Installing new head unit in a 2004 Sunfire
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4
Hi Everyone,
I just found this forum; it's a great resource. Thanks for putting it together.
I've just bought a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire which includes the basic AM/FM radio. I have a few questions about upgrading to an after-market head unit.
(1) Can I put a double DIN unit into this car? I'm not sure if the stock radio is a double DIN or not (it is bigger than a single DIN).
(2) One installer I checked with said that the install is difficult on all newer cars because the airbag control goes through the radio. He said that he'd have to route the original wiring through to the trunk and hide the factory radio there. He could then install a new radio. This car has no security alarm or autostarter or anything special but does have airbags. Is he correct?
(3) What to do with the factory speakers? I don't really like them, but will anything sound any better in this car. Not interested in putting in a sub at this time.
Thanks for your input.
- DVDRAT [img]graemlins/cf2.gif[/img]
I just found this forum; it's a great resource. Thanks for putting it together.
I've just bought a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire which includes the basic AM/FM radio. I have a few questions about upgrading to an after-market head unit.
(1) Can I put a double DIN unit into this car? I'm not sure if the stock radio is a double DIN or not (it is bigger than a single DIN).
(2) One installer I checked with said that the install is difficult on all newer cars because the airbag control goes through the radio. He said that he'd have to route the original wiring through to the trunk and hide the factory radio there. He could then install a new radio. This car has no security alarm or autostarter or anything special but does have airbags. Is he correct?
(3) What to do with the factory speakers? I don't really like them, but will anything sound any better in this car. Not interested in putting in a sub at this time.
Thanks for your input.
- DVDRAT [img]graemlins/cf2.gif[/img]
Guest
Posts: n/a
It is a double DIN factory head unit.
Use the relocation harness, people will no doubt come in here and argue against it, but it's cheap insurance.
You can fit almost anything in the doors as far as speakers, but will need to build some custom baffles and maybe space the window track back a bit.
Use the relocation harness, people will no doubt come in here and argue against it, but it's cheap insurance.
You can fit almost anything in the doors as far as speakers, but will need to build some custom baffles and maybe space the window track back a bit.
Originally posted by DWVW:
It is a double DIN factory head unit.
Use the relocation harness, people will no doubt come in here and argue against it, but it's cheap insurance.
You can fit almost anything in the doors as far as speakers, but will need to build some custom baffles and maybe space the window track back a bit.
It is a double DIN factory head unit.
Use the relocation harness, people will no doubt come in here and argue against it, but it's cheap insurance.
You can fit almost anything in the doors as far as speakers, but will need to build some custom baffles and maybe space the window track back a bit.
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 456
Deffinitely retain the factory deck for this vehicle, and do what your installer said, because he is right. GM has not been known to get sticky about removing the OEM radio, however you can read diagnostics through the display, doorchime through the speakers, among other things. This job should come in at about $190 cdn parts and labour. Your factory front speakers are 4X6 and sit on a square plastic panel which can be removed and replaced with a 6.5" speaker on a wood baffle (metra makes these as well @$25). Changing these to the larger 6" will greatly increase your SQ. Your rears are 6X9" and also make a big difference to swap out. Double din???
all the good decks are single din, and all the double din's are just flashy fishfinders!
Good luck
all the good decks are single din, and all the double din's are just flashy fishfinders!
Good luck
500 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 870
Originally posted by DWVW:
It is a double DIN factory head unit.
Use the relocation harness, people will no doubt come in here and argue against it, but it's cheap insurance.
It is a double DIN factory head unit.
Use the relocation harness, people will no doubt come in here and argue against it, but it's cheap insurance.
