There is nothing complex in about putting a new head unit on your car or truck, but how difficult it is depends on a number of different factors.
Some machines are easier to work with than others, and the relative level of difficulty will also depend on things like your personal experience and how easy you pick up new things.
The bottom line is that while technically anyone can install their own head unit, a good idea is another matter entirely.
If you’re thinking about installing your own car stereo, we’ll cover all the possible pitfalls, provide some helpful solutions, and even point to a practical example so you can see what the process looks like from the get-go. end.
The Biggest Pitfalls in DIY Head Unit Installation
There are three main problems you may encounter when replacing your own head unit:
- Sophisticated trim and dashboard components A: Very few car radios pop out of the dash with at least a little annoyance. Some are harder than others, and you can break delicate trim components if you’re not very careful.
- Problems with installing and mounting a new head unit A: If you buy the wrong size head unit, it won’t fit. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re buying the right size head unit, as well as the right mounting kit, if available.
- Connection confusion : There are fairly standard wiring color combinations, but you may still encounter situations where it is not clear what is supposed to be connected where. This is especially true if your radio has already been replaced in the past.
Working with Trim and Dash Components
First of all, let’s take a look at the problems you might run into with the trim and dash components. This is the very first stumbling block you’re likely to hit, although it’s more of a problem in some cars than others.
If you’re lucky enough to have a car that has very few trim, center console, or dashboard elements that interfere with head unit removal, you can breathe easy. If you are not so lucky, then you should take a good and careful look at this before proceeding with the replacement of the head unit.
In addition to just looking at your dashboard, you can get an idea of what you’re up against by doing an internet search for the «exploded» schematic of your dashboard or center console.
These diagrams may seem confusing if you’re not used to reading them, but if you can find one that matches the make, model, and year of your car, you’ll be able to pinpoint exactly which parts of the trim need to be removed to gain access to the head unit.
If you decide to proceed, it is important to remember to work slowly and methodically and never force anything.
Some trims and fasteners are bolted on while others are simply snapped on, so if something doesn’t work out easily, make sure you check the screws and bolts carefully before you break anything.
Check out our car radio installation guide to see photos that show how trim pieces can get in the way and need to be removed.
Troubleshoot fit and mount problems
Potential problems you may run into in terms of fit and installation include incorrectly sized replacement head units, irregularly shaped original head units, and trimmers that don’t align properly after you’ve finished your job.
Before buying a new head unit, and especially before installing it, it is important make sure the new head unit fits .
The easiest way to make sure you’re buying a replacement head unit that will fit in your car is to find one that fits the same size specification as the original.
For example, if the original head unit has double DIN you can replace it with a secondary double DIN head without any problem.
If you want to replace the double DIN head with one secondary market DIN you will need to purchase the appropriate car stereo mounting kit.
Of course, everything is not so simple. If your vehicle has a mismatched head unit, you will need to find a dashboard specifically designed for your vehicle. This makes the job a bit more complicated, but it’s essentially still a matter of removing the old headunit, installing the dashboard, and then fitting the new headunit into the kit.
Wiring a new head unit
Wiring in a new head unit is often the most difficult part of the process, which is especially true if you have no experience with electronics or wiring. If so, then you will be much easier work, if you use a wiring harness that is designed specifically for your car and head unit.
These harness adapters make the installation process plug and play: you simply plug one end into your factory harness, plug the other end into your new head unit, and you’re done.
If a harness adapter is not available, or you are fairly comfortable with wiring, then connect your own wires to actually pretty easy . You can start by looking for a wiring diagram for your vehicle that shows what each wire is for.
If this is not available, then you can determine what OEM car stereo wires are for, with a few basic tools. Your new head unit should come with a wiring diagram or even a printed legend, but if it doesn’t, most aftermarket head units use a single wire color scheme .