I suppose this might be a question for the Audio/Video forum but..I trust you guys more . Plus it is for specifically the civic!
I've never messed with car audio; is it difficult? I paid for it to be done professionally already(later in the month) but I'm having buyer's remorse and thinking about getting a refund and doing it myself. I was looking at Crutchfield and they come with install kits and the price I can get is much better. It's going to be about $1100 with headunit, amp, speakers and subs, as oppossed to what I'm paying for now, which is about $1700 for headunit and installation (with dash kit and what not). Even if I ignore the amp, speakers and subs, the install + extra retail price is about $600. I do computer work so I'm really used to buying parts cheap and then building them myself, so that extra money is getting to me.

<u>Summary</u>:
$1700 for Headunit + Installation
(what I paid for to be done in 2 weeks, would like to refund)

vs.

$1100 for Headunit + Subs, and Amps + self installation
(what'd I'd rather have; more for less.)

Is the difficulty of installing audio enough for me to pay $600?


I'm sure some of you read my other thread where I asked some questions before I went and paid. I'm extremely indecisive


Modified by yed at 5:47 PM 3/13/2007

 

DIY, easily.

You just need a few things:

-panel popper or similiar tool that wont damage panel edges.

-printer, to print out the 189,758 DIY's on Audio install

-patience, to figure which freaking DIY is the right one you need.

You'll probably spend about 6-8 hours if you make no mistakes.


Je'Mon Lee!

 

You're going to drive back over here and help me, right?

 

To give you an idea of how easy it is:

I ripped most of my interior out yesterday and put it back in within minutes. It is SIMPLE if you look over the DIY's on ohco.

The hardest part I found was running the power wire through the firewall. 07's do not have the hole that the 06's have. I ended up drilling a hole around the gas pedal. There was nothing on the other side of the bay.

Just PM if you need anything as I am installing everything myself right now.

 

I did my own amp/sub install (minus the headunit), and the DIYs on 8th were great. They are really helpful and easy to follow with plenty of pictures. As previously mentioned, there is a rubber plug in the 06's which makes running the power that much easier. Sounds like the 07 will be a tad more work with having to drill.

 

I ran 1/0ga through a hole i drilled in the firewall. Like i said, this was the most difficult step in the whole process. I think the other difficult step is running the rca and power wire through the car without it being close and making noise.

 

At least you have RCA, LOC's FTL

 

Stock deck FTL

 

Booooo @ drilling a hole

I got my refund btw after arguing with the stupid salesman. Now I wait for the parts to arrive from Crutchfield.

Does this look like everything I need?

1x Scosche OEM Adapter 06-Up Honda Civic DD, E Dark Gray (Dash Kit)
1x Pioneer AVIC-D3 DVD Navigation Receiver (Head Unit)
1x Honda Civic 06-Up Amplifier Bypass for Premium Sound (Amp Bypass)

or are there some other wires I need to purchase?

 

Not familiar with those units, but you might wanna start researching the harnesses and which color wires do what. Its confuzzling to say the least..

Each model/trim has a very specific harness layout.

ps- Is the amp your picking up powered from the HU or the battery? If from the battery, you'll probably want to pickup about 20-25 feet of 0/1 gauge for that.. and some in-line fuses.. a terminal connector for the battery.. zip ties..

See what Amp hookup "kits" they have, sometimes they include all the above, and are cheaper than purchasing them all seperately.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Booooo @ drilling a hole

I got my refund btw after arguing with the stupid salesman. Now I wait for the parts to arrive from Crutchfield.

Does this look like everything I need?

1x Scosche OEM Adapter 06-Up Honda Civic DD, E Dark Gray (Dash Kit)
1x Pioneer AVIC-D3 DVD Navigation Receiver (Head Unit)
1x Honda Civic 06-Up Amplifier Bypass for Premium Sound (Amp Bypass)

or are there some other wires I need to purchase?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think you are going to need a couple more things. I am thinking a large amp Capacitor (In the bottom left corner of the picture, on the battery). Not sure if your not adding additional amps to the system.



If you want to use the steering wheel controls, you will need a Steering Wheel Control Remote Adapter (think thats what it's called. I picked one up at Fry's Electronics for about $100 bucks). I don't think the Pioneer headend will work directly with the stock controls.

Hope this helps a little.


Modified by Hellzcivic at 2:51 PM 3/16/2007

 

You're right, the unit does not work with the steering wheel. But with this unit, I'll use voice commands. (I'll make my girlfriend control it )

As for the power, do I need an additional amp? They weren't adding one when I was paying for it to be installed.

 

See how it sounds without it.

if its not enough POWAH.

add more.

 

Well, I just spoke to Crutchfield phone support and they said I don't need anything additional. They are EXTREMELY helpful. Turns out I also get a free rear view camera with my headunit, which I would have never known of if they hadn't mentioned it. My total also turned up less when he did the cart for me for some reason; some extra discount was applied. Now I just wait for it all to arrive on Friday.

Oh I think I forgot to mention, I was asking about just the headunit itself. As for the subs, I know I need amps of course, but those will come later.

 

Wow, pretty good deal for a HU and a backup camera..

I'd offer a few pointers on that, but I've never done one of those..

If you know for sure you're gonna need power in the trunk, might as well do it now, while the car is apart. And get your RCA's back there at the same time. Most people ive seen route it under the center console and into the trunk, my ghetto *** just routed under the edge of the center console, under my seat, and along the edges of the seatbelt..

Should save you some time by not having to dismantle the center console again, since it sounds like youll have to install the backup camera anyways.

 

I don't mind needing to take it apart again since I do need a hobby.

I just wanted the navigation in before the 23rd so I can use it when I go to California(Going to HIN Pomona? See you there!).

The camera is backordered BTW, so I have to hold off on that either way. Not quite sure where I want to put the camera and the navi antenna yet.

 

It really is not that hard to pull the center console. 4 screws and two plastic clips and slide the whole thing out going back.

 

Yeah, I'm going to take the console out when I wire it. Might as well because my center arm rest was damaged when my car was broken in so I might as well replace that at the same time.

 

You'll probably want to take out the rear seats also. The bottom of the seat is secured with one bolt and two clips. The bolt is in the back right by the side with the two seatbeat hooks. the front of the bottom seats can be undone by forcefully pulling it up. Theres a clip on each side.

 

Man you still aint fixed that armrest yet?

 

Wow... the Pioneer AVIC

I'm jealous. I've been wanting that since I drove my Protege.

If weddings didn't cost so much... I would buy one. LOL.

Make sure you put some pics when you're done with everything!

 

Hot damnnnnnnn my AVIC-D3 arrived. (I'm at work, I was stalking it with tracking.) I'll keep you guys updated with pictures.

 

Fix your damn armrest!

Just the thought of it broken bugs me

lol.

 

Yeah, I'll fix it while I'm messing around with all this other stuff.
I really don't notice it much. It only wobbles a bit when I drive with a GANGSTA LEAN.

 

Ok so..All these wires in the wire harness scare me a little. Do I just look through the manual to see which wires are being used, solder them up, and seal off the rest of them?