Question about HU.

[Laserbeast]

I'm looking at buying this HU online tonight:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=105KDHDW10&tp=5684

I would like to know what I would need, besides the dash kit, antenna adapter and wire harness.

I bought a Pioneer CD Receiver that I returned that game with a Metra Pro1-80 "smart cable". Would I need something like that for this JVC model?

Thanks a lot!
Chris

[Laserbeast]

Alright, here are the two I'm looking at. Note that I do not have an MP3 player at the moment, but I think it would be cool to future proof that feature.

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=300&i=105KDPDR40&tp=5684&avf=N
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?i=257KDHDR1&tp=5684

These both come with the free installation kits and free shipping, so I would like to keep it right at $129.99. Which one should I get?

Thanks!
Chris

[ChaunB3400]

HDR1

Better EQ...

You could get the mp3player adapter later...I wouldnt sacrifice sound quality for an option that i could add on later..

[Laserbeast]

Alright cool thanks :)

[Laserbeast]

JVC KD-HDR1 HD Radio/CD Receiver
* Price Break - Save $30: Was $159.99

Receiver Kit 003GMK432X
FREE

Receiver Harness 120701858
FREE

Receiver Antenna Adapter 12040GM10
FREE


Crutchfield MasterSheet Instructions
Vehicle: 1996 Pontiac Grand Am Sedan
FREE


Merchandise Subtotal:
$129.99

Special Offers
-$20.00

Shipping: FREE

Order Total: $109.99

---------

SICK deal....

[Laserbeast]

Just another quick Q.

I have been researching this whole install process for a few weeks now, but can't pinpoint one question I've been asking:

- Is there any soldering involved in the install on a '96 Grand Am?

If there is, I do know how to solder, I just want to know how much work/time I'm going to have to put into this. The wiring harness for the '96 Grand Am is a little confusing.

Thanks,
Chris

[NuWay2Bhuman]

there shouldnt be any soldering for you. The harness from the new stereo and the harness you are getting for your car are color coded and you can use crimp connectors for a smooth install without even electrical tape. I like the HDR1 because of the better ratings and that it has a rear aux-input. I hate the cable that plugs into the front...it just looks silly. When you're ready to add mp3 funcionality, you can just plug the cable or adapter into the back of the hu and run a cable down into your storage compartment below the hu. It looks much better when plugged in and that's probably where your mp3 player would live anyway.

[Laserbeast]

Cool, thank you :)

I know the Circuit City close to my house has those wire caps.. I'm guessing I just twist the wires, put it in the cap and crimp it?

The HDR1 should be here either tomorrow or Tuesday, I'm pumped.

[car audio dave]

Yes you can use the twist and crimp type connectors, which is what i think all Best Buys use in their install bays. If you knew how to solder and heat shrink i would recommend that as its a much better connection with 0 chance of it coming undone over time.

to connect it you just match up the colored wires. you wont use any of the blue wires as one is for power antenna and another is an amp remote turn on. (assuming you dont have any amps)

[NuWay2Bhuman]

on mine i use straignt crimp connectors like this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/chucktheshirt/GAOC%20photos/101_0136.jpg
They hold really well and don't make the jumble of a mess that twist-ons use. You just strip about 1/4 inch off each wire, insert it into the sleeve, and crimp it on. Then do the same for the matching wire on the other harness. Dave's right though. Solder and heat shrink is best if you are comfortable doing it, otherwise, I've found this as a close second. And unless you have an amp or power antenna, leave the blue/orange ones alone.

[Laserbeast]

Thank you so much for the help guys.. I should be getting my stereo in tomorrow and install it.

Guess I should run over to circuit city and get those crimp caps.

Thanks again guys :)

[Laserbeast]

Alright, I got a pack of 16-14 gauge butt connectors (like the picture) today at Radio Shack.

Hopefully the size is alright.

[Blackhawk]

The wires on my HU and the harness adapter were 18-22 gauge, I'd get the red ones instead for a better fit.

[Laserbeast]

Ill wait and see when the stuff comes in, and make an exchange if I have to.

[Laserbeast]

BAM:

http://aloader.com/files/32/DSC00028.JPG

The plastic trim around the faceplate came scratched for some reason, but I contacted Crutchfield and they guaranteed me they'll take care of it.. whatever that means.

I think it looks sick.. and HD radio is incredible.. AM Radio sounds like a 256k MP3

[ChaunB3400]

very nice and clean...glad you like it...

[Laserbeast]

Just another (and hopefully the last) quick question:

The stereo itself isn't mounted into the adapter kit.. The way it works, or how I see it, there's no way to mount the thing into the dash.. You can easily just pull the unit out if you wanted to.

:(

[NuWay2Bhuman]

im not sure how jvc does theirs, but pioneer and sony have a "cage" that goes around the headunit and locks it in place. The cage has tabs on it that you bend when you install the cage into the dash kit so that it stays in place. If done properly, youe headunit should only be removable with special tools that came with it. In any case that i've seen, the stereo comes already locked into the cage to save space and you actually have to take the cage off to install it properly. If you want more info, i can take some pics for you. I have to pull mine out to install a new amp this weekend anyway.

[DFizzle]

Here's a picture of what Chirs is talking about. The actual HU is slid partly out of the cage and the metal pieces sticking up are the cage keys that let you pull the HU out. Once the HU is slid back down into the cage, it locks in place and then that gets installed in the dash kit by bending a couple of tabs on the cage into holes in the kit (which is probably the step you're missing). Then the whole mess (HU, cage and kit) gets installed in the dash as a unit. In the future, if you wanted to swap HUs, you'd use the keys to pop out the deck while the cage and dash kit would stay in place and then you can just wire up and slide in a new HU.

http://www.donkeysarecool.com/img/Dodge%20Stereo%20Install/Dakota%20Stereo%20Install%20019.jpg

[Laserbeast]

I know exactly what you mean, and the stereo does lock in when pushed all the way into the cage.. Trouble is, the adapter kit doesn't give me the room to do that.. Should I get a different adapter kit? I may be doing something wrong :(

[ChaunB3400]

Either double check what you have or I would try another brand of adapter kit...There should be no way for you to slide the hu back and forth with ease like that

[Laserbeast]

I may have just clipped the cage in the wrong spot.. I'll try something this weekend.

[NuWay2Bhuman]

it's going to be a tight fit to get the cage into the adapter, but you kinda have to force it. try putting just the cage in without the headunit in it. once the cage is in the hard part is over and the headunit should slide in fairly easily. It's so hard to get the cage in so that it'll be hard to get it out too ;)

[Blackhawk]

Which brand did you go with? I used a Metra 99-4000 and I didn't even have to bend anything on the cage, it clipped right in.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n134/sudden_impulse/DSCN0806-1.jpg

[Laserbeast]

Well I did a little modification this morning after realizing that my stereo was longer than the space provided inside the stereo bay.. I'm really hoping this wasn't a vital piece to the inner-bay, so one of you guys can tell me.

This is the piece that the rubber "bumper" goes up against.. I basically hammered it out gently, and BAM, the stereo fits in 100% flush and beautiful. Pushing and pulling on the stereo makes it go no where.. It's locked into the cage now.

Which brand did you go with? I used a Metra 99-4000

The one that Crutchfield sent for free :P The 99-4000 at CircuitCity was close to 30 bucks and I wasn't going to wait for it to be shipped to me cheaper online.

http://aloader.com/files/32/DSC00031.JPG
http://aloader.com/files/32/DSC00032.JPG
http://aloader.com/files/32/DSC00034.JPG

Is this piece vital to the inside? I know the rubber bumper may keep the stereo from skipping a CD or something, but regardless of what adapter kit I got, this stereo wasn't going to fit in properly without knocking it out (atleast, according to my measurements).

Thanks again guys,
Chris

[NuWay2Bhuman]

i borke that tab off just to get it to fit. I think the only purpose is to attempt to make you keep the stock stereo.

[Laserbeast]

i borke that tab off just to get it to fit. I think the only purpose is to attempt to make you keep the stock stereo.

Haha alright, cool.

I was just a little concerned because the new stereo came with a rubber backing to put on the back of the unit to fit against that plastic piece. I guess as a shock absorber?

Oh well.

[Blackhawk]

30 bucks?! I paid like $12 at the local Radio Shack, the owner's son does audio.