Upgrading the Tunes in the 2

The time has come to give our Project 2 a real stereo. Instead of going with the usual tunes only deck we decided to give the Mazda 2 a really big upgrade. We chose the Pioneer AVH P3300BT to install in our project car using the Japanese made Kanatechs Mazda 2, a 2 din installation kit. The Kanatechs kits uses metal support brackets to hold the deck in place, unlike the other option on the market which has plastic support brackets.

The installation kit from Kanatechs is thorough and very easy to follow. After giving the instructions a once over I was ready to get to work. The interior in the Mazda 2 is surprisingly easy to take apart and all we needed was a Philips screwdriver and to remove an M10 headed bolt. The harnesses for the installation kit and the Pioneer are all color coded so that was a snap to get connected as well. Overall we spent 2 hours installing the new deck.



The installed unit looks like it belongs in the Mazda 2. Too bad it wasn't an option when the car was purchased.

There are a few notes for installing the unit. If your deck has the steering wheel volume controls get the steering wheel adapter unit from Kanatechs. It allows you to retain the volume controls on the steering wheel if your new audio unit supports IR control. The second is the information display selector will be disabled when the original stereo is removed. I recommend you choose your favorite setting and leave it there. With the stock unit unplugged you will have it set forever.

After a few days driving around the 2 with the new unit I am really enjoying the features. I can just plug in a SD card or a USB flash drive with whatever music I want and I am down the road.


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