Should I install radio myself or take it in?

Just bought the Pioneer P3200BT and it is on it's way! Got it online at Best Buy and thought about taking it in to be installed, but my wife wants me to try to put it in myself to save some money. Only problem is that I've never done this sort of thing and don't know what all I need to install it! So, should I take it in a just spend the extra $150 or try it myself?

 

if you have NEVER wired up a radio before, be ready for a screw up. its simple if you screw up, you will be able to hear static or what not. just get it all wired up via the diagram, and go into the settings and change the speakers to front right, then front left, back right, back left and make sure they all sound good and are not crackly or static and you should be good to go

 

no new speakers, but would like to have the steering wheel controls and the DVD player work while driving! Does the radio come with all the wiring needed?

 

They make wiring kits that are sold at walmart that all you have to do is solder the wires together by color and connect the connector.

 

I'm gonna try mine myself. I paid $339 for the 3200BT, just bought mine on Thursday. The thing is I have to wait until the 29th for it to come in since it's coming all the way cross country from Virginia. I was too cheap to pay for expedited shipping.

That price I paid included everything I need. The dash kit, wiring harness and the installation instructions. Plus since it was part of Crutchfields signature series it included lifetime product support. From what I hear their product support line is very helpful when needed.

Here's the link for anybody who wants to bite the bullet like I did.

http://www.crutchfield.com/s_130P3200BT/Pioneer-AVH-P3200BT.html?tp=20220

 

It's cake. However you can't just ground the light green wire that posed to go to your parking brake. I posted in your other thread to seach YouTube for the fix, you need to wire in a relay (like 6 bucks at AutoZone) and it's simple also. PM me if you need any help, I'll do my best.

 

Wiring stereos is easy if wiring things is something that comes naturally to you. If you do not have an aptitude or basic knowledge of car connections then I would pay someone else if I were you.

 

Holy cow! I just checked out what all this radio can do on youtube! Now I really can't wait to get it, and I think by what all you guys are saying, that I will take it in and get it done right. This unit is amazing!

 

Do it yourself. It's easy. I did mine. A Pioneer P4200 w/Btb200. Took about an hour. I used the Scosche kit, and it fits like a glove.

$40 Scosche TA2053B Double DIN Radio Install Dash Kit Compatible with Select 2005-2008 Toyota Tacoma - Aftermarket Car Stereo Installation Kit - See Fit Guide in Images to Verify Vehicle Compatibility

http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-010TA...TF8&s=electronics&qid=1290412103&sr=1-2-spell

Make sure you have the wire harness. Just match wire color to wire color. It will make your life a lot easier. Also, don't forget to tape under the a/c, so you don't scar the trim when removing the a/c panel.

Last thing. Whatever you plan to install in the future; go ahead and wire it while the radio's out. For instance, RCA cables for a future amp, USB cord, etc. There is a tutorial posted that will show you how to remove stock radio. Or just check *********.com for instructions. Don't worry. You'll do fine and the wifey will be impressed! But good luck anyway.

 

I did it myself to save money. I just put in my 3200DVD and its alot easier than you think. I always paid someone to do it for me but it cheaper to do it yourself and you actually take pride in knowing you did it yourself. I used the scosche kit and bout the harness at best buy. Easiest thing i ever hooked up. I used the relay method for the DVD that i found on youtube.

 

Installing it your self is pretty easy. I had never done any kind of car wiring before and i installed a new deck, sub, and amp myself. It took a little while but i saved a whole bunch of money by doing it myself.
Just get the wiring diagram for your truck's radio and your new radio will have a wiring diagram. Just match up the right wires because sometimes the wires out of your truck are not the same colors as the ones out of the new radio. You can solder them or i used wire connecters and electrical tape. It holds together really good. If you decide to do it yourself if you ever run into a roadblock just post up the question and hopefully youll get a quick response. Good luck

 

If you want it done right, do it yourself.

You don't know how to do it. Great - you've got the first step down, which is knowing that you need to do some research! Folks get into trouble when they dive into jobs they *think* they know how to do.

Crutchfield sells a book on how to install your stereo. That's a good start.

The most important part - and the reason you don't want to have the so called "pro's" do it, is this:

DO NOT CUT ANY OF YOUR CAR'S FACTORY WIRES!

The pros think they know better and can get away violating this advice. And they're right. Usually. Sometimes. Mostly. But it sucks when yours is the car that they short something out on.

So anyway, use mail order and get yourself a custom wiring harness/install kit for your particular car. Read the directions carefully and crimp yourself up a custom wiring harness. Double check it. Triple check it. Quadruple check it. Now you've got l plug and play between your new radio and your existing car's existing wiring harness, so you won't smoke anything.

You'll need a crimper, a stripper, crimps for the right size wire gauge, and an ohm meter. (Digital multi-meters are really cheap anymore, just go for that.)

To do the job right, between book, kit, tools, and materials, you'll spend about half of what a "pro" would have charged, and a weekend. But you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you did the job. And you'll have a leg up on your next job.

 

There's one other important lesson I've learned on jobs like this.

You're not a pro - so you don't need a time clock. The job is done on "hippy time" - it's done, when it's done and not before.

The reason for this is that there are always complications. If you allow yourself to have time pressure, this will create stress, anxiety, hasty decisions, and mistakes.

If you're taking the job in its own time, it's fun, relaxing, an engaging challenge.

This critical difference in mental perspective can't be overemphasized.

I just installed my new HAM unit over the weekend. Saturday was lost two return-errands back to the store to get the right unit and parts.

Sunday was the actual job.

It's not actually finished yet - cosmetic and ergonomicly convenient mounting still to be done. But I can drive my car, and I can listen to the new unit.

 

If you decide to not do it yourself don't take it to best buy. Not that they are not capable but if you go to a privately owned store I guarantee it will be cheaper. I only charge $100 to do that install with a lifetime labor warranty

 

I've had several "pro" installations done over time, and I ended up disassembling all or part of all of them for various reasons (most commonly component failure years later, but not always!) Only ONE job was done to my satisfaction. The others were all h@lf @ssed in some way.

EDIT - Daudio and I were posting at the same time. I didn't mean this reply to be "at" you Daudio. I was just relaying my truthful track record with installations. I'm have no reason to believe you don't do a fine job for your clients.

 

will it make a difference in the price if the installer has to hook up the steering wheel controls or is that part of the wiring harness?