Got a new Headunit! Halp!

[Smikey]

Just started pulling panels starting from the handbrake area forward towards the existing headunit, just wondering if this is the right way to do it.

Any advice would be much appreciated,
thanks in advance!

[Pernod]

I'm presuming your've got a BA?

In which case you dont need to remove all the panneling.

There is (so I believe) a hole on either side of the headunit. If you get something like a coathanger and unbend it, you should be able to poke it into the two holes and pull the existing headunit out.

Mind you, I cant gurantee this as I did mine before finding this forum so I took the panels off - but I ended up pulling almost all of the dash out to get to the center area!

[Pernod]

I just found the thread I was looking for...

http://www.astinagt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1271&highlight=headunit

[Cosmo Dude]

If it's a BA I can take some pics and send 'em to you

[Dogo]

that is the correct way to get towards the head unit.

Tho pernod is correct, the stock one can be removed with by inserting a coat hanger into the 2 holes ( or else just pop down to a mazda service centre/dealer and they have U shaped tool and should hopefully do it for free in 2 secs. )

It may be worth taking the handbrake/gearstick trim off anyway just to make it easier to access the wiring.

[Cosmo Dude]

Guess the next question is, what is your new H/U.
Come on, tell us :P

[Smikey]

Thanks for the help guys, i'll have to try it cos i'm drunk from birthday drinks ;p

Dunno if this number i'm gonna type means anything
but it's a
JVC KD-S895 mmmm MP3 capabilities and a remote
tis all i need in the world =)
except a way to search through a few hundred songs quickly

Thanks again, i'll post progress and if i ever work out pictures or hosting space i'll put up some stuff! perhaps i'll even get a picture of the headunit if i find one.

Oh hold on... the current unit isn't standard... this shouldn't change right? i can't seem to find the holes but i'll look closer later

[Dogo]

if the current one isnt standard, the method used to remove depends on the brand. most likely you will need to slide a flat thing down each side of the unit. this will unclip it from the frame. the old head unit would have come with the tools to do this. if you dont have them, maybe find someone with the same brand head unit and borrow theirs, or else take the trim off until u can see the head unit in the frame ( u will need to remove the trim over the dials/heater controls etc )

[Smikey]

Ahhhh man... =(
Actually i'm wondering how to remove the areas above the current stereo cos i figured out the handbrake panels, but got really stuck just around the little compartment just below the stereo. Wondering if there's an area i should look to get the panels around the centre console open so i can continue the deconstruction. I'm guessing i'll have to take all that stuff owt due to the non standardness of the existing.

I'm just itching to get it installed!! ARGH ;p
Thanks again for the swift updates!

[Dogo]

area above current stereo = trim that goes across over the dials/steering wheel area ?

not too hard.

with the door open remove the flat plastic trim one the side, facing the door.
remove the plastic trim under the sterring wheel ( with the pocket that folds down )
the big trim u refer to may have a few screws in , then it pulls outwards, with the steering column adjusted down.

[Pernod]

Be careful though, the first time I did mine I ended up wit 2 screws left over - to this day I have never found where they belong ;-)

Dont you hate that! :lol: