Removing the Stock HU
 

Does anyone have any pics or diagrams on removing the stock HU. I am not even sure on where to start with this one.
Also pics/diagrams on removing the door panels would be much appriciated too. Thanks.

you may need to use 4 Ford radio removal keys (or bent coat hangers) for the double din units...as i only had 2 at the time, this damn 99 Pro had me cursing the other day, stupid thing would NOT come out until i used a bit MORE force ;) Stupid Mazda for using stupid Ford ideas.

You'll need a little pick tool to get the little side plates to pop off.

Thanks a lot. That was exactly what I was looking for. It is going to be real helpful for my install.

Or you can do what I did and use a pair of small flat-head screwdrivers and just pull. Got my cd changer installed in about 15 mins.

Oh yea, Mazda services apparently take an hour for the job AND charge $80!!!! So there's 80 bucks in my wallet now.

Just a small tip.

Remove the center piece of plastic (on the HU) by prying with a small screwdriver. It's an opening meant for the modular cassette deck or MD deck. Just stick your hand all the way in and it gives you a great "handle" for yanking the HU out. :D

Looking at the front (on the sides under the plastic covers) of the HU, you can see 4 openings down the side. I think the first opening just holds the trim, and the 2nd and 4th are for the coat hangers (or proper tools).

You'll also notice that the 3rd are slots. Get yourself 2 small flat-head screwdrivers & a flashlight.

You should also get yourself a pair of spare hands. (I went over to my dad's house).

You will want to insert the coat hangers - problem is that they probably won't do 100% of the job they need to do. You should take out the glove box, and also peer up from under the driver's side. Hopefully you'll see the little spring, and the way the coat hangers have started the process.

While laying down, and looking at all this, you'll want to insert the screwdriver, and pry it out, away from the headunit (towards the steering wheel or the glovebox). By doing this, you can get a "behind the scenes" look at what needs to be done.

Once you are familiar with the layout, and you've got the coat hangers and screwdrivers inserted, ask your helper to pry on the screwdrivers a little bit - they do more work than the coat hangers.

While they're prying, you should do everything you can to push the HU from behind. Problem is that there isn't much room to get your hands where you want them. If you don't have the cassette, you can pull out that cover panel, and use that as a good handle. (I wasn't so lucky).

Once you get the rubber support plug (you'll see what I'm talking about after it's out) out of it's hole, it's smooth sailing.

Good luck,
Eric

thanks for all your help. I am going to start with the install in a couple of weeks. If I run into problems u can bet I will post them on here. Thanks again. :-)

I am finally going to do the install this weekend. I have a couple of questions. How did most of you run the wires from the HU to the amps (I am having two amps under the seats). Also, where did u run the speaker wires to the speakers and to the subs. I am just looking for suggestions so that I won't be stuck looking for places to run the wiring. Thanks for the help.