It seems that alot of people are still clue-less as to what they need to replace their Bose CD/Tape player with an aftermarket headunit. Heres what you need to install your brand new aftermarket deck into your Bose equipped 3rd gen RX-7:

• Headunit of your choice.$?.??
- I looked around crutchfield and local stereo shops until I found one I liked. I
bought mine new on eBay for $100 bux off retail. Everystore I saw sold it for
$300 and I got it for $205 shipped.

• Schosche amplifier adapter to power your Bose speakers. $49.99
- Crutchfield part number: 142C4MA02
- CLICK HERE TO GO DIRECTLY TO THIS PRODUCT

• Male to Male antenna adapter (not mentioned in the sticky) $5.00
- Crutchfield part number: 12040UV42
- CLICK HERE TO GO DIRECTLY TO THIS PRODUCT

Best buy sells an adapter like the Schosche one but made by another company. They usually have them in stock if you dont like waiting for packages. I dont know how well it works compared to the Schosche but theyre priced about the same. Just tell them you have a Mazda with the Bose sound system and they'll know what you need.

If you buy the Schosche from Crutchfield, they send you free of charge, DIN removal tools and nice instructions on how to install your stereo system. They also offer free help by calling their number. Im sure you can get these parts from other shops but to some people its more convenient buying online.

Its important you do this. Otherwise the Bose amps wont turn on and you wont hear anything out of your speakers. CLICK ME FOR THE ORIGINAL THREAD!

I hope I got everything right. I installed my head unit about 2 months ago so things arent so fresh in my mind.

 

Thanks for the guide above. One thing you left out is the 93-95 RX-7 has a shallow dash area and needs a short head unit.

Some head units will be to long to fit. It would be nice to know the max depth.

 

Thanks. I guess I forgot to include that info since crutchfield shows what head units fit depth wise and which dont. I selected my head unit from crutchfield's website but bought it on ebay because it was much cheaper.

Crutchfield's website shows that our cars can use a head unit with a depth of 6-5/8". I would assume thats the max depth size but I can't say for sure without talking to one of their representatives or doing some measurements of my own.

 

6 5/8" is not exactly accurate as I was able to buy a head unit that was designated "will not fit car" (Alpine 9884) from Crutchfield. I think it was 6 3/4 - mere millimeters. 7 1/4 might be too deep though C32.

Also, instead of a Schosche adapter, you could use that $50 toward 6 1/4" front speakers, speaker adapter plates from ebay, and 6x8/9 (6x8 in factory pocket location, 6x9 where the bose holes are in the cargo cover - very easy install with zero cutting. Looks clean too). You have to watch depth with the front speakers too. You don't even have to run new wires if you can read the wiring diagram - just use the existing. Gets rid of a good 20-30 lbs (each bose speaker box in the the doors is HEAVY and the snake) and you get a fresh amp (from the HU). My antenna plug was hard-wired so I just snipped it. Don't listen to radio much in that car anyways.

For $400 I was able to replace the entire system while using the existing wires and the install was cake.

 

excellent write up, i greatly appreciate it!

Trev