Tomorrow my new Alpine head unit arrives, it's the CDA-9831

Anyone have any special tips for replacement of the stock head unit? I'm guessing the center console is just clipped on, and will pop off with a little bit of pressure?

 

No it doesn't just pop off. You need to remove the panel below it and remove the brass screws holding to the steel frame structure behind.

I can't tell you how many screwed up dashes I have seen on civics from the EKs on up to the new ones, because people follow your same train of thought.

BTW, the bottom panel doesn't just pop off either. Look for the screws.

 

...which is why I asked

 

I wasn't trying to be an ***, sorry if I came off that way.

 

my suggestion is to buy the oem pieces to mount it down by the cup holder for a few reasons. It's much better as far as a theft deterrent because when you take the face off you can just pop up the cover and its hidden plus you've still got the original play in its spot. the second reason is i found with my 7995, it didn't matter what time of the day it was or what direction i was driving in, i would get some horrible glare off the face when it was up higher.