Mazda Protege Installation Question
 

Hi, I just purchased a Protege 2003 LX and I wanted to install my JVC cd-player in it and take out the one they have. How would I go about uninstalling it and putting in the new one; and what adapter and any wiring harnesses would I need? Im not a big car person at all.

Thanks!

check the FAQ

Oh, ok. Thanks.

Are there any stores that sell the kits, or is it just online stores generally?

You'll need a dash kit and a wire harness to tie in the new head unit to the factory radio. The fun part (and I say "FUN" sarcastically) is taking the factory radio out. That is a bitch and a half! I threw mine against the walk way when taking it out. I guess the head unit stays in if I ever trade my car in! DOH!! It's an older Alpine any way. :D

Mister T

ug, maybe ill just take it to a place since it sounds hard. How do you remove the side panels before poking them? And did you use coat hangers for the wires? Sorry for these questions, im new at this.

Zippos is freaking expensive to have them install it. Around 90!! for parts and 60 for labor! Yeah...i think i will install the kit myself, im not paying a CRAPLOAD of money for an installation.

Thanks in advance for whoever replies to my other email :)

Some one on this site posted a tutorial pic on how to take the radio out and it was really good. I had to almost pry my radio out because of the clips were bent from failed attempts. The "keys" that you use or coat hanger was virtually useless at that point. I was crawling all over trying to get to it to save the dash. It got to the point that I became DETERMINED to get the bitch out. When I did, I literally threw it against the concrete (factory radio). :rant: Oh well, the radio will have to stay with the car when time to trade in or sell. :D

Mister T

good idea, i'll have to smash my factory radio as well, maybe burn it if its a nice day.

the blau's staying till the cars death. i don't think the mazda radio would stay in the pocket anymore since i ripped out the plastic shit that held it there to begin with. thank god for that, otherwise i would've been stuck with a panasonic or kenwood.

oh yeah so about the post, umm once you do one install the rest are easier. so don't have a shop do it, you'd just be putting money into some punk installer's pocket to go hook up his cavalier.

Like most jobs, removing the factory can be easy or next to impossible depending on the tools you use. I got 2 sets of Ford radio removal tools from Walmart and had the factory head unit out of my 02 sedan in a few minutes. No cuss words, scratches on the dash, or bleeding knuckles.

The trick is to use a small flatblade screw driver to remove the two slim plastic trim pieces on the sides of the radio. A little bit of pressure is all that's needed to get them loose. If you have longer finger nails, these make good tools for this.

I found the two sets of Ford tools snapped in easily. With all 4 in the radio, you just push outwards on the tools (towards the outside of the radio). Mine actually popped out when I did this. From there, just slide it out and disconnect the wiring harness and antenna lead.

The tools from Walmart are about $3.50 per set. For about $7 I think I saved at least that much time and frustration, plus I didn't damage any of the dash by pulling, tugging, and prying things into the radio cavity.

One tip I've seen, and copied, was to tape off the trim on the dash with masking tape. I used the blue type that does not leave a residue behind. I found this is worth doing in case the radio does come in contact with the dash trim while you're removing the factory harness connection or the antenna lead.

Forget about the JVC.

Get The ALpine cda-9807 HU

Better buy.