MSP radio removal

[ARunto]

Anyone know if there is a how-to on how to remove the stock MSP radio? I just got my Sirus tuner to hook up.

-Alan

 

[1sty]

You just need a set of kenwood radio removal keys.
Some got them in there owners manual booklet & info packets with the radio manual.
The keys, long peice of thin metal, go in on each side and then you just pull out the radio.

The manual describes the process.

 

[ARunto]

ok I appreicate the info...i'll have to go hunt for the keys

 

[1sty]

Let me know if you can't find any.
Also many car audio store might have an extra set lying about.
I sent my spares to spicymsp who sent them elsewhere. Maybe you can track them down from her.

 

[Yellospeed]

you can use knives instead of keys... it'll work..

It's only used to pop the bracket away from the deck...

and if you have the face ring removed already... you're set..
The deck isn't security screwed in the back... but you'll want to be careful when you yank it out... there's a spot inside the dash where the stereo cables can catch onto and rip... mine did....
lucky me.. was easy repair...

and and btw... I put in an older (2000) panasonic deck... and it actually sounds much better! Even my friends noticed right away.. I couldn't believe it... weird...

 

[Ezeikiel]

yellospeed - me too

when i pulled mine the first time, i managed to pull the nf rca cord loose from the circuit board. fortunately, it just needed plugged back in after opening the case on the radio

 

[NeverSober]

I am gonan be doin this next week thanks for the info.

 

[Albert]

I never removed my stereo to install the Sirius. I went in from the side (passenger's) and felt my way to the plug and worked it in. I'm a big guy and I had enough room to do it.

Also, it would probably be even easier to remove the pocket underneath the radio and plug it in that way. If you remove the center console and the pocket, it should be a piece of cake.

 

[Cap'n D]

Hey, when you installed the Sirius, it sounds like you installed an FM modulator, am I right? What wire did you hook to it for power?

 

[PhatTrax]

Uh, FM Modulation on digital radio..... :wtf:
That doesn't sound right.

 

[Cap'n D]

Uh, FM Modulation on digital radio..... :wtf:
That doesn't sound right.

Yeah, the idea sounds pretty lame, but if someone (like myself) is trying to hook up XM while keeping the stock HU it is about the only option.

However, I've heard very good things about the sound quality when hooking it up this way.

 

[PhatTrax]

Yeah, the idea sounds pretty lame, but if someone (like myself) is trying to hook up XM while keeping the stock HU it is about the only option.

However, I've heard very good things about the sound quality when hooking it up this way.

I've actually heard bad things about the SQ on XM radio. I hear alot of good things about Sirius though. I'd just go with Sirius if I had the stock Kenwood.

 

[Newf]

Do you have to take off that fake carbon fiber thing to get at it? My dealer did this and scratched the dash as some know. i was under the impression that with the keys, you wouldn't need to take the dash apart

 

[SpicyMSP]

Check out my radio removal pics. The dash and the fake CF had to come off in order to install this 2 din:

http://www.netsnapshot.com/pcw/b?KEY=11&ACCOUNT=12953

hope this helps

 

[Albert]

Hey, when you installed the Sirius, it sounds like you installed an FM modulator, am I right? What wire did you hook to it for power?

I didn't install an FM modulator. I got the free receiver and antenna for buying the car. I mounted the receiver on the back of the rear seat and got the power from the sub wires (the Sirius doesn't take any power at all). With that receiver, it just has one cable that goes from it to the back of the Kenwood. I ran it under the rear seat, under the carpet, and into the center console up to the HU.

I didn't remove anything but the piece around the shifter and the piece around the e-brake.

 

[1sty]

Uh, FM Modulation on digital radio..... :wtf:
That doesn't sound right.

Look at it this way:
Your radio antenna wire in the car is basicly a sheilded Coax wire. Now consider your cable and cable modem both can run easily over a simple coax cable. A coax cable can transmit an extrodinary anout of information. It will not seriously limit the XM or siruis. The radios FM tuner will do that. Either was Using a FM modulator is still great quailty, using an FM transmitter is not.

Now if you already have a kenwood siruis ready deck and you install an FM modulator then that is kinda dumb. It will actualy cost you more money as you have to buy the modulator.

Removing the pocket will give you enough access to take plug in the kenwood data bus cord. So you don't have to remove the radio. It will be kind of a b**** though.

 

[1sty]

Yeah, the idea sounds pretty lame, but if someone (like myself) is trying to hook up XM while keeping the stock HU it is about the only option.

However, I've heard very good things about the sound quality when hooking it up this way.

Not true.
There is a Kenwood adapter that will adapt the data/CD changer bus to an RCA input. THis can also be used with some XM units.

 

[1sty]

To install a new radio you will not have to remove the carbon fiber peice. HOWEVER to remove that support bar in the middle...you will.

 

[jesse]

Any chance they screwed it in? I put the keys in and keep pulling but it wont budge.

 

[ARunto]

Any chance they screwed it in? I put the keys in and keep pulling but it wont budge.

Nope but you need to give it a good tug.

-Alan