Bought Your Own Head Unit? What You Need to Get It Fitted
Yes, most aftermarket head units from brands like JVC, Pioneer, Sony, Kenwood and Alpine can be fitted after you buy them yourself, online or from a shop. The head unit is only part of the job, though. To fit properly and keep your car's features working, it also needs a fascia kit for your dash, a wiring harness for your car, often an aerial adapter, and in many cars a steering wheel control interface. Check those before you buy, and the install goes smoothly.
Check the size first
Aftermarket units come in two standard sizes. Single DIN is about 180 by 50mm, and double DIN is about 180 by 100mm. Many touchscreen units are double DIN, and some have a floating screen that sits in front of a single DIN chassis. Your car's dash opening, and the fascia kits made for it, decide what fits. Our guide to single DIN vs double DIN shows how to tell which your car has, and you can look up your car to see what suits it.
The parts most installs need
- Fascia kit: a panel shaped for your dash so the new unit sits flush instead of leaving gaps.
- Wiring harness: a plug-in adapter between your car's loom and the head unit, so no factory wires are cut. See what a wiring harness does.
- Aerial adapter: many cars, Japanese imports especially, use an aerial plug that does not fit an aftermarket unit directly.
- Steering wheel control interface: keeps your wheel buttons working with the new unit. See whether you need one.
- Camera adapter: if you have a factory reverse camera, it may need an adapter to show on the new screen.
Things to check before you buy online
- Wireless or wired CarPlay and Android Auto: many units only do wired. The product listing should say wireless if it is.
- Camera input: make sure the unit has a reverse camera input if you have or want a camera.
- Steering control support: most major brands accept a steering interface, but check the listing.
- NZ radio: a unit made for another market may tune FM in steps that miss some NZ stations. Units sold in NZ are usually set up for local radio.
- Warranty: the manufacturer or seller covers the unit itself; the installer covers the fitting.
Getting a quote for fitting your own unit
Send the installer your car's make, model and year, the exact model of the head unit, and a photo of your current stereo. That is enough to work out the fascia kit, harness and any interface your car needs, and to give you a price for the parts and the labour before booking. If you have not bought yet, it is worth asking first: an installer can tell you which units suit your car before you spend anything.
Have it fitted
We fit head units customers have bought themselves, as well as units we supply, at your home or work in Auckland, Hamilton, Cambridge and Te Awamutu. See head unit installation to get a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Will an installer fit a car stereo I bought online?
Usually yes. Send the model and your car details first so the installer can confirm it fits and quote the parts it needs.
Is it cheaper to buy the head unit myself?
Not always. Compare the total: the unit plus the fascia kit, harness and interface, against a unit supplied with the install, where one company is responsible if something is wrong.
Which brands can you fit?
Most standard single DIN and double DIN units, including JVC, Pioneer, Sony, Kenwood and Alpine. Units that only suit a specific car are best checked first.
Can I fit it myself?
On some cars, yes, if you have the right harness and fascia. Our guide to removing a car stereo covers the first step.