J30 AC controls bracket

[carlos_knology]

I'm thinking about replacing (for the time being) the Bose head unit with an aftermarket HU.

Crutchfield carries an adapter that allows replace JUST the head unit and use the existing Bose speakers. It basically deamplifies the signal going to each speaker to be low-level just like the Bose HU does. The adapter has some screws for you to adjust the level.

In any case, the replacement head unit will not be double-din so I'll need to use one of those plastic pocket adapters.

For any of you J30 owners that have replaced your head unit. The question is...

What did you do about the AC controls bracket? Right now, the AC controls and the Bose head unit share the mounting bracket. How did you use the plastic mounting adapter in conjunction with the AC controls? I'm trying to figure out if I need to use the bracket from the OEM unit or does the plastic installation kit accomodate the AC controls as well?

Carlos

[carlos_knology]

bump

[j30 leopard]

carlos you use the factory radio brackets its called iso mounting. your new radio will have screw holes that will line up the factory brackets. then you use a universal pocket from metra the part number is 88-9000 i think. i have them if you need it.

[mersidoe]

Can I ask a related question? My stereo has been working intermittently, and I have been putting off having it repaired. But it's starting to not work more than it works, so I'm thinking of sending it to the place in Florida that several people have recommended.

However, taking out the stereo disables the AC control unit, and seeing as it's gotten rather hot outside, I'm not looking forward to an extended period of time without ac/fan controls. Any suggestions?

[j30 leopard]

you dont have to take out the ac controls to send the radio out. the bracket just holds both of them together. it comes out as one piece but there will be 4 screws holding the radio to that bracket. just be careful with those screws they strip easy.

[carlos_knology]

That's right, when I sent my bose unit for repair, I disconnected the AC controls so I could use the AC.

Mersidoe, check carstereohelp.com again. Their instructions show you how to disconnect the AC controls. It's a little tricky because you have to remove the hazard-lights switch and the AC controls faceplate but it's not a big deal if you're careful.

You'll be tempted to remove the side OEM bracket from the stereo but those screws are on VERY tight and you can easily strip them. There's a warning about that at the carstereohelp site.

The hardest thing is getting the bose unit out and you already know how to do that. No sweat.

Carlos

[carlos_knology]

Update. Thanks for the replies, J30 leopard.

I completed my Bose head unit replacement project. Everything went off without a hitch. As stated by J30 leopard, I had to use the OEM metal bracket to mount the new head unit (ISO mounting).

I also used this adapter (http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi...4NN03). It allows you to replace JUST the Bose head unit in Nissan/Infiniti cars without the need to replace the Bose speakers and amps. It basically converts the amplified "high level" speaker signal from the new head unit back down to a low-level signal (just like the signal from the Bose head unit). Best of all, it comes with the Nissan/Infinti harness so it just connects to the existing harnesses in your car. The other end connects to the new head unit.

I'm very pleased with the results. I bought all my stuff from Crutchfield. I did, however, have LIE to the Crutchfield web site. I had to tell it that my car is a 1995 Nissan Maxima w/Bose system. If I told it I had a 1995 Infiniti J30, the site would tell me that nothing they sell fits my vehicle. I happen to know that the head unit in the '95 Maxima is the same head unit in the J30. Keep in mind that this trick only works for replacing your head unit. The speaker sizes are probably different between the J30 and the Maxima.

In any case, by doing this, Crutchfield sent all the appropriate goodies to do the install on the J30. The goodies were: Nissan FM antenna adapter, Nissan installation kit (plastic storage pocket). These fit the J30 just fine.

The system sounds great and I now finally have a AUX input for my beloved XM satellite radio.

Carlos

[rebar71]

Carlos, will the same adapters you got work on a 93 J30? I believe the unit on the '95 differs slightly. I doubt I'll be replacing my head unit anytime soon since I just spent $200 on having the factory unit repaired. But I'm curious - just in case I do decide to replace it at some point.

[carlos_knology]

Rebar71, according to the Crutchfield site, this adapter (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-C...cc=01) will work for Nissan/Infiniti cars from 89-93. Looks the same as the one I used in my car except for the difference in wire harness connectors.

The other model (in my previous post) is for years 94 and up.

Carlos

[rebar71]

Thanks for the info.

[mersidoe]

Going back a few posts, thanks for the information about putting the air conditioning controls back in the car while the stereo is being repaired. I looked at the information at carstereohelp.com again, and you all were right. Because of the warning about stripping the screws, and instructions to leave the brackets on the unit, I was thinking they were recommending leaving the A/C controls on the unit when sending it back. My mistake.

However, now that Carlos has shared the secret of how to get past the fact Crutchfield had no listing for the J30, now I'm wondering if I should get a new unit instead. Decisions, decisions.