Got a new radio!

[ScarabMike]

I got this Sony to replace the stock one. I dont need the headaches of the connectors getting corroded and the face plate dying. From all the reviews on this radio, its supposed to be awesome. Ill get some install pics soon!

 

[latitudeadjuster]

nice....yea let us know. What was the stock radio?

 

[jonw9]

Yeah, which model Sony? It is most likely an upgrade over what I have...

 

[ScarabMike]

My oem radio is CDXM60UI. Its complete trash!!!

 

[jonw9]

At least yours is marine rated...

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1WkTpcEawEc/p_158GT270MP/Sony-CDX-GT270MP.html

 

[ScarabMike]

Thats what your came with? I think detachable face units are stupid for the marine environment.

At least yours is marine rated...

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1WkTpcEawEc/p_158GT270MP/Sony-CDX-GT270MP.html

 

[latitudeadjuster]

My oem radio is CDXM60UI. Its complete trash!!!

Lol....can you beleive the even put those in a scarab!

 

[ScarabMike]

Its actually the same unit that I had in my Sea Ray that was replaced twice.

Lol....can you beleive the even put those in a scarab!

 

[96Pirate]

I got this Sony to replace the stock one. I dont need the headaches of the connectors getting corroded and the face plate dying. From all the reviews on this radio, its supposed to be awesome. Ill get some install pics soon!

Nice! Do you have to modify the opening? The dimensions look different between the 2 units.

 

[ScarabMike]

I dont think so. The housing is the same, but the face is a tad bigger. We shall see.

Nice! Do you have to modify the opening? The dimensions look different between the 2 units.

 

[jawsf16]

I didn't and replaced the similar one. The face is bigger but the body is single din

 

[jonw9]

Yeah,mine came with a $69 car stereo. I am inland so salt isn't an issue, but seriously disappointed.

Then, Sony doesn't have a great marine selection, and I don't really want to change the stern remote, so I am a bit stuck.

 

[latitudeadjuster]

yea....I got a clarion CMD6 factory.....its like 3 radios old. Its so old they don't even make the Sirius receiver part for it so people are scalping them for $200.....I will use my iheart radio!! @ScarabMike I see your uses same SCC1 Sirius receiver but I think you commented on another post you used downloaded music??

 

[latitudeadjuster]

Yeah,mine came with a $69 car stereo. I am inland so salt isn't an issue, but seriously disappointed.

Then, Sony doesn't have a great marine selection, and I don't really want to change the stern remote, so I am a bit stuck.

yea a replacement with remotes are hard to match up. I had a SX230 I sold this year and I replaced with what I thought was an awesome Kenwood and the remote for this older kenwood was ancient. lol.... I cant win! lol

 

[ScarabMike]

yea....I got a clarion CMD6 factory.....its like 3 radios old. Its so old they don't even make the Sirius receiver part for it so people are scalping them for $200.....I will use my iheart radio!! @ScarabMike I see your uses same SCC1 Sirius receiver but I think you commented on another post you used downloaded music??

Yea, i use a 64 gig thumb drive loaded with music, I use my blackberry blue-tooth adapter and stream Pandora, Soundcloud, ect.....

 

[ScarabMike]

Ok, its installed. The harnesses are plug and play to the old Sony, but thats where it stops. This radio is what a marine radio should be like. It has a huge rubber grommet to seal the hole the radio slides in. Here is what I had to do.....

Take off the faceplate of the oem radio. You will also go ahead and remove the two black screws on top and bottom of the radio. You will not need these anymore.

Then take an aftermarket radio removal tool, (or something thin, sturdy and flat) and place it in the center of the sides of the case. This will release the radio. Make sure you tag each wire so you know where it goes on the new radio.

You will also see your three amps.

Now pull out your old radio leaving the power harness from it behind.

^^Thats what you should end up with.

Now go inside the storage compartment and pull out the mounting cage. You should have a nice clean hole.

Now follow the mounting instructions for the new radio. Your going to drill 4 holes on the top using the radio as a template, and two holes on the bottom. Slide in the radio, and screw down securely. There is a strap (metal) that you will have to find a place to secure the radio from swaying. I used the on directly on top of the radio. Its the bolt that holds the glove box hatch.

This is the finished product working.

 

[Julian]

Nice write up!!

 

[96Pirate]

Very nice! I see an upgrade in my future Nice job!

 

[ScarabMike]

By the way guys, I forgot to tell you.... There is no 3.5mm aux input on this stereo because it is completely sealed. So what they did, is they use a couple of RCA connectors behind the unit for the AUX. I swapped my USB plug in that was on the boat with a plug similar to this from West Marine.

I think its a great idea, and better than to have that 3.5mm hole where moisture can get in.

 

[Aces_Over_Kings]

Another outstanding writeup. Thanks man. It's very likely I may end up cribbing your entire playbook of upgrades if I end up with a Scarab. And either way, it's a lot of fun watching you pimp your ride.

A few questions:

• What made you choose that radio unit? compatibility with remotes/speakers? user reviews? It looks great, I just don't know what considerations go into it. Are we stuck with Sony if we want to use the stock remotes?

• The replacement USB port looks great -- is that 2 USB ports and a 3.5mm? Was it a simple swap or did you need to modify the stock opening?