Last week I bought a brand new 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 (No S). This vehicle does not come with a stereo (but is pre-wired). I went out and bought a Kenwood DNX-5140. What my problem is now is where to buy the dash kit and mounting equipment. I am not stereo saavy so I may be wrong in calling it a dash kit or mounting equipment. Basically there is a double din hole where my stereo would be and I've been told that I need to buy a "kit" to install the stereo. I have seen "kits" that fit in my car but don't look like the same factory texturized panel I have in there now. I would like to keep the look the same as the factory panel but not sure where to buy or what pieces to buy. I have seen kits from Metra on ebay and after reading a lot of posts here I see that they do not look the same as my factory installed front panel. Is it possible to buy just the matching front panel from Nissan and use the metra kit for everything that goes behind the front panel?? Will the two attach together? If they won't match together can someone tell me everything I would need to buy to complete the install? I need help! haha Hope this makes some sense!
Is it possible to buy just the matching front panel from Nissan and use the metra kit for everything that goes behind the front panel?? Will the two attach together?
yes and yes. dealership sells the front panel or you can buy it online from courtesy parts or similar nissan parts resellers.
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2007 infiniti fx35 stock and 2008 altima 2.5s cvt
# 15 in that link
Dealer's price will be a bit higher but there wouln't be delivery charges so i'll almost even out + u'll have it ither the same or next day, not a week later.
There's 2 different covers, make sure u get one "WITHOUT NAVIGATION DOUBLE DIN"
U'll also need 2 metal brackets and a few screws (in they don't come with brackets, not sure) that's holding the radio and hvac control. then again u might already have it since hvac is there. Ask your dealer, they should know.
btw - can u post a pic of your car?? I'm curios what Altimas front dash without radios looks like. Is there literally just a hole? Or is it covered with some kind of cover?
Thanks Vital. I actually ordered the front panel #15 (and #17 cause I think thats the bottom piece) from the website you listed on your reply (that seems to be the website to go to because I have seen it on a lot of posts around here). I just want to make sure that it will attach to the metra kit that I am going to use for the actual install. Have you had any experience with that?
Here is the metra kit I am about to order (I would just throw out the front panel from the metra kit and use the factory OEM one I ordered if that actually works).
Vital I forgot to answer your question about what the din looks like. I am a free member so I dont think I can post pics. I can describe it the best I can though. It looks like a double din sized hole but instead of putting one double din sized pocket inside they put two single din pockets inside. I tried to find a link with pics but of course couldnt find any. Sorry
Not sure why u'd need the metra kit unless u'll need those wire harness.
I'm not sure but i think i didn't throw my metra kit out. If it's still laying around my house i'll send it your way, just pay shipping and DD latte i'll have on my way to FedEx/UPS/whatever.
Yeah I need the wire harness and the antenna adapter. Being my car didnt come with the stock radio I have to assume that there is nothing in the car to mount the stereo. Right?? My bro is doing the install so he told me to pick up the metra kit but if its easier to just buy the pieces that I will actually need then that would be fine with me. I wonder if someone can gimme a list of the pieces I would need to complete the whole install. Or is it just easier to buy the metra kit and pick the pieces I would need and not use the others.
Don't use any part of the metra dash kit at all, it is cheap flimsy plastic including all of the brackets. Get the dealer to order the metal brackets and any screws required to attach to your HVAC controls and the trim plate.
I used the Metra kit for like 2 days while I was waiting for the factory trim plate to arrive and is crap. Plus if someone really wanted your stereo it would be a bit easier to get out as they could just rip out all of the plastic. The metal brackets will make that job just a bit harder for them.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimnmaine
I cant argue with you there. Future Kevs will want to ask and if they use the search function, (go figure) they will say, "Damn, maybe I should just pick up the phone and call my shop." LOL
2008 2.5S CVT | Precision Gray | 27K miles
POS Stock Sound System delete | Pioneer DEH-P4800MP | US Acoustics USB-2080/USB-4085 | Cadence CWM-6 components | DLS W308B x 2 (IB Subs)
Correct, the harness makes the job easier if you are using factory speakers and the antenna adapter is needed. But the dash kit is awful, I feel bad for all of the people who have the digital HVAC that have to use that crap.
LOL
I'm the same way. Since i bought my DNX5120 from Crutchfiled i got metrakit together with h/u. Ordered oem cover the same day i installed my unit and that metra junk.
Looks nothing like the rest of the car, different color, different shape, cheap plastic that never lines up perfectly..... well, u get the point.
Vital, I'm a she. haha. That probably explains why I am asking so many ridiculous questions. haha.
Anyway yeah I figured since the metra kit would be all "inside" and the factory OEM panel would be on the front, I didn't think it would matter to much. Which in turn meant I didn't care that much. haha just like a girl. If I can't see it then Im not worried about it. Anyway I heard the metra is crap but didn't know it was that bad!
I called the dealership to see about ordering pieces but the guy I talked to seemed to know less than I do. I might just need to make a trip down there so I can explain myself better. So I guess all I need is the wire harness, the antenna adapter, 2 brackets, some screws and a trim plate??
Correct, the harness makes the job easier if you are using factory speakers and the antenna adapter is needed.
Wait, hold on.... just thought of it.
Altimas without a h/u come with speakers??
It would make sence if there was no speakers....
Also, DNX is a 4 OHMS headunit while stock speakers are either 2 or 8, don't remember but DEFINATLY not 4. This will cause distortion when playing at high volumes and could damage either your speaker or h/u. I've run into this problem with my dnx5120. At high volumes it was literally shutting down or dropping the volume to about 5 while h/u was showing all 35.
To make story short - change your stock speakers too. if u even have them that is.
It'll make a WORLD of a differance. Add an amp and u're all set
Thanks Vital! There are 4 stock speakers and I will be changing those out shortly and adding 4 more (to make 8 total) since for some reason Nissan only installs 4 and the other 4 (back doors and back trunk area) are empty! Weird!
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