Reciever Size?
07-19-2003, 10:04 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 177
Car Info: 2004 Impreza Outback Sport
Reciever Size?
Hey All,
I just got back from the dealer and purchased a 2004 Impreza Outback Sport wagon. I'll be getting it next week and am looking into replacing the stock headunit with one that can read MP3 CDs. Anyhow, I've been cruising along on Crutchfield.com and they don't seem to know the dimensions that the 2003 or 2004 Impreza's can take. They do have install specs for the 2001 Outback sport however, and I'm wondering if someone can either tell me the dimensions for the 2004 or atleast confirm that the dimensions are the same as the 2001. Thanks for any info!
I just got back from the dealer and purchased a 2004 Impreza Outback Sport wagon. I'll be getting it next week and am looking into replacing the stock headunit with one that can read MP3 CDs. Anyhow, I've been cruising along on Crutchfield.com and they don't seem to know the dimensions that the 2003 or 2004 Impreza's can take. They do have install specs for the 2001 Outback sport however, and I'm wondering if someone can either tell me the dimensions for the 2004 or atleast confirm that the dimensions are the same as the 2001. Thanks for any info!
07-20-2003, 08:09 PM
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 68
your forrester is a double din (standard name in the industry.)
Whether or not you radio in your dash is a double din or single din it doesnt matter, your radio opening in your dash is double din. THis just happens to be the largest size available in the automotive world. So any radio you can purchase will fit in your car. Most radios you see in ads and cars are single din. If you radio now is single din it will replace without extra parts. If your factory radio is double din then you will need a pocket from subaru or purchase one from a stereo shop. Width of all radio's are the same if your wondering.
Whether or not you radio in your dash is a double din or single din it doesnt matter, your radio opening in your dash is double din. THis just happens to be the largest size available in the automotive world. So any radio you can purchase will fit in your car. Most radios you see in ads and cars are single din. If you radio now is single din it will replace without extra parts. If your factory radio is double din then you will need a pocket from subaru or purchase one from a stereo shop. Width of all radio's are the same if your wondering.
07-23-2003, 08:10 PM
#6
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Arcade, NY
Posts: 462
Car Info: 2004 2.5TS manual
I have an 04 TS wagon.
I was able to move my standard double din size Kenwood MP3 player from a 2000 Outback sport to it just fine.
In fact, the wiring harnesses that Crutchfield gave me for the 2000 Outback sport fit perfectly in the 2004 TS wagon.
So if crutchfield says they don't have enough info to give you wiring harneses, just tell them its the same as a 2000 OBS or newer.
Now... speakers are a different deal. Be ready for some work to get some to fit. I managed to get 5.25" polk audio in the front using nylon spacers and a mounting bracket from crutchfield.
The rear speakers can take 6.5" from what people have told me; infact the bolt pattern is the same as a 6.5" (in a triangle pattern). I put 4" polks in the back and had to make a custom bracket out of the old speakers back there.
You are probably better off with bigger speakers in the back unless you have the subaru subwoofer under the seat.
Hope that helps.
- Kev
I was able to move my standard double din size Kenwood MP3 player from a 2000 Outback sport to it just fine.
In fact, the wiring harnesses that Crutchfield gave me for the 2000 Outback sport fit perfectly in the 2004 TS wagon.
So if crutchfield says they don't have enough info to give you wiring harneses, just tell them its the same as a 2000 OBS or newer.
Now... speakers are a different deal. Be ready for some work to get some to fit. I managed to get 5.25" polk audio in the front using nylon spacers and a mounting bracket from crutchfield.
The rear speakers can take 6.5" from what people have told me; infact the bolt pattern is the same as a 6.5" (in a triangle pattern). I put 4" polks in the back and had to make a custom bracket out of the old speakers back there.
You are probably better off with bigger speakers in the back unless you have the subaru subwoofer under the seat.
Hope that helps.
- Kev
07-24-2003, 09:13 AM
#7
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Posts: n/a
I installed a JVC SX990 mp3 CD player in my '98 OBS. The SX990 is nice because it plays mp3 CDRs, has a 1/8" stereo mini-plug on the front, and has a changer/aux in on the back. very expandable. Unfortunately, it only has two preamp outs, so if you're planning on multiple amps and a sub, you may need extra hardware to make it work. Anyhow, it is single-DIN and replaced the stock single-DIN clarion cassette deck quite nicely. What stereo do you have stock? 6-disc changer?
Anyhow, as reported, if you have a normal size (single-DIN) stereo now, you can easily swap it for an aftermarket single-din stereo. If you have a double-din (like the 6 disc changer) you can put in a single-din aftermarket unit and add a single-din size storage pocket to use up the extra space.
or you could buy a crossover and put it in that spot. or a police scanner. or some other hardware ...
Anyhow, as reported, if you have a normal size (single-DIN) stereo now, you can easily swap it for an aftermarket single-din stereo. If you have a double-din (like the 6 disc changer) you can put in a single-din aftermarket unit and add a single-din size storage pocket to use up the extra space.
or you could buy a crossover and put it in that spot. or a police scanner. or some other hardware ...
07-24-2003, 02:37 PM
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 177
Car Info: 2004 Impreza Outback Sport
I ended up ordering a JVC LH2000 deck from Crutchfield. I listed my vehicle as a 2001 Outback sport as they actually had the size info for that. For speakers, I just went ahead and bought some moderately priced Pioneer 6.5" for the front and 4" for the back. The speakers were listed as fitting in the 2001 Outback Sport on Crutchfield's site so I'm hoping they'll be easy to get into the '04. I noticed they have brackets that they list as for the Impreza that they give free with a speaker purchase. I guess they don't realize that the Outback Sport is an Impreza so I don't think they included them with my order. If i have any trouble getting the speakers in, then I'll call them up and see if they can send me the brackets for free.
My stuff will be here tomorrow and I'll probably put it in on saturday. In the meantime does anyone have any instructions on how to get access to the speakers and also pull out the headunit on a 2004 Impreza?Thanks for all the help. Hopefully soon I'll have a stereo that doesn't sound like complete crap
I'm not big into car audio much anymore so as long as it doesn't sound like the godawful stock system I should be good(I just have the basic stock speakers and cd player no changer or woofer or anything like that).
My stuff will be here tomorrow and I'll probably put it in on saturday. In the meantime does anyone have any instructions on how to get access to the speakers and also pull out the headunit on a 2004 Impreza?Thanks for all the help. Hopefully soon I'll have a stereo that doesn't sound like complete crap
I'm not big into car audio much anymore so as long as it doesn't sound like the godawful stock system I should be good(I just have the basic stock speakers and cd player no changer or woofer or anything like that).
07-24-2003, 04:38 PM
#9
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Arcade, NY
Posts: 462
Car Info: 2004 2.5TS manual
You can call crutchfield and ask them to email you a PDF file with directions on removing the door panels for a 2002 WRX. The door panels are identical to yours.
I don't know how much you know about installing car audio stuff, so don't be insulted by my directions if you know more than I do.
But actually it's pretty easy to figure out. There are a couple screws and the rest are just pressure clips. Just DON'T do it on a cold day!!! You'll break the plastic pressure clips. I messed up my old 94 Saturn doing that on a cool fall day.
One tip. If you don't have a tool to remove the door panel... take a flat tip screw driver and wrap the tip in electrical tape. Use that to help pry the door panel off. That way you reduce the chance of scratching your sheet metal or plastic.
You can do the same thing for the stereo. Just call them and ask for a PDF file.
But here's what I did to get the stereo in:
- Connect your crutchfield wiring harness to the harness that came with the new stereo. Its best to us a small bit of solder on each connection and then tape them with electrical tape. All the wiring should be color coded. Just match the colors. If you don't want to solder, get some good wire nuts.
- disconnect the car battery
- eject the cup holder on the dash
- remove the two screws in there
- pull out the enitre cup holder assembly
- Now slowly pry the center console face down from the top and around the right side making your way to the upper left
- Remove the screws that hold the stereo and the plastic pocket in (it it NOT necessary to remove the climate controls)
- Pull the stereo out
- Remove the screws and any cables
- Connect your wiring harness and the antenna cable and the ground wires
- If you can, set the stereo somewhere in the car and re-connect your battery and test the stereo before re-assembling the whole deal.
- If everything is good, put it all back together.
I'm not an expert by any stretch, but that's how I put mine in. The speakers were a nightmare. I don't think that speakers that fit a pre 2002 impreza will work well in your car. The doors have shallower mounting depths in the front on the new model. Also be careful the door panels don't crush the tweeter in your new speakers.
- Kevin
I don't know how much you know about installing car audio stuff, so don't be insulted by my directions if you know more than I do.
But actually it's pretty easy to figure out. There are a couple screws and the rest are just pressure clips. Just DON'T do it on a cold day!!! You'll break the plastic pressure clips. I messed up my old 94 Saturn doing that on a cool fall day.
One tip. If you don't have a tool to remove the door panel... take a flat tip screw driver and wrap the tip in electrical tape. Use that to help pry the door panel off. That way you reduce the chance of scratching your sheet metal or plastic.
You can do the same thing for the stereo. Just call them and ask for a PDF file.
But here's what I did to get the stereo in:
- Connect your crutchfield wiring harness to the harness that came with the new stereo. Its best to us a small bit of solder on each connection and then tape them with electrical tape. All the wiring should be color coded. Just match the colors. If you don't want to solder, get some good wire nuts.
- disconnect the car battery
- eject the cup holder on the dash
- remove the two screws in there
- pull out the enitre cup holder assembly
- Now slowly pry the center console face down from the top and around the right side making your way to the upper left
- Remove the screws that hold the stereo and the plastic pocket in (it it NOT necessary to remove the climate controls)
- Pull the stereo out
- Remove the screws and any cables
- Connect your wiring harness and the antenna cable and the ground wires
- If you can, set the stereo somewhere in the car and re-connect your battery and test the stereo before re-assembling the whole deal.
- If everything is good, put it all back together.
I'm not an expert by any stretch, but that's how I put mine in. The speakers were a nightmare. I don't think that speakers that fit a pre 2002 impreza will work well in your car. The doors have shallower mounting depths in the front on the new model. Also be careful the door panels don't crush the tweeter in your new speakers.
- Kevin
Last edited by Kuth678; 07-24-2003 at 04:42 PM.
07-24-2003, 04:44 PM
#10
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 177
Car Info: 2004 Impreza Outback Sport
Kevin, thanks for the info. I've done stereo installs on my previous car but the Subaru is a whole different setup for me from my '93 Ford Escort. As for the speakers, I can always exchange them since Crutchfield has great customer service. I checked the mounting depths and they were less than 2.5" so according to what another guy posted I Should be ok but if not it's a big deal, if they don't as I can swap them without a big problem. Hopefully it'll all work out 
07-26-2003, 12:07 PM
#13
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 177
Car Info: 2004 Impreza Outback Sport
Attempted to do the speakers today but ran into enough problems that I decided I'm either not gonna replace the speakers or I'm gonna take it to a local audio shop to have it done. First, I couldn't get the power window connector disconnected. Second, it appears that the speakers I purchased are not the correct size(atleast for the back. I couldn't even get the front door panel off!). I still want to put better speakers in but I think I'm just gonna have it done at a local place(there's no way I'd take it to best buy or circuit city or any of those places).
07-26-2003, 12:34 PM
#14
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Arcade, NY
Posts: 462
Car Info: 2004 2.5TS manual
It is tough getting the power window plug out. I did it by having someone hold the door panel for me while I pushed the one tab in with a philips and at the same time prying it out with a flat head.
BTW it was a 100 times easier installing speakers into my old 2000 OBS. Subaru made it very hard to work on the new models.
(why does it always rain when I go to wax my car?)
BTW it was a 100 times easier installing speakers into my old 2000 OBS. Subaru made it very hard to work on the new models.
(why does it always rain when I go to wax my car?)
07-26-2003, 05:50 PM
#15
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 177
Car Info: 2004 Impreza Outback Sport
Well I decided to try again. I still couldn't get the power window module unhooked BUT I did manage to be able to position the door trim in such a way that I could get at the speakers. I made a space out of the grills to the 6.5" JBLs that were in my old car. Drilled a few holes and put in a few screws, attached the wiring adapter crutchfield gave me, and low and behold I got them installed! They clear the window with no problem thanks to the spaces. It's amazing, even a cheap pair of $50 Pioneer coaxials makes an enormous difference. I didn't replace the rear ones yet though. Which brings me to my question. I've currently got a pair of 4" Pioneers for back there, but I'm wondering if I should exchange them for a pair of 5.25" ones as they may be easier to fit. The 4" ones didn't include grilles so making a spacer might be harder. Any reccomendations? Thanks for all the help!
Last edited by Cardiff Giant; 07-26-2003 at 05:52 PM.