Taking out original am/fm radio/tapedeck

[kel_VK_Calais]

Has anyone had a Vk Calais with the ORIGINAL Holden radio it came out with? Mine's still in my car, and am wanting to replace it with a MP3 head deck. I've been told they're very difficult to get out, and their is a chance of the dash disintergrating. Has anyone had to remove their original tape deck? Anything I should look out for?

[potshots007]

i personally haven done one, but ive head there are 2 screw which face outwards holding something or something, sorry i cant help too much
cheers, nick

[Shifty1]

mine came with factory radio, but it was asy to get out (just slid haha) anyway, scott has a diagram which im sure he will gladly show you.. i was going to attempt mine in my old vk but i heard you can destroy things if your not too sure..

[synoptica]

It's not the fastest job and requires a LOT of dismantling - but if you take your time and don't force anything then you won't have a problem.

Rule of thumb: if it's not coming out easily, there's something still holding it in - don't force it.

By the way, want to give me the stock headunit? After one for a project I'm thinking of doing. Shouldn't have thrown mine out!

[Shifty1]

yer it doesnt require a bit of work.. alot of older cars seem to..

[kel_VK_Calais]

By the way, want to give me the stock headunit? After one for a project I'm thinking of doing. Shouldn't have thrown mine out!

Sure, if you've got a digital dash you don't need Is the project going to be another calais? Cos I've got my original stock rims that came out on my calais too ... maybe you've got shit I need, and we could arrange to swap some stuff?

[kel_VK_Calais]

i personally haven done one, but ive head there are 2 screw which face outwards holding something or something, sorry i cant help too much
cheers, nick

Yeah, I've been told they're bolted to something....everyone at stereo installation places I've been too have always said " Argh...VERY difficult job" and are trying to charge me like $400 just for the install.

[synoptica]

$400? Damn dude. That's way too much. I'll admit that it's a big job - near full-dayer for the ametuer - involves cutting plastic and much dash removal - but if you DIY you'll be $400 richer and wiser for the experience!

As for the headunit - it's not for stock-ness - it's for deterrence. I'm going to make a faceplate that just sits in place of the real faceplace - so when a dodgy thieving bastard looks into the car and sees what appears to be a stock headunit he moves along. $1500 fixing my car after being stolen and recovered - not fun!

[Shifty1]

well i paid $100 to get mine isntalled in my last vk.. i found that alright

[Spike79]

I think the worst bit is that the radio is bolted in at the back. You need to remove the centre vents and air duct to get to it.
Its not too hard if you know where it is, of course i can say that because i had to rip the whole dash out only to realise it was held there by this one prick of a screw!

[Shifty1]

I think the worst bit is that the radio is bolted in at the back. You need to remove the centre vents and air duct to get to it.
Its not too hard if you know where it is, of course i can say that because i had to rip the whole dash out only to realise it was held there by this one prick of a screw!

thats wat i didnt wanna do thats why i paid last time

[kel_VK_Calais]

As for the headunit - it's not for stock-ness - it's for deterrence. I'm going to make a faceplate that just sits in place of the real faceplace - so when a dodgy thieving bastard looks into the car and sees what appears to be a stock headunit he moves along. $1500 fixing my car after being stolen and recovered - not fun!

that's actually a really good idea Look, by all means if I get rid of it evetually (cos i wont be getting a new deck for a couple of mths) I'll certainly PM you k?

[NORTI]

I think the worst bit is that the radio is bolted in at the back. You need to remove the centre vents and air duct to get to it.
Its not too hard if you know where it is, of course i can say that because i had to rip the whole dash out only to realise it was held there by this one prick of a screw!

did the same thing in the VL.. wasnt sure if it was the same in VK's


I always used to wonder why VL's at the wreckers were missing the left front air vent.... found out why lol



D.

[synoptica]

that's actually a really good idea Look, by all means if I get rid of it evetually (cos i wont be getting a new deck for a couple of mths) I'll certainly PM you k?

Hehe well I thought it over - realised that the 4" components and 6x9s at the back might give a clue as to the fact that there's a better-than-factory stereo lurking inside somewhere - knew a dude with a 120Y that had his in the glovebox!

[fentos]

The stereo isn't too hard to get out if you want to break it. It took me about 15 mins max. Just use alot of force. I also had trouble fitting my new one. I spent ages filing the dash out to get it to fit. It's so tight now though - it won't be coming out in a hurry. That's for sure.