Choosing to build a car stereo system yourself will not only save you money but also teach you about your car's electronics as well. A full car stereo system requires numerous components. For a beginner, a project of this capacity could take quite a bit of time to complete. If you are already have a good general knowledge of cars and electronics, this could be a fun weekend project.
Instructions
Install the Head Unit
1. Remove necessary dash panels. This should be done by giving a firm and steady pull on the dash panel surrounding the factory radio. Most dash panels are held in place by large plastic clips located on the inside of the panel. You may need to insert a screwdriver between the dash panel and the inside of the dash to unsnap these clips. Each car is different.
2. Remove the factory radio. Most factory radios are held in place with only a few screws. Most of the time, there is a screw in each corner. Unscrew all screws surrounding the factory radio to disconnect it from the dash. Pull the radio outward to remove it completely. The factory radio should now be hanging halfway from the dash. The factory radio is also held in place by some wires located on the rear of the radio. Disconnect these wires and pull the radio completely from the dash.
3. Wire the new head unit/CD player. You will use the wiring harness for this step. There are several wires that run out the back of the aftermarket CD players. Connect these wires to the same colored wires of the wiring harness.
4. Install the dash kit. You may have noticed that your new head unit/CD player is much slimmer than the factory radio that was removed. This is what the dash kit is for. Dash kits are made specifically to fit your vehicle. So, line up the dash kit with the opening in the dash (where your factory radio was) and push it into place. It should snap in with a nice snug fit.
5. Mount the head unit/CD player. Connect the wiring harness running out the back of the new CD player to the wires inside your dash. Slide the new unit into the opening in the dash kit.
Install the Subwoofer and Amplifier
6. Mount the subwoofer to the subwoofer box. Connect the subwoofer to the proper positive and negative terminals on the inside of the box. Drop the subwoofer into the opening in the box so that it is flush. Secure the subwoofer to the box by screwing it down around the edges.
7. Wire the amplifier kit. Connect the ground wire. Attach one end to a well-grounded spot in your car's trunk. Attach the other end to the ground connection terminal on your amplifier. It will be labeled as "Gnd," "Ground" or "G." Connect the remote wire. Connect one end with the blue wire leading from the back of your new head unit/CD player and connect the other end to the designated remote spot on the amp. Connect the power wire. One end of this wire needs to connect to the positive terminal on your car's battery. The other end will connect to the positive "In" on the amp.
8. Connect the sub to the amp. Connect one end of normal speaker wire to the terminal on the subwoofer box, and the other end to the (+)(-) spots on the amp.
Install New Speakers
9. Remove the old speakers. Start by removing panels that are in the way. If you are installing new door speakers, remove the entire door panel. If you are installing rear speakers, remove the rear panel located directly below the rear window of your car. You may need to remove the backseats to do this. Use a screwdriver to remove the old speakers from the doors and any other locations. Cut the wires to free them completely.
10. Wire the new speakers. There is only a positive and negative to wire. Connect the positive wire leading out of the car to the positive terminal on the new speaker. Connect the negative wire leading out of the car to the negative terminal on the new speaker.
11. Mount the new speakers. Screw the new speakers into the same spot you just removed the old speakers. In most cases, you can even use the same screws that held the old speakers in place.
12. Replace speaker panels. This will involve both the door panels that were removed and the rear panel. All that should be needed is a firm push. Panels are held in place by plastic clips. Be sure to push on the entire edge of each panel to snap it back into place.
13. Replace the dash panel, which was covering the factory radio when you began. Line up the panel with the opening in the dash and give it a firm push to snap it back into place.
Tags: factory radio, head unit player, held place, unit player, dash panel