Little help from the experts...

[BigBlack03]

I know you guys get tons of these threads, I'm trying to figure out what I want/need so bare with me if you don't mind. I'm lookin for a push in the right direction so that I do this right.

I want to do some new audio in my '03 extended cab. It has the Bose system in it now but I want to change that up. The two main things I want to accomplish are iPod integration and adding some tight, clean bass that still has some punch. I would like to spend less than $1000 for everything, so I guess this is fairly budget minded.

I talked to a guy at a little local car audio place and he was suggesting a Pioneer head unit, an amp (i couldn't get anything specific out of him about the amp), and one or two 10s under the rear seat (I think in a pre-fab box). He didn't give me any model numbers but he suggested some Audiobahn's that run about $80 a piece for the low end of price, some $120 Audiobahns for middle ofthe road or some $190 Memphis subs for high end. He also suggested using some kind of integrator and keeping the Bose mids.

So here's the questions I still haven't found answers to. I've read that Alpine has the best iPod integration of all the head units, so should I go with Alpine over Pioneer and do you suggest a specific model? Do you think the two 10s will give what I'm lookin for or which ones should I go with? And also, whats up with the keeping the Bose mids with the integrator idea? If I'm gonna replace everything else what would be the advantage to that?

I know that's a lot of questions but I appriciate any help you guys have for me.

[takethisride]

personally i dont like alpines ipod integration.. I have a pioneer deh59000ib and the ipod integration is phenominal.. so easy to use... The only set back with doing audio in your car is the bose dealio.. Amplified.. Metra makes bose integration harnesses and what not but its only good for short usage..when the fact amp goes, which it will, there goes all your audio.. If you want the sound just Change your Headunit, go ahead and bypass all the bose equipment and Change the door speakers.. Depending on your prefrences in the amount of bass you want..you can add a single 10" sub like a mtxt5500 and a small mtx amp.. or a couple and a bigger amp. But you can easily take out the $1000 budget by just doing a radio and some speakers..

[Exalted512]

do you have steering wheel controls and/or onstar?
-Cody

[BigBlack03]

Yes, to both. The guy I talked to mentioned that I would need yet another adapter for each of those as well.

[takethisride]

Originally Posted by BigBlack03

Yes, to both. The guy I talked to mentioned that I would need yet another adapter for each of those as well.

yeah he is correct... i believe youll need a GMOS04 from metra to integrate your Onstar and Door Chime.. now as far as the steering wheel controll that depends on the unit you go with. Most companies have steering wheel control adaptors.. Crutchfield is probally the best place to get the steering controlls.. Now i know they have deals on Crutchfield like buy a radio and theyll give you the install parts for free.. but that doesnt include the expensive integration harness

[WRT]

I don't know about the autobahn's but I have had a set of Memphis 10's in my truck, and those things really get down. But I am sure with all the technoligy today, that most speakers will sound somewhat decent. Just saying from experience, (I have, at one time or another, owned many, many diffrent brands) the Memphis speakers are really good speakers. FWIW, you can go through that $1000 on stereo equipment, quick like and in a hurry!!! If you want good sound quality in your mids and highs, plus some really good tight bass, you could easily hit the $2k mark in the blink of an eye!!!
Guys, on the Bose deal, can't he just get a new head unit and remove the factory amp and still run the bose speakers through the head unit or an aftermarket amp on the mids and highs?
Whatever you do good luck with it, and FYI, A pre-amp REALLY helps out with the subs, I mean they will sound good without it but it really lets you tweek the subs and helps you keep the excess bass out of your mids and highs. (Can crank it even more without distorsion)

[BackinBlack]

If you're looking to just add some Bass to your current setup have you thought about the PAC-AOEM converters and adding your subs to the Bose system. You can also integrate the Ipod, but you would still control song playback through the actual ipod. May save you some money in the long run over new head unit, etc.

[Exalted512]

Adding this up really quick
radio:
250
installation:
35
harness, kit, antenna adapter:
150
steering wheel controls
70
installation
50
You're looking at 600 bucks for a $250 radio.

For a sub system, youre looking at minimum $450 installed.
-Cody

[DJ.]

Originally Posted by Exalted512

Adding this up really quick
radio:
250
installation:
35
harness, kit, antenna adapter:
150
steering wheel controls
70
installation
50
You're looking at 600 bucks for a $250 radio.

For a sub system, youre looking at minimum $450 installed.
-Cody

where do you get this harness and kit? yo ucan use the stock antenna fine and plug it into the new unit. a wiring hardness costs 10 bucks at advanced. and what kit? a dash kit? 20 bucks TOPS at walmart......



edit: 85 bucks for a unit install?! GTFO. if youre close ill do it for a six pack. any around on the forum or any of your buddies. im sure ONE knows how to put a headunit in.

edit2: IMO....... get an alpine unit from crutch or best buy for about 100-200 bucks. they all have ipod input on the face. and get over to walmart for the dash kit and wiring harness. if not, try best buy. one or the other will have the hardnesses and kits you need.

steering wheel control adapter you need from crutchfeild OR you can find a fairly cheap ($200) unit with the plug-in already there.

[BigBlack03]

Lots of good info there guys.

So i've done some more searching and i've kinda decided on an Alpine CDA 9884 head unit or at least something similar. Any thoughts on that?

Also, here's a thought. Would it be any cheaper to forget the expensive integrator and just ditch all the Bose stuff in favor of some aftermarket mids and tweeters?

Anything else you've got to recommend or add?

[Exalted512]

Originally Posted by DJ.

where do you get this harness and kit? yo ucan use the stock antenna fine and plug it into the new unit. a wiring hardness costs 10 bucks at advanced. and what kit? a dash kit? 20 bucks TOPS at walmart......



edit: 85 bucks for a unit install?! GTFO. if youre close ill do it for a six pack. any around on the forum or any of your buddies. im sure ONE knows how to put a headunit in.

edit2: IMO....... get an alpine unit from crutch or best buy for about 100-200 bucks. they all have ipod input on the face. and get over to walmart for the dash kit and wiring harness. if not, try best buy. one or the other will have the hardnesses and kits you need.

steering wheel control adapter you need from crutchfeild OR you can find a fairly cheap ($200) unit with the plug-in already there.

no, no, and no.

1. the stock antenna will not plug into an aftermarket radio
2. the harness to retain bose/onstar is at least 90 bucks from a store, im sure you can get it cheaper off of ebay though
3. $35 for a head unit install and $50 for steering wheel adapter is around normal for almost any shop
-Cody

[Exalted512]

Originally Posted by BigBlack03

Lots of good info there guys.

So i've done some more searching and i've kinda decided on an Alpine CDA 9884 head unit or at least something similar. Any thoughts on that?

Also, here's a thought. Would it be any cheaper to forget the expensive integrator and just ditch all the Bose stuff in favor of some aftermarket mids and tweeters?

Anything else you've got to recommend or add?

I like pioneer, but its personal preference. You'll get a solid, dependable radio going with either manufacturer. If alpine has one that has features you like better, or even just like the way it looks better, go for it.

It would be a **** ton cheaper to forget the expensive harness and bypass it all.

Bad things:
you will lose your door chimes
you will lose your retained accessory power (radio keeps playing until you open the door)
you will lose your onstar
you will lose your factory sub
its a lot more time consuming

up to you.
-Cody

[BigBlack03]

Well out of all those things, the only one that I need to keep is onstar. Is there a harness that is JUST onstar or is it all or nothing.

[DJ.]

Originally Posted by Exalted512

no, no, and no.

1. the stock antenna will not plug into an aftermarket radio
2. the harness to retain bose/onstar is at least 90 bucks from a store, im sure you can get it cheaper off of ebay though
3. $35 for a head unit install and $50 for steering wheel adapter is around normal for almost any shop
-Cody

ive yet to install my indash so im actually not sure about even my model, but ive yet to come accross a vehicle that i didnt plug the antenna into the alftermarket radio including explorers, bmw, GTP, and recently a buddys 08 lancer... this is just off the top of my head. unless he has something special for onstar/bose.

i was completely bybassing both features. he said he was tryign to cut costs.

i think its pioneer (?) maybe JVC that has quite a few models with the steering wheel control adapter already an input in the back of the unit




im typing on the laptop so my spelling could be off, ha.

[Exalted512]

Originally Posted by BigBlack03

Well out of all those things, the only one that I need to keep is onstar. Is there a harness that is JUST onstar or is it all or nothing.

Well, there is just a onstar harness, but the cost is abot the same.
-Cody

[Exalted512]

Originally Posted by DJ.

ive yet to install my indash so im actually not sure about even my model, but ive yet to come accross a vehicle that i didnt plug the antenna into the alftermarket radio including explorers, bmw, GTP, and recently a buddys 08 lancer... this is just off the top of my head. unless he has something special for onstar/bose.

i was completely bybassing both features. he said he was tryign to cut costs.

i think its pioneer (?) maybe JVC that has quite a few models with the steering wheel control adapter already an input in the back of the unit




im typing on the laptop so my spelling could be off, ha.

Nothing special, all GM vehicles from around 1988+ need an antenna adapter.
-Cody

[AuburnTruck93]

I think your headed in the right direction, starting with the head unit buy first. If i were you i would ditch steering whell controls. its too expensive for the budget and not really worth it.

I think subs you would be good with a single 12" or 10" sealed. but build your own box most of the pre-fabs are garbage. possibly a soundsplinter.

then buy a 4 channel amp and bridge the back 2 channels for the sub and the front for the components.

I think your missing a big part of your install too. which is sound deadening. this site should give you something to think about. http://www.raamaudio.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi

Exalted (sry to thread jack) what made you choose the 3" mid range over the 4"? im lookin at some CDTs, and just wondering what your experience is with ur mids.

[DJ.]

Originally Posted by Exalted512

Nothing special, all GM vehicles from around 1988+ need an antenna adapter.
-Cody

you are right. i remember in my buddys gtp i had the adaptor. but it came with either the $10 harness or the headunit. cant remember. and i didnt think anything of it. and also i think it would be no more than an $8 piece at best buy.. IF that..

[Exalted512]

Originally Posted by DJ.

you are right. i remember in my buddys gtp i had the adaptor. but it came with either the $10 harness or the headunit. cant remember. and i didnt think anything of it. and also i think it would be no more than an $8 piece at best buy.. IF that..

$12 at best buy.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1077626938161
-Cody

[Exalted512]

Originally Posted by AuburnTruck93

Exalted (sry to thread jack) what made you choose the 3" mid range over the 4"? im lookin at some CDTs, and just wondering what your experience is with ur mids.

Id stay away from CDT.

The reason why I went with the 3" is because they are small, dome, and sealed drivers. Great to put in a pillars which is where they will be eventually.
-Cody