Car Audio: Need some info

[slickdadd]

Ok, my cd player got stolen a couple weeks ago. I'm wanting to see if perhaps I can bypass the installation & parts charges circuit city and other retail stores will charge me and just install it myself. Now there is nothing there. No little brack for screws to go in or anything. All gone. Just a hole. I drive a Jeep Cherokee by the way, so it's nothing import where parts are hard to come by or anything. Anyway. If anyone knows, what parts will I need to pick up to install it myself, and how hard is it? Not too hard I assume. I did it way back when with an older import car but did it with no parts and just wired shit together and it was a major pain and hassle. So if anyone knows about how much parts will run and where to get them, I'd really appreciate it. I could use saving a good 60-70 dollars.

 

[Drunken_Weasel]

Get a Wiring Harness.. it will connect inbetween the new radio, and your old connector.. Other than that.. it should be easy. The new deck should come with some mounting device of some kind (usually a metal sheath).

 

[2Thick]

Unless you really know what you are doing, then just pay the $60 because CC will give you a gaurantee and it will be done correctly.

Now, if you really want to use a wiring harness, you will need to do extra work because they probably ripped out the wires when stealing the CD player.

 

[flex123]

Unless you really know what you are doing, then just pay the $60 because CC will give you a gaurantee and it will be done correctly.

Now, if you really want to use a wiring harness, you will need to do extra work because they probably ripped out the wires when stealing the CD player.

he's right, you gotta see if the harness( this is a plug that the wires from the radio plug into) is still there if it is its not hard to install yourself.

 

[thebabydoc]

Your best bet is to go to a place like Audio Express, etc...

Since you're not installing Amps, speakers, etc... If you buy it from them they will install it for free (at least they do here in Phoenix)

 

[the People's Champ]

since you mention that there is a big hole, you may have to go to the dealer and check to see if there is a factory bracket missing, and since your radio space is a size 1.5 din, I don't think any circuit city or other chain store would have the bracketry to help support your new stereo. like mentioned above, check to see if your factory wiring harness is still intact. if you are not afraid to rip off the center console/dash of your cherokee, then you could do the install yourself.

some stores, like circuit city, have to install products like alpine because that is part of the deal included in the price, you could waive it, but you wouldn't get the labor deducted from the normal price.

 

[slickdadd]

Ok, the wiring harness is there. Where would i get that? A normal auto parts store?

As for the factory bracket or whatever, I don't think that is there. Plus the dash is already open from where they took the old cd player, so its not a problem getting to it. Where would I get a factory bracket or whatever is missing? I have gotten one stolen from this same car before and one installation place told me they didn't have the factory bracket I believe, but then went to circuit city and did. They are havin free installs around here every now and again, its just they charge me another 50 bucks for parts plus tax, so it's still a little pricey. I appreciate the help

 

[blank212]

Go to crutchfield.com. If you order from them they give you all the hardware for your particular installation if you tell them what car it is for. Also, you may be able to download the schematics from their website for free for your install. I don't know if their prices are that good, but you can do it all from your computer.

 

[Drunken_Weasel]

Go to crutchfield.com. If you order from them they give you all the hardware for your particular installation if you tell them what car it is for. Also, you may be able to download the schematics from their website for free for your install. I don't know if their prices are that good, but you can do it all from your computer.

ewwww.. crutchfeild is good, but overpriced.

 

[slickdadd]

ok, crutchfield's prices are about the same as circuit city here. They say they include the wire harness with purchass, which is one part I need, but isn't much anyway. What else would I be lacking? Or will the receivers come with the mount that will screw into my dash, although there isn't a mount in there now of any sort. just wires

 

[the People's Champ]

check the dealer, or better yet, if you have a haynes or chilton's manual, see if your jeep has brackets for the stereo. if so, then hit up the dealer.

 

[blank212]

I got a Kenwood Excelon cd receiver from crutchfield, and it came with the wiring harness and the dash kit so that it fit into my car for a perfect fit without any gaps. The wiring harness and dash kit made for your specific application can cost you an extra $10 - $20 and may be difficult to find for some vehicles. Plus you get a very detailed instruction manual.

It really comes down to your preference. I have installed many stereos and actually enjoy it. Some people have more difficulty with installs and are better off letting a professional do it.

 

[slickdadd]

check the dealer, or better yet, if you have a haynes or chilton's manual, see if your jeep has brackets for the stereo. if so, then hit up the dealer.

whats a haynes or chilton's manual

 

[the People's Champ]

 

[HulkRow]

lose your $60 ,leave it to the pros.

 

[beefybull]

Whether you should do it or not really depends on the car & your financial situation

Doing it Yourself:
Pros: Save $, Dont have to leave your car somewhere, etc.
Cons: You could fuck it up - potentially badly

Taking it to Installer:
Pros: You dont have to do shit, Guaranteed work (usually), etc.
Cons: Costs $, You lose your car for a while, Potential hidden fees, Bullshit employees, Someone now knows your car & system & how you protect it - they could easily tell a thief friend

If you take it to an installer, make sure you know the final charges beforehand (unless the place works on a per hour basis). Sometimes they'll try to charge you $30 for a dash kit or harness. Pure bullshit. If the place charges by the hour, tell them upfront that you wont pay for anything over an hour, so if its going to take longer, let you know beforehand. Unless they run into a serious snag like an electrical short or damaged wires, it shouldnt take a pro (or team of pros) more than 15-30 min to install.

 

[slickdadd]

If you take it to an installer, make sure you know the final charges beforehand (unless the place works on a per hour basis). Sometimes they'll try to charge you $30 for a dash kit or harness. Pure bullshit. If the place charges by the hour, tell them upfront that you wont pay for anything over an hour, so if its going to take longer, let you know beforehand. Unless they run into a serious snag like an electrical short or damaged wires, it shouldnt take a pro (or team of pros) more than 15-30 min to install.

That's the thing. I was going to take it to an installer that was offering free install if i bought one of their receivers, but then they told me parts would be about 45 bucks and that just sounded fishy.

 

[beefybull]

That's the thing. I was going to take it to an installer that was offering free install if i bought one of their receivers, but then they told me parts would be about 45 bucks and that just sounded fishy.

Exactly. Tell them you'll bring in your own dash kit & harness ($20-30 depending on where you go). They'd probably say some shit like "it wont work", but you know it will if you bought it specifically for your car.

Try http://www.partsexpress.com/ or do a search on the net to find cheap harnesses/dash kits.

Note: If you buy from Crutchfield, you get the dash kit/harness free, along with very detailed install instructions specific to your car.

 

[slickdadd]

ewwww.. crutchfeild is good, but overpriced.

so where are the low prices, if i may?

 

[2Thick]

so where are the low prices, if i may?

pen box specials at Circuit City and Best Buy