View Full Version : New stereo?
I'm going to get a new stereo head unit for my Xterra.
Obviously the stock one has GOT to go. I'm going to get one with USB on the front so I can just plop a flash drive with MP3's on it in there.
Does anyone know how difficult it would be to replace this myself? I'm not replacing speakers - I should just need the proper harness and something to mount in the place of the stock (since it's double height) right?
Anyone good at doing this if I can't figger it out? I know that Circuit City installs for free but I dunno about letting them have at my car :P
Hooray for Crutchfield.
It looks decently simple for the most part.
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=130DEHP4UB&tp=5684&tab=features_and_specs
That's what I'm looking at. I like the idea of just putting a 2GB or so thumb drive in there and letting it shuffle.
csutke
03-20-2008, 12:23 AM
In my pathy it was very easy to install.
1st: you need to take the dash insert out in mine there are two screws at the bottom and then some snap connectors at the top.
2nd unscrew the stock deck from the mount in side dash.
3rd: unplug the stock deck connector at the back.
4th: I would check out walmart for you install needs as they seam to be the cheapest.
You will need:
1 mounting kit
1 wiring harness adapter
1 antenna adapter
while your there you will need to get some sort of wire connectors, I used butt connectors so I needed to get a wire crimper as well.
5:Your new deck will have a wiring harness that will plug in to the back of the deck on one end and the other end will be individual wire. The wires will be color coded as to what each one does.
6: Next take your wiring adapter and connect the matched colored wires between the deck harness and the adapter.
7: Attach the deck harness to the adapter
8: Turn the deck on to make sure that everything is working properly before attempting to install the new deck
8: Mount new deck with mounting kit
9: Re-install dash insert
And yes you have a double DIN stock deck and most aftermarket decks are single DIN, this means that there will either be a gap in your dash or your install kit will need to be for a double in application. Also I believe that crutchfield has mounting and installing instructions that you can use as well. It not to hard, it just looks like a lot to do but just take your time and it will come out. If you need help PM me or if im back in town feel free to swing by and I can help ya.
csutke
03-20-2008, 12:28 AM
Oh yeah one more thing normally places that install for "Free" include the price of installation in the pruchase price. If you want a good deal check out Mr. Money in Fort Collins off of Mason and horsetooth. Even though its a pawn shop they do carry new/factory sealed decks and you can haggle the price with them.
I think I'm going to get the one from Crutchfield. Comes with all the adapters and such.
For connecting the wires, I'll solder and heatshrink them. I'm good with electronics :)
Took a gander at my Haynes manual and yeah it's just 2 screws and that part should pop out and that should be it.
csutke
03-20-2008, 12:44 AM
so if your good with electronics then you should be good with the install. the hardest part of mine was getting the stock mounts off the old deck as i reused them. So the kit come with a Nissan harness adapter and an antenna adapter? becuase you will need them to have radio and sound coming out the speakers.
It comes with the harness adapter and the adapter to fit into the extra space that the stock system takes up.
It said it didn't require an antenna adapter - so one may come with that particular head unit, or it might not need it.
I just don't want to have to route wiring all over, but I shouldn't need to. If I change the speakers someday I might need to beef up the wiring depending on what's in there, but they sound fine for now.
csutke
03-20-2008, 01:07 AM
im almost positive you will need an antenna adapter, so it couldnt hurt to buy one and if you dont need it return it. and there should be no reason to have to run wires allover the place
I never listen to the radio anyway :P
So if it needs one, I can just run to wally world or something.
soccerbrace
03-20-2008, 01:34 AM
Stereos are easy as a mother to install. Well wait, I am going to install one that has about 3 lb's of wire here soon and weighs 15 lbs. I think that will be harder than a mother.
What kind of system you putting in?
I won't put subs in any cars, ever. Eats up too much room and I'll worry about good quality tunes when I'm at home. I have a Klipsch setup here.
Well ordered from Crutchfield. We'll just see if the antenna adapter is needed when I get my stocker out.
woody
03-20-2008, 09:50 AM
James - so when is that going to be done? I only ask cause you were working on that when I met you in December, and here it is Spring! J/K!
When I upgrade the system in my X, I am going to put a tube in the back. Won't take up as much space as one would think, but I am also going to make it removable for the wheelin' trips. My home stereo is crapping out on me and i don't feel like spending the money on a new receiver.
I still say soccerbrace should go with a couple jackhammers lol
He thinks he has electrical problems now?
Try putting 12,000 watts worth of amps in.
tnichols
03-20-2008, 01:14 PM
dont get a tube they suck so bad- if you want something small with good bass try finding a infinity basslink.. its got built in amp and really small/ easily removable... or just use the entire trunk area :bannana:
bluex
03-20-2008, 08:46 PM
in my '01 X I have a Pioneer head unit and JBLs all the way around and a little 8" sub w/ an small amp...it shakes the truck when I turn it up :)
all my stuff was bought from Crutchfield.....I have been purchasing from them since I started driving
nismofreak
03-20-2008, 08:49 PM
to late
nismofreak
03-20-2008, 08:52 PM
http://sonicelectronix.com/item_11149_Pioneer+DEH-P5000UB.html#
get this one. Its a better deck, better quality
pm if you need help with picking out a system. I mostly live car audio lol
nismofreak
03-20-2008, 09:00 PM
haha yah wire pushhhh
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t141/nismofreak18/DSCN3344.jpg
lol and a extra battery lol
http://sonicelectronix.com/item_11149_Pioneer+DEH-P5000UB.html#
get this one. Its a better deck, better quality
pm if you need help with picking out a system. I mostly live car audio lol
Thanks, though I already ordered the 4000UB. Doesn't look like it has much any better to me though. All I'm going to do is plug a flash drive full of MP3's in it and play stuff off of there. I'm not concerned with subs - not going to bother with those. And depending on how things sound with the new stereo, I may just leave whatever speakers in there that are there.
I'm not about super high quality audio in a car. I don't feel that with road and wind noise, etc. that it's worth bothering with.
If I want to get all picky about the quality I'll listen on my Klipsch setup at home.
Though if I do go with new speakers I may have questions for ya :)
If I upgraded I'd probably get 6x9's for the rear. The front are component. I have no idea where/how to mount the crossover.
I have some nice Polk Audio speakers in my Maxima. I'd probably go with them again - or Infinity maybe.
nismofreak
03-20-2008, 10:16 PM
k cool
New stereo is here. The instructions that came with it from Crutchfield are awesome. They even have a section on how to replace the speakers too, which is quite helpful.
Gotta run by RadioShack after work and pick up some more heatshrink.
DamnHippie
03-21-2008, 01:13 PM
Harbor Freight may be a better place to get heatshrink tube. They have a multi-pack that gives you 4 feet each of 5 different sizes for like $3. If the sizes in that multipack are too big (they go up to 1" diameter) they have a variety of other smaller sizes (not quite as cheap) too.
I've never seen it at the HF here. Well it's on the way, might as well stop by.
DamnHippie
03-21-2008, 01:32 PM
Small assortment: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96024
Large assortment: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=9639
They're both in the electrical aisle, near the extension cords and such. The large assortment is a set of 5 2x2" boxes bound together with shrinkwrap.
Thanks. I may have to pick up a heat gun from them if they've got one also. I usually just use a lighter :D
woody
03-21-2008, 02:34 PM
dont get a tube they suck so bad- if you want something small with good bass try finding a infinity basslink.. its got built in amp and really small/ easily removable... or just use the entire trunk area :bannana:
Thanks for the input. Did a little research and that Infinity Basslink did well in reviews. I also like the fact the subs have metal cages. Then I may not have to remove while wheelin' and be worried too much about it. Though, decent loading of goods can help prevent that too!
Wheeling could put stress on the driver, just because subs are usually a decent amount heavier than your normal in-door speakers. I wouldn't be worried about the cage, but if it's just going to transfer that energy to the driver it could over time screw it up depending on how exactly it is mounted, etc.
Got all the wires soldered tonight. Now I just gotta get a hole put in this mount kit to run the USB cable through since the connector is on the rear.
Also - anyone need a stock stereo for some reason? I'll have one sitting around.
I'm so anal about this crap.
I soldered the wires, then heatshrinked the joins (twice - a short piece and longer piece). Once it's all done I put plastic cable tubing around the wires, and then used electrical tape to go around that. So nothings going to be rubbing on the actual wires, that's for sure. Hell the stock stuff probably is just shoved in there lol. At least my part will look nice.
soccerbrace
03-22-2008, 04:21 AM
Odin, I have a stereo that I am going to give Ian (Damnhippie, but I believe that he would prefer the stock one because he hates dashwork. Offer it to him, and he will probably take it.
DamnHippie
03-22-2008, 09:27 AM
I already have a stock xterra 1-disc player laying around as a backup in case mine stocker dies (which it has shown some signs of in the past year; sometimes it refuses to play discs that other players handle fine).
I'm kind of obsessive about wiring too. I usually do the double heatshrink thing too after soldering the wires.
Yeah. I'm going to go pick up some silicone sealant and seal up around the USB cable - had to cut a hole in the pocket below the stereo in the mounting kit for it so the extension cable can come through. Also going to seal the two connectors on the back together so they don't come apart.
But anyone is welcome to the stock unit.
Well..that was easy. Stereo in and soundin good :cool:
I didn't need the antenna adapter either.
csutke
03-23-2008, 01:57 AM
thats good to hear on the adapter, all i know is i needed one
Now I'm thinking about trying to see if I can find a flush-mount USB panel and rig that up somehow so that I can just plug the stick in, but inside the pocket - I don't want it sticking out from the dash because I can see that totally getting broken. But if I can rig it up so it will plug into the back of the pocket below the radio that would be cool.
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