i never touched a stereo before and i was able to do mine with instructions its not hard if u got the right tools

 

it's really easy on the Lancer..I'm sure it's the same as the Evo too.

the right tools? All you need are you hands and a screwdriver The main center part pops off after you take off two screws from the cubby hole and take that out. Then the headunit is mounted on a bracket which comes off with a couple screws...and then take off the bracket from the headunit. Do the opposite to put the headunit in. At least that's how I remember doing it.

If you ever get stuck, let us know cause so many people have done this. Good luck!

 

This help is very useful, I am going to give it a try.
Just for clarification -- Do I need 1 or 2 harnesses? It makes sense that I need one for the radio but it sounds like I need another one for the wiring going into the radio?

 

ok one connector for the radio and one for the Factory harness. You connect the connectors togather to make A P&P harness, or patch harnes. This way you don't cut up the factory wiring. Got it. This way you radio fits right in nice and smooth and you get a clean nice neat job that won't fail and makes it simple to convert to another radio or stock.

 

3StgeGuru - that diagram is awesome. Thanks for the help.

 

+1 on simplicity & effectiveness

 

One thing I haven't seen mentioned anywhere--the plastic around the gear shift is *easy* to scratch with the sharp edges on the MR gauge pod! Make sure to put down a cloth or something to cover that area before starting. I didn't think to do that and I've got a hairline scratch where the pod slipped sideways a bit while resting on edge on the plastic.

 

Make sure you take off the negative battery cable before you go messing with wiring. If you are a perfectionist like me the longest part of the install will be cleanly soldering the wires and insulating them, zip tying them together and finding a good place for them behind the dash. That whole process should only take 15 minutes depending on how intricate you do it. Removal and reinstall should only take 10 minutes.

 

Definitely give it a shot yourself! I am the most electronic/car/mod illiterate person around (I have never change my own oil!) and I installed my Alpine myself. Just pick up the harnesses, one for your car model and one for the stereo. It will include directions. You can solder it or crimp it...I crimped because I don't have or know how to solder. Taking the pannel off is easy, however, you might have to give it an extra tug.

 

he shouldn't be cuting or messing around with any wires on the car. All the cutting and soldering is done out of the car. So its just unplug and the plug the new in.

 

I completed the headunit install this weekend, it was extremely easy. Unbelievably easy.
Got the Metra harness from BB, # 70-7001 and crimped all the wires - no soldering.
The only hiccup was the stereo not sitting flush, but I was able to drill holes in the bracket to solve the problem.

Thanks for everyone's help and for anyone else thinking about installing their HU, dont be afraid!~

 

Crutchfield is your friend here. Buy the headunit from them and they provide you with the proper adaptor to hook up to the factory wiring harness. They also provide you step by step instructions on how to remove the factory head unit and all related trim panels. Skills that you will need is to be able to connect the aftermarket unit's wiring to the factor adaptor. You don't have to solder if you don't want to, but it makes for a more secure connection.

Really, it's so easy that a caveman can do it.

And the Lancer's factory unit comes out more easily than any I've ever seen.

www.crutchfield.com

No, not affiliated with them, just a very satisfied customer for over 20 years.

 

I would have bought the Crutchfield harness except I bought the headunit much cheaper off of ebay, so it was easier for me to purchase the wiring harness at best buy. All in all, a very simple procedure. Now I just need the funds to get me componenets, amp and sub installed professionally!

 

The last thing a pro wants to install/fix is a hackjob by someone attempting to install it without any experience.

If you are unsure, just take it to get installed. Don't let Best Buy do it though, try Tweeter or Circuit City.

 

NO!! thank you.