Hey all.. Just wanted to start off by saying that I am a first time poster, but a long time watcher and I really appreciate all the advice and such that is passed around on here and wanted to contribute some of my own ..

I've seen alot of people asking how to replace the stereo system in there cars and this is something I can def. say is doable. I have had my entire system replaced with aftermarket components and the difference is amazing. When I first did the install we used a Peripheral Ven4 interface for the factory bose hu, which if you want to keep a full stock look it doesn't sound that bad. Metra just released a dash kit (99-7404) and I will be posting some pics of that tommorrow on my site as I just got it installed today. I have some pics up of my install so far at the link below if you want to check it out, but so far this is what I have done:

MB Quart QSD216's in front door factory locations
MB Quart RCD216's in the back door factory locations
MB Quart PWE304 12" subs in the trunk
Adcom 5450 4 channel amp for front and rear speakers
US Amps 1000x for subs
Clarion MCD360 Crossover (really needed with Bose unit)
1/0 Gauge power wire with 1 farrad cap
Python Responder 880XP alarm with remote start.

Let me just finish by saying that VEN4 does work rather well on the factory unit and the Metra dash kit looks great and matches almost identically to the factory dash which is a big plus. If anyone has any questions just pm me or ask here. Pictures are here. BTW.. To put down some comments I've read, I had the Bose Premium radio and yanking it out did not effect the display at all, well minus the radio data not showing up there any more.

Later,
Ed.

 

Looking real good.

 

1. What's that wire coming from your tape player?

2. Who is VEN4? Do they have a website? Are they located in Tucson, AZ? Can the "Metra" dash kit be ordered/purchased from anyone else?

3. Cost cost cost!!! How much did all of this run you? Greatly appreciate a price breakdown if you don't mind...

Thanks!!!

 

Nice setup...how does it sound? What kind of HU did you get?

Hofb99, the VEN4 is a bose adaptor to use aftermarket amps. It provides RCA outputs and a remote wire. I have a few metra kits on order and I should have them by this wed/thurs. I don't have a price on it yet but, I'll let you know.

 

that looks real clean, looks like it can really pound

 

I appreciate the positive feedback I've been getting on this setup.

Pictures of the Metra kit are now up on my site.

To answer hofb99's questions:

The wire coming from my tape deck was a tape adapter for my IPod.

The VEN4 is a Bose adapter made by Peripheral Electronics which seems has been replaced by the SVen4.

I do not sell the dash kit and from what I can tell it is very hard to get. I got mine from my pals down at Radio Active who apparently have some friends up at Metra. They got 2 in stock originally.

Cost. Hrmm.. How to break this down.

Original Installation: $4800.00
This include Dynamating the doors, trunk, and back deck with Dynamat Extreme, installing the alarm, all the equipment minus the Adcom amp (already had it), and the custom sub enclusure/amp rack.

The Metra dash kit ran me $24.00.

I, just as of today, put in my new radio which is a Pioneer DEH-P9600MP which looks absolutely beautiful in the car.

To answer rabenoja's question about how it sounds, aboslutely awesome. I have never in my life heard such a clean system. The guys at RadioActive outdid themselves completely and have found every little rattle in the car and fixed it. The top of the trunk (the bottom of the back deck) was the absolute worst and required some 8 screws to stop the rattling from the factory covering.

If anyone has any more questions just let me know.

Later,
Ed

 

WOW, I cant believe METRA actually made a decent aftermarket kit

good job on the install, very clean and professional. Be on the look out for my new trunk setup to come very soon in the 4th gen forums, hehe!

lata,

Ant

 

drexon, that's absolutely awesome!!! Looks real clean! The faceplate for the stereo looks like it matches the monochrome trimming so well! Thanks for answering the questions. I believe you're the first to install a customized head unit into the 6th Gen...CONGRATS!!! (@ least one that looks, and I bet sounds good too). Just 2 more questions... Does your new head unit have the same 6CD in-dash capability as the original BOSE? Does it have SIRIUS or XM input capability? Thanks again for the info!!! Just gotta tint the windows and throw some 20s on and you'll be straight!!!

 

Nice HU!!! I have the 9400 and it's the best sounding HU for the money. I'm not really a fan of the flip-down face (double face or whatever they call it) but, the 9600 still a great HU. When I replace the radio, I think that I would go with the 8600 because I'm used to the 9400 I have now.

Anyways, good luck with the system...hope you enjoy it. It looks like it pounds!!! Did you get an SPL meter on it?

 

Were they able to wire up the steering controls to work with the radio? Any glitches with the dash display ac/time etc after the install? I noticed the only thing not displayed was the radio info. Very nice install. I'm wondering if something similar can be done with the stock non-Bose system.

 

I don't know if he wired up the steering wheel controls to work or not but, he would need a additional module to use those controls. Pac makes it for our cars but I haven't installed one yet so, I don't know how hard or easy it is to install.

 

rabenoja was saying in the other post that Metra was having trouble matching the stock dash color, should I assume they have fixed this since they are now selling them?

Autotoys lists the kit for $82 and I can't even find it on the Metra site.
As for the steering wheel adapter I was told that it's around $100.
Drexon, I'll ask again to confirm that all the climate and other comp controls still work after removing the stock unit?? (this is what my installer was looking into, and I saw your pic but this was my biggest concern) and where did you get the kit for $24??

I'm 99% ready to make my move nice work Drexon looks good!!!!

 

Yes.. the stock a/c controls and all still work perfectly on the display.

I got the kit from the shop that did most of the core work on the car, Radio Active here in Birmingham, AL. I think he said his regular price on it would be something like $35.00 but after all I'd done with them he gave me a price break on it.

1 note I will tell everyone about working on this car, DO NOT turn the key on with anything unplugged. If you have the dash apart installing the stereo and want to test it make sure you plug everything back in first. Reason being, it will trip the Check Engine light. Same goes for the seats, front and rear, as they contain airbags and the SRS light will come on. I had to learn this the hard way and have so far made 3 trips to the dealership to have them reset. They have been rather nice about it and haven't charged me as of yet, hehe, but I'm waiting for the day when they do.

My next venture will be to get an XM tuner hooked up to the HU and get the steering wheel controls working with either with the PAC module or one similar. I'll let everybody know how that goes once I get it done.

Later,
Ed

 

Just a note for anyone wanting one of the new Metra dash kits for the 04 Max, Radio Active here in Bham has 1 left and he said he can get a few more in if people are looking for them. There number is (205)663-1859. Just call and ask for Greg. Price is around $35.00 for the kit.

Later,
Ed.

 

Ed, thanks for all your helpful info on the Maxima sound. One question, does all the info still work (trip info, gas mileage, etc.)? And besides the price, what's the difference between the Metra kit and the one on autotoys.com? Thanks again for your help.

 

Damn somebody else got it already, does anybody know where else to get this kit, nobody seems to have it listed besides autotoys and they want $80!!!

 

I will have my hands on a few kits before the week is up. Hopefully by Wed or Thurs. If anyone wants one just let me know and I will pick a few extra kits up.
I don't know how much the kit will cost yet but, I'll let you by tomorrow.

 

I'm in for sure just let me know how much you can get it for. I sent you a PM as well, but I wasn't sure if it went through. Send me an e-mail if you want: jsmithsole@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Jason

 

Yes, all of the other screen functions work just like they should. Again, this was with the Bose premium system and not w/nav. I would imagine the same would be true on all cars w/o NAV.

I looked at the kit on autotoys.com and quite honestly it looks like the exact same kit. Both use the factory bottom pocket and climate control module and both seem to have the same pocket in the middle. I honestly can't tell anything different between them.

Later.
Ed

 

To be honest I am pretty sure that they are the same kit. Ed's people must just have a very nice hook-up with metra. They were probably given prototypes or even beta samples to try out. The price also reflects that special hook up.

I talked to my distributor about the dash kits and they are still not in yet. He said another week to 2 weeks. But, he has about a dozen on order. The kits are somewhere between $60 - $65 bucks...I think that $85 is full retail though. I will keep you guys updated though.

 

hey jsmithsole,

where did you get your tint from?

 

A mobile guy did my tint. He does really good work and he comes to you.
It's Mike from Diamond tint (949) 347-8468

 

Ed, thanks for all the info. I just ordered the kit from Greg and should have it in a week. I'll post some pics when I finish the install. Gonna do it myself.

 

Yeah Ed, thanks I ordered my kit from Greg as well, putting in my Clarion 935VRX ASAP....unlike Edify I won't be doing it myself, but I will post pics as soon as I get them...

 

Are you installing a head unit and using the factory amp and speakers?

 

The Clarion head unti is an in dash 7" dvd.
I already have 1 amp running to 10's and they will most likely use another amp to run the door speakers. The installers are going to leave the boze speakers in and see how it sounds if not I have a set of MB Quarts for the front. I'm assuming we'll end up replacing everything in the end...

 

Let us know how it goes and post some pics when you're done.

 

I'm getting my dash kit today but am leaving town for a week, damn!
But I plan the install for the 1st week of June, and yes there will be pics don't worry about that. I'm like a kid in a candy store!! And just think I was 2 days away from selling all my stuff becuase I had given up hope on finding a kit and then this thread appeared. I would have kicked my self if I had sold all this stuff and then saw this thread 2 days later!!!

 

My distributor finally got the kits in today. I saw it and I think that metra did a pretty good job. I just wish that the pocket that they made was removable, just in case you wanted to install a double din head unit. The new eclipse double din woudl have been nice in the max!!! So anyway, if any one who didn't get one still needs the kit let me know.

 

The kit is in my hands and it does look good, I want to install right now...but I guess I'll have to wait a couple of weeks...

 

did you sound deaden the car? and does it rattle alot? my friend is getting a 2k4 max and is putting his w3's with a 500/1 in there.

 

I'm so friggin' jealous. I did, however, get my Kenwood Music Keg today. 20 gigs of MP3s at my command! Gonna go and install it right now. Although I don't yet have the head unit and kit, I'll go ahead and mount the Keg and run the wiring to save me some work later. I've got my camera with me so I'll post pics soon!

 

Yeah I'm more stoked to have a direct line to my IPOD (also 20 gigs) and be able to play burnt MP3 discs than to actually watch DVD's!!
I pulled the kit out of the box 3-4 times just to look at it, my wife thinks I'm crazy!!!

 

I just got my kit and I must say, it does look pretty good. The color matches perfectly, but the finish looks a little cheap IMO (kinda like an aftermarket cell phone case). Anyhow, I should be receiving my head unit on Tuesday, so I'm good to go. I'll post some pics when I'm done. Jsmithsole, talk to you when you get back, I'll tell you how the install goes.

 

Edify, I agree I took the kit down to my car and it does match, but the finish does look a bit cheap.
I say oh well close enough for me, I'm still just amped for the install!! I get back on the 25th and will set up for the install the next weekend...

 

Hey there Drexon, I just saw this thread, and I am really interested in seeing the pictures. Can you re-post them to your website and provide a link. The link from your first message is broken.

Thanks

 

I would like to know where I could get the metra dash kit and am wondering if they could shipped it to boston

 

at least your BOSE sounds decent from the get-go.

The BOSE in the 5th gen sounds like crap compared to yours...

-vq

 

i sometimes spludge when I hear a good song on a custom stereo

 

Last I checked (2 weeks ago), the kit was on backorder from Metra. I got mine from Greg from Radio Active (info earlier in the post). At the time, he was the only one who had the kits in stock. You might want to give him a call or try autotoys.com. My head unit is going in tomorrow.