Fitting a head unit

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I've bought a Kenwood KDC-W4537UA (was an impulse buy as it was a bargain) which I was looking to install in the MR2. I have no previous experience or knowledge of installing stereos in cars and am a bit apprehensive. At the time I thought 'How hard can it be?'. Having read through the numerous threads I'm contemplating just selling the head unit and getting one with a 'free fitting' deal from Halfords.

The threads on this forum have been helpful, but I'm still not 100% confident. I'd appreciate some feedback on whether my understanding of the process is correct before I make an attempt.

The stereo came with a wire with a chunky block on one end and a smaller block on the other, I'm assuming this is an ISO adapter.

From what I've read on these forums, I need to buy some audio wiring connector and a fascia adaptor on top of this. I understand Halfords sell them, would some one be kind enough to tell me the part numbers and rough price?

The instructions on removing the existing head unit seem clear and straightforward. I understand that once I've removed the stock head unit I'll be left with a load of wires terminating in white blocks? I assume this is where the wiring connector that I need to buy comes in.

Is it just a matter of plugging in the white blocks that fit (which I hope will be obvious) into the connector and then join that to the ISO adapter that came with my head unit? Finally plugging the small end of the ISO adapter into my head unit? The head unit also came with a sliding cage, which I guess I don't need. There are holes on the side of the unit, which look like mount points.

I'm also concerned about the antenna mechanism. Is there anything antenna specific that needs to be done to ensure the antenna rises and lowers normally?

Apologies for yet another head unit fitting thread, but I'd just like to make sure I know exactly what I'm doing before I try.

[Mad Bob]

It is possible to do it yourself, its not hard, but just a pain from my experiance. If you like the head unit you already have, then you could always just pay for it to be fitted, it wouldn't take more than an hour, which will be a guide of how much it would cost.

You definately need the bracket/facia which I think is part fp-03.

On top of that, if you had a Sony head unit as standard you will need to buy a surround from the post 03 MR2 which you can get from Toyota for about £15. Otherwise you can use the surround you already have.

[Anonymous]

Buy an iso adapter and fascia fitting kit from Matt Linky

Matt was a fantastic help when i did mine and it was really easy in the end.

[Anonymous]

Where are you located?, someone may be able to help.

[Liz]

If a girl can change the radio and put in the fascia adapter - anyone can!  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:   Granted I had a Sony so it was a plug in job - but I did it.

[Anonymous]

Aah Liz, but you are no ordinary girlie.  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[Jigwar]

With regards the antenna question: this will plug in to your replacement head unit and then it's the head unit's logic that will determine if it needs the antenna up (power on) or not (power off). More than likely it'll keep the antenna up more than ideally you'd want it (i.e. even when listening to iPOD/CD etc).

There is a write-up on the forum as to how to put in a manual swicth to power up/down the antenna as you want it.

Else just go for it, so much advice on here already, and further assistance in near realtime if you get stuck.

Steve

[Anonymous]

Buy an iso adapter and fascia fitting kit from Matt Linky

Matt was a fantastic help when i did mine and it was really easy in the end.

  s8) s8)   What he said   s:D s:D  Just click on the "www" link button on my signature to order them

[Anonymous]

If a girl can change the radio and put in the fascia adapter - anyone can!  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

Thanks Liz, now my manhoods at stake   s:P s:P  

On a serious note, I had a look today and seem to fall at the first hurdle. How do those silver covers on the bottom come off? I didn't risk applying too much force fearing I would snap them off or something.

[Liz]

I am not your Jimmy choo new shoes type of girl...just ask my husband who despairs of me!

Have a look on here...

 m http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17670 m

Have a look around the How to's - there is another one on there as well, as you can see the plastics just pull off of the bottom.