Total noob really, really appreciates your expert opinions/advice.....:)

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

Alright, 9885 it is.

So now my debate is this. 350-400 bucks installed with ipod cable at every single shop around town.

300 on crutchfield with free ipod cable/free shipping.

260 on ebay with free ipod cable/free shipping/ could buy crutchfield master sheets for like 20 bucks total.

I would love nothing more than to save 100-150 on install parts, but i am a jeep guy. My car experience is centered around fluid changes, suspension upgrades, etc. I have a friend who is great with electrical....and actually an electrical engineering student.

The labor on that ipod cable install is like 40 bucks and I know how ridiculous this is.

Do you think I could be competent enough to do this with my friend doing the electrical? How good are crutchfields master install sheets?

Should a car audio noob just have it get slapped in ?

once again thanks for all replys

Headunit installs are supremely easy, especially if the current aftermarket deck in your car used a wiring harness. Then all you will have to do is match up the colors. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

The only real hard part may be getting your dash apart.

 

[parsenpars 10+ year member]

Headunit installs are supremely easy, especially if the current aftermarket deck in your car used a wiring harness. Then all you will have to do is match up the colors. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
The only real hard part may be getting your dash apart.

Well I will try and take a picture and post it. Pretty positive it used one.

As for the dash, been there done that (off road lighting switch).

If it is that easy, I think I will order from crutchfield.

And I assume the only thing I would need to do for the ipod cord is drill a hole in my glove compartment and run it straight across the dash into it, maybe zip tying or taping it flush inside the dash so it doesnt hang?

 

[parsenpars 10+ year member]

so is the wiring harness vehicle specific?

and if my current deck used it it will simply plug into the alpine and I will have to do 0 crimping, etc?

If this is the case than that is TOO easy!

Once again deck is a Kenwood KDC 8017, do you think this used a harness?

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

so is the wiring harness vehicle specific?

and if my current deck used it it will simply plug into the alpine and I will have to do 0 crimping, etc?

If this is the case than that is TOO easy!

Once again deck is a Kenwood KDC 8017, do you think this used a harness?

What the wiring harness does is plug into your factory wiring harness. Then all you have to do is match up the colors on the harness you plugged in to the wires on the headunit (they have universal colors).

If you don't have that harness, then you have to figure out which wire does what, as automotive manufacturers do not have a universal wiring code.

It will not simply plug into the alpine since the kenwood and alpine decks have different style plugs. But it'll still be easy. All you have to do is cut off the kenwoods harness, and install the alpines. Like I said before, all you have to do is match up the colors.

That will require some crimping.

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

Well, there is a VEHICLE side harness, and a radio side harness.

They are color coded, and you match colors and crimp. You radio side harness will be different since you went from kenwood to alpine. You vehicle side will remain the same.

SO, all you'll have to do is cut off the kenwood harness... crimp on the alpine harness... and plug it.

Then remove the kenwood cage, put in the alpine cage. Slide the HU in.

Done.

nG

 

[parsenpars 10+ year member]

Haha, well, Best Buy has a special right now- 9885 with free ipod cable for 284.99, free installation, and installation on the ipod cable is only 14.99.

So I call the place I go to get my stuff, a great place that price matches, and they quote 375- 30 for ipod cable, 30 for install, 15 dollar side charge for something.

I ask them to price match best buy at 300 bucks for the entire job, guy puts me on hold.

Comes back several times, says hes discussing it with his manager, finally comes back again but doesn't say anything, I can hear the manager in the background,

click! Hung up.

i HATE salespeople

Best buy it is, why order it and wait for shipping and install myself when i can get it done pro for the same ammount day of!