Car Audio

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » January 13, 2006, 2:17 am

So, Im a home audio guy... I dont do the 12v thing... well, Im sure if I was carefull I could... Ive installed head units in two of my cars.. But, I think I suck at it.. or Im not a contortionist like most of my installers are.

BUT! All that said, I drive about 30-40k miles a year.... so I need a great system in my car. The car I just bought is going to get pampered with my dream audio system.

Ive been bugging my installers to do a double DIN mod in my dash so I can fit a full NAV screen in there without the flip up... but even with my 50% labor discout its still looking like a $1k job. Im not doing that. Alpine in '06 has presented me with an interesting solution. They have a stand alone NAV that integrates with thier stock headunits. So, Im thinking that route.

So, heres the system as spec'd so far.

Alpine CDA9857
1 Pair Boston Acoustics Z5 Components
Either Zapco 360.4 bridged or JL300/2
JL 10w6v2
JL 500/1

Im not a Zapco dealer, so Im not sure if I can get accomodation on thier products (therefore I buy JL, accomodation is more than 50% off).

Oh, and heres my new baby.

Here is how I want my installers to custom my dash

Here is what the stock dash looks like... you need to modify the dual zone climate control to make a double DIN mod work... and the picture here is a stand alone touchscreen, not a full depth double DIN.... so Im gonna pull the dash apart to see if there is room.

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » January 13, 2006, 3:35 pm

Man unless your forking over major $$$ your going to wind up with a hack job.

Are they eliminating those HVAC controls or hiding them somewhere else?

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » January 13, 2006, 6:01 pm

Heh, my company has some of the best car audio installers in the DC Metro area... nothing we do is a hack job... Ive been speaking with the guy with the in dash screen. He actually eliminated the vent controls (setup for 80% defrost, 80% dash, and 20% floor then disconnected)... and he cut the PCB for the dual zone climate control. When the system does not get a response from the passenger climate control, the drivers side becomes the master control.

I actually picked up an extra AC controller from ebay and already did the PCB modifications... havent had a chance to hook it up and make sure it works.

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » January 13, 2006, 7:00 pm

Man, all I want in a new car is for the windows all to defog evenly and thoroughly.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » January 13, 2006, 7:28 pm

Bubba Grizz wrote:Man, all I want in a new car is for the windows all to defog evenly and thoroughly.

My windows do that already...it's called living in a warmer spot