New head unit? Nah. Like I said, I was just toying with the idea anyways. Now it sounds like too much trouble.
Any experience with putting new speakers into the front? I was thinking about component speakers.
I actually already replaced the rear deck speakers with a pair of 6X9 Sony 3-ways. There were some 4-ways that I actually liked better, but Best Buy had a good deal going on the Sony 3-ways.
Last week I listened to some Harmon Kardon 6.5" component speakers that sounded great ... but Best Buy wants $190 for them!
I just put in the Mazda Kenwood 6x8s in my P5. They are Kenwood eXcelons pre-wired for the stock wiring harnesses. List price is $150. I got mine from Mazdastuff.com for $104. The 2003 already has tweeters mounted on the window garnish plate, so I didn't consider components.
When I had my 2001 Protege ES, I put in 3-way Kenwood KFC-688Cs. They were around $79. I like the Mazda supplied 2-ways in my 2003 better.
I was reading latest Motor Trend comparo of the SRT4, SVT Focus and the Mazdaspeed Protege and noticed the dash on the Pro is the same as the P5's.
I wonder how much it'd cost to get the brackets and filler trim so a regular sized head unit would fit AND look factory. A good sounding head unit can be had from Crutchfield for $200 and, the wiring isn't difficult. Of course, if you want to retain the 6 disc in-dash changer, you're going to pay more.
That's the option I went for when I put in an aftermarket head unit.
Wiring wouldn't have been too bad, but I couldn't dislodge a plastic fastener holding the factory wiring to a metal brace. This severely limited how far out I could pull the wiring. Oh well, I guess I could have cut the back side of the fastener and then taped the wire harness back in place.
Thanks. .Mac makes it so easy that I really can't take much credit. I have a 600Mhz iBook at home and a G4 Dual 867 at work. I find very few sites I can't get to work, but I do have to use multiple browsers to accomplish that. I am currently re-ripping all of my tunes in AAC format to recover about 25% of my hard disk on the iBook. Once I get the Head Units replaced in my P5 and Miata, I will have no more need for CDs or cassettes. I'll just bring my iPod with me and plug it into the HU.
And gets to use one at work. I'm surrounded by a sea of Dells, but have only Macs at home. They're usually better thought-out and constructed.
I have to admit, I've really liked my iPod too, especially on the open, endless freeways. The new one looks really nice (thinner, and the front edge of the plastic face is now nicely rounded instead of sharp).
My Macs are older though: 350 iMacDVse, G3 desktop (upgraded to a 400MHz G4), 500Mhz "iceBook". I haven't seen sufficient need to upgrade to anything current (though that 12in G4 Powerbook is one nice package), so I'm hanging out until they move to the next processor.
I found the following in the Protege FAQ on the MazdaUSA web site:
"What is the stereo output and speaker size? The stereo output is 100 watts maximum, which is 25 watts x 4 speakers. The RMS (median, or root means square) is a measurement of peaks of wattage, and it's 12 watts x4 speakers. The front speaker size is 5x7-inch, and the rear speaker size is 6x9-inch."
Not sure exactly what this means for the 6 speaker set up.
Essentially the same thing. I think Mazda actually uses cm to measure things like this, so they probably fall somewhere in between. Either size will fit in the opening.
Mine arrived Friday. When I put it in my P5 the corners in the back (butted up against the rear seats) are sort of crushed. Is this the way it's supposed to be? Seems like an odd fit.
If they're pointing forwards, they may force your tray against the seatbacks. Either flip them down, under the carpeting, or slit the tray and feed them up through their matching pockets.
BTW, nice touch the little clip under the middle of the vanity cover to hold up the spare-tire cover (in meinrad's pic).
I'll look up the pamphlet at home. I got it through the JC Whitney catalog. Funny thing, the largest size offered was what fit in my Pro's trunk.
The great thing about it, besides shielding the carpet, is that it has pegs onto which you can snap little caps that fit onto the bottoms of any plastic crate (so long as you drill holes into its bottom to fasten the caps). The kit came with two collapsible crates. The best part is anything put into the crates don't thrash around in the trunk. They stay nicely put in place when I whip around corners.
I did note that JC Whitney didn't list it anymore, so you may have to contact the mfr directly. That was a while ago (friend with an A4 wanted to get one for it), so they may have relisted it.
The cargo tray from the 2003 should fit just fine in your 2000 model. Perhaps Malt could confirm wether it would fit, but my money is on it fitting. It is currently $47 from Mazdastuff.com.
Click on the "Smart-Mat" link. I think the crates and feet are super. I think the L-shaped part of the smart-locks is weak (both of mine broke).
I'll have to measure the one that's in my trunk. I think it's larger than the one they recommend for the Protege (36x32in). Their part numbers actually make sense, as they're the measurement of the mat in inches (i.e., model 3632 for the Pro).
I should give them a call and see about getting replacements for the busted pieces.
Are we now having posts arbitarily deleted with no word from anyone as to why?
Anyway, I said I wasn't planning on buying the cargo tray for my 2000's trunk because (1) the car's been 55,800 miles without one, and (2) I'll be trading it on a Jetta this weekend anyway.
I checked mine. Sedans can fit the "large" size (40x36), barely. P5s have to settle for the "mid" size (36x32) as the trunk floor is shorter...I measured my wife's P5 and apparently I didn't shut the hatch completely as she had to get out and shut it at the street corner this morning. Ooops.
I got free replacements for my broken items when I called them. I also ordered a couple more crates, heh.
Been poring through the manual, found nothing on this. I own a Kenwood KDC-MPV619 mp3-CD unit. I am planning on using it in a 2003 P5 (if only they could find the laser blue).
Now would I lose the subwoofer and/or the 6 CD changer functionality with this head unit? I am more concerned with the woofer then the changer since I just burn mp3s onto CD anyways. Thanks in advance for any help/advice.
I just ordered a set of front Brembo cross drilled and slotted brake rotors, EBC Greenstuff brake pads, and 4 Technafit SS brake lines. Can't wait to get everything installed. The cheap Midas pads I have now are showing their age.
The 6-disc changer is an in-dash unit, not remote mount. By the way, good luck with your search for Laser Blue. My P5 is Laser Blue and it is an awesome color!!
Does anyone here have an aftermarket exhaust on their P5? I know there's a lot of discussion at protegeclub, but I wanted to check here first. I just installed the two-piece Injen intake a couple of weeks ago and am now looking for an exhaust.
WOW. The handling is awesome. Haven't really gotten a good chance to really test it. Today once again it was raining and I was driving home with traffic. But from what I have tested so far...it is great. The ride isn't actually much stiffer than before either. Everything feels tight again, like the car was nice. But with much better handling.
One down side, the car actually sits higher than before. It looks jacked up in the rear. It should settle down in about 1000 miles, so I will keep everyone updated.
Comments
Any experience with putting new speakers into the front? I was thinking about component speakers.
I actually already replaced the rear deck speakers with a pair of 6X9 Sony 3-ways. There were some 4-ways that I actually liked better, but Best Buy had a good deal going on the Sony 3-ways.
Last week I listened to some Harmon Kardon 6.5" component speakers that sounded great ... but Best Buy wants $190 for them!
http://homepage.mac.com/tboggs
I just put in the Mazda Kenwood 6x8s in my P5. They are Kenwood eXcelons pre-wired for the stock wiring harnesses. List price is $150. I got mine from Mazdastuff.com for $104. The 2003 already has tweeters mounted on the window garnish plate, so I didn't consider components.
When I had my 2001 Protege ES, I put in 3-way Kenwood KFC-688Cs. They were around $79. I like the Mazda supplied 2-ways in my 2003 better.
I wonder how much it'd cost to get the brackets and filler trim so a regular sized head unit would fit AND look factory. A good sounding head unit can be had from Crutchfield for $200 and, the wiring isn't difficult. Of course, if you want to retain the 6 disc in-dash changer, you're going to pay more.
The Miata looks fantastic.
Wiring wouldn't have been too bad, but I couldn't dislodge a plastic fastener holding the factory wiring to a metal brace. This severely limited how far out I could pull the wiring. Oh well, I guess I could have cut the back side of the fastener and then taped the wire harness back in place.
Are you an AD?
AD?? Athletic Director? Anno Domini?
Started trying out Foxmail at home. Far better than Outlook Express so far.
Safari? Outlook? My wife is the Mac whiz. I know my way around a PC pretty well but the Mac throws me off a bit.
I have to admit, I've really liked my iPod too, especially on the open, endless freeways. The new one looks really nice (thinner, and the front edge of the plastic face is now nicely rounded instead of sharp).
My Macs are older though: 350 iMacDVse, G3 desktop (upgraded to a 400MHz G4), 500Mhz "iceBook". I haven't seen sufficient need to upgrade to anything current (though that 12in G4 Powerbook is one nice package), so I'm hanging out until they move to the next processor.
Please take the computer talk to the Protege Posse discussion.
Thanks!
"What is the stereo output and speaker size?
The stereo output is 100 watts maximum, which is 25 watts x 4 speakers. The RMS (median, or root means square) is a measurement of peaks of wattage, and it's 12 watts x4 speakers. The front speaker size is 5x7-inch, and the rear speaker size is 6x9-inch."
Not sure exactly what this means for the 6 speaker set up.
FYI: I did not cut the holes for the tie downs.
>-------<
sort of, it's hard to describe. Maybe they sent me the wrong part? Would you be so kind as to post a picture of it in your P5?
Your message says mat. There are 2 different things. The mat, which is fabric, and the tray which is plastic.
I have the tray.
Thanks for posting a pic. I really appreciate it.
BTW, nice touch the little clip under the middle of the vanity cover to hold up the spare-tire cover (in meinrad's pic).
Meade
Chow, could you give us some details on your trunnk rubber mat/tray?
The great thing about it, besides shielding the carpet, is that it has pegs onto which you can snap little caps that fit onto the bottoms of any plastic crate (so long as you drill holes into its bottom to fasten the caps). The kit came with two collapsible crates. The best part is anything put into the crates don't thrash around in the trunk. They stay nicely put in place when I whip around corners.
I did note that JC Whitney didn't list it anymore, so you may have to contact the mfr directly. That was a while ago (friend with an A4 wanted to get one for it), so they may have relisted it.
I'll have to measure the one that's in my trunk. I think it's larger than the one they recommend for the Protege (36x32in). Their part numbers actually make sense, as they're the measurement of the mat in inches (i.e., model 3632 for the Pro).
I should give them a call and see about getting replacements for the busted pieces.
Anyway, I said I wasn't planning on buying the cargo tray for my 2000's trunk because (1) the car's been 55,800 miles without one, and (2) I'll be trading it on a Jetta this weekend anyway.
Meade
mdaffron "Mazda Protegé" May 13, 2003 11:09am
Pay attention!
Meadeball
I got free replacements for my broken items when I called them. I also ordered a couple more crates, heh.
Now would I lose the subwoofer and/or the 6 CD changer functionality with this head unit? I am more concerned with the woofer then the changer since I just burn mp3s onto CD anyways. Thanks in advance for any help/advice.
Where did you purchase your RB exhaust? Also, did the RB exhaust seem to "deaden" the throttle response at all?
One down side, the car actually sits higher than before. It looks jacked up in the rear. It should settle down in about 1000 miles, so I will keep everyone updated.
Pics:
http://www.knology.net/~negatize/images/tn_IMG_1196.jpg
http://www.knology.net/~negatize/images/tn_IMG_1197.jpg
http://www.knology.net/~negatize/images/tn_IMG_1198.jpg