Stereo Installation?

[Laser03pro]

Those of you who have installed an aftermarket stereo what installation kit did you use I have a 03 ES with the 6 cd changer.

 

[chuyler1]

I didn't use any kit. I got a radio pocket from someone who didn't need one anymore and stuck that on top. I put a bolt in the back so it could rest on the bar just like the factory unit. I didn't use a wiring harness either because I only needed to tap into 3 wires (power,ignition,dimmer).

 

[1sty]

Those of you who have installed an aftermarket stereo what installation kit did you use I have a 03 ES with the 6 cd changer.

The 6 disc changer is irrelavent really, all of the 3rd generation proteges have the same size and shape radio except for the MSP and MP3. So its all the same kits that are available for them. The only difference with the MSP and MP3 is that they basicly came with a kit.

 

[Laser03pro]

Yeh if i didnt say that people would be saying they alrdy had one from the factory.

 

[Laser03pro]

Well went to bestbuy bought a stereo when i got home i noticed they gave me a kit for a single din ugh dumb asses dude even looked at my car to see what 1 i needed he said there was 2 different ones. Well this doesnt look like a single din to me.

 

[solid_snake]

Well went to bestbuy bought a stereo when i got home i noticed they gave me a kit for a single din ugh dumb asses dude even looked at my car to see what 1 i needed he said there was 2 different ones. Well this doesnt look like a single din to me.

hey how did you get your HU out, i'm trying to get mine out and i can't
i have tried everything possible but removing the dash cover...

 

[Laser03pro]

Well after messin with the keys for about half an hr I took out the glove box and the panel under the steering column. Then if you lay on your back and get under the dash to look at the stereo you will see these this black clips with gold screws I pushed in and forward on them with a flat head screw driver on one side at a time till that side was loose. Then I just got in front and pulled it out if you can understand that. Here is a pic of the black clips on the side. That only took like 5 min instead of messing with the stupid keys.

 

[solid_snake]

Well after messin with the keys for about half an hr I took out the glove box and the panel under the steering column. Then if you lay on your back and get under the dash to look at the stereo you will see these this black clips with gold screws I pushed in and forward on them with a flat head screw driver on one side at a time till that side was loose. Then I just got in front and pulled it out if you can understand that. Here is a pic of the black clips on the side. That only took like 5 min instead of messing with the stupid keys.

thanks, but in my car, the A/C ducts are on the side of the HU and on't let me get to the clips.... i will post a pic later when i retry to do it again

 

[solid_snake]

Well went to bestbuy bought a stereo when i got home i noticed they gave me a kit for a single din ugh dumb asses dude even looked at my car to see what 1 i needed he said there was 2 different ones. Well this doesnt look like a single din to me.

yeah i went to best buy for the dash kit and they tried to give me a Mazda3 kit after i told them like 2 times that it was for a mazda protege/tribute/ford escape

 

[solid_snake]

driver's side:

glove box side

 

[RyanJayG]

holy crap your structural braces are rusty as hell.. mine dont have a single spec of rust on them.

 

[Laser03pro]

I can see the clips on the side of the stereo u should be able to get a flat head screwdriver up in there.

 

[Laser03pro]

I got an idea guys my friend has a 93 626 and it has a pocket from the factory that doesnt have a cover. It also has a nub in the back to go into that rear bar I wonder if you could get it from mazda cheaper then the msp pocket and if it would fit. Anyone try this before??

 

[Laser03pro]

Here is a picture of the 626 and the factory pocket.

 

[1sty]

Just get the ford radio removal keys your supposed to use. YOu can get them for $5 any where. You just need two. On a older protege/mazda there are 2 holes on each side, just slide in the tools until they click then spread them to the sides and the radio will slide out.
On a 3rd generation new protege you just need to remove the 2 cover plates on the sides of the radio to expose the holes.


You can get it out a hundred different ways but most are hack and more diffuclt plus you risk damaging the clips or the dash.



in short BUY THE F(*)#$% KEYS!!!!

 

[Poseur]

I don't see why it is that everyone struggles with this soomuch. I've never had a single problem yet. Hacked method or no. Might be a good sign of wether or not you should really be back in there messign with things?

As for the pockets. There are many different sizes of 1din pockets because eventhough it's a standardized opening, the openings outside of that are NOt standardized. It MIGHT fit with a 626 but as I recall there's a different snap-on surround that you use for a 626 vs a protege. be it biggeror smaller or the same with a different contour to the dorners or whatever i'm nto really sure.

 

[solid_snake]

I don't see why it is that everyone struggles with this soomuch. I've never had a single problem yet. Hacked method or no. Might be a good sign of wether or not you should really be back in there messign with things?

As for the pockets. There are many different sizes of 1din pockets because eventhough it's a standardized opening, the openings outside of that are NOt standardized. It MIGHT fit with a 626 but as I recall there's a different snap-on surround that you use for a 626 vs a protege. be it biggeror smaller or the same with a different contour to the dorners or whatever i'm nto really sure.

i finally got it out, i had to remove the dash cover

now, i have to buy the dash kit, because there's a DIN sized hole in the dash

 

[Laser03pro]

Yeh I dunno what kit to get I about took it back bestbuy pissed me off I wasnt going to buy the stereo yesterday if they didnt have the install kit well they said they had it for sure. I get there today and they are like no we dont have one for that model yet. Well im not sure whats available I dont want to rig it up I might goto the dealer and get the msp kit.

 

[1sty]

Go to my sticky thread on speaker sizes,wire harness and dash kits. I list the most common dash kits available. They are available from Metra, Scosche and AI. Since Metra is sold by best buy, they were lieing as metra most certianly makes a protege kit.

Why would you buy a radio at best buy anyways?
They have the same prices as everyone else and they have the worst service asfter the sale possible. If you have any issue with the unit after 30 days you are on your own with the manufacturer. They could care less that you bought it there. You have the buy there replacement plan otherwise they won't even look at you.

 

[Laser03pro]

Yeh im never buying one at best buy again I should of just took it back anyway I think im going to buy a msp pocket.