Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera

Last edited by on Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:33 pm; edited 1 time in total

i put a panasonic CQ-VD6503U 2Din dvd player in my riviera. this is a writeup based on my recollection of what i did.

first, you'll need the dvd player, antenna adapter, 2DIN kit (Scosche GM1590B 1994-UP GM Double ISO DIN Kit), and wiring harnes adapter (Scosche GM03B 1994-UP GM 32-Pin Car Stereo Connector).

next, remove the stock radio
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera DSCF0573

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera DSCF0573

you will have to remove the bottom metal frame thats held on by little fasteners that look sort of like star washers (you'll see what i mean) and some non-structural gray stuff out of the back to make it fit. this might scare some people, but i had no problems getting the stock radio back in and ligned up correctly. then, wire in the harness adapter and plug it into the stock radio plug as well as the antenna adapter. also, at this time, wire in your steering wheel control adapter if you choose to use one. you can either install it the legal way where you have to have the parking brake on, or use a switch to ground it so you can view movies any time (may be different depending on which dvd player you get, but mine was a ground)
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera DSCF0590

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera DSCF0590

next, snap the 2DIN adapter into place on the radio and screw it in (no need to use the cage that the dvd player snaps into). put the dvd player in and use the stock screws to secure. finally, put all the trim pieces back on and enjoy! HTH
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera DSCF0591

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera DSCF0591

Just a heads-up, the dash/head unit is different in '95 models.

_________________
'05 GTO 6.0L • 6-spd • 95k miles • 0-60: 4.8s • 16.9 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:26

'95 Celica GT 2.2L • 5-spd • 165k miles • 0-60: yes

'98 SC Riviera • 281k miles • 298 HP/370 TQ • 0-60: 5.79s • ET: 13.97 @ 99.28 • 4087 lb • 20.1 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:30
3.4" pulley • AL104 plugs • 180º t-stat • FWI w/K&N • 1.9:1 rockers • OR pushrods • LS6 valve springs • SLP headers • ZZP fuel rails
KYB GR2 struts • MaxAir shocks • Addco sway bars • UMI bushings • GM STB • Enkei 18" EV5s w/ Dunlop DZ101s • F-body calipers
EBC bluestuff/Hawk HP plus • SS lines • Brembo slotted discs • DHP tuned • Aeroforce • Hidden Hitch
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

'70 Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe 455cid • 116k miles
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

Subject: HELP!!! Double-DIN fittment! Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:04 pm

Just got my factory deck out. How do aftermarket head units fit? It appears the wiring harness is in the way and wont allow the new deck to slide all the way back. Do I need to cut? Also, Pioneer didn't include any mounting brackets... how do I screw this thing in?

-Jon

Generally you need to purchase an install kit from Walmart or the likes and a harness adapter. As for the wire harness being in the way, I am unsure as I've never installed an aftermarket unit in a Riv

I have the harness, bestbuy said a dash kit is not needed. I'll see if one is available. I still need to know if I have to cut that plastic out behind the deck to get it to fit tho...

jdbell2004 wrote:: I have the harness, bestbuy said a dash kit is not needed. I'll see if one is available. I still need to know if I have to cut that plastic out behind the deck to get it to fit tho...

hahah bestbuy in their infinite wisdom again...

I actually dremeled the plastic back pretty much out so that gave me a bit more room. If you do it right, no one would ever know it wasn't like that from the factory.

when you buy the adapter kit they have a couple of styles get the one that bulges out from the dash . as far as mounting the radio the sleeve fits the adapter and then you bend the tabs on the inside to hold the sleeve and the radio locks into the sleeve . keep the thin metal L shaped tools as well thats how you can release the radio from the sleeve and not remove the whole panel again. while you have it out i had to cut a large portion of the metal on the bracket the radio mounted in. yours may be diffrent from my 95 . keep in mind your going to lose your steering wheel controls for the climate system as well

turtleman wrote:

jdbell2004 wrote:: I have the harness, bestbuy said a dash kit is not needed. I'll see if one is available. I still need to know if I have to cut that plastic out behind the deck to get it to fit tho...

hahah bestbuy in their infinite wisdom again...

I actually dremeled the plastic back pretty much out so that gave me a bit more room. If you do it right, no one would ever know it wasn't like that from the factory.

Hey, I stumbled across your car last night on cardomain. Very nice. Makes me wish I had money to do things to mine.

Anyway, I'll try the dremel, I really don't need much more space, maybe a half inch. I'll let you know how it goes, pics maybe.

-Jon

I got it in. Not bolted in but it doesnt really move. They bypass works flawlessly. I hate the lack of a customizable background pic. However, I seem to have screwed up my climate control unit...the lights behind the buttons dont work anymore... Any ideas?

are they not illuminating or are they not dimming with the dimmer control?

Generally, unless you get the PAC2 steering wheel control unit for aftermarket stereos, your climate control functions won't work as well as the dimming functionality on the temp displya.

Not sure if the OP is still around or not, but if so.. are you sitll able to get FM stereo? I'm looking to get some sort of in-dash screen but I don't want to lose my radio option and I want something not outrageously priced.

This looks so cool. I want to get something like this.

Surrounded by Walnut Burl dash.

Hi Fi buys in Atlanta pointed out an install mounting kit for a 2 DIN unit.

When I swapped out my stock unit for a 1 DIN unit the original installer ran the wires down the side in it made the unit off center and bowed the tray down. After 3 trips back to the original guys I went to BB and they fished the wires around back and it looks good now.

Cruthchfield is compiling data on the install into our Riv's they currently don't have that much because they're volume has not been like other vehicles...like ZZP etc. The more we share with them the more we can all benefit. They generally provide all harness and installation kits with most purchases depending on what you spend on the actual unit they sometimes just include at no extra charge...it's not as cheap as Walmart but they stand behind everything they sell.

Last edited by albertj on Wed Sep 13, 2017 4:58 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hello jdbell2004 - you need to bolt that radio in, or else if u r driving and someone hits the front, that radio will turn into a BIG missile.

Put it this way - it could be the last time whoever it hits will feel pain and sorrow...

Please be sure to secure the radio (plain English --> Bolt That Sucker In).

Albertj

Rock & Roll is the Devil's Advocate!!!

Well, I got the whole system installed today, took 17 hours but it was totally worth it. I ended up with the Pioneer head unit I mentioned on the first post, the Infinity Kappa 2 ways in the doors and rear deck, and an Alpine F250 amp. I put the amp in the trunk and ran RCA's back, then wired the rear speakers directly to the amp, and used the factory rear speaker harness to feed the front speakers. It was really really easy this way, at the harness adapter I just looped RR+ into RF+, etc. and didn't have to run speaker wires.

I'll post some pics this weekend. Cutting the dash behind the radio was very difficult, and feeding the wires in for the final push home was probably harder than any other part of the install.

Congrats! Hope it sounds good!

_________________
'05 GTO 6.0L • 6-spd • 95k miles • 0-60: 4.8s • 16.9 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:26

'95 Celica GT 2.2L • 5-spd • 165k miles • 0-60: yes

'98 SC Riviera • 281k miles • 298 HP/370 TQ • 0-60: 5.79s • ET: 13.97 @ 99.28 • 4087 lb • 20.1 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:30
3.4" pulley • AL104 plugs • 180º t-stat • FWI w/K&N • 1.9:1 rockers • OR pushrods • LS6 valve springs • SLP headers • ZZP fuel rails
KYB GR2 struts • MaxAir shocks • Addco sway bars • UMI bushings • GM STB • Enkei 18" EV5s w/ Dunlop DZ101s • F-body calipers
EBC bluestuff/Hawk HP plus • SS lines • Brembo slotted discs • DHP tuned • Aeroforce • Hidden Hitch
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

'70 Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe 455cid • 116k miles
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

Well, here are some install pics. I'll try to come back and add some commentary. Cutting the bracketry and plastic behind the radio was difficult, and taking this dash apart is never fun... but the job is done and I'm very happy with the finished product. It sounds awesome. There are definitely times where I can imagine a sub filling in some bass (ie there should be a sub there and it's missing) but the quality is so good and my listening style has changed, that I don't miss it that badly.

anyhow, here goes...

Back of the stock unit
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-01

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-01

the bracket
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-02

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-03

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-04

new unit

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-05

going to need some cutting frown

Before:

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-06

After:

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-07

Best dash cutting tool I could come up with...
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-08

Behind the radio in dash:
Before:
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-09

After:

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-10

The trunk...
new speakers. On the right side of the pic if you look close you'll see the studs I put in for the amp mounting.
I only had to drill one hole in the upper corner, the metal already had some holes in it and I could use the bottom one.
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-11

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-11

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-12

Finished trunk. (I cut a slot into the backing board for the amp wires)
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-13

Wiring harness:
I decided to wire the rear speakers directly to the amp, and re-use the old rear speaker harness to feed sound up to the front speakers. I took my harness adapter and connected rear to front, that's what the loops are:
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-14

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-14

The whole harness... the thing near the top is the PAC SWI-PS steering wheel control adapter harness.
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-15

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-15

The scary pile of spaghetti
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-16

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-17

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-18

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-19

Cleaned it up a bit. Zip ties are your friend!
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-20

Finished!! The phone holder is made by "Pro Clip". It is a very nice mounting clip and snaps on just right.
Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-22

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-22

Write-Up: Installing Double DIN head unit in '96-99 Riviera RivRadioInstall-23

Thats a great looking install man! Good looking unit too.

That is a gr8 looking install.... Just a coule of questions as I am considering doing the same thing.
1: Where did you route your RCA lines going from the dash to the trunk?
2: Can you give me details as to the connection for the steering wheel controls. I see that you jumpered your temp switch, does this mean that all the audio controls on the wheel are now dead?

Nice Deek!

What is that thing on the left behind the steering wheel?

nice man very nice!

the RCA's and signal wire go over the glove box and under the pass. Side sill panel. I did keep the steering wheel controls using the PAC SWI-PS (uses the wired remote interface on the pioneer).

The thing on the left of the steering wheel is my Sirius Starmate. I just put it there, that location doesn't work well for me though, too hard to see. I'm going to move it. Someday. I don't really feel like ripping the dash apart again for a while:(

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