Bert02SS

I'd like to replace the Head Unit and speakers . . . Can anybody recommend a shop in the San Diego area? Or a national chain?

Bert02SS

ANYBODY? This is the right board, isn't it?

DriverJ

only thing I can say is avoid ultimate electronics or bestbuy they are terrible

GPZ1100

If you got any level of mechanical ability, I'd say do it yourself.

All you need is basic hand tools, a drill, a saw, and some creativity.

If you take your time, you'll have a good result.

Bert02SS

Not much mechanical ability, but could budget up to $750 for a new hu and speakers. No sub-thumps needed, though. Any suggestions?

99andMine

I shelled out a lil over 800 for an Alpine XM ready HU and Clarion component speaks. Installed myself and didnt have much trouble. Youre going to end up with less quality components after you take in the cost of having it installed. Its not hard to run everything yourself. Take your time and do it right the first time.

Bert02SS

OK, we are definitely making progress! Avoid Best Buy, and I never heard of the other place, anyway. Any more warnings?? Still no mechanical ability, sorry. Less electronic savvy. Any place I can go to for a good installation?

GPZ1100

If you got any level of mechanical ability, I'd say do it yourself.

All you need is basic hand tools, a drill, a saw, and some creativity.

If you take your time, you'll have a good result.

stevethepirate

dont do it yourself!!
i bought an 02 camaro yesterday, tried putting in a new HU (kenwood kvt 815). i couldnt get the power working and now none of my gauges work .

GPZ1100

Alright, I take back what I said.

If you got no idea what you're doing, then it's obviously better to pay someone than to try yourself and end up causing more damage.

I do all my own work on my bike, and most maintenance on the car. Of course, there are some things I won't touch (like engine related stuff), or other work I don't have the tools for (suspension work, etc...).

HU installs are usually very simple and straight forward. You got a dash kit into which the HU will mount to... Sometimes it's better to use the included cage, othertimes, its better to bolt the HU directly to the dash kit and not use the cage.

As for wiring, you get the factory harness adapter, and match up wires following the diagram in the HU manual to the harness adapter.

Replacing speakers is also fairly straight forward if the new ones are same size as the old. If not, then you'll be customizing brackets to make it fit.

Amp installs are probably the most time consuming because you really should run proper wire, and rca cables. Then there's the issue of actually fabricating the bracket to mount the amp(s) to, etc... This too can be done if you're patient, and use common sense...




Steve, not sure what you did, but almost sounds like you either blew a fuse, or you plugged into the wrong harness?

stevethepirate

not to hijack or anything but....
what fuse could it be? i checked most of the ones by the steering wheel and under the hood.

GPZ1100

Steve,

Start a new thread and post some detailed pics of what harness you actually were working with.

This might shed some light.

Bert02SS

OK, back to car audio installation shops in the greater San Diego are (ahem, excluding Tijuana). Any suggestions? Any warnings, besides BestBuy?

Bert02SS

Don't you car-audiophiles have any suggestions?? No can do installation. Will pay for components and installation somewhere. Any suggestions or warnings as to what and where? $1,000 budget.

GPZ1100

Most audio folks in here do their own installs.

Suggestion.. perhaps someone in this forum, local to you will do it for a reasonable fee?