[jdmulloy]

I just installed an aftermarket radio in my 2002 Sentra XE. Since I couldn't find any good photos of a B15 with it's dash disassembled I took some while I took mine apart. Here they are for anyone else who wants to know what it looks like. The Crutchfield Mastersheet was pretty good except for the part for removing the top of the center console since the XE doesn't have the storage compartment. I managed to yank it out by just pulling on the top but I was a bit scared that I would break something. It pulls straight back, as does the trim around the storage cubby/disc changer.

EDIT: Link to new version of album including a photo of the new radio installed.

http://imgur.com/a/Q8zAa

 

[i68k]

not exactly what i was expecting, lol. youre only taking out the center dash pieces, not the dashboard itself, the dash is a lot more difficult than just pull-off panels. i mean, there's already write-ups to remove radio and hvac, you shouldve searched for them using the menubar.

 

[zillafreak]

how long did that take you to remove? 30 minutes?

 

[jdmulloy]

not exactly what i was expecting, lol. youre only taking out the center dash pieces, not the dashboard itself, the dash is a lot more difficult than just pull-off panels. i mean, there's already write-ups to remove radio and hvac, you shouldve searched for them using the menubar.

Yeah I guess the title isn't quite right. I'd change it but I don't think this forum allows that. I did a general Google and searched this forum but I couldn't find any photos. Maybe I just didn't use the right key words.

 

[jdmulloy]

how long did that take you to remove? 30 minutes?

Since I wasn't quite sure about how it would come apart I took my time. If I had to do it again I could take the top piece and the bottom trim in 5 minutes.

Overall I think the whole project took me about 4 hours in the car and 2 or so in the house splicing the wire harness together and reading all the instructions and the radio manual. I used Posi-Products connectors from Crutchfield instead of regular wire nuts. It's not as good as soldering, but I didn't feel like buying a heat gun to do the shrink tubing. If I just needed to buy an iron I probably would have.

I'll post a photo of the finished install later. I used the Scosche trim from Crutchfield, it's not factory tight, specifically the seam between the top of the console and the radio trim, but it's good enough for me.

Between the new radio and cleaning my MAF I enjoy driving my car again.

 

[jdmulloy]

Forgot to mention that the shifter (ATX) did get in the way. For the removal I just unscrewed the radio from the bracket and was able to get everything out. When I installed the new radio I just pulled it back to neutral since the battery was connected. I found out that the lock that prevents you from shifting out of park without holding the brake is electronic and doesn't work when the battery is disconnected. You can overcome this by using the release button which requires a flat head screw driver, or by reattaching the battery.

 

[i68k]

zillafreak-yea it only takes a few minutes to pop the panels and brackets off, even easier once youve done it before. hardest thing is unplugging the damn harnesses on the back without pulling the units out.

When I installed the new radio I just pulled it back to neutral since the battery was connected.

you should always disconnect the battery when doing electrical work before you short something or injure yourself. maybe move the shifter and choke the wheel before doing the radio or hvac

I used Posi-Products connectors from Crutchfield instead of regular wire nuts. It's not as good as soldering, but I didn't feel like buying a heat gun to do the shrink tubing. If I just needed to buy an iron I probably would have.

never use wire nuts on your vehicle, they may not have a good connection and may come loose. for soldering, you dont need a heat gun, you can just use regular electrical tape or something for wire insulation, unless you have a large gauge wire. to solder all you need is the soldering iron, solder with flux, wire cutter, and insulation stripper. it takes a little longer to solder, but it will sound better if you solder it correctly. i mean, all together, $20-25 of quality materials or less. you dont need a soldering iron that gets super hot, the low to midgrade ones will get plenty hot enough.

 

[jdmulloy]

you should always disconnect the battery when doing electrical work before you short something or injure yourself. maybe move the shifter and choke the wheel before doing the radio or hvac

I did disconnect the battery. This was after I attached the wire harness to the new radio. I reconnected the battery to test the radio before putting everything back together. I had the e-brake on. I actually always use the e-brake even though I drive an automatic.

never use wire nuts on your vehicle, they may not have a good connection and may come loose. for soldering, you dont need a heat gun, you can just use regular electrical tape or something for wire insulation, unless you have a large gauge wire. to solder all you need is the soldering iron, solder with flux, wire cutter, and insulation stripper. it takes a little longer to solder, but it will sound better if you solder it correctly. i mean, all together, $20-25 of quality materials or less. you dont need a soldering iron that gets super hot, the low to midgrade ones will get plenty hot enough.

I used these. They seems pretty solid and the reviews are good. I don't trust electrical tape to not fall apart in the heat. However I did use electrical tape to keep the wires together so they didn't go all over the place. I had to make sure they were pushed far back enough that they wouldn't get caught in the climate control mechanism.