maybe i'm an idiot

[mountjonas]

is it me or is the factory radio really hard to remove. i had it so that the right side seemed to be free, but the laft side would not get loose. i think i spent almost 2 hours trying to get the radio out and it still won't budge. other than trying again tomorrow, i don't know what to do. i really don't want to take it to get professionally done, but did anyone else have problems getting the factory head unit out?

 

[derrick1623]

do a search, sir nuke shows exactly how to remove it.

 

[mountjonas]

i did. it's just the left side of the radio will not move, almost like it's screwed in, which it shouldn't be. obviously i'm doing something wrong, but i just had to give up for now.

 

[Sir Nuke]

did you use a set of removal tools? if not...make some check out this thread....it shows you how.

STOCK HEAD UNIT REMOVAL TOOLS

Now...if you were using tools like or similar to this....get the help of a friend...the first time I did this it was dificult to remove the deck...yes it felt like it was STUCK...but had I has someone helping so that THEY could hold the two small tools and push outward on them while I used the larger hook to actually pop the unit out...it would have been a LOT easier and faster.

there is a rubber plug on the back of the unit that sockets into an indentation in the framework behind it...it makes it VERY snug....

(stash)

 

[katsmp3]

i haven't taken my radio out, dont even have a p5. but when i saw the name of the thread, i had to read it.

kat

 

[mountjonas]

thanks sirnuke. i actually looked at your instructions when i tried it myself. the other day my friend tried to help me, but no luck. the head unit is just a pain in the ass. we both pulled as hard as we could, one spreading the other pulling and it would not come out.

 

[Sir Nuke]

thanks sirnuke. i actually looked at your instructions when i tried it myself. the other day my friend tried to help me, but no luck. the head unit is just a pain in the ass. we both pulled as hard as we could, one spreading the other pulling and it would not come out.

I will agree...its a royal pain in the ass....it took me a bit to get mine out the first time too...

here is another suggestion.....take the car to a REPUTABLE car audio place and ask them to remove the deck for you....and WATCH WHILE THEY DO IT....just so some goofus doesn't get fustrated cause he is having a hard time and start to PRY on it in a why that its not intended....that way you can stop them if need be. I know when I went in and was buying MY equipment the manager of the store, knowing I was doing my own install, offerend to lend me his deck removal tools and or just to pull it for me......and I had never done business at that particular shop before....its worth looking into. My personal view on this...if the shop is worth a damn...they will do it for free...and offer to do it too....as its GOOD PR....and would encourage you to come back and spend MORE money at their store. and ME, if someone does treat me good like that...I WILL give them not only repeat business...I will encourage others to give them their business too.

 

[z585]

beware of the radio

Me dumb a55 i took off all the dash parts and grabed the radio and litterally ripped it out. Well the radio came out and now i have the long scar accross my wrist it looks like i tried to commit suicied.

Take out time do it right
or
grab and rip

o yeah just fyi if you don't have to indash changer or the midi player, there is a solid peace between the knobs of hu that pops out it may help to grab on something.

Josh

 

[mountjonas]

that's what i did. i removed that small cover at the bottom of the face and i we both pulled like hell to get it out. i am going call around to see who can remove it for me. the monkeys at a certain national electronics store want $45 to remove the radio.

 

[Sir Nuke]

that's what i did. i removed that small cover at the bottom of the face and i we both pulled like hell to get it out. i am going call around to see who can remove it for me. the monkeys at a certain national electronics store want $45 to remove the radio.

oh no....don't take it to the monkey's....YOU would most likely be better off having someone's little sister take it out for you.....

find a REAL audio shop....we are seriously talking a 5 minute job here....nothing more.....with the right tools.

 

[mountjonas]

so i've been calling around trying to see how much it would be to remove the head unit...about $40. that's around where i fugured it would be, but still a little pricey. today, i took it in to the dealer for an oil change and just for the hell of it i asked how much it would cost to take it out, thinking that they would charge a crapload, but you never know... the guy said they'd take it out for free! thanks for everyone's help, though. i really do appreciate it.

 

[mountjonas]

here is my dash after installing my head unit. thanks again to everyone.

 

[1sty]

Enjoy

Which color are you setting the Kenwood to?

 

[mountjonas]

right now it's set to red, but it changes with my mood.

 

[1sty]

How many pre outs did that come with?

 

[mountjonas]

it has two pre-outs. i had it in my old rx-7 and used it with two amps, but when i got rid of the car, i just took the HU. one day i'll upgrade the rest of the stereo, but it's perfect for now. (read: i can't afford it)

 

[1sty]

Why, doesn't it have Sirus and MP3 capability?

I was just wondering how many preouts it had, I wasn't trying to get you to upgrade.

 

[mountjonas]

yes it does have sirius and mp3, but i meant upgrading the speakers and adding a couple of amps. the bass is a little lacking right now, but i'll survive. the more i think about replacing speakers and adding some subs, the more i want to, but i can live without some low end for a while... my friend put two 12's in the trunk of his maxima and any decent size bumps in the road will make the back end of the car bottom out, so i'm kind of avoiding that from happening to me by keeping the stereo pretty much stock.

 

[1sty]

YOu can add some nice low end for about $400.
For a few bucks more you can amp all the speakers too.