Does the Crutchfield wiring harness work with Pathfinder Bose setup
I've been looking off for a way to put an aftermarket Stereo in my 03 Pathfinder LE where I won't have to bypass the amp and cut around all kinds of wires. Crutchfield seems to have this harness now but I was wondering it is works as advertised.
I was wondering the same thing myself. Thanks for the info. They've got some nice double-DIN's on Crutchfield, just a little pricey. ebay's got some deals as well.
according to crutchfield it'll work. ebay does have better prices, but crutchfield has great customer service/help and if your still learning the ropes (as i am) it may be worth it to buy from them.
according to crutchfield it'll work. ebay does have better prices, but crutchfield has great customer service/help and if your still learning the ropes (as i am) it may be worth it to buy from them.
I installed an aftermarket stereo on my 1997 pathfinder (with the premium Bose system) a few months ago. Don't be duped by them like I was! The crutchfield kit still requires that you splice a bunch of wires. The wiring "kit" is basically two pieces: one has connectors that plug into the pathfinder wiring harness, and the other has connectors that plug into the new head unit. Both connectors have stripped wires on the other end which you need to crimp yourself. Although everything is color coded you still have to play around with the wiring (especially the power) to get things working properly. I thought it would've been a lot simplier (ie. one cable with a connector on each end... one for the wiring harness and one for the head unit.) I'm an engineer and I still had a difficult time. This wasn't even the worst part... The original nissan head unit (the Bose CD/Tape/AM/FM) was twice the size of the one I used to replace it with. The mounting kit that Crutchfield sent didn't even come close working with my new head unit and the existing dash board mounts. I ended up epoxying the brackets for the new head unit into the original pathfinder stereo mounting bracket after I realized none of the holes lined up, and used some of the Crutchfield dashboard mounting kit (the little storage slot) to fill the remaining space.
Also, be sure you get an adapter for the antenna connections as the pathfinder antenna connections prolly won't match those on your aftermarket stereo.
Last edited by e-rock : Jan 19th, 2007 at 12:56 PM.
I installed an aftermarket stereo on my 1997 pathfinder (with the premium Bose system) a few months ago. Don't be duped by them like I was! The crutchfield kit still requires that you splice a bunch of wires. The wiring "kit" is basically two pieces: one has connectors that plug into the pathfinder wiring harness, and the other has connectors that plug into the new head unit. Both connectors have stripped wires on the other end which you need to crimp yourself. Although everything is color coded you still have to play around with the wiring (especially the power) to get things working properly. I thought it would've been a lot simplier (ie. one cable with a connector on each end... one for the wiring harness and one for the head unit.) I'm an engineer and I still had a difficult time. This wasn't even the worst part... The original nissan head unit (the Bose CD/Tape/AM/FM) was twice the size of the one I used to replace it with. The mounting kit that Crutchfield sent didn't even come close working with my new head unit and the existing dash board mounts. I ended up epoxying the brackets for the new head unit into the original pathfinder stereo mounting bracket after I realized none of the holes lined up, and used some of the Crutchfield dashboard mounting kit (the little storage slot) to fill the remaining space.
Also, be sure you get an adapter for the antenna connections as the pathfinder antenna connections prolly won't match those on your aftermarket stereo.
wow, what a pain. I've only bought from them once, but it was a very good experience and their customer help was extremely nice and helpful.
did you call them for assistance?
some of their kits do say splicing will be involved, but the mounting kit should've worked. i would have sent it back. one good thing about crutchfield is that returns should be easy.
If you can match colors and use a wire crimper the install is extremely easy. Especially with a vehicle specific wiring harness. Considering that your pathfinder probably has a facory installed amp (like my 97 does) you should consider this wiring harness instead: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VByLfxC...er&i=142C4NN03
When I installed my stereo a few weeks back I had an insane amound of alternator noise coming through my speakers. Come to find out that I needed the adapter above to adjust the output of my new headunit in order to get rid of the noise. Hope this helps.
My experience with Crutchfield has been exceptional. I installed a DIN head unit in my wife's car last month, and Crutchfield's online system makes sure you have the right stuff. Their customer service is really great too, plus free return shipping if you don't like the products or have trouble.
Yes, you have to splice the head unit harness to the vehicle harness, but it takes about an hour with heat shrink tubing and a soldering gun (SOLDER your connections, don't crimp!). All the wiring diagrams are provided, and it is as simple as matching colors and reading a basic wiring diagram. And as far as the post about a single DIN vs. double DIN mounting slot, this should be exceedingly obvious if you do any shread of research or even look at the products your buying from Crutchfield.
Bottom line, Crutchfield knows their stuff and makes it easy. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them if they say it works.
Does anyone know if you can use the existing bose amps. I ask because in my Maxima, I had to splice with the headunit and then splice the rear speakers. This was with Crutchfield harnesses.
If you can match colors and use a wire crimper the install is extremely easy. Especially with a vehicle specific wiring harness. Considering that your pathfinder probably has a facory installed amp (like my 97 does) you should consider this wiring harness instead: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-VByLfxC...er&i=142C4NN03
When I installed my stereo a few weeks back I had an insane amound of alternator noise coming through my speakers. Come to find out that I needed the adapter above to adjust the output of my new headunit in order to get rid of the noise. Hope this helps.
That is the adapter I used also. When I initially hooked it up, I had no sound at all... It was almost as if the pots on the adapter were turned all the way down. I had to turn each one all the way around a few times before I got things working properly.
Also, I had a lot of alternator noise when I first installed, especially in the radio. I eliminated it by tying the the head unit ground and antenna ground to a piece of steel braid and then tying that to the chassis.
Another thing I noticed is that if I play my ipod thru the head unit while its plugged into the cigarette lighter (charging) I get a lot of noise. I originally thought it was due to poor grounding of the cigarette lighter receptical... I've since replaced my battery terminal connections and my alternator. The noise is now gone. I'm guessing that all the noise was due to my failing alternator and corroded battery connections.
My experience with Crutchfield has been exceptional. I installed a DIN head unit in my wife's car last month, and Crutchfield's online system makes sure you have the right stuff. Their customer service is really great too, plus free return shipping if you don't like the products or have trouble.
Yes, you have to splice the head unit harness to the vehicle harness, but it takes about an hour with heat shrink tubing and a soldering gun (SOLDER your connections, don't crimp!). All the wiring diagrams are provided, and it is as simple as matching colors and reading a basic wiring diagram. And as far as the post about a single DIN vs. double DIN mounting slot, this should be exceedingly obvious if you do any shread of research or even look at the products your buying from Crutchfield.
Bottom line, Crutchfield knows their stuff and makes it easy. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them if they say it works.
Thank you for your condescending reply. Obviously, I realized that the head unit I was buying was half the size of the one I was replacing. I explained this to Crutchfield and the guy on the phone was very reassuring... All I was saying was that the holes didn't line up with the kit they sent me. The head unit I bought was listed as compatible with my truck. It would have been nice if I could have just screwed my new head units bracket into the existing bose mounting bracket. Sure I could've sent it back, but who wants to rip their dash apart twice?
As for the "Universal" DIN Pocket, I use the word Universal very loosly. Until you get it, its pretty difficult to tell how compatible its going to be based on their product description.
i doubt it, but crutchfield does offer separate adapters for that which will work on certain head-units.
I ordered a head unit, speakers and steering wheel adapter from Crutchfield today. I'll take some pictures and post them, this always seems to be a cloudy subject.
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