Things You'll Need
Adjustable wrench
Vehicle repair (or shop) manual
Double-DIN faceplate adapter
Wiring harness adapter
Car audio enthusiasts and casual listeners alike may find the need to replace their vehicle's stereo deck with an aftermarket head unit. Choose a stereo unit that provides the necessary power and capability to match your car audio needs, a deck that fits both your budget and your vehicle's stereo mounting dock. For vehicles requiring a double DIN stereo unit (twice the height of standard single DIN decks), choose a stereo that will fill your stereo dock and purchase the corresponding faceplate adapter.
Step 1
Lift the hood. With the adjustable wrench, loosen the bolt holding the negative battery cable clamp to the negative battery terminal. Lift the cable from the battery and set it aside. Move to the interior of the vehicle.
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Step 2
Remove the factory stereo unit. Consult the vehicle's repair manual for removal instructions. Disconnect the stereo wiring and antenna cable from the outlets on the back of the stereo.
Step 3
Insert the double-DIN faceplate adapter into the empty stereo mounting dock. Use a faceplate adapter specific to your vehicle for the best fit. Pull the stereo wiring and antenna cable from the back of the stereo dock to the front of the dashboard.
Step 4
Plug the stereo wiring connectors into the wiring harness adapter leads. See the wiring harness manual or follow the color-coded leads for the proper connection locations.
Step 5
Plug the wiring harness adapter into the outlets on the upper right corner of the double-DIN stereo's rear panel. Plug the antenna cable lead into the FM antenna outlet commonly located on the lower left corner of the stereo's back panel.
Step 6
Slide the new stereo straight into the double-DIN stereo dock. Push the unit into the dashboard until it locks into place. Replace the dash panels that were removed as part of the removal process. See the vehicle's repair manual for specific steps. Return to the battery.
Step 7
Place the negative battery cable clamp back onto the negative battery terminal post. Tighten the cable's clamp to the post with the wrench. Close the hood.
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