Just got finished removing the stock Bose HU from my 2002 Maxima and replaced it with a new JVC AR860. I ordered most of the parts from Crutchfield:

JVC AR-860 HU ($249)
Scosche OEM Amplifier Adapter 142C4NN03 ($39)
American International Dash Kit 003NDK778 ($19)
Nissan Antenna Adapter 12040NI10 (Free)

Total for all parts from Crutchfield - $289

I also went to CC today and purchased:

SIR JVC-1 Sirius Tuner ($99)

Installation was not too bad at all, although there are a LOT of wires to hook up in order to allow the new HU to plug into the existing harnesses. The first time I hooked everything up the HU powered up fine, but there was no sound. A quick call to Crutchfield informed me that even though this car doesn't have a power antenna you still have to connect the blue wires together. Apparently these wires are what supply power to the stock amp in the trunk. Once I connected that last wire every thing worked great. I'm certainly not an audiophile by any means, but I really do like the sound of the new HU over the Bose. I can only describe it as being "cleaner" sounding, less "muddy" if that makes any sense at all.

Installed the Sirius tuner under the front passenger seat. Now I'm able to get rid of the JVC PNP unit I had before (using a suction cup mount to attach it to the windshield along with a cassette adapter to listen using the Bose HU). Now the Sirius info is right on the new HUs screen, and I can use the included rear AUX input to hook up my iPod. All in all I'm very happy I did this.

One thing I'm not happy about, though, is the American International dash kit that Crutchfield supplied. It doesn't quite meet up with the climate control unit below it (there's about an 1/8" gap between the two pieces) and even the cut out for the HU itself isn't that good. I don't like the way the HU is recessed into the dash kit. I would have liked it much better had the din sleeve been right at the outer edge of the lkit so that when I put the plastic trim ring on it hid the hole. I've been reading these forums about it, and although most people thinl the GXE kit is the way to go, I just can't see spending another $100 just for the dash kit. I think I'm going to order a Metra 7416 and give that one a try.

I have some pictures of the final product, but I don't know how to post them here. If anyone can tell me how, I'll gladly put them up.

 

Here are some pictures. Basically wanted to show what the screen looks like for the various types of sources:

Sirius:


CD/MP3


Aux Input (iPod)


FM Radio

 

looks nice

 

Did you hack open your dash? Everything looks scratched there!!

 

Looks great. Very clean.

You could also look into the GXE kit. It will eliminate the gap with the aftermarket dash kit.

 

Yeah, I scratched the climate control unit a while ago while attempting to jam a wire in between it and the old HU before I really knew how to pull every thing apart (for the old JVC PNP unit). It wasn't as noticeable when the old HU was there because it fit down over the little lip. A LOT more noticeable now with that gap there.

 

Thanks for the pics, it looks really good.