Need help installing head unit and speakers - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Got Sileighty? · 01-26-2003, 03:01 AM

ive tried to search for this earlier, it came up with one thread, and it was about an s14.

i have stock speakers and theyre just about crapping out, and a CASSETTE!! deck. anyway, i should be getting a head unit and speakers within about a week and really dont feel like spending an extra $100 for installation ($40 for unit, $30/pair of speakers). so i wanna know if theres a how-to guide out there, if not, then maybe someone could just post one

. and how hard would this job be? im gonna try to do it myself and maybe with a couple of friends. thanks.

Apparition · 01-26-2003, 10:26 AM

Installing a new head deck is a piece of cake. Taking out your current stereo, you'll be able to see what wires do what. Always compare with your new head deck's instruction sheet. Helps out a lot.

But you'll find black is the ground, red is the power, yellow is the battery. Green/purple ones are for the rear speakers, and white/grays are for the front. You'll just be basically cutting the old wires and stripping/crimping your new ones on.

As for speakers, taking apart the door panels is a pita I found. There held by little green things (look like little christmas trees, but round), you just have to pop them out. They're all on the outer portion of your door cover. Just pull, some will break and you can buy new ones at a local car part store. Be sure to unhook the power connectors (if you have power windows/locks). And that takes some fiddling to get the damned thing off.

Once they're all off, you can take out the speakers and put your new ones in. For the fronts, I ran new wire to bypass the stock amps (they're crud). There is a post on this already in the past, how to run new wires. Basically its just drilling some holes and running wire. Pretty easy.

Rear speakers are in the rear deck. Take out your 3rd brake light (if its there), and just pop out the grey "rounded christmas trees". The whole corkboard piece comes out, then you put change your speakers in the rear. Don't do this in the heat, that back window heats up fast.

(coupe)

Hopefully that gets you started. Just need a wire stripper, cutter, and crimper. Some "butt ends" they're little metal tubes surrounded in plastic, and you're good to go.

Hope this helps ya out. If you have any q's, pm me.

sxtasy · 01-26-2003, 09:35 PM

First of all......search. This topic has been discussed many many times before. Secondly DON'T hack up your factory wiring! There is no need for cutting your harness when there are all sorts of kits that will plug into your factory harness. If you can't find one at your local stereo shop PM me, I have a few laying around. And last, look into replacing your factory 4x6 speakers with 6.5" coax or components, it's relatively easy to do and they sound 10x better. (don't qoute me on the 10x part, I have no research to back that up

)

Got Sileighty? · 01-27-2003, 01:08 AM

thanks for the advice guys. now this is probably a stupid question, (newbie alert! newbie alert!) but how do i take out the head unit? do i use a flathead and just pop it out?

misnomer · 01-27-2003, 01:12 AM

Once you get the four screws out of it's bracket, just grip the top and bottom and pull the whole shebang off. Shouldn't need a flathead, it's really a cakewalk operation.

Got Sileighty? · 01-29-2003, 07:15 PM

i just went to a stereo shop today looking at prices. a worker there tells me that im gonna need some type of kit to make a head unit fit because of that little compartment below the stock unit. is this true? i thought that u could just pull out the stock unit by itself and intall the new one right in.

240Driver39 · 01-29-2003, 07:54 PM

Yeah, unless ur gettin an odd sized headunit then that guy was givin u false information. The slot in the 240 is the size of most headunits, and then u just keep that tray thing below the headunit and put it together like it was b4 with teh stock unit, not like the big bulky radios in older domestics and such, it should just a wiring and screw in affair. Just ask for an adapter harness and leave.

Natty · 01-29-2003, 09:03 PM

You better pray to the Nissan gods that you don't have actice speakers. Those are a pain in the ass and a half.
The HU should fit. 95% of them do.
Jeff

Apparition · 01-29-2003, 09:59 PM

Only damned thing that wouldn't fit from either of my decks was the trim piece. This trim piece is the outer ring that snaps on to make it look all finished. So I just live without it.

240racer · 01-29-2003, 11:40 PM

if you go to best buy and buy a stereo for more the $100 then they install it for free, does it get more simple then that?

azn_romeox · 01-30-2003, 12:51 AM

lucky bastard... the previous owner did it the "pro" way and cut my harness. So I spent 1 hour today trying to rewire it. I had to buy a female and male connector to redo everything. And I'm still not finished. Not getting any feed from the memory wire... the battery line

Roly · 01-30-2003, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 240racer
if you go to best buy and buy a stereo for more the $100 then they install it for free, does it get more simple then that?

Well... he'll still get charged $10 for a wiring harness and $5 for a speaker harness adapter... I know, I used to work there.

Roly · 01-30-2003, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by azn_romeox
lucky bastard... the previous owner did it the "pro" way and cut my harness. So I spent 1 hour today trying to rewire it. I had to buy a female and male connector to redo everything. And I'm still not finished. Not getting any feed from the memory wire... the battery line

Check the fuses... I own a Nissan, but it's been awhile since I've done one. Some cars also have a radio under the hood.

Dark · 01-31-2003, 12:35 AM

For first time installations I suggest using Crutchfield.com they provided me with everything I needed plus tech support, which helped allot I Installed my deck and speakers in a few hours and I only, had to call twice during my Installation and all my questions were answered

Got Sileighty? · 01-31-2003, 10:54 PM

well, it looks like im not gonna self-install head unit cuz circuit city has a promotion: free install on units $149+. i guess im gonna go with alpine 7870 (its the bottom line of alpine hehe) for $159.

the speakers, on the other hand, are another problem

azn_romeox · 02-02-2003, 11:27 PM

Done rewiring my harness. Looks all professional. Now I don't have to splice the wires. Just by the male connector and put in on the new deck

. I still am having problems with the battery feed for memory.

01-26-2003, 03:01 AM	#1
Got Sileighty? Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SoCaL Age: 46 Posts: 761 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Need help installing head unit and speakers ive tried to search for this earlier, it came up with one thread, and it was about an s14. i have stock speakers and theyre just about crapping out, and a CASSETTE!! deck. anyway, i should be getting a head unit and speakers within about a week and really dont feel like spending an extra $100 for installation ($40 for unit, $30/pair of speakers). so i wanna know if theres a how-to guide out there, if not, then maybe someone could just post one . and how hard would this job be? im gonna try to do it myself and maybe with a couple of friends. thanks.

01-26-2003, 10:26 AM	#2
Apparition Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ontario Posts: 439 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Installing a new head deck is a piece of cake. Taking out your current stereo, you'll be able to see what wires do what. Always compare with your new head deck's instruction sheet. Helps out a lot. But you'll find black is the ground, red is the power, yellow is the battery. Green/purple ones are for the rear speakers, and white/grays are for the front. You'll just be basically cutting the old wires and stripping/crimping your new ones on. As for speakers, taking apart the door panels is a pita I found. There held by little green things (look like little christmas trees, but round), you just have to pop them out. They're all on the outer portion of your door cover. Just pull, some will break and you can buy new ones at a local car part store. Be sure to unhook the power connectors (if you have power windows/locks). And that takes some fiddling to get the damned thing off. Once they're all off, you can take out the speakers and put your new ones in. For the fronts, I ran new wire to bypass the stock amps (they're crud). There is a post on this already in the past, how to run new wires. Basically its just drilling some holes and running wire. Pretty easy. Rear speakers are in the rear deck. Take out your 3rd brake light (if its there), and just pop out the grey "rounded christmas trees". The whole corkboard piece comes out, then you put change your speakers in the rear. Don't do this in the heat, that back window heats up fast. (coupe) Hopefully that gets you started. Just need a wire stripper, cutter, and crimper. Some "butt ends" they're little metal tubes surrounded in plastic, and you're good to go. Hope this helps ya out. If you have any q's, pm me. __________________ 1990 240sx coupe sold

01-27-2003, 01:12 AM	#5
misnomer Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 2,293 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Once you get the four screws out of it's bracket, just grip the top and bottom and pull the whole shebang off. Shouldn't need a flathead, it's really a cakewalk operation. __________________ Rowsdower saves us and saves all the world!

01-29-2003, 07:54 PM	#7
240Driver39 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Charleston, SC Age: 40 Posts: 1,090 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: 240Driver39 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Yeah, unless ur gettin an odd sized headunit then that guy was givin u false information. The slot in the 240 is the size of most headunits, and then u just keep that tray thing below the headunit and put it together like it was b4 with teh stock unit, not like the big bulky radios in older domestics and such, it should just a wiring and screw in affair. Just ask for an adapter harness and leave. __________________ 1990 240sx 5spd fastback

01-29-2003, 09:03 PM	#8
Natty Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You better pray to the Nissan gods that you don't have actice speakers. Those are a pain in the ass and a half. The HU should fit. 95% of them do. Jeff __________________ 1991 White 240sx Fastback LE, rusty spoiler, weak driveshaft, exhaust rattle.... Rattles are just your cars way of saying 'I love you.'

01-26-2003, 09:35 PM	#3
sxtasy Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: MT Posts: 17 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	First of all......search. This topic has been discussed many many times before. Secondly DON'T hack up your factory wiring! There is no need for cutting your harness when there are all sorts of kits that will plug into your factory harness. If you can't find one at your local stereo shop PM me, I have a few laying around. And last, look into replacing your factory 4x6 speakers with 6.5" coax or components, it's relatively easy to do and they sound 10x better. (don't qoute me on the 10x part, I have no research to back that up )

01-27-2003, 01:08 AM	#4
Got Sileighty? Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SoCaL Age: 46 Posts: 761 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	thanks for the advice guys. now this is probably a stupid question, (newbie alert! newbie alert!) but how do i take out the head unit? do i use a flathead and just pop it out?

01-29-2003, 07:15 PM	#6
Got Sileighty? Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SoCaL Age: 46 Posts: 761 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i just went to a stereo shop today looking at prices. a worker there tells me that im gonna need some type of kit to make a head unit fit because of that little compartment below the stock unit. is this true? i thought that u could just pull out the stock unit by itself and intall the new one right in.

01-29-2003, 09:59 PM	#9
Apparition Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ontario Posts: 439 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Only damned thing that wouldn't fit from either of my decks was the trim piece. This trim piece is the outer ring that snaps on to make it look all finished. So I just live without it. __________________ 1990 240sx coupe sold

01-29-2003, 11:40 PM	#10
240racer Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Minneapolis, MN Age: 46 Posts: 574 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	if you go to best buy and buy a stereo for more the $100 then they install it for free, does it get more simple then that? __________________ Adam '89 coupe KA24DE+T 14.1 @ 104 MPH '88 Celica All-Trac turbo stock, but no more ecu codes!!

01-30-2003, 12:51 AM	#11
azn_romeox Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 288 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	lucky bastard... the previous owner did it the "pro" way and cut my harness. So I spent 1 hour today trying to rewire it. I had to buy a female and male connector to redo everything. And I'm still not finished. Not getting any feed from the memory wire... the battery line

01-31-2003, 12:35 AM	#14
Dark Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 165 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	For first time installations I suggest using Crutchfield.com they provided me with everything I needed plus tech support, which helped allot I Installed my deck and speakers in a few hours and I only, had to call twice during my Installation and all my questions were answered __________________ 93 Fastback, 5spd with obx shortshifter Power is in the control of strength.

01-31-2003, 10:54 PM	#15
Got Sileighty? Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: SoCaL Age: 46 Posts: 761 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	well, it looks like im not gonna self-install head unit cuz circuit city has a promotion: free install on units $149+. i guess im gonna go with alpine 7870 (its the bottom line of alpine hehe) for $159. the speakers, on the other hand, are another problem

02-02-2003, 11:27 PM	#16
azn_romeox Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 288 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Done rewiring my harness. Looks all professional. Now I don't have to splice the wires. Just by the male connector and put in on the new deck . I still am having problems with the battery feed for memory.