Installing a car stereo or touchscreen is a bit of a nightmare, but you can make things a lot smoother if you pick up the proper tools beforehand.
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A Phillips head screwdriver is (mostly) all you need to upgrade your PC, but auto upgrades are much more involved. Installing a new car stereo, for example, usually warrants disassembling almost the entirety of your car’s dashboard. Installing a modern touchscreen head unit in older cars complicates things further with custom wire harnesses. This endeavor necessitates specialized tools — the likes of which you won’t have lying around. Not unless you’re a professional or a die-hard automotive tinkerer.
But don’t take that as an excuse to make a beeline to Amazon for a set of crimping tools. It pays to select the right tool for the task, but that depends on the complexity of the car stereo installation at hand. Worse yet, failure to use appropriate tools can also create problems ranging from annoying rattles and a marred dashboard to electrical malfunctions.
That’s why we have compiled three must-have tools based on your budget and appetite for thoroughness, along with handy tips for beginners to prevent complications while installing a new car stereo.Disassembly Tools
You can’t install a new car stereo without removing the existing one. Uninstalling a head unit from the dashboard is deceptively complicated because getting to it requires the removal of hidden fasteners and stubborn dashboard trim retention tabs. While a flat-head screwdriver will technically do the job, that is guaranteed to damage the plastic trim and induce a permanent dashboard rattle. You are better off using dedicated spudgers and prybars designed for automotive trim. These tools are made from relatively soft but tough Nylon material that won’t mar the dashboard finish.
Instead of buying these pry tools separately, we recommend purchasing an automotive trim removal kit.
