New system FINALLY finished...

[Goose]

Well after a couple months of shopping around and 44 hours worth of labor at my mechanic's place....the system is done and here are the specs:

Head Unit: Panasonic in-dash DVD system w/ 7-inch retracable monitor and true 5.1 DD sound(Link to Crutchfield )

Center Channel Speaker: Clairion SRK5 (Crutchfield)

Front door speakers: Alpine 6x9 Type R -- NEW!! 8March2004 (Link to Crutchfield)

Rear door speakers: Alpine 6x6.5 Type R -- NEW!! 8March2004 (Link to Crutchfield)

Sub: Alpine 12-inch Type R (Link to Crutchfield)

Door Speaker Amp: Alpine 360W 4-Ch Amp (Link to Crutchfield)

Subwoofer Amp: Alpine 300W Mono Amp (Link to Crutchfield)

CD Changer: Panasonic 8-Disc changer (Link to Crutchfield)

SWI-X Steering wheel control modulator (Link to Crutchfield)

Alpine RUX-4180 Subwoofer Controler (Link to Crutchfield)

I searched around on www.pricegrabber.com to get great prices on everything -- especially half off on the sub amp and 750 off on the DVD system. The installation was expensive, but they installed EVERYTHING in the factory channels as opposed to a CircuityCity job where they just take up some of the plastic molding. Basically they rewired the entire system as if it were a factory job. So...expensive but very professional and very functional. The system sounds amazing, especailly with the true 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. My next move is to install some Pyramid monitors behind the front headrests (I plan to wire it all myself for this part of the job) -- Bryancos has a great post about them HERE. Check out some of the pictures below and thanks for reading!!

 

[Goose]

Screen Open and On

For what wouldn't fit on the last post....

Tsunami 1200-W 4-Gauge Multi-Amp Power Kit (Link to CircuitCity)

 

[Goose]

Both Amps and the Sub moved to the side (normally sits in front of the MRD-M300)

 

[ChuckyD]

Sweet! Very nice dude!

 

[Biff]

Thats is a seriously awesome system. I wish I could get something like that, but unfortunately I spent my wad on my S/C. New system is defiently the next thing. By the looks of the whole system you probably spent around $3500 right?

 

[Goose]

Re: Re: New system FINALLY finished...

Thats is a seriously awesome system. I wish I could get something like that, but unfortunately I spent my wad on my S/C. New system is defiently the next thing. By the looks of the whole system you probably spent around $3500 right?

Thanks very much for the compliment...but believe me, if I could get a supercharger, that would have been up there on the list before the sound system, no doubt. Gotta bide my time until TRD comes up with something for the V6...

Anyhow, the price of all the components was indeed about 3500. I linked to Crutchfield because they're easily the best if you're installing yourself, but very pricy. I used their site for research and then put the product numbers into www.pricegrabber.com and got some amazing deals....Panasonic headunit (normally 2K) for 1350, the MRD-M300 amp (normally 350) for 188, etc etc. The door speakers and the 4-ch amp and the sub from CircuitCity because I needed them quick and couldn't wait for the shipping. The most expensive part for me was the installation which was done by this garage called RennSport (www.rennsportusa.com) who are easily the best in the NY/NJ/CT/PA area when it comes to imports. The truck required 44 hours worth of labor but these guys are the best.

 

[Goose]

RennSport

Many of you BMW owners might recognize the name "Renn Sport" as an outlet for great BMW parts, but they're in fact not the same guys.

The Renn Sport I'm talking about is a group located in Bedford Hills, NY (about 45min to an hour north of New York City). Bedford, NY is a very affluent community and there's a great deal of import cars (Ferraris, Lotus, Porche, etc) to deal with and these guys are the ones to go to. They've been doing my dad's Land Rovers for years and were recommended to me by my old man.

Though their services are on the more expensive side, I'll never take my car anywhere else. They took all those parts that I bought on the internet and built an AMAZING system. Everything is wired directly into the car's original channels, meaning that they've essentially replaced the truck's factory system with one that fits exactly. The wires are routed properly...no horror stories of CircuitCity-style jobs where wires are run under the chasis of the car or stuffed under the seats. Renn Sport of Bedford Hills, NY are the best when it comes to any aspect of your car.

Take my exhaust for instance. The Borla kit was not manufactured properly and instead of simply boning a $700 kit, Renn Sport was able to heat and bend the pipes just a little so that they're totally even in the back (see my truck in the gallery) now. It looks great, sounds great, and fits perfectly, thanks to Renn Sport.

If you're from the NY/NJ/CT/PA area, look them up: RennSport -- you won't be disappointed!!

Contact Edward, the owner at (914) 241-3338 or toll free at (800) 406-3336. There's also a map and directions on their website.

Please contact me if you have any questions about these guys.

 

[Biff]

Re: RennSport

Did you get the adapter that allows you to use your steering wheel controls?

 

[Goose]

Re: Re: RennSport

Did you get the adapter that allows you to use your steering wheel controls?

I didn't even know there was such a thing!!

Where do you find this adapter because I'll definitely pick one up. Before I get carried away, are you talking about the wireless remote that just straps onto the steering wheel or an actual connection that allows you to use the built-in factory steering wheel controls?? I love the steering wheel buttons and it'd be awesome to get them back.

 

[tooxshort]

Man ... your system looks great ... I'm not the biggest Alpine fan, but I like the way you have your dash set up ... it looks TOO cool ... which DIN did u get and where? I'd really like to know!

 

[Biff]

Re: Re: Re: RennSport

I didn't even know there was such a thing!!

Where do you find this adapter because I'll definitely pick one up. Before I get carried away, are you talking about the wireless remote that just straps onto the steering wheel or an actual connection that allows you to use the built-in factory steering wheel controls?? I love the steering wheel buttons and it'd be awesome to get them back.

This is what I'm talking about. I saw it at Good Guys

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-10AwtLcbNzr/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=127SWIX

 

[Dude]

Can you tell me if you used a Metra or other type harness on the install. If so, which one and what model number.

I have used a SWIX in another install on my last car and it worked pretty good. Basically, this unit ties into the lead from the steering wheel controls and sends the signal to the SWIX unit. The SWIX unit is then programmed to convert the steering wheel signal to an IR signal that is emitted through an IR eye that is placed close to the headunit IR sensor for your handheld remote.

It is a pretty easy install....a few wires for the unit and one to the steering wheel lead from the OEM harness that goes to the headunit. Only challenge is to find a place to mount the IR eye that is close to the headunit. As a suggestion, I would hook up the unit and then move the eye around to find an optimal install location. My last install was on a convertible and the IR signal was sensitive to sunlight. I don't think a sunroof light would be much of an issue, but I would want to be sure before drilling a hole in a trim piece to mount the IR eye.

My $0.02.....I liked my Alpine remote way better and forgot about the aux controls after about a week.

 

[Biff]

Re: Re: Re: Re: RennSport

This is what I'm talking about. I saw it at Good Guys, also I believe someone posted a thread about this product, do a search for steering wheel controls.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-10AwtLcbNzr/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=127SWIX

 

[Goose]

Re: Re: Re: Re: RennSport

This is what I'm talking about. I saw it at Good Guys

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-10AwtLcbNzr/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=127SWIX

After reading your earlier post I checked around on Crutchfield and came up with that same thing. The list of compatable cars doesn't include any Toyotas though...have you heard differently? Also I thought I read that it doesn't support Panasonic HUs.

Dude, thanks for the insight...if I can end up using one I'll definitely take that into account.

 

[Goose]

Can you tell me if you used a Metra or other type harness on the install. If so, which one and what model number.

I'm afraid I can't tell you what type of harness to use. I bought all the parts but I had them installed by a pro. I wish I knew what I was doing, otherwise it would have been a blast to do it myself. My suggestion would be to call Crutchfield and ask them. They've got the best help out there.

 

[Biff]

I'm afraid I can't tell you what type of harness to use. I bought all the parts but I had them installed by a pro. I wish I knew what I was doing, otherwise it would have been a blast to do it myself. My suggestion would be to call Crutchfield and ask them. They've got the best help out there.

Check this out, this guy has an 03 as well.


http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17812&highlight=steering+wheel+radio

 

[Goose]

Check this out, this guy has an 03 as well.


http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17812&highlight=steering+wheel+radio

Awesome...thanks for the link. I'll have to wait a little bit before I try out this mod just because I'm out of cash at the moment. I'll be sure to post when I do. Any other members tried this one yet?

 

[Goose]

Here's the next little project that I plan on installing myself tomorrow (Friday, 09 Jan 03) afternoon...

I also have a four channel video amplifier. I plan to tap into a 12v source somewhere in the center console and then run the wires under the carpet to the seats. The Wet Okole covers will be great for hiding the wires without any modification to the seats themselves. The covers will also fit over the mounting bracket and I'll cut a small silt in the neoprene so that the monitor will be suspended without the big plastic stick you see in this example.

I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as I've finished the work.

 

[Goose]

Re: Re: RennSport

Did you get the adapter that allows you to use your steering wheel controls?

Yeah well I lied about waiting to buy one. Found it at Buy.com for $40 as opposed to 70 on Crutchfield. Should be here in a couple days but I might not have a chance to install it for a while because I'm taking a trip up to VT over the three-day weekend and I'm stuck here at school (don't get out much from the Naval Academy) against my will for most of the week. As soon as I DO make progress, though, I'll be sure to post!!

 

[Biff]

Re: Re: Re: RennSport

Yeah well I lied about waiting to buy one. Found it at Buy.com for $40 as opposed to 70 on Crutchfield. Should be here in a couple days but I might not have a chance to install it for a while because I'm taking a trip up to VT over the three-day weekend and I'm stuck here at school (don't get out much from the Naval Academy) against my will for most of the week. As soon as I DO make progress, though, I'll be sure to post!!

Thats not bad, I might buy one there when I start to build my own system.

Go Navy-beat Army
my dad is an Anapolis graduate(class of 51)