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I've never done any ICE before. Never.

My stock HU and speakers are killing me (This is an '03 EX with the different cupholders).

If I were to install my own HU and speakers, how likely would I be to:

1. Scratch/scuff/burr a panel (man, they scratch easy).
2. Install speakers in the front/back.
3. Get the whole thing working in a day.
4. Not break anything else!

I've looked at the Crutchfield mastersheets for my car, and they scare me. Anyone have any suggestions?

 
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Do you have a coupe or a sedan? I have a coupe and the coupe has 6x9s in the back, which can be a little scary. I personally do not like taking the rear apart but thats just me other people do it on here all the time. Everything else though is really pretty easy. The Headunit is very simple, and could definately be done in a day probably even an hour. The front door speakers are pretty easy especially once you know how to take them off. Its just finding the right screws and pulling all the clips and up it lifts. I think you could definately do it, I was terrified to take my car apart, but I got a friend who was pretty good with that kind of stuff and we just did it, and it wasn't too painful. Like I said though, I personally think the rear speakers are scary but it can be done.

 
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civics are tough first cars to work as far as not scuffing or marring panels. the plastics really weak and maleable Just take your sweet time, be patient and you'll do allright.. also don't try doing this all in one day .. truest me..if it's your first install do it in steps.. HU.. then front speakers.. then the rears...

Also the sedan rears are harded to take apart and the speaker holes are for 7" Speakers..not 6.5's

 
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...So uh, how exactly do I get the HU out on a '03 MT? I have instructions for the '01-'02, but the '03 is different.

 
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i think its pretty much the same, take out the center console, and a couple of screws inside the dash. its quite a mission to do all the audio in a car in one day. i didnt even do my HU,i had it pro installed. doors are the easiest, i could do both doors in an 30-45 minutes........and then theres the dreaded rear deck, i hate the rear deck. the rear deck will be why you wont finish in 1 day. you will literally be taking out the back seats and one side of the panels. i plan on putting in fatmat all throughout my trunk, rear deck, and doors and i am going to be taking 2 days off from work just to do it (plus i will be installing about 8 neons and 6 strobes throughout the car as well). take your time, test what you just installed before you move on to the next item and test it all before you put everything back. good luck.

 
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Nah, it's different because the cupholder area has been molded to the ashtray.

I think you have to pull like hell on the shift boot until it comes out.

 
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bump

 
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It should be same for all years. The 02+ has the cupholders designed the way they are. If you have instructions that are supposed to work for the 02 then it should work for the 03. Have you tried the instructions you have?

 
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The '02 and '03 are different. The '02 has cupholder covers, but it is a seperate piece from the ashtray. The '03 is completely molded in, so you can't just pull out the ashtray.

 
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if you've seen the crutchfield sheets for your car doesn't it tell you how to remove the Headunit?

 
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I have the Crutchfield mastersheets, they are for the '01. If you call them, you have to poke and prod them until they read to you how to do the '03. But I'm wondering if someone can explain it further, and on a MT instead of an AT.

edit: Anyone?

 
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Last bump, I promise.

 
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try PMing White Rabbit or one of the experts because they apparently haven't been reading this thread.

 
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I'm gonna bother Crutchfield before I bother them.

 
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the HU is easy on the 01, jsut play around with things.. cars are put together logically and usually u can take them apart just as easily... look around and play around with things it shsouldnt be that bad..

 
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Appears to be a bit easier on the '01 than on the '03.

 
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hey greggdogg, do you by any means have a scanner? i'd love to see those crutchfield sheets... lol

 
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I would scan them if they weren't 400 miles away and it wasn't illegal. Anyway, here are some members' rides pics that I found that illustrate my problem:

The 2002:


The 2003:


On the 2003, you can't just pull out the lighter section. Crutchfield kinda verbally tells you how to take the whole thing apart on an AT, but not an MT.

 
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i se what yer sayin...
i didnt realize there was such a diference between the '01 and the '03...
yeah my center console just pulls out after unscrewing like 3 screws...

 
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wow, I wish I had an 03, those interiors are much nicer! I didn't realize they were so different from the 02 like that.

 
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....

 
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Yeah....That's what's really killing me. If I had an '02, I could just pop the thing apart and slap the radio in. OTOH, I like the '03's interior.

 
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greggdogg:

I too have a 2003 sedan. I had my head unit installed at best buy. I took a quick look when they had everything apart but didn't look in detail. I should have because the new plastic mold to hold the reciever is rattling. Anyway from what I remember they took some of the center peace off around the gear shift. I'm going to go back and see if they will give me the instructions they used or watch them this time to see exactly what they do. If I figure it out I will post a DIY.

 
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Actually, I spoke with people at handa-accessories.com about putting up instructions for the 2k3 fog lamps. Those instructions are useful, because the light switch is in the ashtray area. I can post them if they aren't on their web site.

Basically, you remove the ENTIRE AREA around the gearshift, then the piece that wraps around the front of the console that is part of the cigarette lighter/switch area. From there, I'd assume the instructions are the same.

I'm still a month or two away from getting the ***** to do my HU and front speakers (I'll pay someone to do the stupid rear deck).

Does anyone have any idea how likely I would be to scratch a dash panel by doing it myself? I'm a TOTAL newb.