2014 Mazda 3 potential aftermarket radio

[hectik1]

So I've been thinking the last few days about how to put an aftermarket head unit into my 2014 3. Miss having the audio control and subwoofer. Decided to take it all apart to see what we have. Fairly easy to take apart.
1- pull off trim panel by opening glove box and pulling trim and vents slowly. Disconnect hazard switch.
2- using a 10mm socket with an extension unbolt the retaining bolt pictured. Magnet helps getting bolt out without dropping it.
3- pull radio and trim straight out.
4- disconnect all connectors in the back of the radio.
So after doing all this I've got some thoughts. First, Mazda uses the same harness as it did before. I have a spare harness adapter from my 08 MS3 and it snaps right in. Antenna would need an adapter. As of right now, I'm thinking of running a digital media receiver because the depth of the unit is shorter than a CD unit. As far as a panel may need to source a spare OEM radio panel to fabricate one to hold the aftermarket head unit possibly using a Subaru gauge mount. Will update this thread with info as I do it. Feel free to add your thoughts.

 

[hectik1]

Forgot to add this pic of everything out.

 

[Sean O'Gorman]

Figure this out and you'll be my hero.

 

[Bruns]

Wow, now that you've taken this apart, someone should work out out a way to make the screen retractable.


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[hectik1]

No real way to make anything retractable. Vents are directly below panel. The radio itself is tucked into the dash. It really is bizarre.

 

[Sean O'Gorman]

I yanked the radio on my car as well. The display unit detaches, and the stereo still operates without it, though you obviously can't turn it on or off or change sources, settings, etc.

The cable is a ribbon that connects to the display unit.

My Nexus 7 propped up in that space.

What I'm thinking of doing is buying a dock for my Nexus 7 and mounting it where the display unit was, and then running the USB cable through the dash and hard wired. Alternately, since the Bluetooth doesn't seem to play nice with Android (at least 4.4.2, I haven't connected to the Nexus 7 yet, which is on 5.0), I might look into aftermarket units too. The important thing for me is I have to retain steering wheel controls.

 

[Bruns]

Do you reckon we could replace the original screen and put a bigger one there?
I'd like to keep the functions and screens that come from the car


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[Google]

There's so many functions now integrated with the infotainment system, it's simply not practical in most cases (unless you have a base model) to get another head unit.

The Nexus 7 tablet looks really cool though.