Just the way I like them

…your dish rack is overtaken by toys.

In the last post, I talked about how to remove the existing stereo. The next step is installing the new stereo.

Removing the old chassy

To get your new stereo in, you’ll probably need to replace the chassy with the one that came with your stereo.

When you remove the existing chassy from the car, you’ll see wires attached.

The cluster of wires on the left of the chassy (shown in the picture) have three connectors. They supply power and hook the head unit up to the speakers.

The wire on the right connects the stereo to the antenna.

You will need to disconnect all of these wires from the chasys and install the new chassy.

Adding a new chassy

The new chassy (pictured) was shorter than the original, but this doesn’t matter

There will be instructions for fitting the new chassy with your new head unit. Its as simple as slotting the new chassy into the hole, and bending some bits of metal outwards so the unit gets a grip on the hole.

Wiring

To get everything connected up nicely, I purchased three adaptors.

Two of these adaptors are pictured. They are made by Aerpro. In Australia, you can get these from AutoPro (like I did). Repco also sell them.

These two adaptors solve the problem that arises when there are no connection standards agreed among car manufacturers and stereo makers across the world. For $20 they are worth it. They will connect the power and the speakers.

Connecting everything is simple. The plugs are designed to only fit one way.

One set of connections was left spare. I’m guessing those connections passed information from the head unit to the Astra’s built-in display that shows time, temperature and track number.

In any case, the stereo works fine without it. The Astra’s built in display doesn’t show track numbers any more, but it still shows time and temperature.

Once the final connections to the stereo head unit are done, you can slide the stereo in.

All done. I’ll add a picture of the final look shortly.

The stereo I’m removing is a Blaupunkt 520 that came standard with the 2005 Astra Classic Hatchback.

Step 1 – undo the screws

The first step is to get a small allen key and remove the 4 screws at the corners of the head unit.

Step 2: Makeshift stereo removal keys

Once that is done, you need to get a coat hanger and make a pair of removal ‘keys’. They only have one function – to undo the clips that hold the stereo to the chassy.

They will need to be long enough to be inserted about 1 inch into the head unit.

Keep pushing until you feel a click. That means the clips have been undone, and you are ready to start sliding the unit out.

Step 3: Remove the unit

You can decide for yourself how gentle you would like to be when sliding out your head unit. I used a hammer.

I finally got around to installing the swing. Matthew and Natalie have been having a great time on it.