So I finally got everything I needed to install a new headunit, and decided to go with the Scosche NN1648B kit because I felt that it looked the best and most people recommended it to me. The issue that I'm running into is that I have no way of securing the headunit to the brackets because the screws provided with the kit are completely wrong for ANY of the threaded holes on the headunit. The screws are too big, the pitch of the thread is off, etc. What am I to do here? What have others used for screws when using this kit? The threaded holes on the headunit seem more like the same size/pitch as what the factory screws are.

 

You can use the factory screws, didn't the radio come with some?

 

Oddly enough, no, the new HU did not come with any screws. I searched all through the packaging to make sure I didn't miss any Are you sure the factory ones will work? Aren't they usually really, really short? The new Scosche brackets seem pretty thick.

I may also want to post a picture of the sides of the HU. As of right now, there is only one hole on each side of the HU where I can even put a screw. But, there seems to be a metal bracket that wraps around the front half of the HU that looks to be easily removable and I see more threaded holes behind it...

EDIT: Pictures:

 

I'm not sure they will work.

You can take the mounting sleeve off, or use the mounting sleeve to mount into the kit, bend the prongs of the mounting sleeve to secure it into the metra, then slide the radio into the sleeve.

That sleeve needs to come off for you to find your mounting holes for the metra screws to go through, what hu is this?

 

Not sure I follow. I get the basic idea of what you're saying, but it's hard to visualize.
JVC KD-R720

 

Start by taking the sleeve off completely, and not using it, Bolt the brackets into the deck using the scosche screws, if that doesn't work then a different mounting optino will probably have to be used.

 

That's just it... like I said, the Scosche screws are completely wrong. The threads aren't even close to what is used on the HU and the OEM equipment. I honestly don't know what they were thinking. In fact, the screws barely work to attach the DIN pocket to the trim plate!

 

That's with the sleeve taken off the radio?

Post up some pics, wouldya.

Post a pic of the kit, as I said though, you have to remove the sleeve that is on the radio in the pics you posted first, then you can align the holes (which are UNDER the sleeve) with the holes on the scosche.

 

I could not for the life of me get a good picture of one of the Scosche screws, but I tried.

 

Those should fit with the bracket...

 

Fit what bracket? Aren't they supposed to screw directly into the headunit?

 

The scosche bracket, through the scosche bracket into the hu

 

But the threads on the screws are all wrong! That's what I've been trying to say They don't even come CLOSE to being the right thread for the threaded holes on the HU. I mean, I could FORCE them to work... but I'm not about to strip out the holes on the HU just because I'm impatient. I guess I will see if the OEM screws work (if I can even get them out of the factory HU) and if they don't, I'll take one to a local hardware place and pick up some longer screws with the same thread.


Also, I'm still completely lost on the sleeve thing. I took it off and it doesn't look like I should need it, but I've never even heard of using a sleeve before. I'm guessing it's specific to certain bracket setups or something?

 

You could use the sleeve, all you so is mount the sleeve first into the dash kit, then you bend the little slit out metal tabs to secure the sleeve into the dash kit. Then you can just slide the deck in and out of the sleeve to install it/remove it. Not all dash kits will let you mount a sleeve, but the majority will.

 

So I have the whole factory mess out of the car now. The factory screws are indeed perfect for the new headunit, but I am NOT going to struggle with getting them out of the factory headunit. They were really easy to remove from the climate control (thank god!), but they won't even budge on the HU. So, I'm going with my backup plan of taking one of the factory screws (from the CC) and taking it to a hardware store to get more of that type. One thing about the factory screws is that they are pan-head, which isn't ideal for the Scosche brackets which don't have indents like the factory brackets do.

On a side note: this Scosche kit sucks. I like the trim piece and the pocket, but the brackets are seriously god awful. They have grooves cut in them instead of bolt holes for obvious reasons for the HU (it needs to be adjustable), but did they have to use grooves for the CC too? I have to wait until I go to install the thing to confirm that I even have the climate control adjusted in the brackets properly. What a headache for something that's supposed to be specific to the car.

 

Take your drill and tighten the oem screw to break it loose, or use a proper bit and a massive drill, they will come out. lol.

 

Long story short, I used the OEM screws from the climate control on the headunit, then I used the Scosche screws for the climate control It all worked out, and I didn't even have to remove the OEM screws from the factory HU.

I actually have the new HU in the car now, and everything seems to be working. I do have one issue though... the volume SUCKS. I had been reading about issues people were having with volume because of the Bose speakers and amps, but never found any real useful info. Long story short, the volume on the new HU goes to "50" and I have to have it at "35" or higher to really even hear the music. But, anything over 30 starts to distort the high end sounds. It gets crackly, and you can't really hear vocals that well. Am I missing something? Did I hook something up wrong? Do I need to find a new ground or something? I grounded the various parts of the new harness to one of the screws that holds the bracket in place in the dash.

If I can't get this volume issue fixed, I will be royally pissed. I'm like $200 in the hole, and the sound quality is worse than with the Bose HU.

 

It shouldn't get crackly and all that, that sounds odd. Sure nothings loose?

 

I went back and checked EVERYTHING. The HU works just fine otherwise... but the high end sounds are a little distorted and the volume more or less blows. I really don't know what to do here. If I don't find a solution, this HU is going bye-bye and the stock one will go back in. The stock one may suck, but at least it works properly with the Bose speakers and amps I don't remember having near this much of an issue with my '95 that had Bose. I hooked everything up and it just worked. I wish that was the case here.


I'm also REALLY disappointed with the quality of the Scosche kit. The brackets are one thing, but the trim piece doesn't even fit right. Maybe I did something wrong when I was bolting everything down, but there's a noticeable gap between the air vents and the trim piece (not to mention a smaller gap between the trim piece and the climate control). It just isn't a good kit, period.

 

That sucks, you may be better off using the same harness you used in the 4th gen, in lieu of the 70-7551...

 

The harness I used in the '95 was basically the 70-7550 harness. The more I'm researching, the more it looks like the reason for the low volume issue I'm having is because the voltage from the new HU is too low. Read the first reply on this post:

http://forums.maxima.org/6391056-post93.html

and here:

http://forums.maxima.org/6400264-post112.html

If I got one of those "Amplifier Integrators", I would almost surely have to switch to the 70-7550 harness and lose the RCA pre-outs. Surely the pre-outs aren't my problem? I wonder...

 

I just realized that it wasn't so simple with my '95. I forgot all about the PAC harness!

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...ROEM-NIS2.html

I had that^ thing in my '95 I'm almost positive.

 

What do you mean "lose" the preouts? You will just be adjusting the high level frequencies from the speaker outputs. So yes, you should use a 70-7550 and a converter with adjustable pots for the sensitivity so you don't blow out your bose amp. The PAC-ROEM-NIS2 is what you need.

The pre-outs are the problem, they're what's sending only 2.5v to your bose amp which is causing the low volume.

 

Yup you did, I remember.

 

It's settled then. When I get paid on Friday, I'm ordering the PAC unit (it comes with the necessary harnesses). Good bye 7551.

When I say "lose" the pre-outs, I meant losing the ability to use the RCA setup. Both the 7550 and the harnesses that come with the PAC box use traditional speaker wires instead of the RCA pre-outs.

 

Yup, just makes it a tiny bit less simple.

 

Luckily I just got an awesome soldering iron, so no big deal. I just went back out to the car and put the Bose HU back in for right now though. How depressing Oh well, I can't deal with the super low volume thing the way it is. I can sing at a "quiet" level that's louder than the vocals on the new HU as high as it will go

Thanks for all your help so far, old friend

 

You got it mang.