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<blockquote data-quote="dennismv" data-source="post: 8479378" data-attributes="member: 669013">I have Ford Expedition 1997 (everything stock with Premium Sound package) and the following equipment:<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">2 JL Audio 10W3v3-4 10&quot; 
</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">JX360/4 
</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">JX1000/1D 
</li>
</ul>I got these quotes from two nearby vendors to install everything:[CODE]Vendor BAmerican International Ford Dash Kit&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $20American International Ford wiring harness&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; $55 hours of service&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; $325solder, connectors, etc&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; $32Alpine HU installed (did not catch model)&nbsp; &nbsp; $180[/CODE][CODE]Vendor A&nbsp; &nbsp; Metra SDIN Multi Kit 99-up Ford&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; $27 Best Kits Ford 98 Up Harness&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $23 Install Mono amp&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $90 Install 4 channel amp&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $100 Install Labor&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $100 Aamp 4 AWG or 8 WG Mini ANL Holder $15 x 2&nbsp; &nbsp; $30Alpine CDE-164BT installed&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; $240 [/CODE]Both vendors are remarkably close (ignoring head unit + its install).&nbsp; Both shops seem to upcharge for head unit.&nbsp; i.e. I could get CDE-164BT new for $180-$190, not $240, without even looking for a deal.Some questions:<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Will I do better to get my own head unit and ask the shop for labor only? 
</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">I have never installed these myself, so I will be fairly new to everything.&nbsp; Do I try to install everything myself?&nbsp; Do I ask a local friend who is interested in car audio, pay him something decent but not as high as the shop? 
</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">If I install everything myself, how much will I really save?&nbsp; I suppose I will save all the labor costs so around $300.&nbsp; Is it worth paying someone $300 to not have to &quot;deal with&quot; installing everything myself? 
</li>
</ul></blockquote>

[QUOTE="dennismv, post: 8479378, member: 669013"] I have Ford Expedition 1997 (everything stock with Premium Sound package) and the following equipment: [LIST] [*]2 JL Audio 10W3v3-4 10" [*]JX360/4 [*]JX1000/1D [/LIST] I got these quotes from two nearby vendors to install everything: [CODE]Vendor B American International Ford Dash Kit $20 American International Ford wiring harness $5 5 hours of service $325 solder, connectors, etc $32 Alpine HU installed (did not catch model) $180 [/CODE] [CODE] Vendor A Metra SDIN Multi Kit 99-up Ford $27 Best Kits Ford 98 Up Harness $23 Install Mono amp $90 Install 4 channel amp $100 Install Labor $100 Aamp 4 AWG or 8 WG Mini ANL Holder $15 x 2 $30 Alpine CDE-164BT installed $240 [/CODE] Both vendors are remarkably close (ignoring head unit + its install). Both shops seem to upcharge for head unit. i.e. I could get CDE-164BT new for $180-$190, not $240, without even looking for a deal. Some questions: [LIST] [*]Will I do better to get my own head unit and ask the shop for labor only? [*]I have never installed these myself, so I will be fairly new to everything. Do I try to install everything myself? Do I ask a local friend who is interested in car audio, pay him something decent but not as high as the shop? [*]If I install everything myself, how much will I really save? I suppose I will save all the labor costs so around $300. Is it worth paying someone $300 to not have to "deal with" installing everything myself? [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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