Clairon Stereo Removal 1999 400 DA

midexp

Active Member
Oct 5, 2016
423
Harrison Township, Michigan Lake St.Clair
Boat Info
1999 40' Sundancer
Engines
454 merc
Has anyone ever removed this stereo? I don't have the keys to be able to pull the unit out of the metal sleeve it's secured in. I cannot see how you can pull the mounting board that the stereo in mounted to out as it's smaller than the opening in the cabin cabinet. I'm looking to replace the original unit with a new Blue Tooth stereo.
 

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Has anyone ever removed this stereo? I don't have the keys to be able to pull the unit out of the metal sleeve it's secured in. I cannot see how you can pull the mounting board that the stereo in mounted to out as it's smaller than the opening in the cabin cabinet. I'm looking to replace the original unit with a new Blue Tooth stereo.

I pulled off the whole board it is attached to on my 2000 340 DA. 4 screws... Then I could easily disconnect all the cables (Plugs actually) and unhook the unit from the board after tipping the board face down. Was rather easy. There was enough extra cabling to pull it away from the cabinet and work. With the board face down there was a lot or room behind the unit. Put in a new Fusion unit and then sold the boat... go figure... Now to upgrade the 400 DB... LOL but now I know how to do it...
 
I replaced mine last year and have had to get behind that panel a couple times. If you take the radio out you can angle the top of the panel down far enough to clear. It is very tight and I thought I was going to tear something up but it does come out. I didn't have "keys" either but you can buy them on ebay for a couple bucks or I used tin snips and cut out thin strips of metal from an old vent I had in my garage. I have also seen folks use an old butter knife as a key, one side at a time. All you are doing is indenting a pin on the side of the radio chassis that holds it into the mounting sleeve. The ones you are looking for look like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PC5-108-CL...711126?hash=item256bd1f256:g:7swAAOSwmfhX37PE
 
OK thanks much, this is just the kind of advice I was looking for. I tried jamming blades into the slots where these keys go but couldn't get the deck to pull out of the metal cage. I did see the keys you provided the link for, but they were much higher in price. I think you need those small tabs at the tips of the blade? But it sounds like the blades you made didn't have them. I also just realized the cage the deck is mechanically locked to is way shorter than the deck.. I was thinking it was the same length back, so I jammed my blades way back. Maybe just need to try again by wiggle the blades only a few inches from the front face.

So it sounds like once the deck is out, you can tip the mounting board (you called panel) back enough to clear the bottom and top face of the cabinet? Cool. Just out of curiosity, did you replace it with a different stereo? If so, what kind? And did you by chance manage to use the remote feature on the helm? That's the bad part of replacing the Clarion that came with the boat as the new unit won't use that remote feature. But I want Blue Tooth.

Thanks!
 
If you can find an old thin butterknife, just do one side at a time and you will feel the unit release. You do not need the little tabs on the key. A flat piece of metal will work fine. The thickness is the issue, if you do one side at a time you can wiggle the unit free. Here is a video to help:

If you just want to add bluetooth, you can buy a bluetooth dongle. (search topic) like the fusion bt-100 ($50) and it will plug into the auxiliary inputs and save you a bunch of trouble. The clarion remote and the cable it uses are not going to be compatible with anything new. So, if you want the easiest way to keep your remote, just add a dongle. If you need a head unit that will work with your existing stuff, I have one sitting on my work bench.

I added a fusion head unit (MSRA70N) the "N" being key as it will connect to a NMEA2000 backbone. It has built in bluetooth and a wifi remote app that I can control everything from my iPhone. I am in the process of installing a Garmin GPSMAP840xs at the helm that has a built in app that acts as a wired remote for the Fusion head unit. They also make a $200 wired remote. Hard part here is running the NMEA2000 cable from the head unit to the helm. I am still thinking about how to tackle this. I also need to get back into that panel you are struggling with and remove the cd changer. I made a little insert to fill that opening and plan on wrapping it with either a wood or carbon fiber wrap, haven't decided yet. I'll try to post a picture but it is really nothing fancy. Plan is to replace the hole in the dash where the clarion remote currently sits with a USB port that will charge my phone and also connect directly to the head unit. Jim at BOE and his team can get you all set with what you need if you want to go this route. At $500 I got the "wired" remote I needed and got a newer nicer chartplotter.
 
If you take the door off, then you can unscrew the plate holding the stereo and it will tip forward and you can get it out without having to remove the stereo from the plate. There are a 1000 wire on the back anyway. I just installed a Fusion MS-AV755 and and thrilled. Also installed a NMEA 2000 backbone and the Stereo Remotes that work over that backbone. Sweet. I am throwing my old clarion M502 in the river because I hated that thing with passion.

Good Luck,

Pete
 
Thanks Pete and Cocktail Time. I did take the door off and could not tip the front panel the stereo is mounted to enough to get it out. I need to pull the stereo like Cocktail Time suggested and then retry. Did your Clarion stereo have a separate amp somewhere? I looked up the Fusion MS-AV755 and wow, got sticker shock. I'm thinking about the Sony MEX-M-100BT. Had a Sony in my 37 DA and liked it, but that boat has a separate amp. I see you both are buying Fusion, not sure if that's an upgrade from the Sony?

Cocktail Time, I looked up the Garmin you're getting. Where are you planning on putting it? I still have my original electronics. Curious if that would fit in dash.

Thanks
Greg
 
I realize I am late to the party but Walmart has the keys in stock for 12.99 in the car stereo department...
 
Cocktail Time, I looked up the Garmin you're getting. Where are you planning on putting it? I still have my original electronics. Curious if that would fit in dash.

Thanks
Greg

IMO, the 2 best features of the Fusion are the 4-zone function, and NMEA2000 compatibility. You could maybe jam the unit into the dash somewhere, but it's not necessary.

- You would have to find a place for an amp
- The factory location for the amp is directly under the stereo and there's plenty of space for bigger / more
- Fusion-Link app means you can control it from portable devices
- Fusion remotes can be mounted at the dash, in the cockpit, or in the cabin
- You can control the Fusion from your MFD, making it redundant to a remote and the MFD anyway

The ONLY downside for me of having my 750 in the factory location is that bluetooth sucks on the 750. They addressed that with the 755. (apparently)

I added spacers to JL speakers and mounted them high on the arch, where the VHF antenna covers are. The 4 zones are:

- Fwd Stateroom (so I can go to bed while the party continues)
- Salon / galley
- Upper arch / helm
- Cockpit (lower arch) These are at ear-level for anyone on the rear-facing bench, so I can set this zone lower than the rest and still have decent overall volume
 
Greg, you have a 4 channel Clarion amp already. It is mounted behind the far left sofa cushion back and drives the four speakers in your cockpit. The head unit itself powers the four speakers in the salon and master vberth. The 7 and 8 series Fusions are expensive. The Fusion MS-70N was less than $200 and did 80% of what the 750 does. You only get two zones versus four. You aren't going to notice any better sound with the Fusion versus the Sony you mentioned but the connectivity (NMEA remotes, Bluetooth streaming and WiFi App) aren't available with other brands.
On the 840xs Garmin, I am gimble mounting it where the existing Garmin 430 someone installed sits for now. I have thought about scrapping the old CRT Furuno system and adding a Garmin radar system later and would just put it where you have a Raymarine or Furuno display now.

Rollercstr, I beleive my dock neighbor has a Fusion 750 and was having range issues with Bluetooth and solved it by updating the firmware. You might want to check that out. My 70N unit works three or four boats away with the app and streaming and the door closed.
 
Thanks to all again. I'll pull the cushions and locate the amp.
Roller Costar, are you at Mac Ray now? I just signed up for the summer, was at Belle Maer last 8 years. Also, the CD changer is directly under my stereo.
Greg
 
Rollercstr, I beleive my dock neighbor has a Fusion 750 and was having range issues with Bluetooth and solved it by updating the firmware. You might want to check that out. My 70N unit works three or four boats away with the app and streaming and the door closed.

Mine is at the latest version. Apparently Fusion has acknowledged an issue with the BT radio on the 750, but I’ve also heard that the fix can be retrofitted. I’m hoping that’s the case.
 
Thanks to all again. I'll pull the cushions and locate the amp.
Roller Costar, are you at Mac Ray now? I just signed up for the summer, was at Belle Maer last 8 years. Also, the CD changer is directly under my stereo.
Greg

Further under. Remove the screws under the seatback, and then gently lift the cushion up. It has some vertical posts that align to holes in the ledge. Mine are tight, so I recommend caution so you don’t damage the laminate. The amp is an a compartmemt that’s basically behind the vacuum.

No, I’m not at MacRay now. I actually stored down in Sandusky this year.
 
BT range and sound quality are going to be a hardware issue. No real fix but to go to a different (newer) BT receiver. Range is also impacted by the phone's BT. For poor SQ, make sure the phone's internal EQ is off or flat.
 
If you can find an old thin butterknife, just do one side at a time and you will feel the unit release. You do not need the little tabs on the key. A flat piece of metal will work fine. The thickness is the issue, if you do one side at a time you can wiggle the unit free. Here is a video to help:

If you just want to add bluetooth, you can buy a bluetooth dongle. (search topic) like the fusion bt-100 ($50) and it will plug into the auxiliary inputs and save you a bunch of trouble. The clarion remote and the cable it uses are not going to be compatible with anything new. So, if you want the easiest way to keep your remote, just add a dongle. If you need a head unit that will work with your existing stuff, I have one sitting on my work bench.

I added a fusion head unit (MSRA70N) the "N" being key as it will connect to a NMEA2000 backbone. It has built in bluetooth and a wifi remote app that I can control everything from my iPhone. I am in the process of installing a Garmin GPSMAP840xs at the helm that has a built in app that acts as a wired remote for the Fusion head unit. They also make a $200 wired remote. Hard part here is running the NMEA2000 cable from the head unit to the helm. I am still thinking about how to tackle this. I also need to get back into that panel you are struggling with and remove the cd changer. I made a little insert to fill that opening and plan on wrapping it with either a wood or carbon fiber wrap, haven't decided yet. I'll try to post a picture but it is really nothing fancy. Plan is to replace the hole in the dash where the clarion remote currently sits with a USB port that will charge my phone and also connect directly to the head unit. Jim at BOE and his team can get you all set with what you need if you want to go this route. At $500 I got the "wired" remote I needed and got a newer nicer chartplotter.


Did you ever figure out how to run the NMEA cable to the helm? have the fusion and want to connect to my garmin at the helm now.
 
If you take the door off, then you can unscrew the plate holding the stereo and it will tip forward and you can get it out without having to remove the stereo from the plate. There are a 1000 wire on the back anyway. I just installed a Fusion MS-AV755 and and thrilled. Also installed a NMEA 2000 backbone and the Stereo Remotes that work over that backbone. Sweet. I am throwing my old clarion M502 in the river because I hated that thing with passion.

Good Luck,

Pete


did you do this yourself? wanted advice/video on fishing the NMEA to the helm
 
lf your 99 is the same layout as my 98, start at the helm and work forward toward the cabin. Use a fish tape, plenty of room. There are several cables that already run through that channel. You can remove the medicine cabinet in the mid cabin head and get access, then keep removing panels along the way as needed. I did this last year and it was one of my easier projects.
 

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