Noob: 01 Cavalier Z24 - New Stereo Help

[Shizzy]

Hey Guys,

I have a 2001 Cavalier Z24 and it had an older Pioneer deck when I bought it. I recently bought a cheap CD/ DVD unit and I am having some trouble putting it in. The current dash kit piece is not big enough. I currently have a Metra which is too small, I saw some other people online complaining the Metra kit can be too small so I ordered a Scosche kit, I hope the opening is a little bigger, otherwise I will have to cut into it. Also, it's a fairly deep unit so I might need to cut into the plastic in the back. Is there anything to consider while doing this or just cut into that bad boy with a Dremel? Also, the Pioneer end of the harness does not fit into the back of this unit. I assume I just need to wire the new harness this unit came with to the existing adater? Thanks for any help.

Ryan

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[All_Logix 10+ year member]

Ryan,

There are a few things to consider, the cavaliers had an issue with the instrument guage in them. Intense vibration can de-calibrate the tachometer, oil, guage, etc, so dremmel at your own caution. However IIRC, there really isnt much way around having to get that plastic out. i want to say in the past I have cut it out with crimpers. As far as the wiring issue, if they cut the factory harness when they put in the existing radio, your going to have to cut that harness off and rewire, if they used a wiring harness...i.e. you can unsnap one end in the vehicle and pull it out, then you can cut the old harness off of it and the wire colors should match, then clip it back on.

 

[All_Logix 10+ year member]

Ryan,

There are a few things to consider, the cavaliers had an issue with the instrument guage in them. Intense vibration can de-calibrate the tachometer, oil, guage, etc, so dremmel at your own caution. However IIRC, there really isnt much way around having to get that plastic out. i want to say in the past I have cut it out with crimpers. As far as the wiring issue, if they cut the factory harness when they put in the existing radio, your going to have to cut that harness off and rewire, if they used a wiring harness...i.e. you can unsnap one end in the vehicle and pull it out, then you can cut the old harness off of it and the wire colors should match, then clip it back on.

 

[All_Logix 10+ year member]

Ryan,

There are a few things to consider, the cavaliers had an issue with the instrument guage in them. Intense vibration can de-calibrate the tachometer, oil, guage, etc, so dremmel at your own caution. However IIRC, there really isnt much way around having to get that plastic out. i want to say in the past I have cut it out with crimpers. As far as the wiring issue, if they cut the factory harness when they put in the existing radio, your going to have to cut that harness off and rewire, if they used a wiring harness...i.e. you can unsnap one end in the vehicle and pull it out, then you can cut the old harness off of it and the wire colors should match, then clip it back on.

 

[Shizzy]

Civic,

Thank you for the reply. They did buy a harness adapter so I should just be able to snip the old Pioneer harness off and wire the new one to the adapter. I will also Dremmel or snip with caution. I like the tin snips idea better, less dust.

Ryan