I've been thinkin about taking out my OEM CD changer b/c I don't use it at all and don't forsee myself using it any time in the future. Plus it would free up a little room in the trunk and get rid of minute amounts of weight(not my biggest concern). If I were to simply unbolt the little cage around it and cut the wire (covering any exposed left-over with electrical tape), would that be sufficient if removal is all I'm after? or would it affect the rest of the audio in any way, shape, form, or fashion?

 

shouldnt affect it. That is the most simple solution. just hide the wires under the trunk liner. should be fine.

 

turns out there's a harness underneath a panel in the trunk that I just had to unplug.