The 1st comprehensive 2008 impreza dash & radio removal guide

[Magic Marker]

Originally Posted by DanzBorin

doesn't look like it as they have very different harnesses...

I'm kind of mad that they changed the harness after 15 years for the non-nav cars...

I'm going to have to do some rigging to get this to work now...

Thanks. I guess the only way is to get an aftermarket in dash nav.

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[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by Magic Marker

Thanks. I guess the only way is to get an aftermarket in dash nav.

well, you just have to make your own harness using 14 and 20 pin harnesses and find pinouts for everything...

probably easier to go aftermarket...

[njward]

Forgive me if this is retarded, but I'm wiring up my dnx7120 to the nissan harness right now.

When you guys say you needed to modify the harness, or wires are missing, are you just hooking the missing wires up directly (radio to the wire you remove from the factory harness), or are you modifying the nissan harness?

I am very interested (relatively electrically inexperienced) how you hook the wire in the plug (nissan harness) with a pin and where you buy these pins. The more plug and play the better

[DanzBorin]

all you need to add is the ground...

I used a pin and wire from my 93-05 Impreza harness, the pin is close enough to the right size that it worked...

[njward]

oh sweet. so no big deal.

thanks man

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by njward

oh sweet. so no big deal.

thanks man

np...

beware that the stock stereo is wider than a normal double din... there will be gaps if you put a standard din or double din stereo in there...

you can find a kit or blank plastic on www.installer.com to fill the void...

I need to get this done... i have a couple of 1/2 gaps that are driving me a bit nuts...

[njward]

Originally Posted by DanzBorin

np...

beware that the stock stereo is wider than a normal double din... there will be gaps if you put a standard din or double din stereo in there...

you can find a kit or blank plastic on www.installer.com to fill the void...

I need to get this done... i have a couple of 1/2 gaps that are driving me a bit nuts...

Thanks for the warning. I got the jdm piece from japanparts so I should be good to go. I've been searching about this for 2 weeks and had no clue how people added pins to a harness in such a way the didn't jeopardize the connection.

I'm pretty sure the JDM piece is the best/nicest solution. It was here quicker than my order from installer.com.

[njward]

can i just hook that black ground from the radio to the chasis or it actually need to be connected to groun on the subaru harness?

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by njward

can i just hook that black ground from the radio to the chasis or it actually need to be connected to groun on the subaru harness?

i'd ground it to the harness... it's not super difficult...

[wonton]

Originally Posted by njward

can i just hook that black ground from the radio to the chasis or it actually need to be connected to groun on the subaru harness?

yes.

if you're running an aftermarket setup, you should ground it to the chassis.

[wonton]

in other news, what is everyone using to pry the radio bezel off?

the ''take everything apart'' method is silly.

[AcquaCow]

Originally Posted by wonton

in other news, what is everyone using to pry the radio bezel off?

the ''take everything apart'' method is silly.

Make hooks with paperclips and stick them through the air vents in the bottom corners, then pull.

You may have to loop the paperclip around your finger to get enough grip.

-- Dave

[sin13]

subscribed!

[Spaz0351]

So I have a question about the 09 wrx Non-navi. Hence it is a clarion head unit do you believe I would be able to use a $100 sirius clarion connect to get satellite radio or would I have to use the subaru $400 connector.

[Ric WRX]

The audio shop just took off the radio bezel for my install.

[EE06STI]

Has anyone confirmed the wiring for the aux input in the center console? It seems that it would be the smaller connector, used on my car. I'm debating hooking it directly into an RCA connector on my eclipse.

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by EE06STI

Has anyone confirmed the wiring for the aux input in the center console? It seems that it would be the smaller connector, used on my car. I'm debating hooking it directly into an RCA connector on my eclipse.

it is supposed to be the smaller connector, but I'm not sure what is what...

easier would be to buy a 6' male to male connector (or RCAs) and splice it into the jack and plug that into the aux input in the head unit...

[k_preza]

Originally Posted by wonton

in other news, what is everyone using to pry the radio bezel off?

the ''take everything apart'' method is silly.

the "hooked paperclip" method may be better, but i used a plastic putty knife to get under and pry it out.

[satcomjimmy]

Originally Posted by DanzBorin

np...

beware that the stock stereo is wider than a normal double din... there will be gaps if you put a standard din or double din stereo in there...

you can find a kit or blank plastic on www.installer.com to fill the void...

Call me Crazy if you need to but I am actually just trying to get an 08 impreza stock stereo into an 07 forester. I wanted to add some of the features (like the 6-disc in dash changer and ipod interface) for as little hassle as possible. So the width is an issue I did not consider until the stereo arrived, as all the other subarus I've seen were din or double din. I'm not willing to cut my stock dash but I have not found a kit or dash replacement for this. Am I just going to have to find a spare 07 Forester dash on ebay or a junk yard and cut away? If so, does anyone know what other years or models would have the same dash? Otherwise, is there a good brand or model of aftermarket unit that has the in dash changer and a good ipod interface?

[nobletea]

Originally Posted by satcomjimmy

Call me Crazy if you need to but I am actually just trying to get an 08 impreza stock stereo into an 07 forester. I wanted to add some of the features (like the 6-disc in dash changer and ipod interface) for as little hassle as possible. So the width is an issue I did not consider until the stereo arrived, as all the other subarus I've seen were din or double din. I'm not willing to cut my stock dash but I have not found a kit or dash replacement for this. Am I just going to have to find a spare 07 Forester dash on ebay or a junk yard and cut away? If so, does anyone know what other years or models would have the same dash? Otherwise, is there a good brand or model of aftermarket unit that has the in dash changer and a good ipod interface?

If any of that means you have an extra 08 stock 6 changer HU to unload, PM me and we'll talk.

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by satcomjimmy

Call me Crazy if you need to but I am actually just trying to get an 08 impreza stock stereo into an 07 forester. I wanted to add some of the features (like the 6-disc in dash changer and ipod interface) for as little hassle as possible. So the width is an issue I did not consider until the stereo arrived, as all the other subarus I've seen were din or double din. I'm not willing to cut my stock dash but I have not found a kit or dash replacement for this. Am I just going to have to find a spare 07 Forester dash on ebay or a junk yard and cut away? If so, does anyone know what other years or models would have the same dash? Otherwise, is there a good brand or model of aftermarket unit that has the in dash changer and a good ipod interface?

it will take a lot to get the aux input to work... you would need all of the wiring to go along with the stereo... plus the jack...

[satcomjimmy]

I might take you up on that nobletea, but for now I'm still considering it. I already looked at the subaru kits for the ipod and aux input, and I'm electronically proficient, so I wasn't worried about that. It's the prospect of cutting up the dash that will likely kill the swap with this head unit. It's my wife's daily driver, not mine so it has to continue to look stock and be as user-friendly as possible.

[elwray]

Thanks for all the info and pics!

How about removing the plastic panels on the doors to get to the speakers in there? Are there screws holding that on or is just a snap-off piece?

[poontank]

Good info, thanks.

[Calum W.]

Originally Posted by elwray

Thanks for all the info and pics!

How about removing the plastic panels on the doors to get to the speakers in there? Are there screws holding that on or is just a snap-off piece?

There's a screw in the handle of the armrest and one by the handle you use to open the door. IIRC, after that it snaps right off.

I use a panel popper to remove the radio bezel vice remove half of the interior. There's some panel poppers listed in the vendor for sale section, but the price is a little steep. I paid $15 for my set at Princess Auto.

I've tried the illumination wire and I just want to confirm the location listed in this thread is correct.