2004 Monaro - advice on removing radio/CD unit ?
Discussion
Done 1000 miles in my Monaro so far, and enjoying it very much, but now it's time for some upgrades.
I want to replace the stereo system in the car. I've removed the head unit and now I need to remove the cradle that the head unit slots into. But the cradle is too big to come out on its own - the carbon-effect trim that surrounds it (and houses the climate control and cupholders) needs to be removed too. I've taken out various screws it's all free at the top, but something is holding it in place below the cupholders, where it seems to slot into the gearlever console carbon effect bits. In the pic you can see a line where the two bits meet. This is where it is being held. I guess the centre console side panels have to come off somehow, or the trim panel around the gearlever needs to come off, but I can't see any more screws and I don't want to start pulling things too hard and break any of the fixings. How is the trim removed? Any advice would be much appreciated.
[pic]
>>> Edited by GSE - Monaro V8 on Saturday 25th September 22:06
I want to replace the stereo system in the car. I've removed the head unit and now I need to remove the cradle that the head unit slots into. But the cradle is too big to come out on its own - the carbon-effect trim that surrounds it (and houses the climate control and cupholders) needs to be removed too. I've taken out various screws it's all free at the top, but something is holding it in place below the cupholders, where it seems to slot into the gearlever console carbon effect bits. In the pic you can see a line where the two bits meet. This is where it is being held. I guess the centre console side panels have to come off somehow, or the trim panel around the gearlever needs to come off, but I can't see any more screws and I don't want to start pulling things too hard and break any of the fixings. How is the trim removed? Any advice would be much appreciated.
[pic] >>> Edited by GSE - Monaro V8 on Saturday 25th September 22:06
Sadly I can only help with removing the centre console around the gear lever bit which you would need to remove to get the central dash out.
First off there is one retaining screw under the central dash, where the rubber insert is, in front of the gear stick.You may have to pull out the rubber insert to get to it. Store that somwhere safely and then the fun bit! You now have to pull up on the centre console top cover. ie the bit around the gear lever, the electric window switches etc. It is only held on with clips, but they are fairly strong clips so you need a bit of force! Work from the back towards the front.
Once this top cover of the centre console is off, I would hazard a guess, you will discover there are a number of screws holding the central dash fascia in, under the stereo area. You should then be able to get the fascia off and hopefully get better access to the stereo cradle.
Hope this helps, If it doesn't, I can raid the vast knowledge of the Aussie forum and they should know.
Good luck
motomk
First off there is one retaining screw under the central dash, where the rubber insert is, in front of the gear stick.You may have to pull out the rubber insert to get to it. Store that somwhere safely and then the fun bit! You now have to pull up on the centre console top cover. ie the bit around the gear lever, the electric window switches etc. It is only held on with clips, but they are fairly strong clips so you need a bit of force! Work from the back towards the front.
Once this top cover of the centre console is off, I would hazard a guess, you will discover there are a number of screws holding the central dash fascia in, under the stereo area. You should then be able to get the fascia off and hopefully get better access to the stereo cradle.
Hope this helps, If it doesn't, I can raid the vast knowledge of the Aussie forum and they should know.
Good luck
motomk
Thanks motomk 
I managed to remove the gearlever trim as you described, those clips are tight! Underneath it, at the front, there are two extra screws that hold the lower half of the upper dash section in place. I've removed the head unit frame, and now have access to the wiring.
As well as upgrading the head unit, I want to upgrade the speakers too. The Monaro brochure quotes ten speakers, but I only count six - two in the front doors, two in the rear passenger area, and two on the rear window shelf. Any idea where the other four are ??
I managed to remove the gearlever trim as you described, those clips are tight! Underneath it, at the front, there are two extra screws that hold the lower half of the upper dash section in place. I've removed the head unit frame, and now have access to the wiring.
As well as upgrading the head unit, I want to upgrade the speakers too. The Monaro brochure quotes ten speakers, but I only count six - two in the front doors, two in the rear passenger area, and two on the rear window shelf. Any idea where the other four are ??
GSE,
Any luck with that new stereo for your Monaro? I have a Pontiac GTO and am interested in doing something similar. However, I havent found any information on replacing the stock GTO radio. Apparently, no one in the States is even thinking about this kind of thing. I would really appreciate any pointers and pictures you have to offer regarding removing the old stereo, wiring, etc.
Thanks!
Ian
Any luck with that new stereo for your Monaro? I have a Pontiac GTO and am interested in doing something similar. However, I havent found any information on replacing the stock GTO radio. Apparently, no one in the States is even thinking about this kind of thing. I would really appreciate any pointers and pictures you have to offer regarding removing the old stereo, wiring, etc.
Thanks!
Ian
roger440,
Thanks for the info. I looked around ls1.com.au for a while today but found nothing specific to removing or replacing the Monaro stock radio. There is quite a lot of information there though. If only I knew which models of the Commodore have the same radio as the '04 Monaro....
I did find a cool source for wiring harnesses though: AERPRO International. But they don't have any listings for the Monaro either, just the Commodore. Any idea which harness would fit?
Thanks for the info.
Ian
Thanks for the info. I looked around ls1.com.au for a while today but found nothing specific to removing or replacing the Monaro stock radio. There is quite a lot of information there though. If only I knew which models of the Commodore have the same radio as the '04 Monaro....
I did find a cool source for wiring harnesses though: AERPRO International. But they don't have any listings for the Monaro either, just the Commodore. Any idea which harness would fit?
Thanks for the info.
Ian
Unless i'm mistaken, the head unit is the same as any VY commodore/ute. the poverty models don't have 6 disc changers etc though.
There were a whole load of ramblings on Ls1.com.au re fitting preouts to the factory head unit, rather than replacing it. some chap over there does, but thats not a lot of use here.
I'd definitly have some fitted if i could find someone here that could do it.
Not a lot of use if u want RDS, satnav etc!
There were a whole load of ramblings on Ls1.com.au re fitting preouts to the factory head unit, rather than replacing it. some chap over there does, but thats not a lot of use here.
I'd definitly have some fitted if i could find someone here that could do it.
Not a lot of use if u want RDS, satnav etc!
ian351c said:
GSE,
Any luck with that new stereo for your Monaro? I have a Pontiac GTO and am interested in doing something similar. However, I havent found any information on replacing the stock GTO radio. Apparently, no one in the States is even thinking about this kind of thing. I would really appreciate any pointers and pictures you have to offer regarding removing the old stereo, wiring, etc.
Thanks!
Ian
No joy yet as I've been unable to find a suitable facia panel adaptor for the Monaro.
The power and speaker wiring to the head unit are all done via a standard car audio plug on the rear, so no problems there. However there are two aeiral leads that connect into the head unit for some reason. Is this a diversity antenna arrangement, or just good old AM/FM? The subwoofer amp input (fitted in the boot) is taken off of the head units rear speaker outputs, at speaker output level (i.e a bit crude!)
I bought a facia panel adaptor (I think it was for a Toyota) and tried to make it fit, but the problem is that the hole in which the Monaro head unit fits looks like double din size, but is actually slightly bigger, and slightly curved, horizontally and vertically. It sort of fitted but it looks awful! I temporarily fitted a Kenwood head unit to try out FM/RDS reception, but found that the reception was worse! Something to do with those aerial connections I think....
I've put everything back to normal for the time being, until I can find (or make) a facia panel adaptor. I like the idea of a DAB (digital)radio. Blaukpunkt do a single DIN size unit that come with a small roof mounted aeiral that does both the DAB & FM bands so if I fit one of those it might solve the aeiral problem too.
roger440 said:
Ahh, one thing i did forget, apparantly, according to some dude on ls1.com.au the pontiac version is delivered to the US with a blanking plate fitted to the head unit hole. ideal if you want to graft a standard din sized unit in there.
someone even posted the GM part no.
(from the "very very slow delivery time for the monaro" thread) :
motomk said:
Talk to ukhsv! There is a blanking plate for the stereo, although I haven't seen one fitted! It blanks out the whole panel so I guess you can put a hole in it and mount a single DIN item!
It sounds like this is just what I need! Anyone know the part number? ukhsv ?
>> Edited by GSE - Monaro V8 on Saturday 31st July 20:14
As "Dave52" says it is a blanking plate use to fill the space the stereo occupies in a American GTO when it is shipped as they send them without radios fitted (security I think) the Plate costs about $15 + shipping but it is not finished to the same colour or standard as the cars trim, but again as "Dave52" says it is the correct size and shape to be used as a custom install.
The part number is 92096871 this will mean nothing to UK dealers as it is the Holden code, if you want one email me and I will put it on the next order or contact any Holden dealer (I use South City Holden in Melbourne 03-9627 3333)
The current trend in OZ is to tap into the stereo and produce your own pre outs to by pass the inbuilt amp, which will then give you the quality but this is no help on the Rds front.
The part number is 92096871 this will mean nothing to UK dealers as it is the Holden code, if you want one email me and I will put it on the next order or contact any Holden dealer (I use South City Holden in Melbourne 03-9627 3333)
The current trend in OZ is to tap into the stereo and produce your own pre outs to by pass the inbuilt amp, which will then give you the quality but this is no help on the Rds front.
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