Swapping single disc cd-player with 6 disc-changer in '03 Xterra

[ericzilla]

I have an '03 Xterra XE, and the stock cd player has broken. I have recently purchased a Rockford Fosgate 6-cd changer from an '03 Xterra, and I want to replace my stock cd player. Will the exchange of cd-players be easy? What troubles can I expect to run into? Can I simply unplug my old one, and plug in the new one?

[OffroadX]

Physically it's that simple, but as I understand it the Fosgate unit has an external amplifier and as such it may not be able to drive your speakers adequately on its own.

[bwbumga1]

Since both are double din sizes fitting it is not an issue. The power plug on the back may be different...Typically Nissan and other manufacturers changes their wiring harnesses every couple years so you would have to buy that years model to connect. Im not sure but i think since the newer X's come stock with fosgate systems, it may not work. The only bad thing is that if you ever wanted to upgrade to an after market headunit or speakers, you would have to do a factory amp bypass (rewiring of the speakers from the head unit) on your X.

Im pretty sure that the older X's are fine but the newer ones with the fosgate systems would require a bypass.

Sorry for blurting out crap about speakers. I work at circuit city roadshop.

[OffroadX]

The connectors for power and output are all the same for the 00-04 models. The connectors for things like the external CD changer, steering wheel controls, etc. can vary, but the basics are the same.

[waltman]

you'll see other posts of people buying oem fosgate head units for non stock RF xterras on ebay, etc. from what I've seen, you'll have volume issues as the signal normally is sent through the RF stock amplifier before going out to the speakers.. and yes, as said earlier in the thread I also believe you'll need to do a factory amp bypass in order to use an aftermarket head unit.

waltman