I am planning on installing my budget system this coming weekend. It isn't going to be anything overly special but it is going to be much nicer than what is in it now. Also, before anyone mentions it I do plan on adding sound deadening to the entire car in the near future.

Here is the "system" that came in it when I bought it last Thursday (5/20/90). It currently has a factory non-bose head unit and factory door speakers. The rear speakers are aftermarket but they won't be used. For the life of me I can't figure out why it isn't working.

 

I'm glad your re-doing the audio system. That is some ghetto *** install in those pics.

 

Taking everything that is in there out. I will probably end up putting the sub and amp in my wife's Scion TC so they won't go to waste. She doesn't want anything special, just something to give her a little bass.

 

Some of my goodies arrived today.

 

^^^ now were talkin.. hurry up with the install pics.. how come that other crap isnt out of the car already? that looked like SHIET!

 

I have a four day weekend starting Friday so I plan on working on it then. The head unit should get here tomorrow and the sirius cables should arrive on Friday or Saturday. I imagine I will be able to get it all done in one day but it will be nice to have the extra time if necessary.

Next step is deciding what sound deadening material to use and how much of each type I will need.

 

Another piece of the puzzle just arrived via the big brown truck.

 

Nice! In for pics after install.

 

To start the day I soldered all of the connections on the head unit harness. The first problem that I ran into was that the heat shrink that I bought doesn't want to shrink. No big deal, just used some good ole fashion electrical tape to cover up the solder/bare wires.



Guess it's time to get off of the couch and head outside to get some work done. On aside note I will be using my point and shoot for the install pictures so I don't have to worry about protecting my dslr all day. I'll take some quality pictures once everything is done.

 

I have the alpine spr-17c's, they sound amazing, I love them and that's a nice head unit you got there also

 

Time for an update. I finished installing the speakers in the left door and running the wire through the door jam for them. I am going to see how the factory tweeter location sounds for the time being, if I don't like the way it sounds I'll flush mount them in the door later on.

First a comparison picture, stock vs alpines.


Empty door.


Running wires through factory connector.


It worked!


Tweeter mounted in factory location.


Speakers and crossover mounted.


All back together.

 

Right door done. That was a job!

 

I just realized that it took me four hours just to replace the door speakers. I suck!

Anyway, once I find something to eat I'll tackle the next project, getting rid of this piece of crap!

 

Lunch of champions!

 

Replacing the door speakers aren't that bad. It's running the wires through those PITA gourmets that suck... I messed up some stuff running mines as well, I'm lazy to take a look at it though.

 

Just finished putting the head unit in. I also ran the rca's, sirius antenna, and serius cable down the center console. I put the serius antenna up with the guages but it seems to be hurting my signal, it is cutting out a lot. I'm going to leave it alone and see how it does when I drive it then decide if I need to move it.

Here is the dash minus stereo.


Here is where I stashed the sirius antenna.


Here is the new head unit installed.


I'm burning up so I am going to go inside where it is cool for a little while. I'm not sure if I am going to call it a day or not.

 

I'm back at it this morning. So far the only thing I have done is run the power wire through the fire wall.

Here is a comparison between the wire that the previous owner used for his amp and the wire I'll be using.


I cheated a little and used a guide wire to help me pull the 4 gauge wire through.


It worked!

 

Remember this?


Ding dong the sub is gone.


Look at all that room once the Blose sub panel is removed.


Looks like both amps will fit.

 

I had a little delay, my neighbor asked me to go to lunch and since I'm really not in any hurry I put everything down and walked away for a little while. I've been home an hour or so and I'm already soaking wet. It's freaking hot out there!

Got a couple of boards carpeted and added a couple of distribution blocks.


One amp installed.


Two amps installed.


I need to do some trim pieces but I'm going to wait until after I get the amps adjusted before I put them in there.

 

Just turned it on for the first time and all I can say is that tens weren't nearly this loud a few years ago. The fronts sound pretty damn good as well. It is by no means a competition system but I am very happy with it. I'll get some more pictures this evening or tomorrow. Right now I am just going to enjoy the AC and rubbing my dog's belly.

All I have to do tomorrow is put the glove box and all of the trim back in the car. After that it will probably get a nice scrubbing and then possibly a little joy ride.