DIY: Installing Aftermarket Radio
 

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.
Attachment 792

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.
Attachment 793 Attachment 794

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.
Attachment 795 Attachment 796

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.

Attachment 797 Attachment 798 Attachment 799 Attachment 800

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.

Attachment 801 Attachment 802

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.

Attachment 804

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.

Attachment 805

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.

Good stuff. Thanks mate.

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

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

Very cool! Thanks for pics and instructions.

BTW, any ideas on the VSS wire?

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

Attachment 906

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.

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

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.

Installing Aftermarket Radio
 

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.

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?

great write up!

but i think i will stick with the stock radio :P

I got my 700BT from Amazon.com. I hate my PAC steering wheel controller.

Why do you hate the PAC ?

It works very slowly, and inconsequently. There is a very frustrating time delay, when it works.

Did you use the recommended 47 ohm (pin #6) & 150 ohm (pin #16)?

I just installed my AVIC-F700BT and PAC steering wheel controller, but after doing hours more research I found out it's actually the AVIC's fault the steering wheel controls are 1) laggy and 2) preset up/down won't work - period. See the following for reference:

Pages 2 and 3 of this thread (p2 = keep beep delete mod, p3 = presets issue):
AVIC411.com • View topic - Last Word on Pac Audio and SWI-PS

There are many threads on the AVIC forum with info about F700BT problems with steering remote control.. and lots of anticipation for a possible 3.0 firmware update.

Hi guys, is it best to solder or crimp the wires for DIY radio installs? I have a 370Z and will be upgrading to the dnx5120 (got good deal), and changing out the factory mid-range woofers with JLs. Would love to DIM (M=myself), as I think it would bring me closer to the car, but soldering kinda freaks me out a little. Just your thoughts

Crimp
 

Small wiring....crimping will do. Its not like you are feeding 3,4,5, or 600 watts through the small wires your dealing with.

I just want to verify some parts here if you don't mind.

Wiring Harness: METRA 70-7552 plugs into existing car wire harness to install a new car stereo 07 Nissan Maxima/07 Nissan Versa; This harness is to be used when replacing the factory radio with an aftermarkent one ALSO FITS 2008 SUBARU HARNESS;
Antennae Adapter: METRA 40-NI12 Antenna adapter cable Aftermarket radio to Nissan 07+ ANTENNA;

Do those seem right? The wiring harness states that it fits 07-09 Altima, Maxima, and Versa. The 350Z wiring harness states 95-08 so I am assuming it is the older model. Does that sound right?

install issues?
 

Any issues with the A/C, engine start/engine off button, air bag due to the dis-connection? Alternatively, can one just keep these connections intact?

bump.

wish this thread would get more uptake.

is the PAC unit still laggy? does PAC utilize stock controls?

Yes the PAC unit is still laggy with the stock controls. I have the AVN726E and it sometimes switches up what the wheel controls do. I have just learned to use the buttons on the unit.

For now! :D

GREAT DIY, helped guide me to do mines, Thanks

my PAC module works flawlessly with my avic-z110bt.

This is very helpful. Please help me get started, i.e with step 1...is there anywhere in particular to start prying the silver ring? Is there anything to know about the clips to keep them from bending or flying off?

I have been looking at the ring every drive trying to figure out how to get it off without scratching or dinging it up.

Thanks again.

This is a great thread.

great diy

i went from the inside. like grab the bottom of the ring from the fabric side and pull up. you can grab the bottom of it this way

Extremely helpful DIY Thanks!!! This is super easy if anyone is thinking about it, this thread helped me get mine done and i cant believe how easy it was :-D super happy i had the experience and glad i didnt have to pay someone to do a super easy job! Thanks again man

In your second picture of the DIY, can the PRNDL piece be easily removed? If so, how?

Thanks in advance...

Installing Needs
 

I'm going to buy a Pioneer AVH-P4400BH and install it on my base model. I just wanted to make sure I had all the parts I needed (didn't see them listed here). I'm getting the double din, parking brake override, wiring harness (http://www.millionbuy.com/sconn04b.html), and ipod-cable. I wanted to make sure this was it. I don't care much for the steering wheel control since I see that there seem to be problems with it and I hardly use it now. Also, which antenna adapter can I get? Will this one work (http://www.amazon.com/Nissan-Antenna...p/B006G0IY4M)? Any information would be helpful thanks. (I'm new to this forum)

This worked wonders, however i did find a few lil changes from your model to my 2011. In the kick panels, it's now held in with 4 screws total, Each kick panel has 2 screws for the 4 total. One is near the shifter mechanism, the other is just under the A/C Panel controls. Remove those and VOILA! Rest of everything else came off in 15 min tops. IT was a snap. Best part is for DDIN users, the harness (aluminum cage) that the radio sits in, has holes which can accomodate most all Double din Units. Awesome. I will post pics when I'm finished with our build.

We had to remove our HU to have some work done to the pioneer harness. Here is our build list so far:

Pioneer AVIC-X930BT
Focal ISC 165 - 6.5" Fronts
Kicker ZX 125 Amp in Rear Under Panels
Kicker ZX 12" in a Kicker Enclosure.

How to remove a/c controls for new face plate. Cant get them off. Help

air bag
 

Anyone know what to do if, after installing the new radio, the air bag light keeps blinking?