Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advice.

[WisconsinHonkie]

In my signature, I have all of the equipment that I will be installing. I just want to hear peoples opionions on what I should do and what kind of cables and accessories i'll need. For the head unit, I already have the mounting brackets; Scosche GM1599B / GM1599 to be more specific. I just want to know any information possible to make the installtion quicker and more simple. Thanks.

[BAMBAMM]

Re: Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advi

Love your screen name! Sup there, Cracker?

Quicker and more simple, I've found that if you pay someone else to do it, it's quicker and much more simpler....cause you drop it off and come back and it's done!

[Thebeast]

Re: Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advi

defintely have someone else do it. its alot of work.
go 4 gauge wiring so you dont restrict power to your amp. also your lights wont dim if you wires are of sufficient size.
good luck on the install and keep us updated.

[Guest]

Re: Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advi

First off... If you can... DO THE WORK YOURSELF!!!

Secondly purchase the Mounting kit and wiring kit from this thread

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=30897

Third, i agree with Beastly... make sure to use 4 gauge wires and you should think about getting a cap. rule of thumb 1 Farad for ever 1000 watts of power.

take your time. run wires clean. the hardest part is getting that 4 gauge wire thru the firewall. there is a grommett that the Ebrake cable uses. that is where i ran my wires.

maybe it is backtracking but do you have ANY experience with installing car audio?

[WisconsinHonkie]

Re: Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advi

No i don't have any experience in installing car audio but I figure the best way to gain more knowledge regarding my car and any upgrades I want to do, is do it myself. With that being said, I have experience splicing, sodering and heat shrinking wires and what not, so that is not at all foreign to me. I just don't want to run the risk of messing up anything in my car because one wrong move doing something like this can mess something up in my car. I'm sure whatever I do can be reversed but even still, this cars my baby lol. I have everything prepared. How to take out my old deck, how to put it in and I just don't have a wiring harness for my new deck. I have friends that could do all of it for me but i don't believe in paying someone to do something I could do even if it might take a little longer. I might end up having someone else do it though.

-UPDATE-
Im in NC on vacation but made an appt in El Paso for when I get back to get it professionally done. It should be done Sunday around 2. However it's just the deck since i had my amp and sub sent to me in NC and i had to mail em back to El Paso. I'll make an appt when i'm getting the deck installed to get the amp and sub installed too. I'll post a pic or something when it's all said and done.

[BryceKnez]

Re: Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advi

First off... If you can... DO THE WORK YOURSELF!!!

the hardest part is getting that 4 gauge wire thru the firewall. there is a grommett that the Ebrake cable uses. that is where i ran my wires.

And where is this located? Can I do this without Jacking up my car?

When I did my Grand Prix a few years ago, going through the firewall was a bitch.\

-B

[Thebeast]

Re: Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advi

you dont need to jack it up. there is also a spot behind the brake pedal that you can go through. i cant really show you cuz i have a g8 now, so sorry

[BryceKnez]

Re: Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advi

Thanks beast!

[asquarecan]

Re: Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advi

My 2 cents is if you can afford it and not sure what you are doing pay some one else to do it. This is coming from a guy that doesnt pay anyone to do anything! You will spend more time and money trying to do it your self then you would spend at a decent shop.

A basic amp install or single din install is one thing, but if this is your first install and you dont want your car down for quite awhile have some one else do it.

Keith

[Jessewk2006]

Re: Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advi

My 2 cents is if you can afford it and not sure what you are doing pay some one else to do it. This is coming from a guy that doesnt pay anyone to do anything! You will spend more time and money trying to do it your self then you would spend at a decent shop.

A basic amp install or single din install is one thing, but if this is your first install and you dont want your car down for quite awhile have some one else do it.

Keith

Suprised everyone is saying this as my take on things is simliar to his. Mine as well read and tackle it if you want to learn. Or else you'll be paying someone else to do your work all the time. I say go ahead and do it! As long as you WANT to learn and gonna enjoy figuring everything out do it yourself.

[BryceKnez]

Re: Installing aftermarket head unit, amp and sub. Need advi

Did mine. It was a little frustrating running the positive lead, but all in all, easy gig. If I didn't have my family bugging me every 5 minutes, I would have been able to do it in 30 min max. I ended up running the power lead through the driver's side fender into the door wiring boot. It looks really clean, hopefully get pics up soon!