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I'm new here and I have a question. I have a Kenwood stereo (kdcmp332) with an iPod hookup (rear mounted). I looked through the forums to install the stereo and I feel confident that I can do it my self without doing any damage to my car (hopefully).

My question is: What are other supplies that I will need? Do I need a wiring harness or anything else? I had the stereo installed on my neon and took it out when I sold it. I know it had a piece of plastic on the front to make it mount flush with the car and look better so that there wasn't a gap. Do I need anything like this to install the stereo?

Also, I have the cord that plugs into the back of the stereo. Where would be a good place to have the cord come out? In my neon I had it coming out of the glove box and I didn't like that. Can I have it come out of the rectangular piece/hole next to the cigarette lighter?

 
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wire ahrness and installation kit.. i hve my ipod connection coming through the center console next to the e brake

 
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Yeah, you're going to need the wiring harness and a face install kit. Mine had a CD pocket, and I filed a hole in it for the USB wire and microphone (mine has bluetooth), but I've since moved it to the glovebox. Those little panels will work fine too, but there will be extra room there where you'll be able to see behind the dash, and you might want those spots later if you decide to install fogs or something that need an extra switch spot.

 
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Question I have now is do I really NEED a face install kit? What would it look like without one and would it even function? Will the stereo just fit in place of the factory one?

I know in my neon I had one, but when I took out the face install (basically a gap filler) it still looked OK, just had a little gap that was hardly noticeable.

 
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with the shape of the stock radio it would be best if you got got the dash kit because if you look at the small crack/gap around the radio and the rest of the dash you will notice that it is kind of a paralellagram like shape (if the name of my polygons are correct haha) and the shape of the aftermarket deck would be rectangular so there would be a big gap, mine was under 30 dollars if i can remember right. it's worth it to get a dash kit.


cheers,

jay

 
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I found the metra kit looked good for the 7th gen, was under 20 bucks I think. When I got my car the previous owner had a an RCA-audio jack hookup running from the stock radio under the gearshift coming out at the e-brake. Unless you want to drill a hole somewhere that's most likely the most logical opening.

I actually finally got around to removing that wire today, as I had to take my Pioneer unit out b/c it randomly stopped turning on over the weekend. Fuse was intact, plugged it back in and it's fine again? I have no clue.

 
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OK. Thanks for all the advise. One last question: where can I get a dash kit? Are they available at Best Buy?

 
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http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...+civic&x=0&y=0

There are other brands too, but I don't know what else is good.

 
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im pretty sure you can, i got mine from futureshop (which is owned by best buy, they're basically the same company except best buy doesnt work off comission, kinda funny because in a city near mine there is one accross the parking lot from the other haha)

 
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Dash kits are available at ebay, metraonline.com or best buys
I suggest getting a metra kit since they are the best quality

and good luck with your install, it's kind of hard to not damage anything without the proper pry tools, but some are able to.

And yes you can have wires come out of the holes next to the cig lighter
I would have a USB male to USB Female, and hook it up like that, to have a clean install, then have ipod cable plugged into the location, instead of routing the entire ipod cable from the rear to the front

 
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Don't hook up the illumination wire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
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Does the wire harness just plug in directly to the new stereo or do I have to splice wires together?

 
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if you have the aftermarket hu stereo harness AND don't have an adapter harness, you'll have to do a lot of matching up to get things working. colors don't match. if you buy an aftermarket stereo harness, you'll still have to do some splicing, but most of the colors of the harness will match the colors of the stereo harness, then plug straight into the car's plug. still.....DON'T CONNECT THE ILLUMINATION WIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
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i installed a new deck today and connected all the illumination wires. when i turned the deck on, i heard some pop sounds and smoke coming from the vents. now when i turn the dash lights on nothing lights up. what now?

 
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^gearbox is a complete failure troll!!!!!!!

 
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Wrong, you have to connect the illumination wires to the 12v source, thats why you're shorting.
oh, you gotta make sure the batt's plugged in correctly while you do it, or nothing will happen

 
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Every Best Buy has a Future shop across the street :P It makes healthy competition, which isn't really competition because their the same company. It's their way of tricking people.

 
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oh wait guys i hooked the red and black wires together maybe thats what happened