More work today! I think I'm finally done with the installation, at least until the winter is over.

To start off the festivities today, I had a dead battery. My stock battery was a little low on water and of course it didn't hold a charge so a little testing of the system today killed the battery. Oh well, it seems fine now after a refill on water and a good run on the charger. I'm going to take it and have it tested tomorrow and possibly replace it.


The next objective was to remove the passive crossovers. Now I've got the full 600 watts of my HD600/4 feeding my Hertz HSK-165XL component set.



And now for some tie wraps to clean this mess up. I'm buttoning everything up now so I want it to all be showable if the need arises.



Pulling those last few wires so I can neaten up the trunk!



House was kind enough to clean up my nasty tape job.

 

Alpine's AI-Net needs an update in a bad way. In the old days it was one cable to hook up an AI-Net changer. Those days are certainly over! The only wire I didn't have to hook up for my DVD changer was the ignition wire. What a joke.


Neatening up these trunk wires. Lots of tie wraps and loom!



I used the screw down tie wraps to hold the wire in place behind the changer. Then I loomed it so even if you look back there, it's neat and orderly. OCD really pays off sometimes.

 

And here are some parting shots for this installation.






This concludes the visual part of the program for now. I hope everyone has enjoyed the build. Maybe after winter I'll change it up a little, but I can't really think of anything I would want to do right now!

Now I get to spend the next week or two setting everything up properly. Sounds great so far but as every good audio enthusiast knows, there's always room for improvement.

 

this was a very clean install. it would be cool if u can make a video with the music playing lets hear how clear that system sounds

 

Wow Im jelous!! Good thing the trunk is so big to work in it like that

 

Awesome man.. u really inspired my set up I got the HD amps as well. Phase one of my project came in today after Im getting lots of pics taken and as soon as I meet my 15 posts quota ill post my install

 

 

hehehehehe Yeah. This is definitely a lot better than working on a small Hyaundai or something.

Which HD amplifiers did you get? You're going to LOVE them. Excellent output, clean sound, and a small form factor.

Hopefully you'll hit your 15 posts soon. I look forward to seeing your build out.

 

I got the head unit in as well as the cables ran and my sub working. The sucky thing is I have a flashing Airbag light. Did you get this and how do u get rid of it?

 

Sure did, there's a thread on this forum to reset it. I can't remember what the name of it is, but it's there. Check the sticky posts. In my case, I had 30K maintenance due and the dealership fixed it for me at no charge. Now I've got it again so I've got to go find that thread and reset it again.

 

Hey E bottom of this page http://forums.maxima.org/7th-generat...ing-light.html

 

Thanks man. Did that reset trick work for you?

 

Yep trick worked like a champ...I got it all hooked up with a few pics I got to make up a photo bucket account to post... ****ty thing is I just blew my JL w6.....I got a jl w7 on order so ill have a post set up with build on a box and a different way of mounting my HD 750 amp and my HD 600... Oh yeah one more thing did u loose the automatic up function with your windows? Mine go down with one touch but dont go up with one touch anymore..... ****TY

 

That happens. That's because you disconnected the battery and/or removed the door switch panel. Just hit the power window down and roll the window all the way down. Then hold the window up switch until the window goes all the way up and wait about 10 seconds while you hold the switch. It should work after that.

There's a thread on here that describes the process in more detail but that's the gist of it.

 

You did a great job with the build.

 

Amazing build. I wish I had the knowledge to do something like this. I am a noob when it comes to this stuff.

 

E when you did your grounding kit did you upgrade the alternator wire? Ive been looking for a how too but coming up short. I looked on the Racing line instructions yet they dont upgrade the alternator wire. Also have you looked at upgrading the alternator being that we have the same amps have you seen a voltage problem that I should look out for?

I gave up on building a box and ordered one custom built so im waiting on that and some speaker pods to keep the water out of my fronts and Ill be done with this part of my install.

 

Wow! Thanks for the explanation. That seems like toooo much work for me though. I think I'll just stick to the factory system. Lol.

 

Replacing Bose with Alpine?

 

I had my Bose for all of one day before I needed up grade. Bose maybe a better name when it comes to home audio but there car audio is just mass produced cheapness with the Bose name. Alpine is much better for car audio

 

yes thats true bose home audio is amazing. but in the car you dont feel it. some cars have like 12 speaker bose system for what?. my stock system sounds way better then the bose in my cousins infiniti

 

I had a 2006 Cadillac STS with a 15 speaker 5.1 BOSE system. The system quality of that car was superb while Nissan's attempt a BOSE branded system is ridiculously disappointing.

 

Off topic: Nice bike (Litespeed)! What year is that model?

 

looks good

 

Do you have any pics with power on?
I would like to see how it looks lit up.
Looks great!

 

Thank you sir. Glad you enjoyed the show. Stay tuned, this summer's project will probably be a fiberglass trunk build. I like mine and all but now that I've tasted the awesomeness that is fiberglass, I think I want to do more.

Thank you for the compliment. But if you have some friends that are into it and a little skill with some tools, you're closer than you think to being able to do something like this.

 

No, I didn't upgrade the alternator wire or the actual alternator ... yet. I'm actually thinking of adding another HD600/4 for a center channel and rear fill, ditching the capacitor, and just running a nicer battery and upgraded alternator. I'll let you know once I find an alternator for the Maxima. PM me if you've already found one that will work.

I've been pretty lucky as far as the voltage goes, my system jams and doesn't dip too bad when the car is running and especially not when in motion. Can I make it dim the lights? Oh yes... unfortunately, I can. But that usually means the bass is slamming like mad and I rarely listen to it like that. Voltage hasn't become a huge issue with the current setup but if I add another HD600/4 I'll be in trouble. And I'll need bigger power wire too so if I decide to go more, my decision to use 4awg is going to be a bad one.

I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your install. I've been away from the forums for a while now. Unfortunately, life intervened. I'm going to go check out your build thread now.

 

Not a problem. And as much as I loved doing it, I totally understand not wanting to take on something like this.

Well, we all have our issues.

Amen!

I couldn't agree more. It also didn't help that my Maxima had no native iPod interface, no real subwoofer, etc. I might have not been so quick to scold Nissan/Bose if they had really put some effort into it like I've seen in some of the nicer cars. I guess the part that gets me is that I've always regarded the Maxima to be a "higher end" car and the audio system really didn't convey that to me. I love my car and will probably replace it with another Maxima because I'm so satisfied with this one, but damn guys... that audio system was a seriously weak offering.

 

Biking is never off topic on my threads. It's a 2003 Litespeed Orion, Team Edition Paint Job. (The frame was won in a triathlon) It currently has an Ultegra Grouping, Campagnalo Proton Wheels, Hutchinson Carbon Tires, Modelo Bars, Sel Italia seat, etc. Next year I'm moving to either Dura Ace or the comparable SRAM setup. (any advice?) Not sure on that part yet, but I *love* this bike. It's light and fast and I've ridden the heck out of it!

What about you? What do you ride?

Thank you sir.

Do you mean the dash setup? The last ones I took are at the bottom of this post.
http://forums.maxima.org/7838420-post174.html

I will be doing some new shots of the trunk soon. I bought a BT Designs LED kit for my trunk and I'm going to be showing off that soon.

 

i am soooo freaking jealoussss....OMGGG... i want one that comes out and flips up....i think im gonna have to steal your idea....how did u get the aftermarket frame!!

 

I debated getting one that flips out as well, I had an Alpine CVA-1005 like that for about a decade. The new Maxima has a nice double DIN opening though, so make the most of it. The single DIN installation kits don't look nearly as nice.

If by "frame" you mean the installation kit, they're sold at car audio stores for about $15 - $20 bucks. My kit is a Metra double DIN installation kit that's been wrapped in vinyl and attached to my custom fiberglass frame for the equalizer. I just wrapped it in vinyl because the lower piece of my dash is carbon fiber and the Metra kit doesn't match. My original installation used stick on vinyl as well, so that's an option if you'd rather do that.

 

awesome build man...i envy your job well done...time...and tools to do so...damn i wanna do my system as well...you should show me how my car can sound!! lol

 

Hey E, first off I want to say you did an amazing job on your install and the full write up with pictures .

I just got myself a 2012 Maxima S Limited Edition base model non Bose and I had an Altima Coupe before. I have a Kenwood DNX9120 double din that I want to put into my Maxima but I want to place it where the factory monitor is and move the HVAC controls to the bottom rather than having the Kenwood on the bottom. Is this possible? If so can you list out exactly what I need as far as harness and steering wheel adapter and etc to complete this install? Thanks so much for any help !

 

AWSOME install, u guys really have some great knowledge of wiring , fab etc..

i can truly appreciate a great system, having done them on all my previous car..

this was my last one


but since i get tired of my cars after 3 yrs i got sick of wasting $ and taking the whole system back out and reinstalling back to factory. For me now the Bose sounds good..i would love to add a sub but again dont wanna waste the $$

Your install looks great, im sure it was very time consuming as they all are if done correct...love to see people who make it NEAT and Clean, nothing bugs me more when i see people open there trunk etc and wires all over.

any vids of sound?

 

looks great very nice install

 

I love this post! You just showed me I made the right choice! I plan to get an aftermarket radio to put in my car so thanks for pics and details.

 

I'm trying to upgrade my Bose with an aftermarket double din but there isn't a dashkit for the 2011's ... if some knows otherwise please let me know ...

 

it would be the same as the 09's and 2010's...i think the op said he used a metra, and coated it in fiberglass to customize. His is half (full?) din, but it looks as if the bottom is a storage tray of sorts. I would imagine that the company would sell and insert for the bracket to cover the double din.

 

It's the not the same because if I used that kit I would have no access to the AC/HEAT or dual climate controls ....

 

Are you planning on doing anything to the top monitor? I am looking to go to a similar setup, but this is what I am thinking of doing.

- Move the HVAC display in the top monitor to where your factory stereo controls were with a custom piece.

- Install a double din nav in the top where the factory hvac/radio display is.

Can you tell me if there is clearance issues behind the top monitor? From your posting and pics, I am assuming the the HVAC and Radio displays are actually 2 separate units up top?

Thanks!

-Michael