Part 1. Head-Unit/Radio |Car Audio, DIY, and how you can save money while having an amazing sounding system.

Ok I have been installing Car Audio Equipment for years, I worked for Radioshack for a number of years also where I installed car audio systems as well.

Why would you want to install yourself, 1st to Save Money !, 2nd well it Can be fun, and give a feeling of accomplishment when you are finished.

But where do I start......... I will be using a Ford Mustang in this Post as a Reference only, Every Vehicle is Different to some extent.

The 1st thing you want to do is make sure they have everything available for your vehicle as some NEW vehicles do not yet have wiring adapters, install kits etc.. available for them at the time, also some car audio shops and stores have Long wait times for installs.

Lets start with the basics what size opening does your car use for its radio, DIN, Din and a half, Double DIN? I will post photos to help you below. I would also look up your vehicle if it looks like your radio is built into the dash and is not removable because while it looks smaller it could be a DOUBLE DIN behind that panel and you might need a Special Replacement Kit etc... Do your homework BEFORE purchasing ANYTHING...

DIN
)

DIN and a half

Double DIN

Don't worry if you have Din and a half you can use DIN sized headunits in your vehicle with an install kit.

9 times out of 10 no matter what size opening you have You will still need an Install Kit to mount an aftermarket headunit inside your vehicle.

So you have figured out the size of HeadUnit you need and you have bought the correct Install Kit, now you need a Wiring Adapter to plug into your Factory Wiring Harness that will connect to your aftermarket deck, They are color coded and very easy to wire up , GRAB SOME ELECTRICAL TAPE.

So You will follow instructions you find online or youtube about your specific vehicle about how to remove your factory stereo from your vehicle. Here is a mustang video for reference

On some vehicles there might be a BIG replacement as far is the install kit goes because of the way the radio is made into the dash etc. So the entire piece may have to be replaced by a special piece etc... Refer to your Specific Vehicle.

Once the Factory Radio is removed, Grab your Wiring adapter that came with your new Radio , and the Wiring Adapter you bought that connects to your Factory wiring harness and tie them together such as green to green , green with stripe to green with stripe its very simple and use electrical tape to properly cover all your connections.

Now take the metal cage that comes with your New Radio and put it into the Install kit you bought, and secure it by bending the small metal flanges to hold it in place.

Plug the new Wiring adapter you wired into the Factory Harness, put the Install kit into the dash make sure to feed the wiring harness through the metal cage and secure the install kit with the factory screws.

Plug the Wiring Harness into the New Radio, and the Radio plug, your kit might have come with an adapter depending on the radio plugs size etc...

Slide the new Radio into the cage and it is now Secured into the Dash and Wired up and ready to go.

Test your new radio NOW to make sure everything is working properly. If So, Go ahead and finish reassembling your Dash, and put everything back together.

Adjust the settings on your new Headunit to suit your music, and preferences such as Bass, Treble Midrange etc..

Now Enjoy your New RADIO for Years to Come!!!!!!!!!!!