DIY: Installing Aftermarket Radio

TennesseeZ

To get your dash apart so you can install your radio turns out to be easier than it looks. You will need the following:

-Phillips head screw driver
-small flathead
-UPK700 Universal pocket w/ toyota trim (you don't need this is you are putting a double din radio or nav in.)
-small rag or cloth

To start off you will need to take the silver trim ring off that goes around teh shifter. It just pops off, it has about four clips. Use the flat head and wrap the cloth around the tip if you can't get yours off by pulling it up. Be sure to unplug the hazards and your S-Drive if you have it.
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Next you will need to pull the leather trip peice up so at the bottom pull up and it will come loose. There are two tabs that fit under the A/C panel so be careful not to break them.
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Looking at the next picture you will see two screws that hold the knee panels in. Take those off on both side and then pull the panels straight out. The only thing that is holding them in is some clips.
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Now you are ready to take the main console peice off. To do this there are two screws at the base of each side. Unscrew these and then pull on the console at the pushbutton start and airbag light. There is a little room for you to get your fingers in there. The last clips are at the top so pull a little at the top also. Once you have it off there are two plugs that need to be unpluged, one is the start engine and the other is the airbag light. Use your small flathead to realease these. The release is on the bottom of both plugs.

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Now you have accessed the screws that hold on the A/C panel. Unscrew all four screws and remove panel. It has one plug-in so be sure to disconnect.

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Now you have access to the radio screws. Take all four out and pull the radio off. Be sure to unplug all the plugs. The radio can be mounted directly onto the factory bracket and the universal pocket can be mounted right underneath the radio. The toyota trim peice needs a little shaving on both sides so it will fit. Once you hook up all the nissan harnesses to the wiring kit. (the new nissan wiring harness works with the Z. You can also get the harness for steering controls. Call Radioactive at 931-455-6491 to purchase the harnesses and kits.) Talk to Chad and tell him Michael sent you.

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And this is the finished product.
I still want to add a double din nav to this space and it will just slide in no problem so that is the best way to go.

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CAUTION!!!! Please be sure your air bag light is hooked up when you are testing your radio because it will give you a service light.

Hope this helps you out a little. If you have any questions just shoot me a message.

Thanks all.

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frost

Good stuff. Thanks mate.

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nogoodname

good DIY.....looks easier then the G console where you gotta leave the car in D to remove the casing around it and blah blah blah

dad

Excellent DIY write up! Tried to give you a rep point, but can't, I already did it in another thread.

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augustabites

Very cool! Thanks for pics and instructions.

BTW, any ideas on the VSS wire?

DIGItonium

Wow, the installation looks so much more straight forward than the 350Z.

Let me get this straight... the existing Nissan radio harness (e.g., 350Z) will work with the 370Z? I've never worked with steering controls, but the particular head unit I'm looking at (DDX812/DDX814) will support these controls.

A double-din unit comes with its own bezel. If your head unit screws in place with the OE brackets, I wouldn't need a universal pocket or installation bracket. Is this correct?

Did you have much room to play with when it comes to organizing wires and such?

ssqpolo

thanks man. I was waiting for this. I didnt know I could keep the steering controls. Im pretty sure the Avic D3 that I have will support it. thanks again

TennesseeZ

If you use a double din it should look really good. It should fit in flush and no you will not need the universal pocket because the double din will take the whole 4x6 slot. I replied to a msg sent to me and I forgot to add that the steering wheel control module that I bought it made by PAC. When buying the harness just make sure you get a wiring harness for the new nissans. I think all the 09s are alike.

Also there is a lot of room behind the radio. You will be able to stuff plenty of wires there. If you need room for other mod boxes (Sat Radio and Ipod box.) We put mine behind the glove box area there is a tone of room there too.

k.alexander

TennesseeZ: Looks like you have the base model, correct..?

Can you take a look at the back of the HU you pulled out and tell us what kind, if any, AUX inputs there on the HU? A pic would be even better. Thanks.

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TennesseeZ

I have the Sports Model but have basic sound. There are no Aux inputs just the one on the front. The back is empty except the two plugs to plug into the OEM factory. I just got a set of JL Audio VR-650s installed in the door and the tweet is mounter on the black peice that cover the mirror on the inside. I will have to take some pics but they are a world of difference. I am looking at puting a .5" tweet in the dash to replace the OEM one. The speaker are S***Y in the base model. The 6.5 weighs less than a roll of pennies.

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zero610

Do you know if the speaker cover on the door just pulls off or do you have to remove the entire door panel? Also, where did you mount the crossover?

Thanks for being the aftermarket sound pioneer.

tifosiotaku

Thread bookmarked, this will be useful to me. Thanks!

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albertu

Anyone know what the black connector is? I mean the one with only 2 wires go into it. I'm petty sure the thick black wire is the antenna, but what is the other one, and where can one get an adapter for it. Thanks for the info.

White 370Z

After sending all weekend, it is in. And it looks spectacular!!! It's a Pioneer 700BT, and I love it. I did the install my self, with the help of the DIY that Tennesseez posted on this thread (Thanks Bro). The unit fits like it is made for a 370z. I did put two 1/4" spacers on the top of the mounting brackets to move the radio forward, for a more flush fit. I can't get over how much cooler my car looks when I'm in it. Everyone you has seen it freaks at how slick it looks and how much stuff it can do. The total price with everything, radio, ipod cable, wiring harness, antenna adaptor, PAC steering wheel controller, shipping, & taxes was $598. I did pay the local stereo shop to help me hook up the steering wheel controller, which is the only thing that fell short of my expectations. It works, but is definitely not a good as it was with the stock radio. I plan on calling PAC to see if they have any suggestions to better configure it to the 370z.
The thing I was most concerned about was the boot time of the radio. I can't believe how quick it is. Yes quick. By the time I back out of my parking space, the radio is always playing before I can even put the car into drive. Which I find is a nice feature as I usually turn down/off my radio when I’m backing out anyways. Now it doses it for me. The system is booted up and good to go, by the time I'm pulling out onto the street.

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studeow

Hey where did you order it from? and is there a way to uses the factory steering wheel controls with the unit - or do you have to add in a different set of switches?