Professional Installation w/ Crutchfield

[DJStile]

Hey guys, new to the site. I tried searching for this but couldn't find exactly my question. Anywho, I am going to order a Pioneer AVIC-D3 from Crutchfield.com and I want to get it professionally installed. Crutchfield has a product called "InstallCard" that you can use to get an in-dash GPS, DVD installed with and it has a pre-paid amount of $199.99. I am getting the ipod, bluetooth, and sirius addons for the AVIC, so given how many things must be connected, do you guys think $199.99 is too much/too little or an appropriate price? Has anyone had any luck going with a place like BestBuy or Circuit City for installations and if so, what were their prices like for an installation like this?

Thanks a lot!

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[morgans432 10+ year member]

why not search around and get the avic cheaper and have somebody install it if you can't. Crutchfield is over priced and that install card looks overpriced as well.

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

you would be better off going to an audio shop for installs rather than cc or bb

 

[morgans432 10+ year member]

on ebay brand new they are like 700 with extras and crutchfield 800 so you can save money by doing that.

 

[DJStile]

Well I have store credit with Crutchfield that I have to use, and the avic-d3x with ipod and bluetooth connections at 799 doesn't seem to be that much more expensive than other reputable sites that come with warrantys (not including ebay).

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

Its not a bad price on the unit especially with warranty and stuff but I would say the install seems a little high.

 

[DJStile]

Its not a bad price on the unit especially with warranty and stuff but I would say the install seems a little high.

So you think I'd be better off just going to an audio shop then? Any idea what would be a fair price to install it?

Thanks

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

Flat rate should be IMO be around $150 and posssibly less than that.

75 for deck

15 for ipod, even though all you have to do is plug it in

25 for bluetooth, this actually requires some installation

35 for siruis, which also is very easy if you have factory sirius, otherwise requires a little installation.

Note these are just my approximations as install rates can differ greatly depending on where you are located.

What kind of vehicle is this going in?

 

[DJStile]

It's going into a 2008 Mustang GT with a Shake 500 sound system and factory sirius.

 

[InfinitePeace 10+ year member]

Then there is factory amplification that you are going to have to tap into. My lexus is this way and I bought a Kenwood DNX7100. I went to Sound Advice (Tweeter) to just look at it and for kicks I asked them how much they would charge to install it.... since there is no dash kit for my car, they would have to fabricate something; there are dash kits for the new mustangs though. They told me they couldn't tap into the factory amp and that I would just have to run the door speakers of the new HU and lose the factory sub. Basically what I'm getting at (and every car is different, mine sucks for this crap) IF there is a factory amplification interface you can buy, then it might not be so bad, but you'll still probably have to run RCA's which means your cost of install just went up. So, all things considered you could possibly be looking at Cost: Dash kit, rca's, 2 wire harnesses, maybe an adaptor, and more billable time taking apart the car to run the RCAs depending on where the factory amps are located, which sometimes they are on a rack in the trunk. They wanted $400 just to install the HU and bypass the factory amp, becase what they said they were going to do is run a bundle of 4 speaker wires from the HU to the trunk where the factory amp is and splice into those to feed the speakers. Hopefully yours is not the same way... I'm somewhat unfamiliar with the 08 Mustang stock system. Just guessing from older mustangs, i.e. the Mach 1000 which basically had a huge amp rack in the trunk already.

Anyway, add that to your BT and ipod, and my advice is, wait till you have everything else, i.e. amps, speakers, etc because the install cost in the end will be less. Or, if your car is this way like mine is, if you're going to have to have all that run just to do the headunit, have them run extra RCA's and power wire under everything as well while they have the car apart; they can hook up the RCAs as they should, and label them, so that when you are ready to do the rest you can just plug everything in. Maybe you don't want to do anything else with the car except this, and that's fine, but its an addicting hobby and youll find yourself wanting more.

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

Are you good with your hands? If so

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=76129

save the $200. And I can help with questions on any of the assessories

The adapter numbers may be different, since I dont remember if there are any differences between the 05 and 08 but if so they should be minimal.

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

With the Shaker 500 it is a little more work so it may actually cost $200 at a shop.

But that walk through is pretty step by step if you have the ability.

 

[DJStile]

I could probably do it myself, but the car is still under warranty, so I want to make sure I get a shop to install it that warrantys its own work. Therefore, if another problem comes about due to the install and Ford won't fix it, I have peace of mind with the shops warranty. Either way, I emailed Crutchfield and they claim that this unit will work with my stock sound system, utilizing all speakers as they are now, so I shouldn't have to worry about all of that bypassing.

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

I would not let Best Buy or Circuit City do this install unless you are familiar with a certain locations work.

While not necessarily a difficult install it does require some special knowledge and skills which they may not provide.

IMO I would call around to some local shops and see what they charge for installation.

It will work with your speakers as is but no matter what, you still have to do the by-passing so I understand being hesitant about doing it yourself.

 

[mavster 10+ year member]

what's your location?

I'm sure there maybe a decent installer in your area...