how hard is it?????

Hey can anyone tell me how hard it is to install a cdplayer in my 96 cavy, because i have heard things about having to take out the whole dash..(if its not too hard, and not easy to screw up ill do it myself cause having it installed cost too much just to do something i could do) any one know?!?!?
thanks

well this is not the best of info i admit, but here is an old post on it.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t72762.html

If you decide to do it, and you get to the wiring, here are the color codes. Im 99.99% sure these are all correct.


1995-96 Chevrolet Cavalier

Constant 12V+ Orange
Switched 12V+ Yellow
Ground Black
Illumination Gray
Dimmer Brown


Front Speakers : 4" x 6" Doors
Left Front (+) Tan
Left Front (-) Gray
Right Front (+) Light Green
Right Front (-) Dark Green

Rear Speakers : 6" x 9" Rear Deck
Left Rear (+) Brown
Left Rear (-) Yellow
Right Rear (+) Dark Blue
Right Rear (-) Light Blue

Hope it goes well :)

can anyone that hes done it tell me if it was difficult or not....and do u have any tips for me
thanks

my big concern is about the dash removal

you do not have to take the dash off. It is really quite simple. GM uses clip retainers to hold the radio bezel on, the radio bezel will simply unsnap, from there just take the srews out of the radio and pull the unit out. It may have theftlock if you unplug the radio, you will have to call a dealer to get the code after unplugging the radio. Just take it real easy and pull on the bezel(don't force it) it will unsnap.

does the trim around the radio just snap off or what? i dont wanna try to pull it off when its not suppose to an break it

Yeah don't break it. That part cost 70 bucks. I will insert a crappy illustration of it. GM uses metal tension(spring) clips that adhere to ports in the plastic dash you just have to pull on them to free the bezel. If you look close(at the bezel) you will not see any screws. Number 8 is the part that will come off to get to the radio.

how easy it to get it back on(#8)??? sorry about all ?'s but i wanna know what im getting into before i decide to do it

Originally posted by chevyfreak
how easy it to get it back on(#8)??? sorry about all ?'s but i wanna know what im getting into before i decide to do it

Its not going to be hard to do. All you need are some tools, and alot of patience. Just take your time, and be careful so that you dont break any trim and everything will be ok.

Installing a head-unit is not a hard job.

Not hard at all. What you need to do is go to a place like Best Buy and get one of those how to install a CD player in Chevy Cars. It has the best illustration i have ever seen. Hey jgillham, nice illustrations....how are people suposed to know how to install one if they don't know what the numbers mean?????:hehe: That old post will get alot of people lost.

Originally posted by Scott 02
Hey jgillham, nice illustrations....how are people suposed to know how to install one if they don't know what the numbers mean?????:hehe: That old post will get alot of people lost.

Numbers are a highly guarded secret;)

It's not actually from a service manual it is from our B&H EPC

dude call me up i will install it for free. as long as you supply the beer and gas money. My sis owns a 98 cavalier and i put it in, in like, 20 minutes. Pretty easy shit.

Numbers are a highly guarded secret

if they are secret then why in the world would you post them when they wont do anybody any good. If i were to post something like that....i would make sure what each number represents and instructions.

They are pretty easy to install. The first time doing it is rough sometimes but its no more than and hour job. :)

i found a web page that gives instructions and pictures, can anyone plz tell me if its acurate so i can do it, cause if i can remove the stock then i can install the aftermarket:silly2: stock removal (http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalChevyCavalier2.htm)

Yes, that looked acurate to me. When i had to take my stock stereo out i had to go through taking all the screws out of the dash to have access to the stereo compartment screws. Just remember how everything goes back into place. :)

That web site is very acurate....It is a rather simple process once youhave done it once....ive had mine off several times and now it takes just under 5 min. to access the radio(as long as i have the right tools

what special tools does it require?????

There is no special tool required....Just basicly a nut driver.....and a very small socket.....think it is like a 7/32.........Be carefull pulling the trim around the radio thought......it cracks rather easily....

use a screw driver to to snap the dash off in the small cracks its the best thing to use once all the nuts are unscrewed. make sure u get the nut in the air cent up top me and my friends tried to get the dash off for an hour then we realized that there was another nut in the top vent. once you get all the nuts off just gently stick the screw driver inbetween the main gaps to get it off. its simple gettin it back on