Hey everyone. I know this is a common upgrade, but I couldn't find any thread dedicated to it here. I am posting this to add to all of the other DIY's here to that if any does this in the future, they will have it available as a reference.
Now the high today where I live was 25 degrees, so I only did the radio upgrade + aux input today. Tomorrow I will do the XM Install and post pics.
Concept
Upgrade my stock HK system w/ cassette headunit to a newer 9/02+ Business CD headunit with Aux input. Also, I want to add XM for some added variety. I do a ton of road trips, so music in my car is very important to me.
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Products Used
Used Business CD Headunit. Production Date 8/03. - $190 (e46fanatics classifieds)
Aux Input Cable - $39 (EAS)
Male to Male Aux Cable - $5 (EAS)
Antenna Adapter - $29 (EAS)
Glovebox Auxiliary Power Adaptor - $9 (EAS)
iPod car charger - $7 (eBay seller ryans_electronics)
XM Direct System - $85 (e46fanatics classifieds)
Total - a little under $375 after shipping and all
Why did I get the glovebox 12v auxillary power adapter? I have a Garmin iQue 3600 for navigation and it uses the cigarette lighter 12v, so I need to have another 12v cigarette outlet to plug in the iPod when necessary.
Why didn't I get the DICE integration for my iPod? My personal opinion is that giving up your CD changer just so you can control your iPod from your steering wheel is a bit rediculous. Especially when you look at the installation process and $150 pricetag vs all upfront install and $40. Do you really drag your iPod around with you on every time you get in your car? No. And it always seems like the radio has nothing on you want to hear. So for me, CD Changer HAS to stay.
Installation Process - my interior is dirty as hell I know
1 - Remove Dash Trim
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Use a rag-covered flathead screwdriver just so you don't risk any scratches or marks from a screwdriver. I've never done this before, but it was easy and its literally impossible to break anything.
2 - Remove Headunit Screws
![]()
Remove the 2 screws that hold the stock headunit into place. Pull the headunit out.
3 - Disconnect Wiring Harness Clip
![]()
The headunits wiring harness will not let you pull it too far out of the dash. It's quite annoying, but not insurmountable. Take the hint on the clip. Put a screwdriver under it and pry up. Once you can fit your fingers in, pull up with them. This was personally a ***** to pull off, just so you know, you can't really be too hard with it if you are using your fingers. Once you remove the clip, remove the two other wires going to the back of the stock headunit.
4 - Pull Headunit Out Completely
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5 - Pull Auxiliary Plugs Retaining Clip
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If you are facing the harness, on its right, you'll see a blue clip, just use a screwdriver and pull it out. This will loosen your stock CD changer clip, but you have to remove it to install the aux plug.
6 - Install Auxiliary Plug
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Install the auxiliary plug into the right hand port of the radio (if you were looking from the back). In this pic, the gray is the aux plug, the white is the CD changer plug. Once they are flush with the top pinout, insert the blue retaining clip again.
7 - Install Antenna Adapter
![]()
The antenna adapter plugs into the larger of the 2 'other' wires that you disconnect from your stock headunit. The smaller wire does not get reconnected to the newer headunit. The picture should clear up any confusion. Slide the new headunit back into the dash before the mods see who you bought it from. :shhh: :shhh: :shhh:
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***TIME OUT***
Test Everything RIGHT NOW - Make sure all of your stuff works and look for loose connections if not.
Back to the Install...
The OEM auxiliary kit recommends that you install the aux port into the glovebox. I'm going to be honest, I tried to remove the full glovebox for about 30 minutes.. I couldn't find all the screws or something. Either way, I had seen the aux port just installed where the DSC/Audio buttons are, so I just decided to go that way. I'm all for the OEM install, but it was getting pretty freakin cold outside and I wasn't wasting any more time. I'm impartial to where the port is as long as it works.
This is how to install the aux port into the car's buttons area.
8 - Remove Shift Boot
![]()
To remove the shift boot, just squeeze in on the sides of the boot. It will come out.
9 - Remove Two Gearshift Trim Screws
![]()
There are just 2 screws holding down the gearshift trim. Once you remove the shift boot, you'll see them at the bottom of the trim panel.
10 - Remove Storage Compartment and Middle Trim Screws
![]()
Once you pull up the gearshift trim, you will see 2 more screws to remove just below the ashtray. To get the top 2 screws off so that you can remove the panel, just pull out the top storage compartment. Just moderate force will do. The picture for this shows me removing one of the top screws.
11 - (Optional) Move Buttons Around
![]()
Once you pull the middle trim piece out, you can get your hands up behind the button panel and you can just push outward and they will come out. Just disconnect the wires going to each button and move it to a different spot. I wanted to.. so I did.
12 - Drill Hole For Aux Input
![]()
Use a 1/4" drill bit and drill a hole. What you can then do is route the aux cable from your headunit area down behind the climate controls and down to the buttons panel.
13 - Screw On Aux Input Cap & Reinstall All Pieces
![]()
This will tighten onto the aux input cable. After you do this, start to reinstall all of your stuff in the reverse order.
14 - Rock the Casbah
![]()
TO BE CONTINUED.. TOMORROW - XM DIRECT KIT
Now the high today where I live was 25 degrees, so I only did the radio upgrade + aux input today. Tomorrow I will do the XM Install and post pics.
Concept
Upgrade my stock HK system w/ cassette headunit to a newer 9/02+ Business CD headunit with Aux input. Also, I want to add XM for some added variety. I do a ton of road trips, so music in my car is very important to me.
Products Used
Used Business CD Headunit. Production Date 8/03. - $190 (e46fanatics classifieds)
Aux Input Cable - $39 (EAS)
Male to Male Aux Cable - $5 (EAS)
Antenna Adapter - $29 (EAS)
Glovebox Auxiliary Power Adaptor - $9 (EAS)
iPod car charger - $7 (eBay seller ryans_electronics)
XM Direct System - $85 (e46fanatics classifieds)
Total - a little under $375 after shipping and all
Why did I get the glovebox 12v auxillary power adapter? I have a Garmin iQue 3600 for navigation and it uses the cigarette lighter 12v, so I need to have another 12v cigarette outlet to plug in the iPod when necessary.
Why didn't I get the DICE integration for my iPod? My personal opinion is that giving up your CD changer just so you can control your iPod from your steering wheel is a bit rediculous. Especially when you look at the installation process and $150 pricetag vs all upfront install and $40. Do you really drag your iPod around with you on every time you get in your car? No. And it always seems like the radio has nothing on you want to hear. So for me, CD Changer HAS to stay.
Installation Process - my interior is dirty as hell I know
1 - Remove Dash Trim
Use a rag-covered flathead screwdriver just so you don't risk any scratches or marks from a screwdriver. I've never done this before, but it was easy and its literally impossible to break anything.
2 - Remove Headunit Screws
Remove the 2 screws that hold the stock headunit into place. Pull the headunit out.
3 - Disconnect Wiring Harness Clip
The headunits wiring harness will not let you pull it too far out of the dash. It's quite annoying, but not insurmountable. Take the hint on the clip. Put a screwdriver under it and pry up. Once you can fit your fingers in, pull up with them. This was personally a ***** to pull off, just so you know, you can't really be too hard with it if you are using your fingers. Once you remove the clip, remove the two other wires going to the back of the stock headunit.
4 - Pull Headunit Out Completely
5 - Pull Auxiliary Plugs Retaining Clip
If you are facing the harness, on its right, you'll see a blue clip, just use a screwdriver and pull it out. This will loosen your stock CD changer clip, but you have to remove it to install the aux plug.
6 - Install Auxiliary Plug
Install the auxiliary plug into the right hand port of the radio (if you were looking from the back). In this pic, the gray is the aux plug, the white is the CD changer plug. Once they are flush with the top pinout, insert the blue retaining clip again.
7 - Install Antenna Adapter
The antenna adapter plugs into the larger of the 2 'other' wires that you disconnect from your stock headunit. The smaller wire does not get reconnected to the newer headunit. The picture should clear up any confusion. Slide the new headunit back into the dash before the mods see who you bought it from. :shhh: :shhh: :shhh:
***TIME OUT***
Test Everything RIGHT NOW - Make sure all of your stuff works and look for loose connections if not.
Back to the Install...
The OEM auxiliary kit recommends that you install the aux port into the glovebox. I'm going to be honest, I tried to remove the full glovebox for about 30 minutes.. I couldn't find all the screws or something. Either way, I had seen the aux port just installed where the DSC/Audio buttons are, so I just decided to go that way. I'm all for the OEM install, but it was getting pretty freakin cold outside and I wasn't wasting any more time. I'm impartial to where the port is as long as it works.
This is how to install the aux port into the car's buttons area.
8 - Remove Shift Boot
To remove the shift boot, just squeeze in on the sides of the boot. It will come out.
9 - Remove Two Gearshift Trim Screws
There are just 2 screws holding down the gearshift trim. Once you remove the shift boot, you'll see them at the bottom of the trim panel.
10 - Remove Storage Compartment and Middle Trim Screws
Once you pull up the gearshift trim, you will see 2 more screws to remove just below the ashtray. To get the top 2 screws off so that you can remove the panel, just pull out the top storage compartment. Just moderate force will do. The picture for this shows me removing one of the top screws.
11 - (Optional) Move Buttons Around
Once you pull the middle trim piece out, you can get your hands up behind the button panel and you can just push outward and they will come out. Just disconnect the wires going to each button and move it to a different spot. I wanted to.. so I did.
12 - Drill Hole For Aux Input
Use a 1/4" drill bit and drill a hole. What you can then do is route the aux cable from your headunit area down behind the climate controls and down to the buttons panel.
13 - Screw On Aux Input Cap & Reinstall All Pieces
This will tighten onto the aux input cable. After you do this, start to reinstall all of your stuff in the reverse order.
14 - Rock the Casbah
TO BE CONTINUED.. TOMORROW - XM DIRECT KIT
