Upgrading Your Car Radio: The Hard Part

Are you tired of seeing this radio in your vehicle everyday? I mean come on, most of our smartphones don't even have aux inputs! Get rid of the dongle and learn how to upgrade your radio.

We all dream of upgrading our car radio and installing the latest and greatest piece of equipment. With the growing popularity of downloaded music, Bluetooth, and the want to avoid commercials it’s no wonder that people want a radio in their car that will allow them to play their music. However, there are some downsides to getting a new radio.

Buying the right part

Before beginning your project, you want to make sure that you purchase the right parts. Each car is different in the dashboard area, so you’ll need to make sure that you purchase a radio that can be mounted properly. If you are unsure of the measurements of your dashboard you can take your vehicle to a shop or figure out the measurements yourself.

Once you have the correct measurements, you’ll need to find the right type of radio that will not only fit but also fits your needs. Try shopping around both online and in-store, making sure to compare and contrast what you like about each radio and what you dislike. After you settle on your radio you’re ready to begin. 

LUCKILY FOR YOU - We made it easy! 

Follow these steps on our website to find the correct part!

The Cost

While car radios might seem like the would-be cheap the truth is that they’re rather not. The piece of equipment that allows for either an aux hook up or Bluetooth, or both, can reach prices that rest in the high hundreds. This means that if you want something with high quality, you’re going to be paying a good amount of money for the radio alone. 

You can certainly buy a radio for a cheaper price if you so desire, but it may lack the features that you are looking for. Some radios come with just Bluetooth, while others make come with the option for both that and aux. There are also some radios that are touch screen or have a wide display, but those are the ones that run on the more expensive side so if you’re looking to save a few dollars try looking elsewhere. 

The Installation 

After you’ve purchased your radio then comes to the hard part: installation. If you’re handy with cars and their electrical workings you may be able to handle this project yourself. If you aren’t, however, you might want to consider taking your vehicle to a professional shop to see if they can help. Going to a professional can be costly, as not only have you paid for the radio but now you have to pay for the labor to install the radio, any parts that your vehicle might need to house the radio, and, depending on how long it will take, you may be out of a car for a hours at the least, a day or two at the most. 

Should you choose to tackle this task yourself you’ll need to make sure that you have the right tools for installation, as well as putting aside more time than you would if you took it to a shop. You’ll also need to make sure that you find a guide that has your specific model or else you run the risk of not having the right components.