2003-04 Infiniti G35 Sedan

2003-04 Infiniti G35 (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Overview

Long before the successful G20 line closed out its run, Infiniti was already hard at work on the car they hoped would make them more than just another high-end Japanese import. The new car had to be luxurious, it had to be powerful, and it had to be good enough to compete on even footing with Europe's best luxury touring sedans. The car they created, the G35, was all that and more.

This nimble 4-door sedan certainly looked the part, with sleek,  Euro-flavored styling and enough high-tech interior gadgetry to make a computer scientist blush. Infiniti made sure the "go" equalled the "show" by dropping in a torquey 260-horsepower 3.5 liter V6 engine and tuning the independent suspension system to provide just the right combination of ride and handling. Automotive journalists love this sort of thing, and they dutifully showered the G35 with well-earned praise and awards.

The G35 wasn't just another high-end Japanese import. In some ways, it may have been a better "European" sports sedan than a few of its European competitors. Even now, the G35 is a smart purchase for anyone who values the practicality of a sedan and the performance of a sports coupe. The factory stereo wasn't bad in its day, but a new aftermarket system will really make your G35 sing.

Factory audio system

Infiniti G35 console with the Bose option (Crutchfield Research Photo)

The 2003-04 G35's factory AM/FM/CD receiver is located in an accessory stack situated between the front seats. The unit is surrounded by a series of plastic dash panels that help it blend in with the in with the interior's subtle, sophisticated aesthetic.

The standard speaker system carries a combo tweeter/ woofer setup at the front of the cabin. You'll find 1" tweeters in each door’s sail panel (at the top of the front door), in addition to 6-1/2" woofers placed at the bottom front of each door panel. In the rear cabin, 6-1/2" woofers are placed at the bottom front of each rear door, level with the edge of the floor well. 

The optional Bose system adds a cassette player to the AM/FM/CD stereo, plus upgraded speakers, a trunk-mounted 200w per side amplifier and an 8" subwoofer in the rear deck.

Replacing your factory radio

The dash disassembly process is somewhat involved, but it's not as complex as it looks. You will only need simple hand tools to disassemble the panels and brackets. The Crutchfield MasterSheet will take you step-by-step through the process. Whether you are working with the standard package, or the optional Bose system, you will have to remove all necessary dash, and center console panels to gain access to the receiver. You'll then need to remove the internal housing assembly that contains both the climate control switches and the receiver. Tread carefully when removing and changing the receiver unit to avoid damaging the climate control system.

Dash stereo assembly (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Factory integration adapter for the Infiniti G35

Because of how completely the factory stereo is integrated into the center console, replacing the unit requires the use of a special integration adapter. Available in tan, gray, or black, this adapter will blend seamlessly with your G35's interior. The receiver opening accommodates most standard-size and double-DIN receivers. And when you purchase your new stereo from Crutchfield, you'll get the integration kit for half price.

You'll also need a wiring harness and an antenna adapter to install the new receiver. (Crutchfield includes these two installation parts free with most orders, along with our step-by-step instructions for your G35.)

Tools required: Panel tool, Phillips screwdriver, flat-bladed screwdriver

The G35's steering wheel controls (Crutchfield Research Photo)

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Steering wheel audio controls

In addition to the expected cruise control settings, the G35's comprehensive steering wheel controls include buttons for the stereo's volume and source.

There are adapters available from two companies, PAC and Axxess, that will let you continue using your steering wheel controls with a new stereo. The Axxess ASWC-1 adapter will be the easiest to install in the G35.

Replacing your factory speakers

Front door speakers

The factory speaker system uses a hi/lo configuration, with tweeters placed approximately chest-high in the sail panels and a midrange woofer at the bottom front of each front door. To access these components you will have to remove the door panel.

Factory tweeter (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Factory midrange speaker (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Once the panel is free of the door, you can get to the tweeter by prying off two clips and lifting the entire sail panel/ tweeter assembly off the window pillar. The speaker itself is secured to the assembly by a retaining clip. Remove the screws and disengage the plastic clip, and the cone will come free of the assembly. If you're new tweeter is no more than 1.1" in diamter, ou can try to mount it just like the factory tweeter. But due to the way the factory tweeter is arranged, it might be easier to mount the new tweeter directly to the back of the sail panel.

In the case of the woofers, simply unscrew four Phillips screws from the door bracket and lift the cone away from the assembly. The factory speaker is an "oversized" 6-3/4" speaker and many 6-3/4" replacements will fit. You can also install regular 6-1/2" or 5-1/4" speakers with the help of a mounting bracket (Crutchfield includes this bracket free with your speaker order). Bear in mind that there aren't any wiring harnesses available for the G35's speaker connectors, so you'll have to cut off the molded plugs to connect your new speakers.

Rear door speaker (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Rear door speakers

Rear speaker removal and replacement for the G35 offers a similar bracketing configuration as the front door woofer installation.

The rear doors use the same speaker sizes as the front door. There isn't as much room between the speaker and the door panel as there was up front, so the range of available replacements is a bit smaller. If you choose a 6-1/2" or 5-1/4" speaker, you'll need mounting brackets (and Crutchfield will include them free with your new speakers).

Speakers in the Bose system

With the Bose system, door panel removal is the same, but the speaker sizing is a little different. The front doors fit mostly the same speakers as the standard system: 6-3/4", 6-1/2", or 5-1/4" speakers. The rear doors use a 5-1/4" speaker, but if you're willing to drill new screw holes in the door, you can fit a 6-1/2" speaker. Otherwise, you won't have to drill new screw holes when replacing speakers in the Bose system. Luckily, wiring harnesses are available for G35's equipped with the Bose speaker system, so it'll be a tad bit easier to install new speakers. (And of course, Crutchfield includes these harnesses – and mounting brackets, if needed – free with your speaker purchase.)

Tools required: Panel tool, Phillips screwdriver, flat-bladed screwdriver, and maybe a drill and 1/8" bit

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Bose subwoofer mounted in the G35's rear deck (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Bass options

The G35's Bose system includes an 8" subwoofer installed in the rear deck. There is no wiring adapter for this system, so if you replace the factory subwoofer, you'll have to splice the wires and drill new mounting holes in the deck to secure it. The Bose system uses a low-impedance woofer and a low-powered amp. If you replace this subwoofer, you should also replace the amplifier.

There's plenty of room in the trunk for a subwoofer box and amplifier, so you can add a bass system to provide the bottom-fill that the door speakers can't recreate.

More options

Security systems

Installing a security system in the 2003-2004 G35 is pretty straight forward. You will need an FLCAN interface from FlashLogic if you plan on adding an alarm or remote start. The FLCAN will bypass the transponder, provide door triggers, and control door locks on standard key models without an alarm, and Intelli-key models. Models with a standard key, and factory alarm will have to tap two extra wires at the BCM to control the door locks and factory alarm. If you have an Intelli-key model and are adding remote start, you will need one E5000 relay.

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iPod® and satellite radio adapters

Crutchfield carries a variety of adapters that let you add iPod control or satellite radio to your factory stereo system. Of course, if you're replacing the factory stereo, your new receiver will most likely feature built-in iPod control. You can also add satellite radio to most aftermarket stereos.