New radio install today

[sonic007]

Hey guys. Just did a single din radio in a blue sonic today. Didnt take very long and was pretty easy to do. I have a bunch of pictures I took that ill post up here shortly. Just a reminder you will need a european antenna adapter. The kit does not come with this.

Not responsible for anyones vehicle if you break it...just have to get that out there.

As far as the install is concerned, its fairly simple. The trim around the radio pops off, then theres 4 7 mm screws folding the radio in. Unplug the harness and the antenna plug, thats it for taking everything apart.

The harness has alot more wires than usual, depending on if its amplified or not, has an aux port, etc...There is very detailed instructions that come with the kit so follow that for the harness.

The kit goes together by attatching 2 brackets to a pocket(for single din), then the radio. You have to take the vents off the factory bezle then put them onto the aftermarket one. Just use a flat head carefully sliding the tabs off, then it just clicks into the new one.

Once your harness is completed you have to do alot of stuffing and tucking of the wires. Theres not much room back there (see pics).

After that just plug up your antenna adapter, plug both the harness and adapter into the radio, secure the 4 7 mms from earlier to the mounts on the sides, then snap the new bezle into place...

And thats it..test it out and enjoy your new radio.

 

[sonic007]

More pics.. 3rd pic is new bezle and old bezle...new on left

 

[sonic007]

more pics....last curtesy of Tailz

 

[sbpphoenix]

is that the base model radio? it looks like a double din would work with the base bezel. and you could retain the card holder

 

[sonic007]

Yes it was the base model. The premium systems in the base model cars are different. Base model radios come with that style radio and no rear speakers. My car is the base model but had the premium radio installed with the rear speakers. The factory radio in there was bigger than a double din. I put up a picture of the factory bezle next to the aftermarket one. The factory slot for the radio was wayy too big. So no, you cannot retain the card holder unless they come out with some kind of trim.

 

[Axela05]

Bravo sir, SUPER clean install, looks great Thanks for the detailed walk through.

 

[sonic007]

No problem..hope it can help some people out!

 

[inm]

Urgh this makes me sad, I wasn't the first to do it.

But wait! I still have a chance to be the first one do do a double din

 

[Ridethesky84]

Looks Great!!

 

[sonic hotness]

looks really clean

 

[sonic007]

Yea the double din is gonna look real nice. I may have one lined up for next week. Just waiting for a call back.

 

[fkrivitz]

willing to sell you old trim bezel?

 

[sonic007]

It wasnt my car. Im a Best Buy installer. We have to give all the old parts back to the customer because our warrenty covers free re-installation of the factory stuff.

 

[jtp17]

So was that the Metra kit? (the new Bezel) did it retain steering wheel control? Also, I presume that radio does not support BT, but head units that do support BT, would it retain that as well? Looks nice I'm planning on doing a double din, after some bills ;(

 

[sonic007]

Yes it was a metra kit. The radio that was in there didnt have bt. You have to buy a radio that has bluetooth built in, or one that comes with the adapter. Aftermarket radios are typically made to work with only their products as far as built in is concerned. Once the factory radio is removed, so is the factory bluetooth. As for the factory steering wheel controls, it does have the connections on the metra harness, which makes me assume that it has everything for it to work. Typically you need an adapter. That car didnt have it so we didnt really look.

 

[Ridethesky84]

How much was it for the install?

 

[sonic007]

Its the same at all Best Buys I think. Its 65 for a single din and 125 for a double din plus any extras you want to add on. Lifetime warrenty on the install and free re-installation of the factory stuff if you want to sell or trade the vehicle.

 

[Markizio]

Sonic,

Have you put any replacement speakers in a Sonic by any chance? Such as in the doors or anything like that? If so, any tips/recommendations on it? Thanks in advance

 

[sonic007]

Yea I just put some rear speakers in yesterday. It was a base model that didnt come with rears. The factory speaker wires were ran to the harness that runs into the door, but werent actually ran into the door. All we did was unpin them, drill 2 small holes in that harness, then run it into the door. Then just mount your speakers and your good to go. The fronts were just quick replacments. Wasnt bad at all.

 

[inm]

Alright, was gonna put my double din in today and I already have a problem. How in the hell do this dash off... LOL but seriously, I can't get it to budge...

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Edit-

Wow, literally got it right after I posted that.