outs. the amplified wires run right to the factory amp.
Run the new head unit front speaker wires to the factory amp wires.

 

I replaced my head unit with a JVC.
I bought a connector kit (from CarToys) to connect it to the existing wiring harness because I thought I may want to re-install the original unit at a later date.
I connected the speaker outputs from the head unit to the kit connector, that routed them to the stock amplifier audio inputs.
I connected the power antennae output from the head unit to the remote on/off pin in the kit connector so that it would turn off the stock amplifier when I turned the head unit off, thus saving myself from a dead battery situation should I let the CF sit for a while.
The service manual will provide you with the pin numbers for each speaker input and remote on/off pins in the existing connector of the CF.
I would be happy to help if needed.

 

Ok I tried installing it today. I got all the wires hooked up to the wiring assembly, switched the Red/Yellow wires like was said and put the car in the ACC mode and the stereo could only be turned on by hitting power. Well, it powered up but I forgot to put the antenna back in, so I shut it off plugged in the antenna, put it back on ACC mode and it won't power up.

So I put the factory unit back in and it does the same thing; won't turn on in ACC, I have to hit the power button. Now when I take the key out the radio still plays until I turn off the power. Even weirder is that I can totally play the radio without the key in and turn it on and off because it's still using the battery power. Not sure exactly what has happened but so far my new unit won't power up at all.

So I kinda need some help diagnosing the problem.

 

Alright well it was a blown fuse but since I had the car open all afternoon my battery went dead so it's charging up now and I should be good to go.