Cuddles

Since I couldn't find anything on here, or googling, I decided I would go ahead and document my adventure of installing a CD player. To be honest, I think it is the exact same as the 08' Impreza (thought about that half way though my install). Tip from SVXdc, remove any CDs from the stock radio! Larger pictures of each image can be found here: Flickr: Iamcuddles' Forester CD Player Set Enjoy, hope it helps

Parts:
Metra wire harness 70-7552 - Metra single DIN dash kit 99-8902 - METRA 99-8902 Radio mounting dash kit 4 new stereo 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA/IMPREZA WRX KIT;
Step 1:
Admire your POS factory head unit



Step 2: (This step may be avoided, just be CAREFUL! Here is the link to avoid this step After Market CD Player Install 09')
Remove passenger side cover to get access to a single screw that hold together the silver dash part and remove the screw:





Be gentle when pulling apart the dash. Try not to pry any plastic piece, instead use both hands. From here, all the pieces are held in by clips.

Step 3:
Remove front dash part. Do not use one hand like I have pictured.




Step 4:
(4) screws hold in the stock CD player. Remove these screws and take out the stock CD player. The (4) plugs pictured from left side to right are; main harness, ground, dunno (see below for more information) and your antenna plug.


More info on plugs:
Step 5:
Remove (4) screws from each side of the CD player so that you can keep and re-use the metal pieces.




Step 6:
Grab a beer, the metra wire harness, your aftermarket CD harness, electrical tape (if you are cheap) or a solder gun. Connect each of the wires to their appropriate color.



Step 7:
Mount the original metal side plates to your after market CD player. I imagine you can either put it on the bottom or top. I chose to put it in on the top part.




Step 8 (if applicable)
Any iPod or USB cables can be routed where ever you chose. I thought going through the glove compartment was pretty easy and the hole is plenty big.




Step 9:
Connect the harnesses and the antenna plug. TEST IT BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER.



Install the last (4) screws to mount your CD player to the car. Edit- Got the right dash kit now (just follow install instruction included in the kit...should be pretty easy).



Final Step:
Snap together the passenger side dash pieces, screw it in and replace the cover.



The left over screws I put back onto the stock unit so that I could not lose them.



At this point you should have no extra screws laying around (I hate when that happens). Enjoy your new CD player...it sounds soo much better than stock.

Keywords:
2009 , MY09 , CD player , 2010 , MY10 , MYSH

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subyeh

... there are two small slits at the bottom of the radio bezzle, small and hidden. Once you find them, you can use a plastic tool, or carefully use a flat head screwdriver to gently pry it off, trying not to scratch any adjacent plastic.

These two slits make it so you don't have to remove the swooping silver piece on the passengers side.

cheers,
G

The black arrows indicate the slits:

Attached Thumbnails

 

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2009 2.5X MT Premium, All Weather, Spark Silver

doogle

This is weird I just installed an aftermarket deck in my 2009 FXT and it has a different antenna connection, and will require an adapter. Wonder why they changed them

jkoppee

Step 9 is very important I must say, ALWAYS test it before you put everything back together, hate when you forget to and realize the antenna isn't plugged in.

Cuddles

Thread Starter

Thanks for the heads up subyeh, I added your post to my walk through. I started to pry stuff, but then I said screw it, I didn't want to scratch anything! Doogle, did you have a premium sound system in it? Can anyone confirm that the XTs are different from the 2.5Xs? hahaha yeah jkop, this was actually one of my few installs that went the fastest and I ran into ZERO problems. Love my subbie

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SVXdc

Here are a few additional tips:

• Before you start, eject all CDs from your stock radio!

• The screws that hold the brackets to the sides of the OEM radio are sometimes VERY tight. Place the HU down on something like wood blocks (to protect the brackets and front panel that extend on the opposite side from the side you're working on). Then use a screwdriver that is exactly the right size for the screw, and press it down forcefully while you get each screw unseized.

• You can buy a single-DIN pocket (or "cubby"), with or without a door, to fill the empty space below a 1-DIN sized radio.

The "dunno" harness is [definitely] the 8-pin connector that has the wires for Aux input and illumination dimming cancellation [ADDED: illum. pin not present on Foresters]. I may soon have the matching connector available. Picture and info in my NASIOC thread here.

Cuddles — how many wires are there on that plug in your car? Is it 6 out of 8 pin positions?

doogle

I'm not sure if mine was considered premium but it did have a 6-disc changer in dash.

FPT_RAIDER

go with crutchfield, they give you everything, and i mean everything, from install guides(with pictures) cover pieces and all that jazz i love em!

huja

+1 Very good experience with them.

doogle

Crutchfield doesnt have the install guide for the 2009 forester. Also depending on your radio you might require an additional antenna adapter which is not included with purchase. I had to contact them and they are shipping it out separate

Cuddles

Thread Starter

Alright, updated it and got the correct single DIN dash kit. As for the 'dunno' harness, I think it only had 2-3 wires going into it. I also assume it is for the AUX input.

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09xtouring

My 09 X touring model (1 cd no nav or anything) has a 20 pin connector if i remember correctly from when i added a LOC and a lil amp and 12" sub in mine. I found the pinout for the 08 impreza somewhere to aid me, the wire coloring scheme isnt the same between the 08 impreza and the 09 forester but its same position on the pinout. I need a new deck still but its fine for now till i can get some money together. I found the two slits in the bezel at first look so it was pretty quick.

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09 X Touring 5 MT - DGM
Grabber AT2's

SubieOutlaw

It is because of threads like this that make me thinks I can tackle anything.

Bravo. I will be upgrading head unit next spring.

1 rep point for Cuddles

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My 09 FXT Journal

Topdown99

Awesome info!

What did you all do with the Ipod connector and the Aux input in the center console? Do they still work?

Thanks!

Cuddles

Thread Starter

I have not tried the AUX input in the console, but I imagine it doesn't work. I could probably look into that and throw that up in my walk through as well.

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