i just got a 06 MR and i want to take the factory deck out. I dont have the upgraded stereo but it's still a 6 speaker setup. is there a factory amp somewhere?? also does anyone have any steps on taking out the dash trim to get the deck out?? thanks!!

 

I'm in the process of installing my new head unit on my '06 MR as well. No, there is no amp.

To get the trim piece off, pull off the 3 climate control knobs. There are screws under each of the 2 outer knobs. Remove those screws. Reach into the holes where the knobs mount and pull the trim piece away from the dash. It's in there tight, but it is just snapped in. Try to pull close to the edges so there isn't too much flex in the trim piece.

After you get the trim off, there are 4 screws holding the radio in. Remove them and the radio will slide out. Sometimes the foam padding on the wiring harness will hang on the climate control box. Just reach your hand in and lift the harness free.

Here is the weird part about the MR install. The gauges are wired into the stereo harness. There are (I believe) 3 illumination wires (yellow) and 2 power wires (red) tapped into the harness between the head unit and the main stereo harness.

You have a couple of choices ... you can find another source for these wires to pull from, or cut them and re-solder them to the new harness. there is also a chance that the plug attached to the rear of the head unit might just plug into your new one. I have yet to check that.

My current plan is to pop out the gauge panes, disconnect the wires, then take them inside and re-solder them to the new harness. Good luck with your install.

 

There is an excellent write up in the HOW-TO section of the forum. I'm pretty sure it has pictures as well.

 

I finished my install. I clipped the wires for the factory gauges and re-soldered them to the new aftermarket harness. The gauges have bullet-type connectors about 3" behind the connector that clips into the gauge housing. You can disconnect the bullet connectors on the red and yellow wires, then remove the white stereo harness and the attached gauge wiring. Just clip the gauge wiring off of the old harness and solder it to the new harness. Red is ignition and yellow is illumination.

Other than that, the install is textbook. After connecting the adapter harness to the stereo harness, just secure the cage for the stereo, plug it in, and slide till it locks. I ended up moving the gauges to the upper dash location at the same time and found that there are spacers behind the mounting points for the gauges. They are just 2 2" blocks that make it align with the lower dash piece. You will remove them if you put your radio in the lower location.

 

BIG CHICKEN!
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I snapped that pic with my phone to show a friend ... I liked it so much it is now my avatar. Thanks for noticing.

Back on topic ... did you get your stereo installed?

 

The big chicken rules!! without it you can't get anywhere around Marietta