o replace the factory Tape player (or tape/CD player combo) you will need about 30 minutes and the following tools:

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<li>Phillips Screwdriver
<li>Flathead Screwdriver (wrapped in electrical tape)
<li>Butt Connectors
<li>Wiring Harness (available from Crutchfield, Circuit City, etc.)
<li>Wire Cutters
<li>Crimping tool


<br><br>Open the center console armrest (the lower one if you have the armrest extension). You will see two plastic covers that cover the heads of two Phillips screws. Pop the covers of with a flathead screwdriver, and unscrew the two Phillips screws.

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When those are removed gently pull up on the trim piece starting from the rear (by where the screws were), it should pop right off. It is held in by the two screws in the back and two tabs in the front that just pop out. When this is released you can leave the power window harness connected and just lay it on the passenger seat or disconnect the harness and put the trim piece somewhere for safekeeping.

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<IMG src=/mods/impreza/audio/images/shifterpanel%20removed.jpg WIDTH="640" HEIGHT="480" ALIGN="TOP" BORDER="0">
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The trim piece around the shifter isn’t held on by screws so it can just be gently pried up, again starting from the rear and working forward. It is not necessary to remove it from the vehicle, just enough to free up the trim panel around the radio and a/c controls. You can remove the ashtray now, it is pretty simple to take it out. Then take your flathead screwdriver and GENTLY pry out the trim piece (I wrapped mine in electrical tape so I wouldn't scratch anything). . I started from the driver's side top and then loosened the passenger side top. After both top parts are loose it should pop right off with a gentle tug. Unplug the wiring harnesses at the bottom for the cigarette lighter and the light. You have now exposed the radio for removal. There are four screws
holding the radio and CD player (or plastic pocket).

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Remove the four Phillips screws and slide the units out. Unplug the antenna and wiring harnesses from the radio and CD player. After everything is unplugged remove the side mounting brackets from the factory radio, make a mental note on how far forward it fit on the brackets so you can get it flush again.

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Take the mounting brackets and screw them to your new head unit, keeping in mind
how to get it flush again. I wired up the Crutchfield harness to my new radio's harness the night before while in my house, it is much more comfortable and easier to work on than in the car. Double check the instructions that came with the new radio and the Crutchfiled harness to make sure the wire color are the same. If not wire them
according to the instructions. My radio (Alpine) matched exactly the Crutchfield harness. Once all the wires are connected plug the Crutchfield harness into the factory wiring. Plug the new head unit harness (which should be wired up to the Crutchfield harness at this point) into the back of the new head unit. Connect the factory antenna
into your head unit. If you are installing an amp or changer make sure you hook up the cables/remote turn on lead/RCA's to your head unit before continuing. Slide the units in and check to see if the new head unit turns on and operates correctly, if so put the four screws back in the mounting brackets and reverse the trim removal instructions to
reinstall.

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<IMG src=/mods/impreza/audio/images/mountingscrewsaftermarket.jpg WIDTH="640" HEIGHT="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" BORDER="0">
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Here is what it looked like stock
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And here is what it looks like now.
<IMG src=/mods/impreza/audio/images/alpineinstalled2.jpg WIDTH="640" HEIGHT="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" BORDER="0">
Let's Move on to more challenging things.

Here is a scan of an adapter plug that you can get from Crutchfield or any other stereo place that will plug directly into the OEM harness. With this plug you can get the new head unit ready on your workbench and just plug it into the OEM harness no muss no fuss. This one is for my 1999 RS, the colours did match up but I'm not positive if this is true across the years.