db47201
10+ year member
Say goodbye to Juicebox
I am not an expert by far, with few posts on here, but I do know the basics.
1st ask yourself how much you want to spend on all of this. Setting a price range can make things a little harder to pick things out but if your on a budget thats what you have to do. For a Grad Prix, it should have a double din opening (size of 2 regular din size radios). For that you will need a dash kit ( 15-25 dollars) and a wiring harness to plug into your factory wiring plug (7-15 dollars). I'm not definate on this, but you may have to bypass the bose amplifier in your car. NOt for sure on that, but Ive had a car with a similar factory setup that I had to bypass. If so, mine was a simple 12 dollar plug that bypasses the amp, takes seconds to install depending the location of the amp. Then comes the amplifier wiring. Ive seen these kits, which come with about everything you need cost anywhere from 25-200 dollars depending on amp size and your needs.
Head Unit wise, I personally think that ALPINE has a great selection of IPOD compatible units for a decent price range. Thats where I would start. Again, since I dont know how much you want to spend, just check around, google alpine if you have to, but I'm sure there are plenty of links here, and individuals selling some in the classifieds section.
Speakers speakers speakers.............There are so many options you have here. A budget shopper might with no knowledge might just turn to best buy and grab a couple 12's. With the music you listening to, i dont think a FI BTL would be neccessary lol, nor would alot of these other high end woofers. When I say high end, I mean, these are made more for competing and just being plain ***, crazy loud. MY opinion and I think some would agree, would be to grab a couple RE 12's off of Ebay for around 50-60 each. I know alot of members here are or have used those subs. They do not require alot of power to make them sound awesome, thus you get to spend a little less on an amp.
Installation is simple. The easiest thing would be to pay someone to do it but, with the simple help of hand tools and common sense, you could do it and make it a great learning and understanding experience. We would also be here to help you most of 24/7 Your dash trim should mainly just pop off. Dont be afraid of it, just use a little care. There might be a few screws too, just scan the area. The head unit will be as east as removing the factory, then plugging in the new one and following about 2 pages of instructions to fit the dash kit. Simply wire the plug from the new radio to the factory plug you bought, usually color to color, again common sense, and WWWAAAAA LLLAAAAAA. Plug it in, piece everything back together on the dash in reverse order, and your done. Most typical installs of a head unit ive done have taken approx 30 minutes from start to finish, and thats being conservative not to break anything. Well someone else can take over from here, or I'll post in a bit, my hands hurt lol.
David
1st ask yourself how much you want to spend on all of this. Setting a price range can make things a little harder to pick things out but if your on a budget thats what you have to do. For a Grad Prix, it should have a double din opening (size of 2 regular din size radios). For that you will need a dash kit ( 15-25 dollars) and a wiring harness to plug into your factory wiring plug (7-15 dollars). I'm not definate on this, but you may have to bypass the bose amplifier in your car. NOt for sure on that, but Ive had a car with a similar factory setup that I had to bypass. If so, mine was a simple 12 dollar plug that bypasses the amp, takes seconds to install depending the location of the amp. Then comes the amplifier wiring. Ive seen these kits, which come with about everything you need cost anywhere from 25-200 dollars depending on amp size and your needs.
Head Unit wise, I personally think that ALPINE has a great selection of IPOD compatible units for a decent price range. Thats where I would start. Again, since I dont know how much you want to spend, just check around, google alpine if you have to, but I'm sure there are plenty of links here, and individuals selling some in the classifieds section.
Speakers speakers speakers.............There are so many options you have here. A budget shopper might with no knowledge might just turn to best buy and grab a couple 12's. With the music you listening to, i dont think a FI BTL would be neccessary lol, nor would alot of these other high end woofers. When I say high end, I mean, these are made more for competing and just being plain ***, crazy loud. MY opinion and I think some would agree, would be to grab a couple RE 12's off of Ebay for around 50-60 each. I know alot of members here are or have used those subs. They do not require alot of power to make them sound awesome, thus you get to spend a little less on an amp.
Installation is simple. The easiest thing would be to pay someone to do it but, with the simple help of hand tools and common sense, you could do it and make it a great learning and understanding experience. We would also be here to help you most of 24/7 Your dash trim should mainly just pop off. Dont be afraid of it, just use a little care. There might be a few screws too, just scan the area. The head unit will be as east as removing the factory, then plugging in the new one and following about 2 pages of instructions to fit the dash kit. Simply wire the plug from the new radio to the factory plug you bought, usually color to color, again common sense, and WWWAAAAA LLLAAAAAA. Plug it in, piece everything back together on the dash in reverse order, and your done. Most typical installs of a head unit ive done have taken approx 30 minutes from start to finish, and thats being conservative not to break anything. Well someone else can take over from here, or I'll post in a bit, my hands hurt lol.
David
db47201
10+ year member
Say goodbye to Juicebox
Ok lol,
Amplifier wiring......
For your application, I dont think an extra battery would be necessary so we can start off with simply running your power wire (4 gauge would work perfect for what you need) from the battery under your hood compartment. You will need to crimp an o-ring on the end of the wire to hoook to your battery terminal ( should come in the kit and possible already crimped on). Next would be to find a spot for your inline fuse holder. I usually try to find a place that you can screw it down to under the hood, where it is easily accessible, and out of the way of any heat source. Next might be the hardest part. You need to find a spot through the firewall to run this wire. The best and easiest way is to do a little research and looking, and drill a hole in the firewall with a corresponding bit slightly larger than the power wire. The kit should come with a grommet to push into the hole to cover up and bare metal edges to protect the metal from rubbing through your wire. Then proceed to run the wire under the carpet, and into the trunk area. You will need to go under the dash and pull it through. Loosen the kick panels and rocker panels that hold the carpet down. That where you will be able to tuck the wire in and run it along under the carpet as you go. keep feeding the wire until you get it into the trunk. Dont put the trim pieces back yet. you will need to pull out your radio and do a couple things. Next feed the RCA cable and Remote wire (both come in the amp wiring kit) up to the cd player housing area. Simply plug the rca's into the corresponding plugs on the back of the radio. Some units have more than others, just plug into the sub preouts. Then crimp the remote wire onto the remote wire lead on the back of the stereo. It should be blue, and have a tag. There is another blue wire usually with a stripe, that is a power antenna lead. Disregard that. Next run those wires the same way you did the power amp wire. After you get everything to the trunk area, you can now press the carpet back down and fasten the holders back. These usually just pop in and out but may have a couple screws. Next you must have a good ground. scrape a metal surface in the trunk area liberally, drill a hole if you have to, and bolt up the supplied ground wire. make sure you have enough wire to position the amp the way you need to. Next is simple. Hook the power wire into the batt/+ connection on the amp, the ground to the ground/-, and the remote to the remote connection. Plug the RCA's into the corresponding color coded places. Then you will have to wire you subs. I cannot get into this because I need to know what you are using exactly. Speakers have different impedances', and amps have certain impedance that they are stable to run. If you just hook up any sub to any amp, you may not be getting the proper wattage to the subs, the amp may not be giving all its got out, and it will simply fail in due time. This is a critical part in which everyone here can help you with. Then gain controls and eq setup to your liking and thats pretty much it. I know this probably isnt how everyone does it, but Its a start. If anyone who is a veteran here would add something I may have missed, or an alternative.........
David
Amplifier wiring......
For your application, I dont think an extra battery would be necessary so we can start off with simply running your power wire (4 gauge would work perfect for what you need) from the battery under your hood compartment. You will need to crimp an o-ring on the end of the wire to hoook to your battery terminal ( should come in the kit and possible already crimped on). Next would be to find a spot for your inline fuse holder. I usually try to find a place that you can screw it down to under the hood, where it is easily accessible, and out of the way of any heat source. Next might be the hardest part. You need to find a spot through the firewall to run this wire. The best and easiest way is to do a little research and looking, and drill a hole in the firewall with a corresponding bit slightly larger than the power wire. The kit should come with a grommet to push into the hole to cover up and bare metal edges to protect the metal from rubbing through your wire. Then proceed to run the wire under the carpet, and into the trunk area. You will need to go under the dash and pull it through. Loosen the kick panels and rocker panels that hold the carpet down. That where you will be able to tuck the wire in and run it along under the carpet as you go. keep feeding the wire until you get it into the trunk. Dont put the trim pieces back yet. you will need to pull out your radio and do a couple things. Next feed the RCA cable and Remote wire (both come in the amp wiring kit) up to the cd player housing area. Simply plug the rca's into the corresponding plugs on the back of the radio. Some units have more than others, just plug into the sub preouts. Then crimp the remote wire onto the remote wire lead on the back of the stereo. It should be blue, and have a tag. There is another blue wire usually with a stripe, that is a power antenna lead. Disregard that. Next run those wires the same way you did the power amp wire. After you get everything to the trunk area, you can now press the carpet back down and fasten the holders back. These usually just pop in and out but may have a couple screws. Next you must have a good ground. scrape a metal surface in the trunk area liberally, drill a hole if you have to, and bolt up the supplied ground wire. make sure you have enough wire to position the amp the way you need to. Next is simple. Hook the power wire into the batt/+ connection on the amp, the ground to the ground/-, and the remote to the remote connection. Plug the RCA's into the corresponding color coded places. Then you will have to wire you subs. I cannot get into this because I need to know what you are using exactly. Speakers have different impedances', and amps have certain impedance that they are stable to run. If you just hook up any sub to any amp, you may not be getting the proper wattage to the subs, the amp may not be giving all its got out, and it will simply fail in due time. This is a critical part in which everyone here can help you with. Then gain controls and eq setup to your liking and thats pretty much it. I know this probably isnt how everyone does it, but Its a start. If anyone who is a veteran here would add something I may have missed, or an alternative.........
David
- Thread Starter
- #4
thx for ur advice u have allready given. it is appreciated.
I guess id have to say id really like to do it right.. so i dont have any regrets and id prolly spend 500ish 1,000 would be my absolute limit..but thatd only be if i was possibly looking into things to get me started on a car PC. id of course like the cheapest route possible.. but i dont wanna sacrifice quality....
I guess id have to say id really like to do it right.. so i dont have any regrets and id prolly spend 500ish 1,000 would be my absolute limit..but thatd only be if i was possibly looking into things to get me started on a car PC. id of course like the cheapest route possible.. but i dont wanna sacrifice quality....
TurdFergueson2
5,000+ posts
Team D.O.A.
up your budget Broseph. You not getting pulled over with a grand budget unless you buy it all used. You might get a nice loud substage for that. Buy a NICE HU first and continue to research. I have never used an Alpine so I can't vouch for them. I've used Clarion, Pioneer and I have but haven't used a couple of Eclipse units now.
- Thread Starter
- #6
this is why i didnt put a budget price on at first ,-) I wanted to get an idea of what u guys said first.
keifersracing
10+ year member
Team Roto Rooter
with 500 to a g you can get a good headunit for about 300 or more. Aamp will be around 2 to 500 just for a sub amp well the rest of your money is in wireing still no sub this is if you go and buy new buy used and get 90% of what you need for a 1000.0
db47201
10+ year member
Say goodbye to Juicebox
Very true on the price. you are going to sacrafice quality if you only want to spend that much. I suggest you figure out what kind of route you want to try and go, then hit up the classifieds section. I was assuming you didnt want to add components up front. If you go that route you will be looking to spend quite a bit more money to get a quality set and another amp.
Let me ask you this......how loud are you wanting to go? Wiring will set you back quite a bit, but its required, so you have to bite the bullet on it. I'm still saying grab a couple of those RE 12's from Ebay. Again I will stress, make sure you get things that will work together. Brand names dont have to be the same just look at the impedance on subs and amps. make sure you get an amp that will work with what sub(s) you have. This is critical in prolonging the life and sound quality of your system. Somethings may look pretty, but may sound like **it. trust me there, i had to learn the hard way when I was younger and just getting started. Just go to alpine, kenwood, eclipse, pioneer websites to browse though there head units. You will find something that will fit your needs. Then start shopping. if you dont mind used, the classifieds here are great, and have alot to offer from some very reliable members. Most head units offer some type of Ipod hookup now, but its all about preference. I have had the most luck from Alpine, but thats just my opinion.
Another thing to do after installing, is to play around with the setup. Tuning, how the box faces, and other things can be just as critical as equipment quality to an extent. Just leave your options open.
david
Let me ask you this......how loud are you wanting to go? Wiring will set you back quite a bit, but its required, so you have to bite the bullet on it. I'm still saying grab a couple of those RE 12's from Ebay. Again I will stress, make sure you get things that will work together. Brand names dont have to be the same just look at the impedance on subs and amps. make sure you get an amp that will work with what sub(s) you have. This is critical in prolonging the life and sound quality of your system. Somethings may look pretty, but may sound like **it. trust me there, i had to learn the hard way when I was younger and just getting started. Just go to alpine, kenwood, eclipse, pioneer websites to browse though there head units. You will find something that will fit your needs. Then start shopping. if you dont mind used, the classifieds here are great, and have alot to offer from some very reliable members. Most head units offer some type of Ipod hookup now, but its all about preference. I have had the most luck from Alpine, but thats just my opinion.
Another thing to do after installing, is to play around with the setup. Tuning, how the box faces, and other things can be just as critical as equipment quality to an extent. Just leave your options open.
david
- Thread Starter
- #9
ok.. well i dont wanna sacrifice quality so we will say im willing to spend 1,000-2,000 I dont need a system that will get me pulled over literally every week...just something that i know if i cranked it up all the way.. would possibly piss off some cops..and while doing so, creating little to no distortion. I would rarely play my music this loud..but itd be nice to know i could go pretty much as loud as i want and not blow my speakers out. I dunno what wattages would be good for this or anything...also again my main genres of music are punk rock/metal with some classic rock and blues and stuff thrown in. no rap. very very minimal hip hop. so not really asking u guys to spoon feed me.. but just based on my wants my needs my budgets, and my current car and configuration... gimme an inventory list of exactly what you would buy...and how much it would cost total ball park range...thanx
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