A "How-To" for removing the stock HHR Radios can be found HERE (http://www.socalhhr.citymax.com/hhrradioremoval.html).

(recently moved due to a server crash!)

Hope it helps! :thumb:

Why wait, chop into it now! :D :beer:

I wanna see this with the kit and a radio installed...

-wc

To be continued...!

Looks good.

Thumbsup Thumbsup!

jerij

I found it easier to open the vents and put a hand in each and pull straight out. Felt like it opened easier. Just my 2 cents

I found it easier to open the vents and put a hand in each and pull straight out. Felt like it opened easier. Just my 2 cents

Thats the same way I pulled mine out the day I was playing around with it. It came out real easy without any tools.

I'm going to get a pro-fit mount to install next to the radio so I can add on a PSP mount. I'm going to do that soon. These pictures will help becasue the mount is made for the chevy equniox and it is compatable with the HHR and Cobalt as well.

the chevy cobalt dash kit will fit all you have to do is cut the top tabs off the kits and it will go in it has the little pocket to hold what ever i have put it in my HHR. you will need a new antenna adapter also for your radio


thanks phillip

are there any kits out there that don't have the pocket and just center mount it?

-wC

are there any kits out there that don't have the pocket and just center mount it? -wC

No. But you could easily have any decent stereo installation shop build you a custom center mount plate. It shouldn't cost too much. Call around. :thumb:

Why dont you want the pocket? It is great for cd's, papers, etc. Possibly could also be used for small gauges, or switch panal, or remote radar detector.

I just think it looks tacky and kinda cheap...

-wC

Gee, every 1 DIN kit for a 2 DIN space I've ever seen has a pocket. :confused:

It's not just on the HHR kit.

Gee, every 1 DIN kit for a 2 DIN space I've ever seen has a pocket. :confused:

It's not just on the HHR kit.

I've always thought it looked cheap and tacky...doesnt mean I haven't used it...I've never seen a reason why they couldnt just center it and close it all in...

-wC

I've always thought it looked cheap and tacky...doesnt mean I haven't used it...I've never seen a reason why they couldnt just center it and close it all in...

-wC

WC, it would be real easy for any car audio shop to do this for you. Not expensive either. They could make a panel out of pebble-finish dash filler and viola' - instant centered stereo.

I'm making plans right now to install a carbon fiber panel there for switches (for my G-Tech and some interior LED's I'm planning to do).

If you want, I can talk with my carbon guy about making you a full carbon fiber panel to fit the area?

Let me know if that's something you'd want... :thumb:

SoCal,

I would like to see pics of how that turns out...my whole thing now is that it's gonna stand out a lot in a car full of brown and beige interiors...where as the setup I had before fit in with a an all black interior...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/wildeone81/Box%20at%20Merriweather/IMG_2881.jpg

-wC

SoCal,

I would like to see pics of how that turns out...my whole thing now is that it's gonna stand out a lot in a car full of brown and beige interiors...
-wC

Well, actually the HHR has a lot of black in that area:

http://www.socalhhr.citymax.com/i/Car%20PC%20Images/Stereo_Install_Sm.jpg

The switches up by the dimmer & airbag area, vents & hazard switch, AC knobs & switches below, and lighter & rear wiper controls are all black.

IMO what's bothering most people is that LINE where the dash kit and AC panel meets - it's kind of abrupt. If it bothered me, I would stop by the auto parts store and buy some paint to match. Not much of a job to paint the dash kit before installing it.

hmmm that doesnt look as bad as I thought...although all this is moot still because there is no wiring harness out yet and I'm not direct wiring...

-wC

Most older GM's used the din and a half radio, so the dash kit was centered w/ no pocket. But when you've got a double din opening, it looks silly with all of that space and a din radio installed in the middle...looks much better with a pocket there IMO.

I know diect wiring is not for everyone, but I'm loving it! (I always wire my stereo's direct). No more turn signal chimes, I can now play the stereo with the doors open, no seat belt chime when I unplug before reaching the garage, and best of all - I can play the stereo without having the key in.

Another great feature of direct wiring is providing your stereo with a stronger power source than the ACC line, this can often increase your amps output. (*Note: my Pioneer head has a 30-amp fuse inline already.)

The HHR audio harness pulls ot a good 8 extra inches, so cutting the plugs off leaves you with lots of wire. If you were to sell, or wanted to go back to stock, the plugs can be easily reattached with butt connectors. It's not nearly as bad as it seems.

I sometimes picture SoCal as the little devil on my shoulder just telling me to do it...but we'll see...maybe I will just direct wire it for now and then just come back later on and redo it when the harness comes out...

-wC

Whatever you do - don't listen to me! :D

well I'm timid to get things going...but I have no problems doing stuff once I get motivated to do it...

-wC

anybody know which wire going to the radio turns on with the key?

anybody???

Email me and I'll send you a wiring diagram... mike@socalhhrs.com

Thanks Mike but I searched and found Monster posted it in another post..Here it is if anyone needs it.


I've posted the schematics of the radio and amp wiring here:

http://n8zcc.com/pics/HHR/Radio.gif
http://n8zcc.com/pics/HHR/Audio_Amp.gif

Thanks Monster

I have a little better schematic than that (if you want it).
Mine is much easier to read.

OK I ran into a problem.I found the acc wire but its only hot after it runs through the radio.Meaning with the harness unplugged it has no power.I hooked up my remote wire for my amp but the power goes on and off when you open the doors.Even with the keys out of the ignition.Can anyone help?

Yeah, email me and I'll send you my schematic! :D

I haven't messed with the harness yet but new GM's don't have an accessory behind the radio. (GM data module)

You can do what I did for my accessory for my computer, tap into the ignition harness for accessory-

http://www.directechs.com/timages/acc_6041.jpg

It's the brown wire at the ign. harness

There you go! :thumb:

I haven't messed with the harness yet but new GM's don't have an accessory behind the radio. (GM data module)

You can do what I did for my accessory for my computer, tap into the ignition harness for accessory-

http://www.directechs.com/timages/acc_6041.jpg

It's the brown wire at the ign. harness

Nice! Thanks alot for the info..

I have a little better schematic than that (if you want it).
Mine is much easier to read.

Right click on the images and save them to your machine. Then view the schematics with your favorite viewer, this way you will avoid the compression and resizing the browsers uses to display the schematic.

That's not what I meant. :D I actually designed my schematics and they are easy for the "layman" to read and understand. There was nothing wrong with yours at all. :thumb:

I actually designed my schematics and they are easy for the "layman" to read and understand.

You mean there are people out there that couldn't read Monster5601s schematics? :roll: :poke: :D Some people must have slept through technology class. ;) You are taught that stuff starting in elementary school going all the way up through high school. :confused:

I was forced to try and figure it out when I wire on the firewall of my 74' Nova corroded through.I still don't understand but whatever..

SoCal I sent you an email about that schematic you have.It would still be handy to have if its easier to understand.

hey guys Metra has the harness out now....Without pioneer sysetm GMOS-Lan-03 with pioneer it is GMOS-LAN-04 Production is limited as they can only hand make 25 each per day...But I have one and it works perfectly

Since the SoCal website is no longer up, can someone re-host?

Has anybody had any problems with the harness? The harness I got was totally screwed up. None of the speaker wires were correct so I ended up having to splice into the factory wires.i should have just saved my money instead of buying that crappy harness.

Which harness?

I don't even know now. I bought it along with the install kit and ant. adapter in a package. Whatever it was it was a piece.

Since the SoCal website is no longer up, can someone re-host?

Please!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to remove radio to to tap into power source for XM Thanks

Can anyone tell me which power wires I should tap into to add my XM Roady. I am doing a permanet install and have the Delphi kit coming. I want it to stay powered on like the radio does until the drivers door is opened.

I dont have a wiring diagram so if someone can tell me which ones to tap that would be awesome. I'm going to hopefully get it installed this weekend.

thanks,

Dave

Can anyone tell me which power wires I should tap into to add my XM Roady. I am doing a permanet install and have the Delphi kit coming. I want it to stay powered on like the radio does until the drivers door is opened.

I dont have a wiring diagram so if someone can tell me which ones to tap that would be awesome. I'm going to hopefully get it installed this weekend.

thanks,

Dave
There was a thread someplace about that but can't locate it.

Found it: http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1600&page=4&highlight=switched+power+source

Quick question, I want to install an aftermarket stereo in my 06 with steering wheel controls. Do I need a seperate module to retain the steering wheel controls? My wife has an 03 Grand Prix, and a new module is needed to retain hers. TIA

I installed my LCD DVD/MP3/CD aftermarket headunit! I'll take pictures and show you guys as soon as I can.

I am done, but I forgot to wire the break wire. I didn't realize that I had to put the break wire with the ground in order to watch dvd while driving (not that I am going to but it's a cool effect for the passengers)...but you guys think you can use the toggle switch for where the fog lights are supposed to go as a break wire toggle switch instead? just an idea, has anyone out there used that spot for anything other than the foglight (my HHR doesn't have foglights)...anyone have any ideas...:nuts:

bump

hi i have a question...the stock radio has a fan mount on it if i disable the fan is my radio gonna blast a little more ?or not?couse every time that the bass is kicking the sound goes down!

Seriously??