Post by CoreyJ on May 25, 2010 22:07:36 GMT -5
Hey Everyone!
I've noticed a lot of questions regarding a DIY for installing a new stereo headset and speakers in our Monteros. I recently put in a new stereo head unit and speakers in all four doors in my 1999 LS. I am also an avid photographer so I naturally took some photos to show the steps involved. Some of the steps are only for non-infinity systems. Now, I’m still in school so this had to be a budget upgrade and I also want to keep my MS as stock as possible. Please, no rude comments about my choice of equipment.
For most head unit replacements, you can simply pop off the trim surrounding the radio and remove a few screws to access the unit. In my MS, the radio would NOT slide forward so I took some of the dash trim panels off to find a solid grounding strap holding it in.
So here we go:
Here is the final shot of my old, original radio.
Step 1: You have to remove the left-side lower dash panel to access the left side of the radio trim panel. There are two cover panels on the upper panel to remove so that you can access the screws. See photo - there are a total of 6 screws to remove to release the panel. After these are removed, pull the panel forward and place to the left side. The hood release lever will remain attached to the panel. This is alright.
Step 2: Once you lower the previous panel, you can see the two screws attaching the left side of the radio panel. Remove and set aside for re-assembly.
Step 3: Now move over to the right side of the vehicle. Look below the glove box door to see a black trim panel. There are two black, plastic fasteners holding this panel on. Push in the center pin to release the fastener. Lower the panel slightly to access the screw holding the lower left corner of the radio panel.
Step 4: Open the glove box door and look at the top left corner of the opening. Remove this one screw to release the top left corner of the radio panel.
Step 5: Just about there now. Take the ashtray completely out by pulling it out and depressing the center clip. Set aside. There are two screws holding the metal heat shield to the upper panel. Pull the shield partially out so that you can remove the small light housing from the shield. Turn the housing to remove it. Now the heat shield is free to set aside.
Step 6: The final step before removing the radio trim panel is to CAREFULLY use your fingers or a cloth-wrapped screwdriver to pry up the left side of the upper AC panel. This panel is still connected at the top and left so only pop it loose. No more than an inch will allow the radio panel to come free. Apply the parking brake and shift into low gear to allow room for the panel to slip free.
Step 7: Celebrate the removal of the radio panel. This is how it should look.
Step 8: Most Monteros have a simple metal sleeve holding in the radio. My new head unit also came with a new sleeve so I installed the new one into the radio panel. It is a simple task that just involves bending some locking tabs to secure the sleeve.
Step 9: I made sure that I had an adapter so that I could plug the new head unit wiring directly into the original connector. They only cost a few dollars and are well worth the price. The wire splices were soldered to ensure good connections. This is the completed harness.
[img src="http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9250/a010k.jpg![]()
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Step 10: Position the wiring harness, the grounding wire (if you have one) and the antenna cable. Now you’re ready to plug everything in and slide the new stereo head unit into place. Simply follow the above steps to put everything back together.
Looking good now – much nicer than the old radio.
Now if you’re game to replace your door speakers it is very easy and straightforward.
Step 1: Starting with the front door, locate the four screws holding the door panel to the door frame. The red arrows in the photo show the locations of these screws. Remove them and set them aside. There is also one screw in the door handle cup that must be removed before removing the panel. I also removed the small screw holding on the inner door release lever to make it easier to remove. Begin by using your hands to pull the lower part of the panel away from the door, popping free the clips along the side and bottom of the inner panel. The slightly raise the panel to free it from the door frame. BE CAREFUL here, there are electrical connectors that must be released to completely free the panel.
Step 2: Release four electrical connectors from the following components; the tweeter, the power mirror controls, the window/lock controls and the lower courtesy light. Once you have these connectors removed, the door panel can be set aside.
Step 3: The speakers are mounted the same in all four doors. The speaker is connected to the plastic mounting housing by four small screws. Mine had holes for both 6.5 and 6.75 inch speakers so it was easy to mount the new speakers. You may have to use an adapter or drill new holes depending on your application. Here you can see my old speaker.
Step 4: Once the speaker is loose, carefully remove it from the mount and locate the wire connectors. Remover these clips and the speaker is out. I had to cut the old connectors off and use new crimp connectors made for my speakers.
Step 5: Connect and re-attach the new speaker and the door panel is ready to put back on. You may want to put in some water shield at this time. Now, simply reverse the steps to re-attach the door panel and move onto the other front door.
Step 6: If you’re going to replace the rear speakers as well, the process is almost exactly the same on the rear doors. The rear door panel has only two screws on the back edge to remove. I again removed the small screw holding on the door lever trim.
Step 7: There is one BIG difference with the rear doors. The screw in the door handle cup must be removed and the entire cup has to come out. I was able to use my fingers to press in on the top and bottom rim of the cup so that it just popped out. Once this is done, just remove the door panel as with the front doors, watching out for the single electrical connector for the window/lock controls. Replace the speaker and re-attach the door panel. Don’t forget to plug the connector back in.
That’s about it. Everything should work and look awesome. I hope this helps a little. Feel free to make suggestions or comments.
Thanks,
Aidan
I've noticed a lot of questions regarding a DIY for installing a new stereo headset and speakers in our Monteros. I recently put in a new stereo head unit and speakers in all four doors in my 1999 LS. I am also an avid photographer so I naturally took some photos to show the steps involved. Some of the steps are only for non-infinity systems. Now, I’m still in school so this had to be a budget upgrade and I also want to keep my MS as stock as possible. Please, no rude comments about my choice of equipment.
For most head unit replacements, you can simply pop off the trim surrounding the radio and remove a few screws to access the unit. In my MS, the radio would NOT slide forward so I took some of the dash trim panels off to find a solid grounding strap holding it in.
So here we go:
Here is the final shot of my old, original radio.
Step 1: You have to remove the left-side lower dash panel to access the left side of the radio trim panel. There are two cover panels on the upper panel to remove so that you can access the screws. See photo - there are a total of 6 screws to remove to release the panel. After these are removed, pull the panel forward and place to the left side. The hood release lever will remain attached to the panel. This is alright.
Step 2: Once you lower the previous panel, you can see the two screws attaching the left side of the radio panel. Remove and set aside for re-assembly.
Step 3: Now move over to the right side of the vehicle. Look below the glove box door to see a black trim panel. There are two black, plastic fasteners holding this panel on. Push in the center pin to release the fastener. Lower the panel slightly to access the screw holding the lower left corner of the radio panel.
Step 4: Open the glove box door and look at the top left corner of the opening. Remove this one screw to release the top left corner of the radio panel.
Step 5: Just about there now. Take the ashtray completely out by pulling it out and depressing the center clip. Set aside. There are two screws holding the metal heat shield to the upper panel. Pull the shield partially out so that you can remove the small light housing from the shield. Turn the housing to remove it. Now the heat shield is free to set aside.
Step 6: The final step before removing the radio trim panel is to CAREFULLY use your fingers or a cloth-wrapped screwdriver to pry up the left side of the upper AC panel. This panel is still connected at the top and left so only pop it loose. No more than an inch will allow the radio panel to come free. Apply the parking brake and shift into low gear to allow room for the panel to slip free.
Step 7: Celebrate the removal of the radio panel. This is how it should look.
Step 8: Most Monteros have a simple metal sleeve holding in the radio. My new head unit also came with a new sleeve so I installed the new one into the radio panel. It is a simple task that just involves bending some locking tabs to secure the sleeve.
Step 9: I made sure that I had an adapter so that I could plug the new head unit wiring directly into the original connector. They only cost a few dollars and are well worth the price. The wire splices were soldered to ensure good connections. This is the completed harness.
[img src="http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9250/a010k.jpg
Step 10: Position the wiring harness, the grounding wire (if you have one) and the antenna cable. Now you’re ready to plug everything in and slide the new stereo head unit into place. Simply follow the above steps to put everything back together.
Looking good now – much nicer than the old radio.
Now if you’re game to replace your door speakers it is very easy and straightforward.
Step 1: Starting with the front door, locate the four screws holding the door panel to the door frame. The red arrows in the photo show the locations of these screws. Remove them and set them aside. There is also one screw in the door handle cup that must be removed before removing the panel. I also removed the small screw holding on the inner door release lever to make it easier to remove. Begin by using your hands to pull the lower part of the panel away from the door, popping free the clips along the side and bottom of the inner panel. The slightly raise the panel to free it from the door frame. BE CAREFUL here, there are electrical connectors that must be released to completely free the panel.
Step 2: Release four electrical connectors from the following components; the tweeter, the power mirror controls, the window/lock controls and the lower courtesy light. Once you have these connectors removed, the door panel can be set aside.
Step 3: The speakers are mounted the same in all four doors. The speaker is connected to the plastic mounting housing by four small screws. Mine had holes for both 6.5 and 6.75 inch speakers so it was easy to mount the new speakers. You may have to use an adapter or drill new holes depending on your application. Here you can see my old speaker.
Step 4: Once the speaker is loose, carefully remove it from the mount and locate the wire connectors. Remover these clips and the speaker is out. I had to cut the old connectors off and use new crimp connectors made for my speakers.
Step 5: Connect and re-attach the new speaker and the door panel is ready to put back on. You may want to put in some water shield at this time. Now, simply reverse the steps to re-attach the door panel and move onto the other front door.
Step 6: If you’re going to replace the rear speakers as well, the process is almost exactly the same on the rear doors. The rear door panel has only two screws on the back edge to remove. I again removed the small screw holding on the door lever trim.
Step 7: There is one BIG difference with the rear doors. The screw in the door handle cup must be removed and the entire cup has to come out. I was able to use my fingers to press in on the top and bottom rim of the cup so that it just popped out. Once this is done, just remove the door panel as with the front doors, watching out for the single electrical connector for the window/lock controls. Replace the speaker and re-attach the door panel. Don’t forget to plug the connector back in.
That’s about it. Everything should work and look awesome. I hope this helps a little. Feel free to make suggestions or comments.
Thanks,
Aidan
Thanks so much for the comment. I would love to have the double unit too but it just doesn't work with the 97-99's. Hmmm, maybe a pull out screen of some sort.
