Morning all, yes it is going to be more than an idea doing this wire install, being only familiar with the dash from the perspective off using the dash devices from the drivers seat. So, I will look at finding some rolls of wire to match up to the colors on the navigation out connector and the pac device, I assume the wire needs to be the same Gage or slightly larger to keep current low. Most I know about WIRE is that it is all "ORANGE STRING". but looking forward to in a few weeks having the satisfaction of having it installed. (WITH YOURS AND KLAUS'S help).
I will search for some resource for wires, would be nice to find some flat ribbon type that would be easy to lay against the tunnel under the carpet but as I remove the interior seat I will figure out the layout.

thanks for the instruction link and PLEASE enjoy the popcorn with the install show, the ending it's up for grabs at this point and may have potentially multiple endings.
tom

Ps, went to the Crutchfield site for determining wire gage and see a nice sizing chart, will read thru it, I am beginning to APPRECIATE the installation service Audio shops provide,

Ok, 0750 I went out while the sun was low, semi cool in garage, took out the seat and side panel, searched for flat speaker wire if I need to do it manually and found 50ft flat copper at amazon for under 35 $. there is already a hole behind the seat for wires to go into the well, thats solved, found the I guess bose amplifier and will wait till all my parts get here to mess taking it out and comparing, if I do it now, even with notes, my memory may fail me by next week.
will now look at how to mount and adjust the unit and the surround fitting to see how that will look roughly. I may have to run two sets along the tunnel for connecting and two along the outboard floor sill to keep from bulging any of the carpet too much, thats why I was looking for flat wire and it is 16 gauge, which seems to be a standard from the wire chart but I am having a buddy who is electronic tech double check it. looks like I am prepped as much as I can till all the components are in. Will follow up next week. the show is just starting and I guess these comments are the Coming Attractions, or Loony Tunes????

 

After doing some additional reading from the info provided and some web sites I am completely confused, let me layout my questions/concerns so you can possibly enlighten me with knowledge

1 I have a pin connector out of the NAVIGATION unit and it has speaker wires & power wires.
(What I THINK I Want initially is a connector like my ones on the Radio out (two plugs) to connector to
the new NAV plug wires. In my ideal simple mind (at the life’s juncture) I could then just plug in the
Navigation connector into the existing body harness.

2 I have the Metra cable now in front of me with the RCA Jacks, Power Wires, Antenna & Plugs to run
from the Navigation unit to the well where the Amplifier ?? was located.

3 So, I am thinking IF I can get original out Radio plugs matching my radio then I could do the Nav.
Connector mating to them and then plug into the body harness (thereby getting all (most) source
taps without any cutting/tapping…??? My first desire so later it could be restored to original.

4 IF NOT, then I use the METRA wires with RCA Connectors, it has an included Antenna wire (do I need
or just use the existing car antenna with the supplied sized adapter) and connect the run cables to the
well and plug into the PAC terminals as shown in their diagram. I have not pulled the Amplifier yet so
I have only looked at it buried in the well so I don’t have a comfy feel how the PAC connectors mate
up, it should be here on Monday.

5 Question, any laymen explanation would be appreciated in answering this.

A am I correct that the car harness pinouts carry some voltage and some current from the radio
in/out. (no audio knowledge at this point) from the Head unit by design

B once the power/taps are achieved however it is accomplished, am I correct that the PAC
device now does the control features originally sent by the head unit to the amplifier (now gone) and it
now assumes control of the speakers for the Bose system thru whatever capabilities the Navigation
provides.

C The Metra RCA jacks are ID by location speaker wise on the dash end and have plug
connectors on the well end. At this point in my learning I am unclear how the transition
occurs but I am working on understanding it. Have done some reading on the Crutchfield
web with some articles, some I understand, some add confusion to my existing state

D Nice thing about being retired is I have all the time I need with no deadline but my own to
get this working and I assure you I need as much input as I can get and along the way
increase my knowledge about another of the on the cars system for future troubleshooting.

Think that’s about it for today’s confusion, I am sure it is a vicious cycle as a novice attempting this but will work thru it to the end. I believe if others can do this so can I. Rome wasn’t built in a day, BUT I DID read about it being built in a day so with due diligence and effort, even as a slow senior, I will work towards it.

let me know when you will need more POPCORN as this feature plays out. tom

 

OK, if you have the Metra 70-1857 harness, then it will be your source for almost all of your connections. The connectors in the passenger bin that were plugged into the tuner module plug into the Metra 70-1857 connector. On the other end, plug the RCA jacks into your stereo, and connect the other wires in the Metra 70-1857 to your stereo.

Note your new stereo has both speaker outputs and RCA jacks. When using the Metra 70-1857 you will only use the RCA jacks. Tape up the stereo's speaker wiring so it cannot short out. Do not cut them, as you may need them if this harness is not to your liking.

 

Ok, that sounds reasonable to me and simple.

does the OEM PAC unit get put in series with the Metra, then the Metra out Plugs get the input plugs from the original amp harness in the well

I won't get out there today to view but trying to mentally see the layout.

ie RCA JACKS into Nav
Power connect wires, tape speaker wires in dasy
run metra to well, now here is my pause......do I splice the metra 5 or 6 wires to the input the PAC connector, then take the amp plugs and plug into the Metra ( again won/t have it till monday) weekend will be idle on this till those come in.
Thanks, starting to get a better understanding, thanks for baring with me.
This forum and it members are GREAT, wish the world was the same.
tom

 

Do not use both the Metra 70-1857 and the PAC. Use one or the other.

 

Ok, I did not understand that they both do the same controlling, thought the Metra just made getting wires back to the well easier.

Good, THANK YOU for increasing my level of comfort. till next week
tom

 

OK, all wired up and working fine. still have the modifications to do to the plastic but car is able to be driven and will work on the plastic.

THANKS to all for the comments and help.

Later,
tom

 

 

As I get it all PRETTIED UP I will get some pictures to post. spaghetti wire isn't much of a picture to post.

 

Ok, I'll go back to eating my popcorn

 

Good job.

Glad to hear the wiring is working for you.