who installed their own stereo from crutchfield...

I can't count how many times ive fixed bad wiring.

(wire caps/butt connectors/wire taps)

The fix = solder.

For all you naysayers, check this out
http://www.mmxpress.com/technical/connections.htm

 

you would have to be color blind or really dumb to not be able to match up wires. blue to blue. red to red. black to black. gray with green stripe to gray with green stripe. nothing to it.

 

it'd be interesting to see some numbers to back up their claims.

anyways, yes i agree solder is most likely the best method. but i will still use my wire nuts with electrical tape.

 

how about setting/installing for the steering controls for the aftermarket decks?...pretty easy?...simple instructions?

thanks

 

and also the bluetooth install...anyone done this?

thanks

 

This is true, but sometimes (not very often) the colors don't match up. So always look at the manual to see what color wire does what and match it up with the instructions that come with the wiring harness. They are almost always the same colors though.

 

agreed. i had to double check the manual when i hooked up the remote power switch for my amp.

 

I did, and it took me about 2.5 hours from the time I started to the time when I was rolling down the road blasting some good tunes. Soldering the harness was the most time consuming part.

 

No problem if that works for you. One other positive to soldering is that it guarantees a better connection which can actually have an effect on the audio quality for high performance systems.

x2...colors don't always match, but it is still pretty easy if you double check.

 

I have a steering wheel control... will it work on that?!

Soldering seems to be too much of a work. Besides, I never solder before.

 

I think some stereos are compatible, it should say so in the production description. I'm not sure how to integrate it though, I'd assume though that it is just another wiring harness to connect up.

 

To use your steering wheel controls you need a swi.. Steering wheel interface. It is made by a company called pac. You need to get the right one for your headunt. For example.. I have the pac swi-ps. Which works on pioneer and sony headunits. There is a good write up on how to install it on here. However it was the most difficult part of installing my new headunit. Definitely worth it tho. Crutchfield sells them.
And as far as bluetooth, my headunit is set up for it so all I had to do was run the microphone wire to wherever I wanted. I chose to have it stick out from behind the headliner near the winshield.

 

Crutchfield is awesome man. Don't pay some chucklehead at best buy to do it when they use almost the exact same instructions. Customer support is awesome too.

 

I love crutchfield. Have bought many stereo's from them. I installed the Alpine W404 in my 2007 double cab. Also installed Polk audio components speakers in the front and back doors, Sirius Sat and Dynamat on all four doors(inside and out) and the hood. All from Crutchfield. Their customer service is second to none!!

 

which is best? alpine, kenwood or pioneer?

 

I'd go with a kenwood out of those.

 

ok folks I got the kenwood stereo from crutchfield
hopefully this will kick my ass

 

Don't know that you can really go wrong with either. I've had both Alpine and Pioneer and had no issues with either. Probably going with Kenwood for my next.

 

WE DID IT!!! my friend and I put in the new kenwood today!!

Awesome stereo but the ipod interface sure sucks ass!!

now I wish I had the digital media player.