Noob here. First I have to say this site is awesome and a wealth of knowledge. I tried a search and couldn't find an answer, so I hope I'm not repeating anything. Does anyone know if Best Buy will install a D3 if I do the bypass prior to bringing it to them? Or would I have to have them do the install and d the bypass after?I have an appointment on Sunday and would like to know before I brought it in. Thanks!

It depends on the installer, if you give him an extra $25.00 on the side.. MAYBE... But they could lose there job if anyone finds out!

Thanks for the answer. So how hard would it be to do the bypass after it is installed? I have never done my own car stereo install, but have taken electronics apart and put them back together again with success. What is the mute wire connected to in an authorized install? would i cut the connection and then connect it to the black ground with a tap? I guess the same question would be with the parking break as well. Any tips would be GREATLY appreciated.

The mute wire will most likely not be connected to anything in a normal install. It will probably just be capped off. And yes, you would just connect them (parking brake and mute wires) to the black ground wire with taps. Then of course move the mute wire pin on the harness.

But of course, first you have to know how to take apart the dash to get the unit out.

Maybe if you get wire harness b4 he installs you can hook it up, it would be easier !

that was my original question though. would they install it if i brought it to them with the mute wire moved and parking break and mute wire already tapped to the black ground? if not, how hard is it to take the unit out of the dash?

I don't see why they wouldn't install it!!

it depends on the car on how hard it would be to take it out!

My car only takes 15 min, other cars can take longer

Yeah, depending on how hard it is to get there, it may/not be worth trying to force the issue with the installer. I can get my radio out in less than 3min (theif's dream) with a philips screwdriver. Doing the bypass shouldn't take but another 10min with wire taps.

Okay, I think I'll just do it after the install then. Thanks for all of the advice. Is it really that easy to pull the d3 from the dash after install? What exactly is involved?

Depends on what you're driving, i guess.

I can get mine out of my '06 Impala in a couple minutes with a philips screwdriver. In the 00-05 Impala, you need to tear open the entire dash to get to it. More secure, sure. But a PITA if you need to keep changing/adding things.

I'm in an 05 explorer. Anyone know how hard it would be to get back there? I wouldn't have to rip out my dash 1st would I?

Explorer is soooooooo easy. Carefully pop off the dash, unclip the wiring harnesses, and set aside. Then remove 2 7mm bolts at the bottom of the radio, and remove. Then there is the popular "Installation is the reverse of the procedure."

cool. i'll give it a try. thanks!

This is is what I would do. Move the mute wire and ground it before you take it to them. Tell them its a mod that you did to it. Tell them not to mess with it or the radio won't work. After the install reach under the dash and look for the wire connected to your parking brake, remove it and ground it. That should be easy to do.

You are also assuming the installer doesn't know about the bypass. Most installers are aware of what is needed to bypass these units and know what wires are suppose to go where. If you take a harness in and tell them not to mess with the wires, I am sure they are not complete idiots. If they were I wouldn't want them installing anything in my car. Talk to the installer, most of them are pretty cool about things like this. They might even leave the wires in an easy to get to place and you have to do is connect them together.

I got my install done at Bestbuy and I told the installer which wires I wanted him to ground.

I had moved the pin myself prior to the installation, he did the install and the only thing he asked me to do was to sign off on a sheet that said the stereo was wired according to my instructions. This is probably to cover is own ass.

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for all of the help here. I got my d3 installed at best buy yesterday and did the bypass today. Works flawlessly so far! I'm surprised at how easy the dash popped off. I've never done anything like this to my car before and am still a little nervous that I might have done something wrong, but all appears well. Thanks again everyone!

I am glad it works well for you!