MK3 GP radio installation

[Mat210]

Just bought myself a gp and looking to have a few tweeks done such as a new radio. Seen some ideal ones in places such as halfords but have no clue on how to install it, can halfords help me with this or do I have to go it alone/ how?

 

[Eklipze3k]

Welcome to the forum
Halfords can help, but I wouldn't trust them as far as I can throw them!

Checklist of things you'll need:

1. New headunit/stereo
2. Fascia adaptor
3. Wiring harness (with steering wheel controls adaptor, if required)
4. A basic knowledge of wiring

What year is your car? Whereabouts in the country are you? What's your budget? Will you just be changing the stereo, or are you thinking about upgrading the speakers and adding a sub too?


If you've seen something in Halfords that you like, make a note of the make and model and do a Google search - you'll almost definitely find it cheaper elsewhere!

 

[Mat210]

Haha understandable! I'll have to get myself the fascia adapter and wiring harness if I'm going to do it myself.

It's an 08 and I'm in the northeast I ultimately want to upgrade the speakers but just sticking to changing the stereo at the moment as there's more important additions on my list haha! Yeah I'll have to have a look around online I think.

Is the procedure difficult? I searched for a guide on here but had no look

 

[Mat210]

Welcome to the forum
Halfords can help, but I wouldn't trust them as far as I can throw them!

Checklist of things you'll need:

1. New headunit/stereo
2. Fascia adaptor
3. Wiring harness (with steering wheel controls adaptor, if required)
4. A basic knowledge of wiring

What year is your car? Whereabouts in the country are you? What's your budget? Will you just be changing the stereo, or are you thinking about upgrading the speakers and adding a sub too?


If you've seen something in Halfords that you like, make a note of the make and model and do a Google search - you'll almost definitely find it cheaper elsewhere!

Thanks for the help by the way!

 

[Eklipze3k]

It's probably on of the easiest procedures on the car if I'm honest.
Removal of the old unit will require a pair of "keys" which are basically these

Unplug the wiring from the back of the original unit. Plug your wiring harness into the car's wiring, and steering wheel control adaptors into that (if required/available - not all stereo manufacturers support steering controls, and of the ones that do not all of their units support it so be sure if that's what you want). Insert the plastic fascia surround into the hole left behind by the old stereo - you may need to remove some of the supports for the old stereo, which if I remember correctly need a torx to remove. Insert the support cage/frame for your new stereo into the fascia, plug everything into the back of the new stereo and push it home. That's basically it!

If using steering control adaptors you may need to crimp some wires together, and - from experience - the Connects2 adaptor is far superior to the Autoleads version in that it actually works! If you were closer I'd be happy to help, perhaps there is someone else local that can lend a hand.

 

[Mat210]

Great thanks for the help! Think I've got a rough idea of what i'm doing now haha. Just need to get myself the keys and a fascia and give it a go i suppose, see what happens haha