Newbie HU installation
 

Hi,
Just ordered a 2012 base + sports. Have to wait a few months before the car gets here, the anticipation is killing me. This is kind of strange to ask question this early since I don't have the car yet, but once I get the car the first thing I know I will like to do is to replace the stock HU with a Kenwood with Nav, bluetooth, steering control and backup camera. I have been reading all the HU installation threads and the videos, lot of great information and tips, so glad we have a such strong community for this car.

I am comfortable taking the dash apart and have done that with my previous cars to install plug and play accessories, however I have never done any electric work or mess with the stereos. If I get all the necessary wiring harnesses, is this a plug and play job? I see some threads indicating soldering of the wires, is that necessary? That is probably the only part that I find challenging. Am I better off hiring a professional to do the install? If so, anyone got good recommendation around mid-Michigan?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Solder is not necessary however it is what makes my installs what they are, some use crimp connectors, some just twist together and wrap electrical tape, some use walmart heat shrink.

I do solder than marine grade heat shrink this makes sure the wires will never come apart and are as strong as the wire itself.

I use crimp connectors, and zip ties personally.

i solder the harness but use crimps and taps for most wiring these days. ive never had a bad solder over the many years installing stereos on my personal cars and friends cars, but on my Z install particularly i had a bad tap on my rear view camera power wire and it resulted in intermittent signal after about a year of use.

root cause of that problem was the jacket of the wire was thick but the conductor was rather thin. looking at the weight of the cord i thought i needed the blue size tap, but it really needed the red sized tap. so i went back and used the red tap and no more issue.

lessons learned was that some cords have thick jackets but thin wiring inside.

I just think soldering takes too long...just my personal opinion.

I guess I can crimp the wires. Instruction for the HU wires to the harnesses are pretty easy to follow then?

For the nissan, non-bose systems, you're gonna need a wiring harness, antenna adapter and possibly a mounting bracket, you could always go to best buy car install and buy the parts from there. Or you could get them on eBay and save 80%, easily.

eRep??

Thank dsevast for the additional items
 

Here are some of the additional things you'll need


Steering Wheel Control: Amazon.com: PAC SWI-PS Pioneer and Sony Universal Steering Wheel Radio Interface: Automotive

Wiring Harness: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VXED54

You also need a:

Metra 99-7607B dash kit

Metra 40-ni12 Antenna

I would recommend getting the metra axxess steering wheel controls over the pac ones much quicker with responses.

If you do not use the stereing controls you can just skip it, I prefer a remote control.

Great information guys!

Pac
 

Got it installed today, pretty quick response. Dont see a difference from the stock unit.

The steering wheel controls, right? you went with the PAC unit?

yeah, all the parts I recommended got installed today with the Pioneer 4300 HU

Very nice! Where's the pics?:tup:

:worthless:

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