The stock head unit that comes with a Honda Pilot can be replaced with an aftermarket head unit, which can be purchased from an electronics store. You may want to consider an aftermarket unit if your factory head unit starts to malfunction or if you want to expand the capabilities of your Pilot's sound system such as adding a subwoofer or upgrading the factory speakers for higher output.
For this project, it is helpful for you to have a basic understanding of electronics and use a wire stripping and crimping tool as well as have a basic knowledge of how the vehicle's electrical system works (i.e., power/ground placement and lead location).
Instructions
1. Remove the front dash panel. Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the front dash panel. Cover the tip of the screwdriver with a rag so that you do not scratch or mar the surface of the trim panel.
2. Unscrew the four screws that hold the Pilot's head unit in place.
3. Pull the head unit out of the dash and locate the factory wire harness and electronic connectors on the back of the head unit.
4. Unplug the connectors and plug the new unit in. If your new head unit is not "plug and play," you will have to splice wire connectors onto the ends of the leads coming from both the head unit and the factory wire harness.
To do this, you will need to refer to the diagram on your head unit to determine which lead goes to which audio component (e.g., red lead to left front speaker, green lead to right rear speaker). Using the wire strippers/crimper, strip the wire and place a wire connector over the end of the bare wire. Crimp the wire connector over the end of the lead.
You will need to do the same thing with the factory's wire harness.
Secure the new wiring together with zip ties and, if possible, secure it out of the way to make it easier to slide the new head unit in place.
5. Test the head unit connections. To test your new unit, turn the vehicle's ignition to the "II" position so that you can turn the radio on. Verify that the new head unit is working properly.
6. Gently fit the new head unit into the dash where the old head unit was located after you have connected the new head unit to the factory wire harness and verified that it is functioning properly.
7. Secure the new head unit in place using the factory screws and snap the dash trim back on over the head unit.
Tags: head unit, head unit, factory wire, factory wire harness, wire harness, head unit place
