clintoaster
New member
I swapped out my 6-disc changer JBL unit today for a Pioneer AVIC8000NEX. I was a bit intimidated with the wiring for the JBL and steering wheel controls but I was able to get everything connected properly (well I think properly, everything is working like it should, even the steering wheel controls). I was able to knock out all the wiring and have it working properly in under an hour thanks to some preparatory research and some help from the guys at Crutchfield. The thing that got me stuck was the dash installation kit. I read the directions and I believe I put the brackets and everything on correctly but it's sitting a little too low so the panel won't go back on over it properly.
I attached the factory brackets in the only way I saw possible. There are the four protruding bumps that fit into the holes with the factory brackets and I tried multiple time but only got them to fit one way so I assume I put those on correctly.
As for the Metra brackets that you attach to the factory brackets, I assumed they would go on with the words right side up but they wouldn't align with any of the holes so I flipped sides with them and got the back two holes to line up with the front to holes of the factory bracket so this seemed right.
I bolted the stereo into the car which was quite difficult with all the wiring (which concerns me that this could be a problem, more on that in a bit). The stereo functioned correctly and turned on and the face flipped down and closed back up properly.
Here's where the trouble started. I went to put the panel back on and it seemed that the stereo was angle a bit too low. I was able to do some finagling (after taking it out, checking the brackets, and putting it back in multiple times) and get the kit to fit through the opening but this resulted in two issues: 1. The bottom part of the kit buckled up inhibiting the face from closing. There's enough room for it to open but it won't close. 2. the top part of the panel won't go back. I think the top of the stereo is sticking out a bit too much and this is keeping the paneling from reaching the dash.
My suspicions are that either the dash kit just doesn't fit right although from my previous research it seemed like the only real option or the wires are having a negative effect on the positioning of the head unit in its hole. My only reservation about that is that I feel like it wouldn't bolt into place if it wasn't positioned properly but I could certainly be wrong.
I spent about 5 hours trying to figure this out which is absurd because after I knocked out the wiring I figured I was home free and almost done. I plan on looking at all of the wiring behind the unit and trying to adjust it all to see if the head unit will fit differently but I don't know what else to do.
I also wonder if I could Dremel and maybe cut of the bottom of the installation kit? It just wouldn't look quite as clean.
I attached the factory brackets in the only way I saw possible. There are the four protruding bumps that fit into the holes with the factory brackets and I tried multiple time but only got them to fit one way so I assume I put those on correctly.
As for the Metra brackets that you attach to the factory brackets, I assumed they would go on with the words right side up but they wouldn't align with any of the holes so I flipped sides with them and got the back two holes to line up with the front to holes of the factory bracket so this seemed right.
I bolted the stereo into the car which was quite difficult with all the wiring (which concerns me that this could be a problem, more on that in a bit). The stereo functioned correctly and turned on and the face flipped down and closed back up properly.
Here's where the trouble started. I went to put the panel back on and it seemed that the stereo was angle a bit too low. I was able to do some finagling (after taking it out, checking the brackets, and putting it back in multiple times) and get the kit to fit through the opening but this resulted in two issues: 1. The bottom part of the kit buckled up inhibiting the face from closing. There's enough room for it to open but it won't close. 2. the top part of the panel won't go back. I think the top of the stereo is sticking out a bit too much and this is keeping the paneling from reaching the dash.
My suspicions are that either the dash kit just doesn't fit right although from my previous research it seemed like the only real option or the wires are having a negative effect on the positioning of the head unit in its hole. My only reservation about that is that I feel like it wouldn't bolt into place if it wasn't positioned properly but I could certainly be wrong.
I spent about 5 hours trying to figure this out which is absurd because after I knocked out the wiring I figured I was home free and almost done. I plan on looking at all of the wiring behind the unit and trying to adjust it all to see if the head unit will fit differently but I don't know what else to do.
I also wonder if I could Dremel and maybe cut of the bottom of the installation kit? It just wouldn't look quite as clean.
