Radio Removal, Replacement on 2000 Alero
 

hey guys. I'm new to the forums, so hi. I have a 2000 4-door alero, and I was wondering how I can take the radio out. I also want to put a new radio in it, but I'm not sure of the parts I need. I read that changing the radio gets rid of door chimes, which I would like to keep.

For the radio, lets say I want the one found here. What would be involved with installation, in terms of parts, and should it be professionally installed?

Picture of my radio:

do it yourself
piece of cake

Doesn't have to be professionally installed. This how-to may be a couple years old, but it's still helpful:
http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247

1. put key in ign and turn to "ON" but don't start it
2. put car in 1 with foot on brake
3. use a flathead screwdriver to pop out staple on gearshift knob
4. pull gearshift knob up
5. gentley pull up the gearshift bezel, and undo light and ETS button(use a small flathead under tab)
6. place gearshift bezel aside
7. gentely pull radio bezel off, start at the botom on bezel in front of cubby
8. place bezel aside after removal
9. three or four 7 mm bolts hold in stock radio, undo all 3 or 4 bolts (I forget how many)
10. pull radio straight out.
11. unplug hardness and anntenna wire from back of radio

After that, I suggest following the instructions on the install kit. The bezels just snap back in place :coolio:

Yea what redog said to get the thing out. The HVAC knobs can kinda suck to unhook, but well work it to get everything out of the way.

Your gonna need one of these or something similar.

As for a harness with the chime still active, I would go with something like this or, if you have and amplified system, like the monsoon system, you will need this.
If you give up on the chime go for this guy.

Other than that, make sure you dremmel out that steel rod back there in the opening, so everything fits all nice and purdy-like. While your at cutting stuff, I had to cut the top right corner of the screw hole in the plastic spacer kit to make it sit flush. You may not have to, but I did.

Other than that, make sure you have a decent stranded-wire wire-stripper, preferably 16-24 gauge capable, or somewhere in that range, and a whole bunch of wire connectors, usually crimp-type.

Lastly, WELCOME and have fun!

So, in recap, if I want this radio, I need this bracket, and this chime-saver thing(or this if I don't want the chime)?

In addition, I'm just curious about some of the things jhubbz said. So, there is a steel rod behind the radio that needs to be removed for the setup to fit properly?

Finally, how much wire-work is there, in terms of cutting, stripping, crimping, etc. I'm completely new at all of this. I would like to do it myself to save money, and if it's fairly straightforward, I don't really think it will be an issue, but if it's complicated wire work, I might just stay away and get it professionally done.

Last thing, lets say my car dies next year. I'm a college student, so I don't have a lot of expendable cash. I will be able to take the radio out and use it in another car, right?

Sorry for all the questions, but I don't want to screw this up.

EDIT: 1 more question. the plastic bezel around the stock radio, will that still fit with the new radio bracket? Or would the bezel need to be modified? Again, thanks for all the help.

With the wiring, you just plug the harness into the factory plug that you will remove from the stock radio and whatever deck you get will have a plug with the exact same colours of wiring on the harness. All you basically have to do is match the colours which is easy.. If you want to make the radio simple to remove after installation, you can use butt connectors and if you get a new car you just uncrimp them. Depending on if you get a single DIN or a double DIN, you're going to need what is called a dash kit.

Found here:
Full Single DIN kit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stereo-Radio...#ht_2439wt_689

Just the Double DIN part
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stereo-Radio...#ht_2439wt_689

It's 3 bolts.

More questions: So do I need this dash kit, or can I use this one? And what would be better? because I kinda like the look of the one on amazon, it seems like a, I dunno, more legit-looking product and product page.

Also, I'm not getting this until at least christmas. But, hypothetically, I install it myself instead of getting it professionally installed. While working in that center console, what are some bad things that could happen? My friend said his friend installed a deck himself, hit a wire for something security-related, and he couldn't start his car. They had to tow it to the mechanics and spend $500 to fix it. So, what kind of stuff can go wrong, and how wrong?

but i would not get an sony radio. get alpine, kenwood, pioneer.

you can use either/or its not going to matter.

Just disconnect the battery when you do the install. It's pretty easy to cross two hot wires and short everything out. I've done it a couple times on accident, luckily the worst thats happened to me was blowing a fuse.

So if I disconnect the battery, I shouldn't have anything to worry about?

correct

now in the future are u planning to have subs and amp or amps.

Thanks JL. Also, to anybody, these two questions have not been answered yet. And final question(for now :P) The staple on the gearshift, that goes back on, right? Or do I need a new staple? I was looking at it today, just to see.

See this thread for what we are talking about with the bar. Its actually hard plastic, not steel, my bad.

bezel needs no modification.

staple fits right back in

Where in Canada are you? Maybe you're in my area, I could help you out. Welcome btw.

JL, I'm not really planning any modifications other than the deck. No speakers, subs, or amps. Not in this car. I don't think it will last very long. It's got 240,000 km on it, and its been having a few problems. Plus I don't necessarily have the money for anything.

Also, can I ask why I shouldn't get a sony? I just like it because it is the cheapest deck I found with a USB input. What about JVC? Is the problem the audio quality? Or what is the problem?

Thank you jhubbz

TDot I'm Simcoe, Ontario. Its right beside Port Dover, and like 45 minutes away from Brantford.

EDIT: Okay, I've found pioneer and alpine decks that do the same thing as the sony for the same price ($100) But the question remains: what does one brand have over the others? Also, small thing, but I like how you can change the button colour on the sony to fit your dash lights. It appears you can't do that with the alpine or pioneer.

here are some headunits for 100 buck or a little more
http://www.amazon.com/ALPINE-CDE102-...0935586&sr=8-4 alpine headuniit.
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-43...935773&sr=8-11

http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-CD-R--R...936062&sr=1-41

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-CXSGT3516...6219&s r=1-18


it is ur choice on what headunit you want. What fits your budget.

JL, I just didn't know what you meant by this. Is one a better make than the other? or is it just whatever?

well alpine makes really good car audio equipment it is top of the line stuff, pioneer makes some good stuff. When i think of sony i think of home audio systems and surround sound not car audio. But you are the one buying the headunit. I have had an alpine headunit for little over 3 years now it has been in two cars and i have never had a problem with it. But as i said it is your choice on what headunit you want.

Alright. YEah, I just didn't know if you've had bad experiences with sony, or what. Thanks to everybody for all the help and input. Like I said, I probably won't do anything till at least christmas, if not January. When I do, there will probably be a few questions to be asked :P

i was gonna get a sony one but went with JVC it was only 99 bucks but for the dam harness at future shop it cost me a total of 300 fing bucks! Go figure eh? i even put it in myself with no experience in car audio at the time just follow the diagram on the harness you buy and the diagram on the deck harness (:
and i didnt even take the knob off on the shifter just slid it back popped everything off and worked from there, there is more then enough room :D Alero is pretty much just snapped together and my jvc deck is good enough for all my aftermarket speakers and subs but once i have enough cash i will for sure upgrade to kenwood touch deck to match the rest of my kenwood :D
and if you need anything else just PM me ill be glad to help

In a 2000 you shouldn't need a chime saver I thought? I have a 2000 and I didn't have to use one. I guess if your chimes come through the radio then that would make sense.

Sounds like you got screwed with no lube.

Yep i sure did so im trying to make sure no one gets that again at the devils workshop (futureshop)

X2

thats why u install the headunit ur self.

So, 2000's don't need a chime saver? Sweet. $50 in my pocket :)

...how did the harness cost $300? The one on amazon is like $15 on page 1 of this post...

EDIT: Sorry for double-posting.

hahah the harness was about 100 to 150 bucks :S and i did put it in myself I myself am a audio tech / welder so i know now that i paid a shit ton to much.

I worked at best buy for a year in high school installing systems. But i got everything for my system now at my local car audio store i have a friend who works there.

:agree:

Someone point me to the tools needed for crimping/uncrimping wires/butt connectors?

click here sold at Canadian Tire for $20 or so.. (actualy kit sold might look different).