Double DIN stereo in 2nd Gen
 

Hello, I've got a 95 ES, and I want to upgrade to a double DIN sized stereo(Stock Mazda 6-disc in-dash changer/tape deck from a Miata). Crutchfield says Double DIN won't fit, but I'm not sure they're right. Does anyone out here have the straight poop? Thanks in advance.

Jeff Weimer

Well.....

You seem to know what you are talking about, so:

What size is the stock radio? And what size is the extra space underneath it?

If the two of them together add up to 2 DIN, then you are all set.

Crutchfield generally lists what will work without modification.

Just know that it might take a bit of fabrication and "McGuyver-ism" to get everything secure. I put a dub-din in my P5 for a short time, and even though the opening is suitable for din x 2, it was not an easy drop-in install. I had to make brackets and a trim ring, etc.

If possible, I would pull the stock unit and pocket out, then see about going to a stereo shop - maybe they have a dub-din laying around that you can just test-fit first. Not install, just hold it in there to make sure it will fit the way you want it to. I know my local Circuit City always has display and open box models laying around that they'd probably allow someone suopervised to quickly use for this purpose.

Good luck.

~HH

I was just wondering if anyone has already tried it, to see if plunking down the money was worth it. I took the (whole damn!) dash apart to see what it takes to replace the head unit. The measurements given for the unit I'm buying fit what I could measure almost exactly, so it should work. I'll keep the forum posted as to my progress.

Next question....
 

Okay. I bought the unit, it will fit with some modifications to the dash. the current DIN radio and "cubby" are separated by a piece of plastic. No problem for the dremel tool there. Now, I got to looking at the unit, and the new unit has 3 jacks, two of them look exactly like the two I already have. Now I'm reasonably sure the two existing jacks will fit fine, but I'm wondering what the third jack is for. Does anyone out there have a complete wiring diagram for this Mazda 6-disc/ tape unit? I know it's optional on Tributes and I think Protege5s or Mazdaspeed Proteges. The unit is the ones you see on EBay for about $150-200. I'd like to find out what I can do with this, and waht capabilities I'm missing if I just hook it up to my wiring harness.

I don't know about the Miata stereos, or even the 2nd gen's for that matter.

The only one I know abaout was from my 93 Miata - double din, made by Pioneer - that car had the top-o-da-line jammy in it; mids and tweets on the doors, stereo headrest speakers, and 8" subs in the seatbacks. Nice for a back massage, I tell ya'....

But I never had it out of the car.

We were actually trying to figure out about an extra harness on the Protege/P5 stereo. It's not hooked up from the factory, and rumor has it, it might be a connection for steering wheel audio controls (available on the MPV, and on the P5 (Familia) overseas).

I doubt that this is what yours is for, but you never know. Maybe try posting in the 2nd gen forum - see what kinda knowledge there is over there.

~HH

Well, I did some googling and found out that 16 pin connector is for "future expansion", according to an unnamed dealer service representative. There is rumor that that connector is also used to control an external CD changer. There is even a wiring diagram for it, and what is presented surely makes a good case. There is a serial data connection, so the steering wheel controls certainly wouldn't be out of the question. Now, looking at the 323 (UK) ad, it looks like the car has the radio controls, but no cruise control. It even seems that the size, shape, and buttons are the same. Maybe there is an open physical slot available to do this, and there is no corresponding switch assembly on the left of the UK steering wheel we could rig up for steering wheel controls. Maybe, cruise control is not offered in the UK? So Mazda gives the public something else with value added.

Here's the URL for a '93 MX-3 wiring diagram, I'm assuming it's the same as what I have now:

http://www.mx-3.com/tech/audsys/aud_sys_amfm-deck.gif

Here's the URL for the "mystery connector" pinout:

http://www.geocities.com/blhobbs.rm/...o_details.html

I hope this helps everyone in their endeavors.


P.S. I'm cross posting this to both discussions, since I think it's pertinent

Well, I got it in today, and in less than an hour, it was completely installed!!! All it took was a little plastic cutting, and the new deck just slid right in. the connectors fit perfectly and it looks like it belongs there. Everything works, and the lighting color is even correct. This is a great upgrade, and it probably works for all 95 and newer Proteges, just be prepared to cut some plastic inside your dash.

As soon as I figure out how to post pictures, I'll put them up here with a (very quick) how-to.

Good news!

Glad it went well - looking forward to the pics!

~HH