Installing A Car Stereo

Every time I drive down the road, I never fail to play Deep Purple’s “Highway Star.” The guitar riffs and the lyrics never fail to pump me up while driving. I know it’s some sort of a cheap thrill but it’s one of the things that makes driving for me really worth it. And that’s why my car stereo is one of the auto parts I can’t be without. It’s not as vital as the engine or the tires but it’s something that I would consider a “luxurious” necessity. You don’t need it, but you have to have it, which is why every car comes with one.

So in case your stereo bogs down, can it be replaced easily? Thankfully it can. All you need are the following items: The new stereo (duh!), wiring adapter kit, wire crimps, electrical tape, wire cutter, crimping tools and screwdrivers. Most shops that offer auto parts and discount auto parts carry these items. Once you’ve got all the materials needed in order, just refer to the steps below on how the installation can be done:

• Remove the trim panels. These panels are screwed so don’t forget your trusty screwdriver.
• Once the panels have been removed, gently pull out the stereo along with its mounting bracket. The coin tray located underneath the stereo might be end up being included during the removal of the bracket. You don’t need to remove it from its place.
• Remove the stereo from the bracket by unscrewing its screws.
• Now before putting in the new stereo, you’ll have to work on the wirings first. Use the wiring adapter (a plastic square or rectangular shaped object used to connect wires) to connect the wiring harness of the new stereo. To do this, you’ll need to remove part of the rubber installation of the wire. Using a stripping tool, take 1/4 inch of the end of the wire by clamping it and pulling the rubber away.
• If your stereo has a ground wire (it’s a wire with a claw-like hand at the end), cut its connector and attach it to the adapter harness. If by chance your stereo doesn’t have a ground wire, you can just attach its claw-like hand to a screw under your stereo.
• Before putting the new stereo in its place, make sure to test it. You wouldn’t want to take it apart again just because you found out that it’s not working.
• After testing, attach the new stereo to the new bracket it came with and using the new screws.
• Make sure the wiring harness of the stereo is plugged back in place before inserting the new stereo into its slot.

And you’re done! You can now cruise the streets while listening to your favorite tunes and block whatever outside noise there is, from the guy blowing his horn behind you or from the ranting of your wife (or husband) beside you.