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A DIY Guide to Installing a New Head Unit

By , About.com Guide

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Installing a Car Stereo

Popping in a new head unit is one of the easiest upgrades you can do to your car, so it's a terrific place for an inexperienced do-it-yourselfer to start. A new stereo will give you access to all the HD radio channels in your area, but you can also upgrade to a satellite receiver, DVD player or a number of other fun gadgets. If you're just replacing an old unit with a new one, it's usually a pretty straightforward job.

Tools of the Trade

Before you get started, you might want to gather a few basic tools. You'll typically need both flat blade and Phillips head screwdrivers to replace a radio. Some radios are held in by bolts, Torx head screws and other types of fasteners, so you might also need some specialty tools.

You'll also need some way to wire in the new unit. If you don't have an adapter harness all ready to go, then some crimp connectors or a soldering iron will do nicely.

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