Finished my stereo system, pics inside... - Page 3

afterdigital · #31 (**permalink**) 10-29-06, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekno

I did it all myself... It took me a full day to do the install. That includes removing all interior (carpet, seats, door panels etc etc) and running all the cables. Building the box and amp rack and trim rings. The inside of the amp rack, the face of the box and the trim rings are covered in matching black vinyl.

Sweet install!

i had a friend mention to me over the weekend how an acquaintance replaced his car battery with a "small" truck battery due to the original one dying all the time. Although it may not pertain to you, are you observing the (battery)voltage with the added amp and speakers?

enjoy the sounds....

FlyFlip420 · #32 (**permalink**) 10-29-06, 10:11 PM

Im pushing some heavy amps and the voltage does drop when the bass hits, but nothing that is damaging the battery or alternator.......bass requires more power and the best thing to do is put in a capacitor and you will not have a problem.......

darkwingfrog · #33 (**permalink**) 10-30-06, 05:14 AM

AS a matter of fact...I have soldered quite a few playstations and xboxes. A motherboards a motherboard right?

I read a post in here somewhere that the DIC info is actually coming from the amp? I can't believe that, maybe the audio routes through the amp. Is there a control module in the car somewhere like for the XM and OnStar?

Worst case scenario I have to leave the bose amp connected to the OEM radio. Removing the CD changer part of the unit should give me a large enough opening for the new headunit. Then just add a new amp for it.

I'm wondering if I can use the existing XM reciever with the new headunit or will I have to buy one that matches the Pioneer AVIC-Z1 I'm installing? Or, I may change to Sirius and then I would need a converter for the XM antena. Does anyone know where to find one?

FlyFlip420 · #34 (**permalink**) 10-30-06, 11:40 AM

Yep, as loong as your comfy doing it, its a piece of cake

PM mbai2, he has done this and will know the answers

druboi31779 · #35 (**permalink**) 11-05-06, 01:34 PM

I already (I got an 03 CTS) have a Double DIN DVD- what kit did you use for this ..that is pimpin...you got info/url on where you got it? Price?

b0d4n5k1 · #36 (**permalink**) 11-05-06, 03:23 PM

I was looking for a kit to do my car with. This seems like an ideal set up for me. But I have a few questions for u.

How do you do the setup functions for a cts if you dont have the orignal headunit in?

Were would I be able to find a harness for the stock radio?

How would I get my steering wheel buttons work with this? (Volume, change track)

FlyFlip420 · #37 (**permalink**) 11-05-06, 04:47 PM

Thats what you lose by doing this, unless you unsolder the DIC and make a custom faceplate....you CANNOT CHANGE ANY SETTINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your steering wheel volume...WILL NOT WORK......

darkwingfrog · #38 (**permalink**) 11-05-06, 04:59 PM

It's going to be a few weeks before I can do any more work on my radio but so far I have created a 4"x7" opening for a new Pioneer AVIC-Z1 to slide into. You can see the OEM unit is still in place to retain DIC along with the buttons to make setup changes.

FlyFlip420 · #39 (**permalink**) 11-05-06, 05:03 PM

Great job darkwing....will the pioneer unit fit?? Also, have you checked the DIC to make sure it still works?? How hard was the soldering and unsoldering? There alot to do??

darkwingfrog · #40 (**permalink**) 11-05-06, 05:14 PM

The Pioneer unit is 4"x7"x6.5" and should fit fine. I may have to cut out the back of the OEM box to get to the outlets. I didn't have to unsolder anything, just moved the main board up in to box out of the way. I haven't put it in the car to test yet but it should work since nothing is changed.

darkwingfrog · #41 (**permalink**) 11-05-06, 05:16 PM

Actually theere was one bit of unsoldering, the antena on the OEM board was soldered through the box and had to be removed to move the board up. I left it off since this wont be used as a radio ever again.

tekno · #42 (**permalink**) 11-06-06, 02:07 PM

so you moved the main board where? All the internal wires were plugs? I may hack mine apart. I would mount mine hidden somewhere... too bad our glove box and center console are tiny.

darkwingfrog · #43 (**permalink**) 11-06-06, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekno

so you moved the main board where? All the internal wires were plugs? I may hack mine apart. I would mount mine hidden somewhere... too bad our glove box and center console are tiny.

The main board sits dead center of the box. I moved it up to the top of the box. You can see it inside the opening I cut in the face and the plugs on the back of the board where I cut a new opening in the back of the box. Plenty of room up there, no need to hide it. Besideds it connects to the screen and buttons with very short ribbon cables.

afterdigital · #44 (**permalink**) 11-07-06, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkwingfrog

The main board sits dead center of the box. I moved it up to the top of the box. You can see it inside the opening I cut in the face and the plugs on the back of the board where I cut a new opening in the back of the box. Plenty of room up there, no need to hide it. Besideds it connects to the screen and buttons with very short ribbon cables.

tell me about it, those ribbon cables were a pain in the butt when putting everything back.

i've got to contact this company which claims it has a harness for the CTS 05 which intergrates into the factory radio. As of right now i have the audiovox hardwire fm modulator - it's suppose to be close to cd quality. if i'm not happy with it i'll return it....

darkwingfrog · #45 (**permalink**) 11-08-06, 05:19 AM

Aren't there any FM tuners available for carputers? Seems like there should be. Then you could output from the soundcard straight to an amp.