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Hello,
I installed a Volvo 6-cd changer in my 96 850 T wagon in December. I too have the SC 811 radio. No carpet ripping or anything so dramatic. Here's what you do:
Make sure you have the radio's security code before you start . And be sure to disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Ok, the cd changer unit comes with a bracket for mounting. In your car's cargo area, remove the left -side floor panel - it's a long skinny panel that vaguely resembles the shape of New Hampshire. Pops out pretty easily. In do thing this you are exposing a well into which the cd changer will mount. My changer's directions said to cut out a little bit of the foam sound dampening in the well to make room for the unit. You may need to remove the plastic trim that surrounds the entire leftgate opening. It's easy - just loosen a series of torx screws and remove -- but check your changer's directions on this.
The changer's mounting bracket includes hardware to attach it to the car through pre-drilled mounting holes. The holes are located on what I guess is a framing member that runs through the well. In my car the holes were hiden under little pieces of black tape. Mount the bracket, then slide the cd changer into the bracket with back end down into the bracket. Attach the changer to the bracket with included screws. Note: the unit will be sticking up higher than the rest of the cargo floor when you are done (see end of message).
Now, the wires. My car was prewired. Easy way to check - the face of your SC-811 has two vertical tabs, one on the lower left and one on the lower right. Press them and voila! Two little handles pop out of the unit. Gently pull the handles and the unit slips right out of the dash. Look at the back - if you are prewired, you'll see the round DIN style cable already hooked into the unit or perhaps just sitting there in the dash, waiting to be plugged in. Slide the SC 811 back into the dash after confirming you're plugged in.
Now back to the cargo area: once you have that floor panel out you will see your wires (if the car is prewired). There are two -- one with a spring-type plastic clip and the other is the round DIN cable. It's obvious what goes where and they simply plug into the cd changer unit - no splicing or anything like that. Reconnect the battery, enter your radio code, and give it a try. You're done!
Well, not quite done. As I mentioned before the cd changer unit will not be flush with the rest of the cargo floor. Volvo will sell you a replacement floor panel that snugs around and covers the unit but they want $203 for it! The changer itself was $200. My local upholstery shop will customize (artfully cut) the existing panel for about $75. Look around your town for a similar deal.
Others may suggest you mount the cd changer unit in the spare tire well. If you've got the third seat option, this won't work. Still others mount it in the glovebox but if you do that there's no more using the glovebox for, you know, gloves.
Have fun, enjoy your new ride.
--Dan L.
Binghamton, NY
'96 855 T-5, 91k
'00 Saab 9-3, 36k
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