How to Install a car stereo in a 2003 Chevy S-10?

Answer 1

You need to stop by car stereo shop and get a standard filler plate for your GM truck. Parts of the filler plate will need to knocked out to accomodate your radio. Be careful when tearing these parts out, that you don't damage the plate, or take something out that should stay. Once the filler plate is installed, the dash can go completely back together; the radio can be removed and installed now with no dash trim removal, though a special tool is needed that comes with the stereo. Also get an antenna adapter and a harness adapter. This makes wiring a snap. Color for color. And then it plugs right into your truck. There are two wires on the new stereo you should NOT hook up, because the polarity is not a sure thing and if you're wrong, then you will cook the display. Ask the guy about them, he will tell you the color of those wires. They are the wires that dim the display when you turn on the headlights. I used the smallest butt splices I could buy, which were still too big for the fine wires. So I twisted them together and stuck both wires in the same end of the butt splice, and crimped well just that one end. The new stereo will not have a peg that sticks in that hole inside the dash. Mine sat on top of the plastic thing with the hole in it. I used a rasp to file some plastic away so the radio would sit level. Be sure the antenna connection is fully made. This is a very easy job. If the radio coming out is not the factory radio, you may not need the antenna adapter, filler plate, or harness jig.