Was wondering where I can find one of these, and how much they normally cost? I have a non-Bose factory AM-FM Cassette head unit - ugh!!!

Also, since I plan to run amps to my speakers, will I have to run those wires separately to each speaker, directly from the amp, or can I just use the wiring harness for the speakers and attach the corresponding speaker wires to the matching wires on the wiring harness? I'm planning on installing my Pioneer MP3 head unit from my 3rd Gen into my 5th Gen very soon (within the next two weeks or so), which is why I'm interested in getting a hold of the wiring harness...

One more thing... I would really like to install my EQ in the armrest console instead of in the dash and was wondering if anybody had any ideas as to how I could accomplish this. It's a 1/2-DIN Pioneer EQ (see my website for details on my equipment). The amps will stay until I either sell them or get replacements (HiFonics are at the top of my replacement list). I do plan on replacing the rear, door mount speakers with the pair of 6.5" Audiobahn speakers that I had in my 3rd Gen, and going with a set of as good of separates up front that I can afford (but I haven't decided on the brand of separates to go with up front yet - please make suggestions based on a $200-$250 budget! I've heard some of you guys rave about Rainbow Audio products, so I'm very interested in those or anything else of the same caliber.) I'm also interested in a 10-12" Kicker L5/L7 in a sealed enclosure as my sub, and a flip-down DVD monitor (7"-10") for my sons to watch in the back. I am planning to install everything myself (since I did the majority of the installations in my 3rd Gen and would rather do it myself so it's done the way I want it), except maybe the DVD/Monitor, but if it's as easy as the stereo system is, I'll do that myself as well...

As always, any and all ideas will be greatly appreciated. I'm considering building a false floor for my new amps later on, but I'd just like to get everything installed and running at this point.

Thanks in advance!

 

Hey man,

The wiring harness can be found at any electronics store with a car audio section. I personally got mine from P.C. Richard's, but I know CC and BB will have them. It'll run you about $15. I also had non-Bose and the standard Metra harness worked for me. I think it works for Bose and non-Bose.

Most guys will tell you to run separate, new wiring directly from the amp to the speakers. The stock wiring is, at largest, 20 awg, which is quite small and not suited for decent power handling. You should run some 16 or 14 awg. You will have to drill a small hole to get the new wires into the front doors (only on the car side), but the rear you can do without any new holes. (Ask me for help and pics when the time comes.)

I have a false floor/amp tray in the trunk. It's a convenient way to completely hide the amps and protect them simultaneously, but it eats up 3-4" of height back there. I will be moving the amps to somewhere right behind the back seats soon. Just installed my subs but I don't have pics yet.

I do have pics of the tray in my trunk for you to get some ideas. These are not up to date, as I now have two amps back there, but you get the point.









-Brian

 

Almost forgot....don't forget to buy the antenna adapter, as well. You'll get crappy reception with any aftermarket radio in these cars because of the 2-pin antenna system they have, but you might as well get it for the extra $10. And you're in LA, so your reception probably won't be as bad as mine is out here in the woods.

 

Yo BigDu how did you fit that giant piece of wood in the trunk in one piece?

 

It just squeaks in there, actually. I have to angle it and insert end-on. After doing it for a while, I got the hang of it. I actually just put a hinge on the top piece so I don't have to do that anymore to adjust the amps. I'll take pics of that some time.

 

Sorry to hijack pitbull, ill reply on topic: +1 to everything TheBigDu has said so far. If you are going for sound quality, look into brands other than Hifonics or Audiobahn. Save yourself the time and hassle, since there is no other good place to mount an EQ, just put it in the dash. You can probably use the pocket of the Metra kit as a 1/2 DIN with a little custom work and get it to look good. Furthermore, there is plenty of room under our front seats for amps if you want to hide them there.

BigDu:
So your telling me that in my 2000, I can fit a giant piece of wood, the size of the entire floor of the trunk, into the trunk opening? I have enough trouble fitting ported boxes into 5th gens, let alone something the size of the entire floor of the trunk. Shoot me a pm man, Ill be building my own flush trunk setup in a couple months, Im very interested since I thought a false floor of that size was impossible lol.

-Kevin

 

....and you call yourself an installer.... You dont even know your own car ! Ive actually done several of those floors, but like he said along of angling and manuvering. Remember its relatively thin, not like a large box

BTW...you are SO gonna fill my PM box tonight.

 

I hope my PMs are somewhere in that box. What's goin on with that?

 

They are, but he was on vacation coming back today and hasnt called me back yet. Believe me, I have 4 other cars lined up as well.

 

Ahhhh.....the plot thickens.

Good to know. I was just waiting to hear something. Fill me in on the details if you could, whenever he's available.

Thanks Don.

Pit5Bull - Sorry to hijack...seems that's how we do it in the audio forum here.

And as far as the false floor size is concerned, I realize now it wasn't the best design in the world. That's what I'll be getting rid of it. I might just keep the same design but try to squeeze everything towards the back of the trunk (by the seats) so that the amps, crossovers (maybe i'll move them to the front door area somewhere), and dist. blocks all fit just under the subs and I can have the rest of the trunk back for cargo. It'll be nice to have a deep trunk again.

 

@TheBigDu...

Thanks for the advice, bro. I was actually considering hijacking your false floor idea - it was better than the one I had for my 3rd Gen... I'll have to locate someplace here in L.A. that I can get that wiring harness from, along with the antenna adapter too.

@kpr10s - So what you are saying is to stay away from HiFonics AMPS because of SQ??? I'm not considering HiFonics or Audiobahn speakers for the fronts, if that's what you're referring to... I have a pair of Audiobahn 6.5" 3-way speakers that I'm going to put in the rear doors since I'm not all that concerned with SQ in the rear since it's just for fill, right??? I'm wondering about the separates I should consider in the front door, as I want the best sounding speakers I can afford. I mostly listen to R&B, Rap/Hip-Hop, Jazz & maybe a bit of classical every now and then. I'd like to make sure that my fronts aren't trying to reproduce frequencies that the sub should be handling, so if any of you guys have suggestions for crossover points, I'm listening... I guess I can say that I'm more concerned with SQ than anything else, so if my sub of choice/enclosure won't give me the kind of accurate bass I'm looking for, please make another suggestion...

 

Its a matter of never having done it. If you dont want your PM box full, get on AIM!

Did you have to put anything under the floor towards the rear or anywhere to make it level?

Pitbull, Ive personally never seen anything good about Hifonics amps except for their price. That was all I was really saying. They get the job done okay, but if your gonna spend the money, you can get better for not too much more.

 

Since the trunk floor is like a bowl if you really look at it, I put a few small pieces of plywood stacked on each other under the center of the bottom board. They're right around the center of the spare. That way the board won't flex as much.