Man I really want to install an aftermarket CD player myself into my 82' Rx GS but GOOD GOD i've been reading past posts and it seems like its soo much trouble to install one.....i think i am gonna have Best Buy install it if its gonna be so much trouble for me......ANY thoughts on DIY rx-7 radio installs anyone?

 

My only problem was getting the antenna to work. I had to install some kind of inverter to get the antenna to go up and down. It still wouldn't work automatically unless I turned the power off on the head unit (shut the car off it stays up). Plus it didn't work in the accessory position I think. Yeah I suck at electronics I'll just shut up now before I get flamed for being a dumbass; the point is you can do it yourself just requires alot more effort to get it to work perfectly.

 

Suparslinc, a tip: The power antenna is positive ground.

 

I know it's opposite regular cars. That's what I needed the inverter rectifier capaciter thing for
I was just happy it worked

 

It's not that hard guys. All you need is contant power (clock), switched power, ground, and antenna.

Run the speaker wires to the bins, where the factory amps are. From there it the speaker wires are easily available.

 

Took me about an hour to install a stereo. Had to cut the console for it to fit, and then I completly re-wired the rear speakers, and patched the front ones in through the existing wiring. It really wasn't that hard.

 

MazdaTrix sells a console to allow for a new-type stereo.

 

Chas: Really?! Can you post a link? I can never find anything on their damn site without nailing exactly the right search keyword.

Jon

 

Why do you guys think you need an atenna for anyway?

 

the standard radio panel from mazdatrix does not fit new CD players...it was made to fit old narrower tape decks...but with a little help from a dremel tool they work just fine!

 

I purchased part number #55-2100-FA02-01 from MazdaTrix on Feb. 23, 1996 and it fit my Alpine CDE-7827 FM/AM Compact Disc receiver without any cutting; although, 1996 was eight years ago...whew...I am getting old! Come to think of it, it's time for a new head unit!

 

The important thing is that the '81 - '83 center console piece slightly drops the position of the stereo so you don't have to grind the metal ears that hold the AC/heater control sliders behind that plastic console...it's easy to get one in for those years...here's a quicky shot of a Sony XR-C8200 1 DIN Headunit into my '83...

 

that explains it then, Mar3, as my car is a 1981 model. I'm considering the CDX-F5700, or the CDX-F7700, next. I need an auxilary input, for my Axim PC mp3 media player!

 

Installing Head Units is really not that difficult as long as you know what you're doing. Lot's of places make adapters for cars. But with the rx you're most likely gonna have to shave the console alil. I did. *Shrugs*

 

Crutchfeild sells a kit. Comes with a steel adapter to fit the big hole and plug and play harness adapters. It also free if you buy a head unit from them.

 

I just did mine not too long ago and yes, at first it seemed like it was so unnecessarily complicated. However, once you make sense out of it it becomes quite easy. What you need to do is go and buy some speaker wire (i think 60 feet oughta do it) and to make it easier, get this wiring harness: http://www.cardomain.com/item/SCOMA01B. Then, remove the storage bins, and you will find the stock amps (one under each bin). The two 4-pin connectors from the harness will be used back there to by-pass the amps (so you need to run speaker wires directly from the back of the new receiver to the storage bins, and connect them to the harness connectors accordingly). The 3-pin connector will carry the signals for ignition power, power antenna and illumination (if applicable to your new receiver). It's pretty easy to find out which wire corresponds to which pin if you have access to a volt -meter (I had it all written down but I threw it away). The single-pin connector will be your constant +15 V (yellow)., and finally, you should ground your receiver (black wire) onto a metal ground (a bolt on the surrounding casing will do). It took me about 4 hours, but I really took my time and quadruple-checked everything. Plus I tried several different ways to hide the wires and all.

hope this helps.

 

Hey thanks riofrio (i really wanted those step by step instructions) and to everyone else taht helped me out....

 

I just installed one of those in my '94 this afternoon. The Crutchfield kit made it really easy and straightforward. My antenna even goes up and down. I can't receive any stations so that's something I'll have to figure out, lol, but I got the AUX hookup for the XM and the CD player works so I'm in no big rush.

Jon