mtnimager

I just wanted to post and express a huge thanks to all of you who have put the time and effort into creating the archive of information avalable on this and the other 350 sites. There is no way I would have taken on this project without the info provided by all of ( you know who you are ). I never realized how much a pain it is to try and accurately photographically document any of this stuff until I had the camera in hand.
I would also like to include a few things I found useful during the install, some with particular relevance to the 2006.
The install included (all prices with shipping/tax) almost all from ebay
PIONEER PREMIER DEH-P860MP $337.90
PIONEER CD-IB100 iPOD INTERFACE ADAPTER $100.00
PIONEER CDX-P1280 CAR 12-DISC CD CHANGER $136.00
JBL GTO755.6 560 Watt 6-Channel Power Amplifier $245.90
ZEnclosures sub box $100.00
Boston acoustics Z6 $531.00
350Z Aluminum Pedal (nissan orig parts) $83.94
Second Skin damplifier 40 sq ft $95.00
Leather seats (leatherseats.com) $479.00
Misc. (wiring kit, speaker wire, vinyl, superglue, hacksaw blades, holesaw bit, tools, tylenol ) $200.00

mtnimager

I found these wire strippers and the panel popper on partsexpress. The headlamp I have from camping and was a huge help under the dash ( the closer you put it to you eyes the more likely it will illuminute the area of interest ).

mtnimager

here are the photos, as well as the starting point

mtnimager

Panel removal no particular problem, wish I had labelled each numerically as they came out to reinstall in reverse order. The seats came out in about 2 minutes. Second skin damplifier installed easily ( watch your fingers, those aluminum edges are wicked ).

mtnimager

About the 2006. The Wicked CAS guys are the bomb, professional and fast service. The pods are beautiful and I was stoked! Crap! ,the pods don't fit the 2006 doors due to the cup holder. I did the doors with damplifier followed by CAE V2 ( I think, ordered this a while back ). Geting those wires out into the doors was the crux of the install. This would be one good reason to put your crossover on the door ( to allow you to cut the number of wires though the harness and grommet in half ). I initially tried 14 gauge and went to 16 gauge when I realized what a B---- it would be to get the bigger stuff through. I found it very helpful to pass a coathanger up through the grommet from the door side, I then cut the wiring at an angle to aviod it catching on the corrugations and taped the wires to the coathanger with duct tape. They then pulled through with ( relative ) ease. As previously noted on the tutorial you have more room to work on the harness fitting with the door half closed.

mtnimager

Final results. I forgot to include the sub in the equipment list, 10" peerless XXLS, about $200. If you are a weight fanatic keep in mind these sub boxes are wooden and quite heavy. A note on the Boston tweeters, reqires a 1 and 3/4 inch holesaw bit, I did not flush mount intentionally as I found the angle of the A pillars to be somewhat downward ( away from my ear ). I mounted them closer to level and facing slightly back towards me. Yes, I used the original position for the mids, I did drill a hundred more holes in each of those crappy origial speaker covers. If Nasar makes pods for the 2006's I would think hard about putting them on.

mtnimager

And finally, got the leather seats off leatherseats.com on ebay for $100 less than on the web site plus free shipping. I read a tutorial on the install estimating 2 people 6 hours! Local upholstery shop did it for $110 ( rural North Carolina) which seemed like money well spent. They look good. Also installed hard wire for the escort. This gizmo made it pretty easy (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=071-580) for $7. Glued the remote mute to the panel to right under steering. I added the center console pad as I could feel some give of the door over the storage space which just felt cheap, much better now! I found the install on the brake and clutch pedals to be made dramatically easier by heating them first to allow some give of the rubber which has a very short lip and which was very stiff. I wrapped them in foil and popped them in the oven at 200F for 10-15 minutes.

Once again , thank you to everyone who has contributed their time and knowledge to make this easier for the rest of us.

AndyS

[QUOTE=mtnimager] I wrapped them in foil and popped them in the oven at 200F for 10-15 minutes.QUOTE]

BRILLIANT!!
I have never heard of heating the pedals up in the oven, great idea.

Nice install, looks good.

Dubai

iTrader: (15)

Looks nice. Must took alot of time

Racerinlsl

nice work indeed. looks like your dash kit doesn't fit right though...on the bottom? It looks like there needs to be a slight change made for the '06 dash while your kit is for an '03-'05. Is there a little gap at the bottom?

mtnimager

There is a gap there that remains to be addressed. I will probably cut some vinyl to fill it. It seems to me that there ought to be better mounting kits out there, I looked and had 2 different kits avalable at the time of the install, this actually seemed to be the better fit. I know I would have been glad to pay substantially more for a really nice mounting kit instead of these low bid models that were all I could find. Input appreciated.

Racerinlsl

the dash cutout for the stock head unit is slightly different on the '06 cars. Your kit looks like the same kit everyone uses for '03-'05. So I guess you'll need to find one or wait for one to be made properly for the '06.

tommym

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, I have been looking for the dash kit for an 06, and can't find one. I don't believe they are making it yet. Hopefully they will have one out soon.

Paul350Z

iTrader: (1)

Good job.

Nissan is nuts for changing the DIN opening ever so slightly for no good reason other than style.

Amiricanmade

iTrader: (6)

looks great...where did you get this lil thing done?

mtnimager

Got the armrest at zcarparts.com. It cost about $60. you will probably need to add some additional velcro ( as I did ).