Custom Car Stereo Installation
- 1). Disconnect the car battery's negative terminal by twisting it with an adjustable wrench.
- 2). Remove the old stereo from the car. Depending on the model of the car, this might require removal of sections of the dashboard. There are a number of guides for individual car stereo removal available from online sources. Other cars require stereo release keys, which are available from car audio retailers or the manufacturer dealership. Insert these keys until they click into place and pull out the stereo. Disconnect the wiring from the rear of the stereo.
- 3). Install the radio installation kit. This is necessary if the car has a customized radio housing. Aftermarket stereos are generally a standard DIN or double DIN size. A face plate adapter, connected to the radio installation sleeve supplied with the new stereo, enables the new stereo to sit securely in the dashboard.
- 4). Connect the stereo wiring. Aftermarket stereos often have different wiring features, requiring a wire harness adapter to enable the two ends to be connected together. The connections should be pushed together, until they click into place.
- 5). Connect the radio antenna cable. Some cars require a radio antenna adapter as they have double-ended radio antenna cables. Connect the adapter to the radio antenna cable. Connect the other end of the adapter to the designated radio antenna port on the rear of the stereo. Connect any other wiring such as remote controls or MP3 adapters.
- 6). Slide the stereo into the dashboard housing, taking care not to trap any wiring. Replace any parts of the dashboard that were removed for installation. Reconnect the car battery. Turn on the custom stereo and check that all features are functioning.
Source...