Stereo Install....

[PrOxLaMuS©]

before I open up my dash and install my Kenwood Head Unit...

is there an Harness I can buy for an easily install... or should I cut and slice the wires and stuff? Or should I have a professional install them? I have installed Stereo's in two different Sentra's but they had harness's at the store...

[mushupork5]

have to find the wires for yourself, its pretty easy though, just get a circuit tester and look for: steady (car off) that goes to memory, a 12v (car on) thats to the main power, speakers, antenna should be easy, power antenna i dont know though, but its pretty straightforward

[mar2c]

Originally posted by mushupork5

look for: steady (car off) that goes to memory

for a 78, try either the cig lighter or map light. mine is powered off the map light (for clock/memory, that is)

[Tourniqet]

Do you guys know what size cd player will fit. Or anything about the sizes?

[mar2c]

I put a Pioneer Supertuner in my 78. had to relocate the power antenna switch, as the faceplate took up too much room to leave it in the original position

the CD player is nothing fancy. enough to have music to travel to. acoustics in the old Zs were never it's strong selling point ,and I refuse to cut holes in my doors for 2 more speakers.

check it out here: CD player install

[frankensteinZ]

Finally a topic of the z I am well versed in. As mushupork5 said the wires you will have to find yourself I highly doubt anybody sells a harness. I have a 72 240z with 2 12's and pro horns and tweeters on a 3000 watt amp (huh what did you say, I don't hear well :stupid: ) . Acoustics in these old cars aren't the best because everything vibrates off sub bass. I am unfamiliar with the 78 model but installing is easy. I don't know if you plan to put in a sub box also, but it isn't hard either way. All you need is a antenna wire which will stick out like a sore thumb, its the biggest wire on the back of your stereo and it is a universal connection on both sides so your antenna should fit into it fine. It will be a thick wire with a single pin. Next you would need to find a constant power with this can be done by cutting into a wire going to the ignition or cigarette lighter if yours always has power. Next you will need an acc wire this can be found in almost any wire in the the car just look for a wire the gets power as soon as you turn on your ignition. Next would be the ground this will be a black wire with a funky end on it used to screw into a ground on the chassic normally I just unscrew a bolt the is well grounded and go to that. If you plan to use the car's speakers you will be stuck with a chore.

The way I find what wires are your orginal speakers is to use a AA battery and touch ends of the wires on the harness going in to the old radio together until I get a little crackle out of a speaker, this will tell you if you have the wires of one of your speakers, positive and negative probably won't matter unless you have bought after market speakers.

If you plan to put in a sub box you will also need a remote wire that runs from your new radio back to your old one this tell the amp in the sub box to come on so that it isn't on constantly. You could also just run another wire off your acc and it will serve the same purpose.

I your using your old speakers it would be alot easier to find a wire harness in a store but I don't think you will find one.

frankensteinZ

[mar2c]

Originally posted by frankensteinZ

The way I find what wires are your orginal speakers is to use a AA battery and touch ends of the wires on the harness going in to the old radio together until I get a little crackle out of a speaker, this will tell you if you have the wires of one of your speakers, positive and negative probably won't matter unless you have bought after market speakers.

interesting approach...

[frankensteinZ]

Tearing apart the car to chase a couple of wires down doesn't ever sound like a good idea, and on some sound systems a meter won't work. Tricks of the trade.:beard:

[tttz]

Mar2c,

i looked at your web site. great job!!

how did you attach the power antenna switch to the side of the console? i have mine in a similar spot, but i haven't made it permanent. i don't want to drill holes or superglue anything into the console. just looking for some more ideas...

thanks,

ty

[mar2c]

Originally posted by tttz

Mar2c,

i looked at your web site. great job!!

how did you attach the power antenna switch to the side of the console? thanks,

ty

thanx for the feedback on the car!

I actually did drill into the console, and used black trim screws to secure the antenna piece. I had originally wanted to place the antenna switch near the defogger/hazards switches in one of the "dummy plates" but it wouldn't work.

good luck!

[PrOxLaMuS©]

well.. i just decided to have a professional do it... since they know what they are doing

So far.... $120 for the install.. cutting, mounting adjustments, re-wiring the speakers... (since they SAY it won't work) and all for an install of the headunit... and here's the ctach, its teh cheapest of 14 stores!

[Alfadog]

That's a heap. Usually here they charge between $80 and $200 (Australian!!) for an install.

But it is always a good idea to ask the place you buy the hardware from to install it, that way you can get a good deal Usually they will at least throw in the install for free...