[waydui]

I installed an Alpine 9856 HU this weekend to replace the Blaupunkt unit. I had already upgraded the speakers to Infinity models, front and rear.

Thanks to Shaggy and others for basic installation information, it was very helpful.

Part of the project was to build a wiring harness to connect the Alpine to the Lotus radio harness. Below is the step-by-step guide on how I did this.

1. Remove old radio and dash insert bracket (the metal stamping that holds radio in place in dashboard).
2. I went to Best Buy and bought a VW wiring harness, Scosche Part # VW01B, 1986-Up, for $20.00. This harness plugs directly into the Lotus harness.
3. As stated in Shaggy's post, the harness lays out as follows:
Lotus harness ----> VW harness ---> Alpine harness ---> HU.
4. I decided to use bullet connectors to connect the VW harness to the Alpine harness. I did this primarily for ease of installation and also to aid in removal. No soldering required or heat shrink tubing and the bullet connectors make it easy to put in and take out. Lots of wire on all harnesses, so it was easy to make up.
5. I put female bullets on the VW harness and male bullets on the Alpine harness. Plug each bullet into matching connector (See Shaggy's post for connection sequence)
6. Wrap finished harness tightly with tie wraps and or electrical tape.
7. Plug VW harness into Lotus harness.
8. Plug Alpine harness into HU.
9. Install Alpine dash bracket to hold HU.
10. Slide HU into dash bracket, snap on trim, insert controller into HU. Finished!

Hopefully the pics will explain it better.

Wayne