Aftermarket stereo in a 2006 Outback?

October 8, 2008 4:48 PM

Can I install an aftermarket stereo into a 2006 Subaru Outback?

The stereo/HVAC panel is a bit odd - integrating hvac and emergency light button - it looks like this. Crutchfield seems to sell a new face to fit aftermarket stereo receivers, but people are saying on blogs that it "could" disable the HVAC because the wiring is connected.

Does anyone know if that's true? Has anyone done it?

posted by squishy to travel & transportation (4 answers total)

I haven't done one for this car, but the whole point of a custom plate is that it's designed to replace what you have now, allowing for aftermarket installation but not disabling (or leaving gaping holes over) the other stuff. Still, you should probably call Crutchfield; they have good customer service for this sort of thing.
posted by davejay at 5:09 PM on October 8, 2008

I did some looking to see what dash kits are available for your car. So far the only ones I have found are for rotary A/C controls, not the digital/push button controls.
In order to install an aftermarket headunit you'd probably need to have something custom fabricated.

You could always look into getting a sound processor to enhance the factory stereo.
Alpine's PXE-H650, JL Audio's Cleansweep, Rockford Fosgate's 3Sixty.2, etc.

And it's not a bad idea to talk to an actual car audio store to see if they have any ideas.
posted by nickthetourist at 7:12 PM on October 8, 2008

The comments here will start you off. Your picture shows the same HU that's in my '05 LGT; these are not so easy to replace. nickthetourist found no dash kit for the ACC-equipped cars because the climate control is specific to Subaru and the stereo and ACC are indeed integral.
posted by jet_silver at 9:16 PM on October 8, 2008

Thanks, everyone. Jet_silver - that forum led me to someone who's done a full mod and can likely do it for me, too. I appreciate it!
posted by squishy at 12:44 PM on October 9, 2008