Some comments on removal/install of stereo head unit>> - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

ZR1Vette · 01-29-2010

First comment is what a PIA...very tedious and I can only assume head unit was installed first then dash trim install around it. Anyway just a few pointers (now from experience and what a few told me):

You will need to remove the lower center console, upper trim plate and the upper center vent piece. Console/upper trim are all 7 mm socket screws (watch what you remove from where....there are two lengths of screws) and the vent piece is held in with two small Phillip head screws.

To completely remove the lower center console the shift knob needs to be removed along with releasing (on 1990 MY) the reverse lift ring.

Remove shift knob center piece (just gently pry up) and then I used a small vice grip tool to pull out the lead drift pin (right of knob in pic above) out then just unscrew knob. The lift ring needs to be release by removing the small (1/16") Allen head set screw.

Of course unplug cigarette lighter and trunk release button.

What you need to be very careful with is the metal 'wings' on the unit..they are sharp and will marr/cut the black trim if you are not careful>>

Here you can see where the 'wings' attach to the console...I added heavy duct tape on the black trim on the right...this has to be protected otherwise you will damage it.

To make it easier (note: 'easier' does not mean easy) to move the right trim remove the three screws shown>>

When reinstalling the head unit make sure the two connectors are lined up to slide into the square opening behind the unit...if you do not do this (guess how I found that out) the connectors will keep the head unit from sliding fully back>>

Anyway, all is back together and now I have great CD sound (a Doc Don CD upgrade)... I will say this again...this Bose system makes the Bose unit in the C6 sound not so great.

End of winter projects...making up list for next winter's projects

Dynomite · 01-29-2010

Excellent pictures and documentation

As I recall, when I removed the stereo I did not remove the shift knob but rather shifted into second. I lifted the console and rotated it counterclockwise a bit

By the way...how do you get those "red tags" in the photo?

GOLDCYLON · 01-29-2010

Actually I found this procedure (Radio or Head unit removal) to be extremely easy and no the shift knob does not need to come off. Simply shift the car into 2nd.

Reading your notes however I can tell you did it the 100% correct way making sure you masked off areas and pulled the trim plate completely off inorder to make sure everything was out of the way and the potential for scratching or breaking anything was minimized. Judging by the cleanliness of the car, all the areas of the photo taken its clear you like to do things in a 100% professional and non shortcut way. I salute you

Scrrem · 01-29-2010

Michael, Great job and nice photo documentation!!! I could even follow this documentation

Rich

01-29-2010	#1
ZR1Vette Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Reston, Virginia Posts: 939	Some comments on removal/install of stereo head unit>> First comment is what a PIA...very tedious and I can only assume head unit was installed first then dash trim install around it. Anyway just a few pointers (now from experience and what a few told me): You will need to remove the lower center console, upper trim plate and the upper center vent piece. Console/upper trim are all 7 mm socket screws (watch what you remove from where....there are two lengths of screws) and the vent piece is held in with two small Phillip head screws. To completely remove the lower center console the shift knob needs to be removed along with releasing (on 1990 MY) the reverse lift ring. Remove shift knob center piece (just gently pry up) and then I used a small vice grip tool to pull out the lead drift pin (right of knob in pic above) out then just unscrew knob. The lift ring needs to be release by removing the small (1/16") Allen head set screw. Of course unplug cigarette lighter and trunk release button. What you need to be very careful with is the metal 'wings' on the unit..they are sharp and will marr/cut the black trim if you are not careful>> Here you can see where the 'wings' attach to the console...I added heavy duct tape on the black trim on the right...this has to be protected otherwise you will damage it. To make it easier (note: 'easier' does not mean easy) to move the right trim remove the three screws shown>> When reinstalling the head unit make sure the two connectors are lined up to slide into the square opening behind the unit...if you do not do this (guess how I found that out) the connectors will keep the head unit from sliding fully back>> Anyway, all is back together and now I have great CD sound (a Doc Don CD upgrade)... I will say this again...this Bose system makes the Bose unit in the C6 sound not so great. End of winter projects...making up list for next winter's projects __________________ Michael :cheers: [I][SIZE="2"]1990 RED on RED #566[/SIZE][/I] [I][SIZE="2"]WAZOO MEMBER[/I][/SIZE] Last edited by ZR1Vette; 01-29-2010 at 11:01 AM.

01-29-2010	#2
Dynomite Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota/California Posts: 3,797	Re: Some comments on removal/install of stereo head unit>> Excellent pictures and documentation As I recall, when I removed the stereo I did not remove the shift knob but rather shifted into second. I lifted the console and rotated it counterclockwise a bit By the way...how do you get those "red tags" in the photo? Last edited by Dynomite; 01-29-2010 at 12:13 PM.

01-29-2010	#3
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,155	Re: Some comments on removal/install of stereo head unit>> Actually I found this procedure (Radio or Head unit removal) to be extremely easy and no the shift knob does not need to come off. Simply shift the car into 2nd. Reading your notes however I can tell you did it the 100% correct way making sure you masked off areas and pulled the trim plate completely off inorder to make sure everything was out of the way and the potential for scratching or breaking anything was minimized. Judging by the cleanliness of the car, all the areas of the photo taken its clear you like to do things in a 100% professional and non shortcut way. I salute you __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

01-29-2010	#4
Scrrem Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 1,467	Re: Some comments on removal/install of stereo head unit>> Michael, Great job and nice photo documentation!!! I could even follow this documentation Rich __________________ 1990 Bright Red Coupe #608 380 Stroker, Ported Heads/Intake/Housings/TB Haibeck Secondary Delete Chip / Pete's Cams George Braml Intake / FIC Injectors Coated SW Headers / Corsa Bill Boudreau B/B ZF6 / Viper 4.10 gears Ron Davis Radiator Pioneer AVIC-Z140BH NAV Fikse FM5's 285 / 335 / C6 Brakes WAZOO Member