Upgrading head unit
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 129
Likes: 9
From: GA
Upgrading head unit
I'm looking at a couple of different head units to replace my factory radio with. I like the pioneers but really I'm looking for one with front and rear camera accessibility. I'm more than likely going to go with the Pioneer5800 but I'm not sure what else I'll need as far as installation goes. Is there a specific wiring harness I need to keep my steering wheel controls? Also, any pictures of front/rear mounted cameras are appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,122
Likes: 1,961
From: Morris County New Jersey
Copied and pasted from one of my previous posts:
Here is all the stuff I bought for my install. The Pac Audio harness/interface works with and/or without Bose systems. The installation gear is the same regardless of what brand head unit you buy. In my case I went with the Pioneer 8200nex. I got the head unit and all the installation gear from Amazon.
1- Pac Audio RP5-GM11 wiring harness with steering wheel controls
2- Metra 95-3304 double din face plate
3- Sirius XM SXV300v1 tuner (optional if you want Sirius XM) and Sirius XM 10ft antenna ext. cable (if u want to re-use factory antenna)
4- Pyle PCNM38FRV back up camera (was only $17 but works great)
5- A pack of crimp style cap connectors 22/18 gauge and a crimp plier (since I didn't have one)
Here is all the stuff I bought for my install. The Pac Audio harness/interface works with and/or without Bose systems. The installation gear is the same regardless of what brand head unit you buy. In my case I went with the Pioneer 8200nex. I got the head unit and all the installation gear from Amazon.
1- Pac Audio RP5-GM11 wiring harness with steering wheel controls
2- Metra 95-3304 double din face plate
3- Sirius XM SXV300v1 tuner (optional if you want Sirius XM) and Sirius XM 10ft antenna ext. cable (if u want to re-use factory antenna)
4- Pyle PCNM38FRV back up camera (was only $17 but works great)
5- A pack of crimp style cap connectors 22/18 gauge and a crimp plier (since I didn't have one)
Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 689
Likes: 98
From: Eugene Oregon
Crutchfield will get you everything you need to keep the chimes & any factory options including steering wheel controls.
I just installed a new unit last weekend in my car. No pics of the front camera but you can see the back cam in this shot:
Attachment 48356014
There's a youtube video out there on tapping into the backup wire at the light bulb. Much easier to pull back some tape inside the car & splice into the green wire there if you're going to use reverse to turn on the camera anyway:
I just installed a new unit last weekend in my car. No pics of the front camera but you can see the back cam in this shot:
Attachment 48356014
There's a youtube video out there on tapping into the backup wire at the light bulb. Much easier to pull back some tape inside the car & splice into the green wire there if you're going to use reverse to turn on the camera anyway:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 129
Likes: 9
From: GA
I've seen those but I like having the 2 compartments in the rear and that eliminates one. I was trying to find one that can mount in right behind the seats. I was initially thinking of doing two 10s but I may just get one 12 instead
Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 689
Likes: 98
From: Eugene Oregon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
Other option is the Subthump partition box
Can be configured to hold two 8s or one 10.
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Only the two small speakers in the doors are stereo, with all the rest of the speakers mono for fill isntead. Regarding the two large speakers in the doors that are mono as well, they have there own amps on them (but still get there signal source from the Bose amp to drive them), and are just thumpers for the most part.
Hence when you go to install the unit, your going to use the speakers output of the radio to drive the Bose amp, so make sure that you set line levels correctly so your not distorting the signal into the amp with too much power out of the radio instead. In some cases where the new radio has way too much power out of the it, you have to install resistor in line to pull the signal power back that way isntead.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,122
Likes: 1,961
From: Morris County New Jersey
Chase, one of my first mods was changing the head unit and keeping the Bose speakers and amps. I just want to mention that there was a noticeable improvement in overall sound quality after only changing the head unit. It's not earth shattering but for many it's enough of a difference to be content with their sound system. The improved sound quality along with all the additional extra features a head unit adds, makes it well worth it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 129
Likes: 9
From: GA
Chase, one of my first mods was changing the head unit and keeping the Bose speakers and amps. I just want to mention that there was a noticeable improvement in overall sound quality after only changing the head unit. It's not earth shattering but for many it's enough of a difference to be content with their sound system. The improved sound quality along with all the additional extra features a head unit adds, makes it well worth it.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,541
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From: Fort Worth Texas
People seem to always say not much sound improvement with just new HU. Mine absolutely rocks! But I do have a nice JL sub as well. I think there is very nice improvement with all the sounds parameters on a new decent level HU.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,122
Likes: 1,961
From: Morris County New Jersey
