Christmas time is coming and as of right now the #1 thing on my list is the CDA-9855 Alpine Headunit. My dad is buying it for me and was going to pay for install but we started looking at prices. Best Buy refuses to install this Headunit in my car stating that "it is oversized and won't fit" I know it fits because I have seen the install in other people's Z's. The stereo shop that I normally goes to wants to charge me close to 700 for the headunit, ipod adapter and dash kit. I could buy the headunit from somewhere else for around 400, get the ipod adapter for 80ish, now the problem is the install.

How hard is this headunit to install yourself. I have already taken apart the dash to install my subwoofer. I have been behind the headunit so that part I know how to do. Is this headunit really that "oversized" that it will be very difficult to install? Anyone know from personal experience if it is possible for me to do myself?

 

It is not oversized. I have installed many of these in 350z's

Get the Metra kit & harness adapter and do it yourself.

 

i would go back and ask to see the special order book for the scosche kits. they absolutely have a kit for a 350z. i work at best buy we did three z last month alone. i appologize for the ignorance at your best buy. if they can't figure it out tell them to call store 378 and i will personally walk them through it. 910-790-2021. they should have the adapter harness in stock. its standard 7550 nissan harness.

 

http://www.scosche.com/scosche_carau...ItemID=NN1497B

here is the kit if they don't think it exist

harness also
http://www.scosche.com/scosche_carau...8&ItemID=NN03B

 

I use to have the 9855 in my Z and it fits just like anyother din size head unit.
Install is very easy todo. There are how-tos, save the money on install and get the kit and harness like Inovahn linked for you.

 

i would not do anything at best buy/circuit city. if you arent gonna do it yourself take it to a custom place that wont fck up your car

 

Metra also has a great kit for the 350Z that also comes with double din brackets just in case your thinking about getting a double din unit(Kenwood DDX-8017DVD Player for example) in the future. You never know. Install wise, it's a walk in the park...unless you have to do an Bose Systems amp bypass that is.

 

Yeah at my shop we like to work on mercedes, bmw, porsche, and any other vehicle thats way more expensive than a 350z.

 

Owned...

 

I decided to do the install myself. The stuff is all coming as a christmas present so I'll post pics and updates along the way when I'm going to install it. I don't have to bypass the Bose Amp because I have a base model, I already installed my amp/sub so I already know how to take apart the dash and all that fun stuff. I don't forsee it being too difficult. Thanks for the advice everyone

 

wow.. im very dissapointed in your best buy.. i also install car stereos for best buy and we would never turn down a car. the only time we have ever told someone we couldnt do an install was because some guy wanted to put an avic-n2 in his benz and it had all fiberoptic wiring that we couldnt use and he didnt want us to rewire his whole car... but anyway thats besides the point my guess is your install bay is inexpierenced or lazy. its definatly an easy install even for someone who is not all that educated in installing.. as long as you can get the dash apart and have the dash kit (go with the metra the scosch one isnt as nice looking) it will all go right in.as for the ipod interface you can run it where ever you want, personally i ran my plug to the small cubby above my deck it works out and stores the ipod well.. hope it all goes well for you, post some pics when your done. you should like that deck i used to have it and it was a very cool deck, plus you can change the button colors to orange and it looks wicked in the dash of the z.. oh and for the record, there is nothing wrong with best buys car audio install. we are all certified technitions and fix many installs the the "pro car audio shops" around town screw up here. so just because one person has a bad expierence at a best buy or circuit doesnt mean they all suck. :-p