Hey guys,

I've read some other threads on this topic but still need some help. I know theres an install kit available for this car (crutchfield.com), but it's 25$ AMerican, and they don't ship to canada which is where i am. I could arrange to get it but it's too much hassle and will cost about the same as option B when all is said and done. Option B is get it custom installed by a licensed technician, which will take 4 hours of his time costing me 200$ canadian (mdf covered in vinyl). Now i've been thinking of alternatives such as putting my deck in the glove box, but the space between the latch and wall is about 1/2 inch short. If anybody knows of any other appropriate places i could install the deck, i would greatly appreciate their input. Or i would even be interested in how some of you installed your own, or had them installed.

If no better option arises before sunday morning, it's getting installed at the shop.

Thx

P.S. car is 1986 Nissan Maxima GL w/ digi dash

 

Any stereo shop that carries either Metra or Scosche install accessories can order a kit for you, if they don't have one on hand. The average cost, here in the states, is about $15...

Good luck...

 

maybe I'm wrong, but do the 86s have the clock or something that makes the opening smaller? I have an 88 se and the new head unit I installed fit right in there, perfectly, even the screws lined up. Unless he's talking about the other space for the equalizer. I just left that thing in there.

 

The 85,86, and certain 87's have the 2 single din areas for the radio. They get a digital clock right next to the EQ. Most 87's and 88's got 1 double din for the radio and eq, though they were 2 seperate pieces.

S

 

And the best thing about it is any stereo pretty much bolts right in with the stock brackets. I love that!

 

The shop carries scoshe stuff but they can't get a kit in for some reason. Turns out, according to recent shop regulations, in order for my warranty to still bevalid on the deck, they have to installit anyway. Meh, it should look pretty good anyway (it better for 200$). lol.

Thx guys

 

It better, as any standard headunit install - even if they have to custom fab a kit / cover plate, etc... - shouldn't exceed $80 for labor and parts...especially on our cars.

I'd also check local laws, as I do believe that most areas, including Canada, have laws preventing businesses from having such inscrupulous business tactics. I could be wrong about Canada, but I know in the states, and especially in Texas, there are consumer laws protecting us from such attrocieties.

 

Yeah dude, they are trying to rip you off bad. Okay, just listen to what they're telling you. First, they carry Scosche stuff but can't get the installation kit for you. Come on man. And then they tell you that in order for the warranty to be good on your deck you have to have them install it. That is total b.s. The manufacturer of the deck has their own warranty for the deck, so if it does break, you can send it back to the manufacturer and not even have to deal with those clowns. And $200 whether it be Canadian or U.S. is extremely expensive, hell that's about as much as I paid for my head unit. Most installs only cost about $40. Yeah, they're giving you some b.s. story that there needs to be custom work done so you'll believe them when they say it's going to cost $200. You know what their 'custom work' is going to be? It's going to be the $15 installation kit from Scosche and about 20 minutes worth of work. Dude, go somewhere else and have it installed, please. Or try and order the installation kit off the net, I know there's other places besides Crutchfield that carry them.

-C-

 

Yeah, try :

http://www.autotoys.com

Their prices aren';t always the best, but they carry a kit for just about every car on the road, if it's made by someone.

 

I know the guy that's installing it, he's known as one of the best in calgary, he's done stuff for me before. The reason he can't get kit is still unknown, doesn't show up on computer or in product catalogues (we looked......maybe cuz we're in canada?) The warranty for the deck only lasts a year, i bought it just about a year ago, i have a 3 year warranty through the shop on it, and they will replace it on the spot if it busts (they've even replaced blown subs for me on the spot). I discussed this with my installer, and if i wanted, he can go and install the deck, leave the factory equalizer in there, and there will be ugly gaps beside the deck, plus other stores in the chain will not warranty the install due to it's poor quality. I don't agree with this whole "in order for warranty to be valid, we must install" crap, but that's the way it is in all the stores here now, which kind of makes sense from their p.o.v cuz they probably get lots of returns from improper installations, and are having to give out new ones which cost them money. This just becme effective in the last year or so, because i used to install all my own stuff and never had any warranty problems.

 

Well, it's your $200 man, if you want to fork it over to them, go ahead. We're trying to save you some money because no one here thinks it's worth the money to have them install it.

The head unit uses the stock mounting brackets, so all they have to do is use those brackets and bolt the deck in. The 'installation kit' isn't like installation kits for other cars. This installation kit is more for the cosmetics, to fill the gaps left from the stock radio and to put a pocket for holding stuff in. In other words, you don't even need the installation kit to put the head unit in, like I said, it bolts right in with the stock mounting brackets.

What they're charging you for is some plastic that's going to cover the gaps on the sides and where the EQ is. That's it. And I'm sure it doesn't cost $200 to cut a piece of plastic to fill those gaps. You could take a nice piece of aluminum and cut it into shape for a lot cheaper and it would look just as good as what they're going to do and cost a hell of a lot less. Spending $200 on a radio install for a 17 year old car is insane.

-C-

 

I tried to use a kit for my car but the kit was missing parts. So I took a 1/2" piece of plexiglass and built a custom kit for both my Headunit and Equalizer. I also installed neo-bule lights in the back and covered everything that shines with black cloth. when you turn on the parking lights, the entire stereo section had a blue backlight to it and the HU and EQ seemed to "float" in mid air!!!


............*sigh*, I miss my car.

 

I as about to say Yeah it is your money. I bought an additional warranty on mine from Best Buy. They didnt have to install it. I dont know if its just the shops deal but just because you bought their warranty they shouldnt have to install it to be good. Cs right its that 15 dollar kit and some minutes they do to install it.

 

I'm sorry if i came across as not appreciatig your advice, i do , infact i'd rather listen to you guys than an installer, but my options are limited. The factory brackets won't fit on the deck, we'd have to drill holes which once again voids warranty. I think i'm going to get him to spend the 2 hours to do the standard factory-amplifed stereo install which looks crappy with gaps($100)just cuz i don't wanna fool around with all that amplifier stuff, and then i'll fill in the gaps myself, therefore keeping the deck warranty, but saving 100$. The install itself won't be warrantied but that's not important i guess (what could go wrong?), i just dunno how he'll mount it.....we'll discuss this before i give the go ahead...i'll let u know how it goes tomorrow, and i'd like to thank everyone who responded for their help, i understand you're only try to save me money, and that's why i posted, so thanks and i'll talk to you later. : )

 

Okay, the deck has been installed, though it sits loosely and has gaps on either side. I talked to my installer, and we agreed that as soon as i can get the kit in from crutchfield.com, he'll install it for me free of charge cuz he cracked my cruise control switch housing while taking the dash apart. It's not bad but it's noticeable, shouldn't be hard to find another at the scrapper.