So, I need to take out my stereo... I have search extensively and found some great How To's... BUT...

Step 1 in all of them is take OFF the top VENT. They all say JUST put your fingers in and PULL... I have BIG fingers at 6'3" 265lbs, I am a big guy.

I tried it anyway and broke something or pulled it out of place more than likely, when I jammed my thick fingers in... Any ideas, tips or tricks...
I would usually not create a thread for this, but already sort of broke something and do not want to break anything more...

 

Just did this last night putting my aftermarket stereo in. Take 2 smaller flat head screwdrivers and put them in between the head unit and the vents, use the screwdrivers to sort of pry up on the vents, you may feel like you are going to break it but you just have to use a little force and it pops right out.

 

When I take mine out I pry it out with a putty knife with rag wrapped around it so I don't damage the dash or the finish of the vent. Take your time and be patient and it should pop out.

 

This is a good link too...

Nevermind... you have to pay for that service.

 

Yeah, it makes a hell of a breaking-plastic sound, but it will come out. Use two thin flat-blade drivers - with a cloth around the end if you can fit it - and carefully work them into the gap between the stereo and the vent. Lift up on the vent as you insert the drivers and once you have the gap opened up sufficiently (say 1/4 inch or so), you can start pulling it out towards you. I find it easiest to open the vents up and stick my fingers into the lowest vent and hook them behind the plastic part where the roatary ***** are and pull hard.

What you are overcoming is two plastic tabs along the top that catch behind a plastic shelf on the upper dash, two more plastic tabs on each side that also hook behind a plastic section of dash running down each side, and two larger metal tabs on the bottom that hook behind the metal frame holding the stereo/HVAC controls. It's these bottom ones that can really hold well, so that's why the screwdriver lift is kind of needed before you pull it out toward you.

When replacing it, it inserts with almost no effort (the tabs have long, angled lead-ins to facilitate installation).

Hope this helps you a bit. It is easily the most difficult part of opening up the centre console. Removing the facia around the shifter is much easier and the stereo/HVAC just bolts into the metal frame (two bolts above and two bolts below).

 

The B**** part of it is getting the screws out of the side of the Bose head unit... I had to put all my weight into the thing and went thru like 3 screwdriver heads before i finally got all 8 screws out of the thing. But now I have my kenwood head unit in (got rid of the crappy - cut out all the time - BOSE) and my Sirius is installed and looks very professional. I might have to post a pic or something. I'm proud of my work.

 

I'd like to see how your Sirius install looks if you have pics. What Sirius unit do you have?

This is what I did with mine, the ashtray holds it in very nicely:

 

My Sirius is a Starmate 4, i think 1 or 2 versions newer than yours. I mounted my basically just like you did only my ash tray is fully opened. It's kinda rigged up because I had the Sirius install kit and took the 'swivel mounting bracket' apart and bent it to where it fit in the ash tray, which i kindof had to disassemble. here are a couple shots of it...


and a closer shot...

 

Thanks to all., all is done and the USA Spec Ipod adapter has been sucessfully installed.

 

what are you guys using for your front and rear stages? aftermarket speakers? are you using external amps also? just curious to see how you got around the bose integrated amp and eq setup? Sorry, I used to be a 3rd gener just purchased a 5th gen 2000k SE

 

I'm running the stock speaker/amp setup... and to do that I'm using a part from Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-llHe6vV...03&i=142C4NN03) that allows you to wire the aftermarket stereo to the factory Bose setup. There are other threads on here that discuss why it is that an aftermarket HU won't wire direct to the Bose speakers/amp, but it was mostly technical stuff that I disregarded. Anyhow just get that part and go to town wiring your aftermarket unit in. It's pretty simple, just make sure you get the blue wires right (power antenna and remote/amp power)because they aren't very clearly marked and the instructions are a little wishy washy. If you switch them like I did, your speakers will only work when you are listening to the radio tuner.

 

Thanks for the input greatly appreciated!! no problems with sound quality after the install?

 

No problems at all, just some fine tuning of that crossover thing and you're good.

 

some people actually TIGHTEN IT DOWN more to break it loose...THEN it comes off SUPER easy.

 

I wish I knew that years ago when putting my 1st h/u in the max...I had to drill through the screws to get a few out.

 

Yea... I didn't think to try that... plus, frustration was mounting after about 30 minutes of breaking screwdriver heads. effin nissan owes me 3 screwdrivers.

 

I chose to install mine in a spare center vent so the base would sit flush.





You can see more details here: http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum...ad.php?t=96182

Wargoose

 

Actually works very nicely

 

u didnt need to use that part... all u had to do is connect the bose amps blue wire to the aftermarkets blue wire... cant remember exactly how that works cause i did it two years ago.. but i did buy that part and ended up not using it..

 

Damn those screws!

I installed my pioneer head unit this weekend and only managed to get one screw out by "regular" means.
I could only get one screw out with the pneumatic impact wrench and I had to drill out the other six screws - using 2 bits to do it. I broke one screwdriver bit and twisted two others.
All in all it took about 3 hours to get the buggers out.

 

dont they make a bracket for your sirius radios? i got mine from crutchfield for like 20 or so.


edit criddle is that the GXE kit?