Installing a stereo used to be a complicated task, with lots of soldering, wire-probing and educated guesswork. Today it's a lot simpler, with aftermarket dashboard kits and wiring harnesses making the job almost rudimentary. It still can be intimidating to the new installer, but it's not an insurmountable task if you handle it systematically. In this case, the project vehicle is a 2008 Nissan Frontier, but the process is similar for other vehicles as well.
Pull the tray above the radio toward you, releasing the clips from the dashboard in the process, and set it to the side. Remove the Phillips-head screw underneath the tray, using the Phillips-head screwdriver.
Pull the radio bezel toward you to release the clips holding it to the dash. Unplug any wiring from the back of the bezel, then remove the bezel from the truck. Unscrew the radio from the dashboard, using the Phillips-head screwdriver. Pull the radio out of the dash, then unplug the wiring harness and antenna lead from the rear of the deck.
Pull the metal cage that comes with the aftermarket stereo off the stereo, and put it into the vehicle-specific dash kit, using the flat-head screwdriver to push the metal tabs against the kit. Slide the aftermarket stereo into the cage until it clicks in place.
Strip 1/4 inch off the end of each wire on the vehicle-specific wiring harness, using the wire strippers. Crimp a blue butt connector on each bare wire, using the wire crimpers. Strip 1/4 inch off the end of each wire on the harness that comes with the aftermarket stereo. Match up the corresponding color-coded wires on each harness, and crimp them together with the wire crimpers.
Plug the harness into the back of the aftermarket stereo, then plug the other end into the wiring harness from the dashboard of the truck. Plug the antenna lead into the back of the stereo. Bolt the vehicle-specific dash kit into the dashboard, using the Phillips-head screwdriver.
Reassemble the dashboard in the reverse order of disassembly.
