2007-2012 Subaru Clarion Stereo Upgrade
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 1:06 pmThe standard (non-navigation) stereo is an 8" wide unit, versus the DIN standard width of 7"
In order to fill the additional gap when fitting a standard 7" wide unit (e.g. double DIN unit) the original mounting brackets can be maintained on most radios, and a replacement 7" wide fascia can be ordered from Subaru - Part number 66065SC130 for Forester, cost approximately $43 as of January 2018.
The standard stereo uses a propriety 20 pin connector, as well as a 16 pin connector, and depending on the model year and the trim level, there may be additional connectors for the USB port in the center console and hands-free microphone (if fitted).
The 20 pin pinout can be found here
http://ae64.com/20-pin-pinout.htm
The 16 pin connector is an auxillary connector, containing things such as the factory Aux connection, subwoofer (if fitted), or on the navigation models this is where the parking brake signal and reverse gear signals come in.
The 20 pin connector is where the majority of the connections are, including the steering wheel controls. Note that aftermarket radio harnesses, such as Aerpro #APP091 do NOT retain steering wheel controls (SWC) as they do not have all the pins in their harness. Instead manufacturers like Aerpro will get you to use the more expensive SWC harness (CHSU3C - $120) which captures the additional signals and "converts" them into standard signals required by the head unit.
Some head units (such as Kenwood) can "learn" the SWC inputs, as Subaru uses resistive based SWC on pre-2013 models instead of a CAN based system. In this instance, an SWC harness would not be required, however you would need to source a 20pin plug with all of the connectors.
(Jason Moore)
Some websites will manufacture custom 20pin and 16pin cables depending on your requirements for true plug and play installations, rather than splicing into factory cables.
http://ae64.com/Subaru-20-pin-harness-install.htm
To retain the factory USB port, adapter cables such as Aeropro #APSUUSB1 will connect the new head unit to the factory USB port.
Retaining the factory hands free microphone is a bit more difficult, as it operates on a different line level to that of an aftermarket radio - it is recommended to use the microphone supplied with the new unit, even if mounted in the factory location.
In order to fill the additional gap when fitting a standard 7" wide unit (e.g. double DIN unit) the original mounting brackets can be maintained on most radios, and a replacement 7" wide fascia can be ordered from Subaru - Part number 66065SC130 for Forester, cost approximately $43 as of January 2018.
The standard stereo uses a propriety 20 pin connector, as well as a 16 pin connector, and depending on the model year and the trim level, there may be additional connectors for the USB port in the center console and hands-free microphone (if fitted).
The 20 pin pinout can be found here
http://ae64.com/20-pin-pinout.htm
The 16 pin connector is an auxillary connector, containing things such as the factory Aux connection, subwoofer (if fitted), or on the navigation models this is where the parking brake signal and reverse gear signals come in.
The 20 pin connector is where the majority of the connections are, including the steering wheel controls. Note that aftermarket radio harnesses, such as Aerpro #APP091 do NOT retain steering wheel controls (SWC) as they do not have all the pins in their harness. Instead manufacturers like Aerpro will get you to use the more expensive SWC harness (CHSU3C - $120) which captures the additional signals and "converts" them into standard signals required by the head unit.
Some head units (such as Kenwood) can "learn" the SWC inputs, as Subaru uses resistive based SWC on pre-2013 models instead of a CAN based system. In this instance, an SWC harness would not be required, however you would need to source a 20pin plug with all of the connectors.
(Jason Moore)
Some websites will manufacture custom 20pin and 16pin cables depending on your requirements for true plug and play installations, rather than splicing into factory cables.
http://ae64.com/Subaru-20-pin-harness-install.htm
To retain the factory USB port, adapter cables such as Aeropro #APSUUSB1 will connect the new head unit to the factory USB port.
Retaining the factory hands free microphone is a bit more difficult, as it operates on a different line level to that of an aftermarket radio - it is recommended to use the microphone supplied with the new unit, even if mounted in the factory location.