Parts Needed
For Most Common Subaru
Aftermarket Radio Installations

Index to Various 'Parts Needed' Guides

This page links to an ever-expanding list of 'Parts Needed" guides for replacing and/or modifying the factory audio systems in various Subarus.  I'll be continuously updating this page as new models come out and I add new guides.

Most of these guides describe the items you'll need to install an aftermarket HU^* in place of your car's original, factory-installed HU.  (^*HU: Head Unit — radio, stereo, receiver, deck).

This page has four major sections (with more to come):

• Remove OEM HU and replace with aftermarket HU
• Retain OEM HU and add aftermarket amplifier and/or subwoofer
• Retain OEM HU and add rear view camera
• Transplant an alternate OEM HU in place of your factory-fitted HU

Install Aftermarket HU into:

2016 WRX, STi, Forester; 2015–2016 Impreza & Crosstrek; 2015–2016 Legacy/Outback Models

All of the following models:

Subaru has switched all of these latest models to a completely new dash and head unit design, and switched the HUs to mostly Toyota-style harnesses.  I need to create new guides for these models, but this guide is a good starting point for the harnesses you'll need.

Unfortunately, the connectors for USB and Sirius/XM into the rear of the OEM HU are new — unlike anything Subaru has used before.  I have not yet seen any aftermarket adapters that fit those plugs.  Contrary to what some people have posted, the AX-SUBUSB is not the proper connector to fit the new cars' USB plug.

Also see discussion in this thread: 2016 WRX aftermarket HU install

For these new Legacys/Outbacks with the harman/kardon amplifier and speaker system, see discussion in this thread: Starlink Head Unit Removal- Schematics.  2016 WRX/STi and Forester with h/k may have the same issue.

2015 WRX, STi, and 2014–2015 Forester Models

Applies to the following recent models with non-navigation OEM HUs which do have built-in Bluetooth and USB (steering wheel has audio controls that include phone/Bluetooth buttons):

2012–2014 Impreza and Crosstrek Models With Bluetooth

Applies to the following models with non-navigation OEM HUs which do have built-in Bluetooth and USB (steering wheel has audio controls that include phone/Bluetooth buttons):

Note that there are some 2012–2014 Imprezas and Crosstreks with base-level OEM HUs.  If your steering wheel has a blank panel instead of audio controls, or has audio controls only with volume, tune, mode, and mute buttons — no phone/Bluetooth buttons, see "Base-Level" section, below.

~2011–Style Impreza and Forester Models With Bluetooth

Applies to the following models with non-navigation OEM HUs which do have built-in Bluetooth and USB (steering wheel has audio controls that include phone/Bluetooth buttons):

Also applies to Canadian "Sport Tech" models that Subaru of Canada fitted with the OEM Pioneer AVIC-X9310BT and AVIC-U310BT navigation HUs.  Most of the information on the above guide is applicable, but e-mail me to discuss some differences with the aux and USB sockets/harnesses.

Base-Level Impreza, Forester, and Crosstrek

Applies to the following models with non-navigation base-level OEM HUs — those which do not have built-in Bluetooth or USB (steering wheel either has a blank panel instead of audio controls, or has audio controls only with volume, tune, mode, and mute buttons — no phone/Bluetooth buttons):

Note that some of these models may have Subaru's "Media Hub" accessory kit (which adds USB-capability to certain OEM HUs that don't have it built in) and/or Subaru's BlueConnect accessory (which adds Bluetooth for phone calls only).

2012–up Subarus With Fujitsu Ten Navigation,
and BRZ, FR-S, & GT86

FT nav HUs have map data on SD card.

Applies to the following models with Toyota-style harnesses:

2008–2011 Impreza and Forester With Kenwood Navigation

(Page coming soon.  Kenwood nav HUs have map data on DVD)

Applies to the following North American models with OEM Kenwood navigation:

Also applies to models with Subaru OEM TomTom navigation made by Eclipse (with removable Portable Navigation Device).  Most of the information on the above guide is applicable, but e-mail me to discuss some differences with the aux socket and harness.

2012–2014 Legacy/Liberty and Outback With Display HUs

(Page coming soon.  These HU models use Toyota-style harnesses for power/speakers and aux)

Applies to the following models with non-navigation OEM HU models with 4.3" display:

2012–2014 Legacy/Liberty and Outback With Built-in USB

Applies to the following models with non-navigation mid-level OEM HU model CE617U1 (which does have built-in USB:

2010–2012 Base-Level Legacy/Liberty and Outback

Applies to the following models with non-navigation base-level OEM HUs — those which do not have built-in USB (including HU models PE605U6 and PE645U1):

Note that some of these models may have Subaru's "Media Hub" accessory kit (which adds USB-capability to certain OEM HUs that don't have it built in) and/or Subaru's BlueConnect accessory (which adds Bluetooth for phone calls only).

2005–2009 North American Legacy and Outback with Auto HVAC

Applies to the following models in North America:

(with OEM HU models P-201UH, P-201UE, P-203UH, P-203UE, P-204UH, and P-206UHB, possible others — all with dual-zone automatic/digital A/C controls).

My i88 harness is only needed in Legacys and Outbacks built in the USA and which were factory-fitted with the above OEM HU models.

[Separate lists coming soon for models sold outside North America, and those with manual A/C controls]

2013–2014 Legacy and Outback With Fujitsu Ten Navigation

(Page coming soon.  FT nav HUs have map data on SD card and use Toyota-style harnesses)

Applies to the following North American models with OEM Fujitsu Ten navigation:

2010–2012 Legacy and Outback With Kenwood Navigation

(Page coming soon.  Kenwood nav HUs have map data on DVD)

Applies to the following North American models with OEM Kenwood navigation:

2012–up BRZ, FR-S, GT86 Models

(Page coming soon.  FT nav HUs have map data on SD card)

Applies to the following models with OEM FT navigation:

Retain Original Factory HU and Add Amplifier and/or Subwoofer:

These links describe combined "breakout" harnesses, which you connect between your car's factory power/speaker harness and your OEM HU.  They allow you to tap into any of the signals without disturbing the factory wires.  Use this when you want to keep the factory HU and add an aftermarket subwoofer and/or speaker amplifier (or any other accessory where you would like to tap into some of the wires on the factory radio's power/speaker harness).

Models with Toyota-style 10- and 6-pin power/speaker harness

Applies to the following models that use Toyota-style harnesses:

10- and 6-pin combined "breakout" harness.

Note: For 2015–2016 Legacys/Outbacks with the OEM harman/kardon amplifier and speaker system, see discussion in this thread on the LegacyGT forums: Starlink Head Unit Removal- Schematics.  2016 WRX/STi and Forester with h/k may have the same issue.

On all other (previous) Subarus with the h/k amp, see the guide for '2015 WRX/STi and 2014–2015 Forester" (above) for important information about the h/k system.

Models with Subaru 20-pin power/speaker harness

Applies to most recent Subaru and Nissan models that use the 20-pin style harness:

20-pin combined "breakout" harness.

Note: On Subarus with the OEM harman/kardon amplifier, see the guide for '2015 WRX/STi and 2014–2015 Forester" (above) for important information about the h/k system.

Models with Subaru 14-pin power/speaker harness

Applies to the following models that use the older Subaru 14-pin style harness:

(page for my 14-pin combined harness coming soon)

In some cases, it's better to use separate 14-pin "forward" and reverse harnesses.  E-mail me to discuss.

Add Rear-view Camera to OEM HU:

Subarus and Toyotas w/ 16-pin Rear Camera Socket

Includes all models with Fujitsu Ten navigation.

Start here: 16-pin Rear Camera Input Information

Subarus w/ 8-pin Rear Camera Socket

Includes all models with OEM Kenwood Navigation and many non-nav HUs with 4.3" display.

Link: 8-pin Rear Camera Harness

Transplant Alternate OEM HU In Place of Factory-fitted HU:

(links coming soon)

To Place Your Order

See this page for shipping and payment options.  Let me know if you have any questions.  When you're ready to place your order, please send the information requested on that page (in the section "To place an order"), unless I've e-mailed you different instructions.

© Copyright 2014-2015 by David Carter.  All rights reserved.