TibZ

Hi everyone. I am doing a complete audio install for a friend of mine who just purchased a 1999 Protege SE. Now I haven't yet seen the interior yet so I was hoping that someone could help me with the following questions:

1. How is the head unit removed? Do I have to remove the dash, or does it just clip out?

2. Do I have to drill through the firewall, or is there a given spot to run the power wire through...

3. Are the panels easily accessible?

Basically I can work my way through it, but I have not done a mazda before and want to know if there are any hitches along the way. It is just going to be a basic install with a amp in the trunk and running the wires throughout.

If anyone has any advice or knows a website that has possible step by step instructions, I would greatly appreciate it...

Thanks!

MisterT

1. Is it a single DIN or Double DIN? If it's a double DIN you can use 2 sets of Ford/Mazda keys (one set for each side), or spend no money on keys and use coat hangers. Look in an earlier post on HU removal or in the first one posted here by Sir Nuke I think. The radio will come out without having to remove pieces of the dash. There are "clips" on each side of radio that pops off to reveal the holes where the keys or coat hanger inserts go in to. The radio should just slide right out.

2. Whether automatic or stick, if you look above the clutch area there is a rubber gromet that you can slit a hole through and push the 4 gauge wire through from the inside going out and run the power wires under the plastic pieces beside the seat (between the seat and the door), as they just "pop" off. Run your RCAs on the passenger side under the same piece, except on passenger side of course. No drilling should be necessary. You can actually mount the amp in the trunk or under the seat depending on how big of amp it is. Just keep RCAs clear of ground and power wire to eliminate noise coming in to the system.

3. It is relatively easy to do (not many panels have to be removed and the ones that do just pop off). You will need a wire harness for the aftermarket head unit and a dash kit(if it is the double DIN unit). The one with the MP3 pocket is best looking, but the Scosche isn't all that bad looking either and to me seemed to work better than the Metra dash kit (which is a single ugly pocket with no trim plate around the area).

So what is in it for you, a case of beer!

Good luck. This site and www.msprotegeclub.com are good sources to go to in case of problems you run in to.

MiStErT

TibZ

Thanks very much for the excellent advice Yeah he is going to be paying me $20 an hour. He is more of an aquaintance than a friend I guess. I have done many installs in the past, just wanted to know the ins and outs of the 1999 protege. Seems fairly straight forward The aftermarket deck was already installed by the dealer, so all I have to worry about is sliding the RCA's and running the wires...is there a good place in the trunk that you would recommend mounting the amp? The amp itself is roughly 13x13...

Thanks again for the quick reply