Amp (RCA and Remote) Hook Up Help

Hello, I was going to help my friend hook up and amp in a 2000 Cavalier today. He was telling me that we would have to tahe the whole dash off to get to the radio (its an aftermarket head unit). Is this correct? Is there any easier way to get to the back of the head unit to hook up the RCA's and Remote wire? Are we going to have to take off the whole dash?

Thanks for any info on theis topic!
Any web pages with addition help are also welcome!

If it is aftermarket, there are a set of keys that will remove it from the front. He may have to go back to the installing dealer to get them.

Originally posted by thewoahna
radio (its an aftermarket head unit). Is this correct?

It is pretty easy because it is a aftermarket head unit. Like Tireburner said, All you have to do is get the keys for the deck (they look like two little flat rods) and slip them into the head unit. Then just pull at the same time and it should slide right out. If you dont have the keys then you can get a small pair of needle nose pliers and just push the tabs that are holding in the deck and pull it out. When its out it is easy.. Just connect the RCAs. Make sure that you have some pretty nice RCA's because if you don't then you are loosing valuable signal. Make sure you connect to the right set of RCA jacks on the back of the deck.

I forgot to tell you how to get the dash apart. I know for a fact that you don't have to rip the whole dash to get at the deck. The trim might be the pull off type or there may be some screws under the dash near the deck to pull just that part of the dash off..

Happy install.
DD

Ok, Thanks! Now another question. How would I go about install new rear speakers? I have No idea how to get the "carpet" under the rear window up? Is there an easy way to doing this?

Thanks!

Originally posted by thewoahna
Ok, Thanks! Now another question. How would I go about install new rear speakers? I have No idea how to get the "carpet" under the rear window up? Is there an easy way to doing this?

Thanks!

Generally rear deck speakers are removed through the trunk. There are nuts and welded bolts on the rear deck. Remove the nuts, and drop the speakers down.

If you want to replace the rear speakers in a 95-2002 cavalier, the easiest way is to remove the rear cover inside the car by taking out the push studs. These are round plastic pieces that pull out using a screwdriver, you will have to lower the seat-back to find them, once these are removed you can take off the plastic surround and pull off the carpeted piece leaving you with full top access to the speakers. I did it myself with a screwdriver and a ratchet set on my own 2000 cav and my girlfriends 95 cav.

DD....how do you get to the head unit screws and stuff without taking the top of the dash off?? There are screws behind the stereo/hvac bezel holding the bezel on and they screw from the top downward. I actually need to replace the bezel cause I broke it from not getting to those screws. Mines a 95 are you just talking the newer ones??

it depends on the kit... some are mounted right in, in which case you do need to take off the whole dash... i was lucky and managed to twist my arm around many corners to hook up the wires without removing the deck