Frontera radio removal & strange rattle

Most imported Holdens had the stereos put in once they arrived in Australia until GST came in, and even still after that in some cases.

Seems odd but from what I recall when I worked there it was something to do with the import duty paid being lower if it didn't have the "luxury" of a stereo with a tape deck in it. Similar reason why even in the early 90's base model Toyotas came in with an AM FM radio and no tape deck.

Anyway. Trivia aside your Eurovox stereo will probably have either a 10mm x 1mm slot in either side of it, or two 3mm holes on either side. These accept a special key which releases a locking clip on the sides at the same time as "grabbing" the stereo to enable it to slide straight out.

You can either buy the keys from the dealer to suit, ask them to pull it for you - just don't lock it back in until you have double checked everything you wanted to achieve while it was out is done.

Or, if it's the two hole each side variety get some rod or a 4 drill bits that fit the hole neatly. Taper the ends a little to aid insertion and push them in past the point of maximum resistance. Grip the unit by the tape slot with a couple of fingers and it will slide out. This is easier when you've done it before and once you get it right you'll see what I mean.

The slots are a little harder but if you taper the ends of a hacksaw blade (pronounced taper about a quarter of the width of the slot in from each edge about 10mm up the blade to create a round ended wedge shape) and grind the overall width down to fit the slot. Same sort of thing. Slide it in past the resistance of the latch and pull the tape slot (or cd slot if it has one).

It's a bit fiddly. The tools aren't expensive but if you don't want to wait I've made my own tools for both methods and had it out in 15mins. But then I know what I'm making too so there's an advantage.

Method 1 works on VX Commodores too.

Some of the early model commodores had the holes in the sides for the keys but as they were a line fit set they had bolt in brackets and were fixed in behind the trim.

Hope this helps, PM me if you need more info

Dave

Scotty,
Can't help with the Radio as I had mine replaced by an audio co.
The rattle I think I can help with. I have a 2000 mod and have the same noise. Check the air filter box where it bolts to inner gard. Mine has cracked around the bolts.
I have had it welded up but has cracked again due to the crap roads I drive it on.
Also check for cracks around the bonnet hinges as I have had to replace mine.

Vince

If the Frontera arrangement is the same as the Jackaroo, then you have to remove the centre console and lower dash. Then you undo the radio's two securing screws and it slides out.

Also, I had an installer try to do a "no holes" phone kit in the Jackaroo. The arrangement of the dash doesn't allow for it. There were too many clips and screws to find a clear enough gap where the "no holes" bit could clip in to. So we ended up having a bracket attached to the side of the storage compartment, below the radio, and the phone kit mounted to that.

Scotty....

Part 1 - i have got 99' model with Nokia hands-free car kit installed... i can email you some digi pics of installation/step-by-step/removal of console etc if you want..?

Part 2 - how long have you had your shockies for?... mine was producing a 'metallic' bumping noise a couple of months back.. ended up being the shock abosorber.

Scotty,

I have a 2000 Frontera and I can't offer a lot of help on the stereo removal so sorry about that.

I think the advice the other guys have given you is spot on in terms of where I would be initially be looking for the cause of your rattle.

Hope it all works out OK and I see you had a win with your power mirrors.

Cheers

Brian

Thanks for all the responses! Definately some food for thought.

Taking the radio/cd player out sounds like a bit of work. I'm not sure if the 99 model has the same layout as the 2000 model. They were
made by different companies OS weren't they? The pre 2000's were Opel and the 2000 onwards were Isuzu.
If anyone can provide me with a description as to where the various dash screws are & what order to take things out,
that would be a great help.
Looks like the Frontera is going to be in bits on Saturday :-)