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#1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 143174
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Kalispell, MT
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon CGM |
![]() What this is:
This how-to is for anyone wishing to install an aftermarket stereo in a '05 WRX Wagon. The sedan and RS interior pictures look similar to my car so it should work for those too (verify anyone?). It is designed for the technically inexperienced. I have always been awestruck by the ridiculous cost that professional installers charge for a relatively simple task. Do it yourself, learn a little, and save some money. Yes, I know this has probably already been posted for various models. Great. If theirs is better, use it, if not, here you go. Best of luck. Please let me know if I can improve this in any way. It'd be nice to eventually have a comprehensive install guide for many years/models. This tutorial assumes that you have a Subaru wiring harness soldered/crimped to your aftermarket deck harness. Following is a link from the12volt.com (an excellent reference for all car audio questions) on wiring harness colors. http://www.the12volt.com/request/request2.asp Buy yourself a Subaru wiring harness. It will save you an immense amount of time and the install will go far smoother. My personal preference is to solder and shrink-wrap the deck harness to the Subaru wiring harness but crimp connectors or solder/electrical tape work just as well if done properly. The wiring will never be seen by anyone else so whatever floats yer boat, go with it. For the wiring harness the Metra part number is 70-8901 [jay25RS] Do NOT cut the factory connector off; you will regret it (a plague on both your houses or something like that). Tools: Phillips head screwdriver (yep, that's all I used). Install Time: < 20 Min if your harness is prepped and ready to go (and your deck fits the brackets) Before you start, eject all of your CDs from the old deck! [SVXdc] 1. Unscrew the stickshift. Pull on back edge; up and back towards cup holders. It should pop off fairly easily. ![]() 2. Disconnect cigarette lighter plug shown (depress the release tab and wiggle out) and place the assembly somewhere out of the way. ![]() 3. Remove the screws shown below. If you are only replacing the deck (this is for an amp how-to to be posted later), you only need to unscrew the top set of screws. After these screws are removed, gently pull on the climate control panel until it pops free. Do not force it as you may break the tabs retaining the panel; after a little wiggling it should come free. Place a small towel over the stickshift rod and lay the climate control over the towel so that it is out of the way. You can remove the connectors altogether but I found it was a bit of a PITA and unnecessary. ![]() 4. Remove the 6 screws retaining the factory stereo. Support the stereo so it does not come crashing down. It shouldn't, but I've seen too many things that shouldn't happen, happen. ![]() 5. Remove the 3 cables from the deck:
6. Remove the 8 brass colored screws holding the deck to the retaining plates. Don't lose these screws, or the plates either for that matter. Hell, don't lose anything! NOTE: The mounting screws on the sides of the stock deck are sometimes VERY tight - people end up stripping the heads. Be prepared for this, use a screwdriver that exactly fits the screw head, and keep the screwdriver pressed in tightly while you begin to loosen each screw. - [SVXdc] ![]() You may want to test the radio before you even attach the mounting brackets. Test all functions - fade to each speaker individually, test AM/FM, CD, Aux, etc. If you got a defective unit you'll want to know before you go any further with the installation. [SVXdc] 7. Attach the brackets to your new deck. This part is going to differ from person to person depending on which stereo you've chosen to install. Most aftermarket decks will have screw holes that will line up with the stock brackets. I chose to mount mine with cheapo aftermarket pocket. Not too sexy, but it'll work for now (plus my buddy gave it to me for free, and hey, who doesn't like free?). ![]() 8. Connect the wiring harness to your deck and the other end to the connector pulled from the stock head unit. Reconnect the antenna (it only fits in one hole***8230;) and the ground wire to the case (right mounting plate.) 9. Now, follow the instructions backwards to install the deck into the car. For those dyslexically challenged:
Since posting with a lot of pictures is such a PITA, I'm going to try and find somewhere that will host pdf files. They're easier to print too. Lemmi know if any of you know some good spots. Amplifier install link: Amplifier Installation: MY05 WRX Wagon Revised 5/24/07 to include SVXdc's advice Revised 8/10/07 to include SVXdc's advice Revised 9/20/07 to include Metra Wiring harness part number Revised 5/13/08 to include amplifier link.
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Last edited by mcdeve8; 05-13-2008 at 01:14 PM. |
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#2 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 143174
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Kalispell, MT
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon CGM |
![]() Here's one from AZRally for a 2006, it's almost identical and very good:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=919560 Thanks for the heads up obsidian25i. If you disco the battery when installing, here's the link for the Vishnu ECU Re-mapped Learning Trick: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=302047 Lots of excellent information on the stock head unit from SVXdc: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=749402 Last edited by mcdeve8; 05-14-2007 at 04:10 PM. |
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#3 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 143174
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Kalispell, MT
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon CGM |
![]() Reserved for later.
Last edited by mcdeve8; 05-09-2007 at 10:19 AM. |
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#4 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 34994
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Vehicle:2004 Impreza WRX Java Black Pearl |
![]() Excellent writeup, thanks! Definitely looking forward to your amp/sub install versions...
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#5 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 143174
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Kalispell, MT
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon CGM |
![]() Hopefully it'll be done late tonight or tomorrow. I've been working on how I would do it next time to make it easier.
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#6 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 32636
Join Date: Feb 2003
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Dayton, OH
Vehicle:2004 Impreza STi Silver/Silver |
![]() Very nice writeup indeed!! I have added a new section at the top with the other FAQ links for install threads, and yours is now the first one added. Anyone seeing any others that should get stuck in there, let me know.
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#7 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 148416
Join Date: May 2007
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Troy, MI
Vehicle:07 Impreza 2.5i SE Black |
![]() Awesome setup!!! I want more pictures
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#8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 142668
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Hamilton & Monmouth Beach NJ
Vehicle:2005 RS Sport CGM |
![]() Missing only one thing- where the speedo wire is cause you need it for most nav's
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#9 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 143174
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Kalispell, MT
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon CGM |
![]() I'm not overly familiar with nav systems but if you let me know the logistics of it I'll do an edit to include it.
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#10 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 147402
Join Date: Apr 2007
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![]() This applies to MY07 2.5i as well.
I disconnected the battery before installing my stereo and found that the car behaved very differently afterwards. I was very confused but searching on this topic lead me to the following post, "Re-Mapped ECU Learning Trick 10-20hp in 5 seconds". (I can't post links yet as this is my first post.) I also got scared when the engine didn't start right away. This is apparently normal for the first time after disconnecting the battery. Here's a TSB about it over in scoobymods forums. Look for "06 - Forest /Imp 2.5L NA / Hesitation or Poor performance from stop". My car got its 'scoobieness' back after following the TSB instructions. |
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#11 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 68167
Join Date: Aug 2004
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: NW Montana
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon WR Blue |
![]() Hey McDeve8, can you post a picture of the head unit installed?
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#12 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 142668
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Hamilton & Monmouth Beach NJ
Vehicle:2005 RS Sport CGM |
![]() Well i found my speedo wire under the floor plate on the passenger side and had to use a wiring diagram to figure out which one it is- major pain just wanted to see if anyone else figured out where it was
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#13 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 129905
Join Date: Oct 2006
Chapter/Region:
AKIC
Location: Katy, TX & Anchorage, AK
Vehicle:2005 WRB WRX 2003 F-350SD, 7.3PSD |
![]() i just skimmed the post.. but i didnt see anything about the "Power Antenna" wire having to be hooked up. On the subies, if you have the glass painted antenna, you have to provide 12v of power to, or u will get horrible reception. I just used my blue remote wire for this..
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#14 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 82148
Join Date: Mar 2005
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: SoCal
Vehicle:1992 Daihatsu Charade |
![]() Where can I find an extra +12v wire to splice and convert to +5v for my ipod while I'm in there?
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#15 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 143174
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Kalispell, MT
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon CGM |
![]() Quote:
Your best bet for finding power to tap off of is to get a multimeter start ohming out various possible power points. That's what I did when I hardwired my radar detector. Ended up finding a +12V point in a free relay socket on the fuse box, bending a spade lug in half and pushing it in. Works like a charm. If anyone's interested I can post pix on how to do it. It's an easy 20min job. |
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#16 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 82148
Join Date: Mar 2005
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: SoCal
Vehicle:1992 Daihatsu Charade |
![]() Quote:
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#17 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 143174
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Kalispell, MT
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon CGM |
![]() If you use something like this you can tap into the wire without having to cut it. I think they're a little ghetto, but they work great! You can pick them up at the auto parts store. I think they're called dual-splice connectors.
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#18 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 25837
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Atlanta, GA
Vehicle:1996 SVX L AWD Laguna Blue Pearl |
![]() Nice pictures and captions.
Here are a few additions worth mentioning (judging by the number of threads where people ask about these):
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#19 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 25837
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Atlanta, GA
Vehicle:1996 SVX L AWD Laguna Blue Pearl |
![]() Quote:
Just solder or crimp at the same time you wire up the HU harness. |
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#20 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 71307
Join Date: Sep 2004
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
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![]() 6. Attach the brackets to your new deck. This part is going to differ from person to person depending on which stereo you've chosen to install. Most aftermarket decks will have screw holes that will line up with the stock brackets. I chose to mount mine with cheapo aftermarket pocket. Not too sexy, but it'll work for now (plus my buddy gave it to me for free, and hey, who doesn't like free?).
So what if the holes do not line up? I have a pioneer 9800BT and i'm having trouble |
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#21 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 25837
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Atlanta, GA
Vehicle:1996 SVX L AWD Laguna Blue Pearl |
![]() Quote:
Did you remove the mounting sleeve (what Pioneer calls the "holder") from your HU? You don't need that to install in Subarus. Are you sure that there isn't a pair of holes that line up? This is from your installation manual... ![]() (click thumbnail for larger version) Most aftermarket radios have compatible holes. If yours really does not, you'll need to drill new holes in the Subaru brackets. I suggest marking them carefully ("measure twice") and use a drill press, especially if a new hole is right next to a factory hole. |
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#22 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 107414
Join Date: Feb 2006
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: C-view, FL
Vehicle:2004 STI Silver |
![]() Very nice write up!
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#23 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 149802
Join Date: May 2007
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Crested Butte, CO
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon WRB |
![]() So I just installed my new HU into my 05 wrx and followed this write-up. I was actually unaware of the OEM subwoofer installed underneath my feet, which was a nice bonus. I am assuming this is what the little black plug (between the wiring harness and the antenna) is for.
Does anyone have any information about attaching the OEM subwoofer to a HU without the black plug? |
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#24 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 143174
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Kalispell, MT
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon CGM |
![]() Here is a great compilation of information by North Ursalia. Hopefully you can find what you're looking for. It's stickied in the audio forum.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170844 |
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#25 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 25837
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Atlanta, GA
Vehicle:1996 SVX L AWD Laguna Blue Pearl |
![]() Quote:
See the subwoofer info in this thread: Stock head unit information -- pin-outs, subwoofer, aux inputs, and moreAnd see posts 18, 20, and 21 in this thread: stock sub w/ aftermarket hu |
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