Crutchfield Modified Fit

[DaleNixon]

I plan on upgrading to a double din nav capable head unit at some point, and Crutchfield has a perplexing message on their site about every single double din unit I bring up. It reads like this:

Installation Details

Installation Details for your 2011 Mazda 2 Hatchback with 4 speakers
To install this item, you'll have to modify your vehicle.
Unbolt or cut out the factory stereo's rear support bracket to make room for your new receiver.
If the factory radio is replaced, the factory AUX input connection will be lost.

Can anyone with a double din head unit explain what this is all about? Do you really have to cut something or is it easy enough to unbolt? Thanks.

 

[Axela05]

Crutchfield is EXACTLY correct. When my best friend (who works for Best Buy mobile audio) installed my single DIN Alpine unit using a Metra dash kit, he had to literally cut the rear support bracket or the radio & dash kit wouldn't align flush with the dash. He tried his hardest without cutting it but no dice. Also, if you have a Touring model and enjoy using the "info" button on your steering wheel for the outside temperature, mpgs, etc., be advised that you WILL lose all functionality of that button except for the function you have it on before you install your radio. I chose to put mine on "remaining miles" before the install. My friend even installed a Swi-Jack for me so I wouldn't lose my steering wheel controls and even THAT didn't allow a remedy to be able to keep the "info" button functionality. It allowed me to keep the use of everything else though. Anywho, I hope this helps

 

[DaleNixon]

Thank God I got a Sport lol. I'm not too worried about cutting a support bracket I suppose. Any further details on that? Did he use anything special? Will the stock stereo ever fit back in? lol

 

[Axela05]

Yeah, I was pretty upset at first since I paid a nice chunk for my Touring model but whatever. It's a small price to pay to have a better radio, lol. As far as the support bracket is concerned, I'm going to say that even though you have a Sport model, you should still have a support bracket behind your radio but I don't wanna go 100% on that info. I'd say more like 80%. If you do indeed have the bracket and need to cut it, my friend used what looked like a small file saw or something of the sort. The bracket is made of some pretty thick plastic. The stereo actually mounted to the bracket if I remember correctly so there's no way the sotck radio will ever go back (my friend said that to me after he was done with the install).

 

[JJC3925]

Its just plastic, any type of sharp saw or small dremel will easily cut it, you dont need anything special. You can absolutely put the stock radio back in, its just a stupid rear support bracket, most cars have them. (man another example why Best Buy Audio Installers just scare me)

There really is no sweat to the install, dont be so nervous about it. Did Domii3925s last week, and i've installed stereos for years.

 

[DaleNixon]

Oh I'll do it regardless. I watched my buddy cut INTO THE A/C ducting to install a double din in his BMW. The kit came with some metal plates to replace the cut ducting with and some sort of caulk. What a nightmare! I can dremmel away some plastic without batting an eye. Crutchfield just makes it sound so dramatic.

 

[fam]

Any workaround for the info button to work? Whats the deal with it...steering wheel controls for that button go to the current head unit then go back out? Help me understand.

 

[nerdrage]

I bet if we had some info on the wiring we could splice the right wire into the back of the gauge cluster on the line for the info button.

 

[JJC3925]

not sure about a workaround, my girlfriends Mazda2 is a sport so it doesnt have that steering wheel stuff. I assume that button is part of the harness for the stereo controls on the steering wheel. So for you to get it to work you would need a wiring diagram and fix it yourself. Unless possibly getting a PAX wiring harness for the steering wheel stereo controls would also bring back the info button. but who knows.

 

[DaleNixon]

I went ahead and ordered a headunit. Crutchfield hit me with another surprise "we do not have install instructions for your vehicle". Nice! lol. I'm sure it's not too hard to get the stock stereo out is it? Any gotchas I should know about?

 

[Axela05]

Here's one: My friend also ended up using the antenna adapter from a Honda for the install. Some folks out there may not agree with it but my friend is VERY good at what he does (working for Best Buy or not). He literally looked at the piece, said there's no adapter out for my car right now (which was true since I bought the car the week it came out 08/08/2010), then said it looks like a Honda adapter would work with it. He went inside, got the piece he thought it was and presto, it worked. Just a heads up. I'll try and get the part number for you if no other company like Metra or Scosche have one out yet.

Also, to touch briefly on JJC3925's comment. While I can understand your comment about Best Buy installers, I wouldn't be too quick to generalize. My friend was installing my radio on a car that had literally JUST come to the US a week prior so his fair assumption of the possibility that the factory radio would go back in or not, was exactly that, a fair assumption.

 

[Domii3925]

I went ahead and ordered a headunit. Crutchfield hit me with another surprise "we do not have install instructions for your vehicle". Nice! lol. I'm sure it's not too hard to get the stock stereo out is it? Any gotchas I should know about?

It actually does come with instructions. I got the same notice but it does. But, what it doesn't tell you is that the side panel to the right of the steering wheel needs to come off, as well as the glove compartment. Hope this helps!

 

[DaleNixon]

Thanks Domii! Yes, Crutchfield ships the Honda radio adapter when you order a kit for the 2, so they did their homework.

 

[Redkills]

Can anyone that has this installed post a picture of the finish?

Thank you.

 

[DaleNixon]

My stuff came in today! I'm looking to install Saturday!

My Crutchfield order came with a Mazda wiring harness. Does that have the necessary wiring diagram for the Mazda 2? Does anybody know where I can get one if not?

Thanks!

 

[DaleNixon]

The install was cake. Everything went great.

 

[Redkills]

Yep, that looks sweet. Time for me to pick up one.
Thanks for the picture Dale.

 

[Axela05]

Looks awesome Dale, bravo on the install

 

[Joker2]

Do you by any chance have any weights on the OEM? I am assuming here that the new nav unit has the weight listed in the documentation. Thanks!

 

[Slow Paul]

I've never really been into car audio systems, which is funny because I'm a musician, albeit, not a good one. However, I think I'm gonna add some power to the sounds in my 2. DaleNixon's install looks really good and I bet sounds even better..... Time to research.