Hello Mazda Fans!
Been a long time lurker, but finally joined the site to share my mods on the new CX-9. As a long time Mazda fan, I always seem to bounce back and forth between having a Mazda in the garage, and something else. I have always loved them, but seem to like the next new thing too
I bought the first 2016 CX-9 to come into my local Mazda dealer on May 31st to replace my coupe with something with a little more room for the family. We have owned a first gen CX-9 (2007 Grand Touring with every available option) - and we loved everything about it, except the gas mileage. It's not that it was horrible - in fact it was right in line with all the other similar size SUV's on the market at the time, but eventually it was let go in favor of something better on the MPG's.
When I heard of the new CX-9 with the SkyActiv Turbo, it seemed right up my alley! I didn't care about all the factory added stuff, as I like to work on my own cars. This thread will document some of that work. Please feel free to chime in and comment or criticize - just please keep it respectful to all!
Without further a-do....
The factory base audio system is a 6 speaker setup, with 1/2" tweeters in the corners of the dash, and 6 1/2" mids in each of the doors. The dash locations have mounts for 3 1/2" mids also, but have blank plates screwed in. The center grill also provides blanks for an addition tweeter and 3 1/2" mid for the Bose system in higher range models. The Door panels each have three phillips head screws, and a bunch of standard door panel rivets around the perimeter. One screw lies behind the door handle cover, and the other two are at the top and bottom of the door pull under a snap on cover that makes the top of the door pull itself.
The head unit is two pieces, with the screen separated from the amp / head unit mounted below the center grill. This is easily accessed by removing a small screw cover plate behind the screen, and removing two 10mm bolts. The screen can then be lifted straight up, and two harness disconnected which attach to the head unit. The head unit can now be accessed and removed by an additional two more 10mm bolts, and then sliding it towards you and up out of the dash.
I will be adding pics of the custom stereo install shortly, but for now - here are some pics of the items mentioned above
*** WARNING - LARGE PICS BELOW!!! ***
Been a long time lurker, but finally joined the site to share my mods on the new CX-9. As a long time Mazda fan, I always seem to bounce back and forth between having a Mazda in the garage, and something else. I have always loved them, but seem to like the next new thing too
I bought the first 2016 CX-9 to come into my local Mazda dealer on May 31st to replace my coupe with something with a little more room for the family. We have owned a first gen CX-9 (2007 Grand Touring with every available option) - and we loved everything about it, except the gas mileage. It's not that it was horrible - in fact it was right in line with all the other similar size SUV's on the market at the time, but eventually it was let go in favor of something better on the MPG's.
When I heard of the new CX-9 with the SkyActiv Turbo, it seemed right up my alley! I didn't care about all the factory added stuff, as I like to work on my own cars. This thread will document some of that work. Please feel free to chime in and comment or criticize - just please keep it respectful to all!
Without further a-do....
The factory base audio system is a 6 speaker setup, with 1/2" tweeters in the corners of the dash, and 6 1/2" mids in each of the doors. The dash locations have mounts for 3 1/2" mids also, but have blank plates screwed in. The center grill also provides blanks for an addition tweeter and 3 1/2" mid for the Bose system in higher range models. The Door panels each have three phillips head screws, and a bunch of standard door panel rivets around the perimeter. One screw lies behind the door handle cover, and the other two are at the top and bottom of the door pull under a snap on cover that makes the top of the door pull itself.
The head unit is two pieces, with the screen separated from the amp / head unit mounted below the center grill. This is easily accessed by removing a small screw cover plate behind the screen, and removing two 10mm bolts. The screen can then be lifted straight up, and two harness disconnected which attach to the head unit. The head unit can now be accessed and removed by an additional two more 10mm bolts, and then sliding it towards you and up out of the dash.
I will be adding pics of the custom stereo install shortly, but for now - here are some pics of the items mentioned above
*** WARNING - LARGE PICS BELOW!!! ***
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