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[bigaudiofanatic]

Hello everyone, my name is Matt, I have been an installer for 8 years now. My audio installs is a part time side job, however I work as a I.T. guy. We got our new van a few weeks ago and the stock system was not cutting it for me.

Stage 1 Head unit install

I decided to go with something that could give me expandability and features but also not something that would blow the budget. The JVC KW-R900BT fit the bill nicely. I am a alpine guy all day and kenwood is a close runner up, but I decided to step out of my comfort zone on this one and go with a different brand all together.



On to the pictures.

Few of the parts



Ran the mic on top of the A pillar, no problem with echo or noise.



As I do all my work, I soldered and marine grade heat shrunk all the wires, sadly I was in a rush and did not take a picture of this.





Wires ready to go.



Routed the USB #2 port to the glove box, very simple to do.




Head unit installed in the metra dash kit.


Installed with trim ring

[bigaudiofanatic]

2008 VW Passat



Before


All wires soldered and heat shrunk




After

[bigaudiofanatic]

Bump

[gcameron]

Hi Matt,

I have a 1997 Volvo 850 Wagon, just like the one I saw your pictures from in this thread. I'm looking to upgrade completely - new receiver, new component front speakers, and (possibly) subwoofer. I'm not looking for an overpowering system, just an improvement that sounds good. With a total budget of 400-450 dollars, how much of an upgrade can I get, and where do you suggest I look? Do you think I could install myself (I'm completely new to car audio but can learn quickly), and if not, how cheap could I find a professional installer? Do you think a subwoofer or amplifier would be worth the money? I'm not entirely sure how high-grade a system has to be for either of these things to make sense. Excuse my lack of knowledge.

Thanks!
Greg

[bigaudiofanatic]

Hi Matt,

I have a 1997 Volvo 850 Wagon, just like the one I saw your pictures from in this thread. I'm looking to upgrade completely - new receiver, new component front speakers, and (possibly) subwoofer. I'm not looking for an overpowering system, just an improvement that sounds good. With a total budget of 400-450 dollars, how much of an upgrade can I get, and where do you suggest I look? Do you think I could install myself (I'm completely new to car audio but can learn quickly), and if not, how cheap could I find a professional installer? Do you think a subwoofer or amplifier would be worth the money? I'm not entirely sure how high-grade a system has to be for either of these things to make sense. Excuse my lack of knowledge.

Thanks!
Greg

Hello Greg, the Volvo is pretty easy to upgrade as long as you know how to remove door panels and take your time. Make sure you have a door removal tool. You can buy one at any auto part store. If you want a fool proof way of doing it yourself order from crutchfield this way you will get all the instructions needed adapters needed . Otherwise there are plenty of online videos and articles showing how to remove door panels and you can save money by ordering from amazon or other places.

You will hear a big difference between your stock speakers and new ones as well as just by upgrading the head unit by itself.

[bigaudiofanatic]

The owner contacted me asking for a clean basic stereo install. Nothing crazy but he did want a little flare to it. I went ahead and put together an idea and went to work.

Equipment

Custom Autosound Secret Audio SST
CD Changer
Alpine Type S 6.5 Components
Alpine Type S 6X9 Coaxial's
KnuKonceptz 16 gauge wire



As always wires soldered and marine grade heat shrunk.


Harness organized and wired




The CD changer was mounted using aluminum brackets secured to the back lip of the rear wall.




Pre made kick panels were not deep enough for the woofers, nor did they have a cut out for a tweeter. Spacers were made and will later be routed and painted, fallowed by upholstery.






A new dash was made (not by myself) and the display was installed.


A bracket was made to install the brain as well on the back wall. The one strip going along the back wall has a gap behind it and worked well as a place to secure everything without going through the wall.

[bigaudiofanatic]

The customer did want rear speakers so I made a set of basic boxes and mounted them level and flat, as the back wall is actually angled back.





A template was made for the beauty panel.




The actually panel, it will later be wrapped. Still need to add the plexiglass and logo.

[bigaudiofanatic]

Here is a fiat 500 build I did.

Fiat 500 Abarth (Hertz, Helix, alpine)

[bigaudiofanatic]

I did a simple stealth install on a 2012 Prius, with the first hybrid being done it was different than a normal car but not by much. The owner wanted a stealth install with major audio upgrades in quality.



Removed dash panels making sure not to scratch them with painter tape.



Speaker harness needed for the audio control.





Door panels removed



Old stock speakers vs new ID CXS speakers



New speaker wire ran.



Wires soldered and heat shrunk




Installed



New tweeters using factory location and factory brackets.

[bigaudiofanatic]

All wiring ran to the trunk. Before organizing.



Trunk back together

[bigaudiofanatic]

Customer finally got the car to the upholstery shop and back. Final tuning will be done and red led's installed behind the logo.

[LightsOut]

Check your PM's, Matt.