You must be logged in to rate content!
6 minute(s) of a 15 minute read
1-26-2016
Been little quiet with the Hemi lately but finally found time to mount the new radio/DVD/PVR/Bluetooth/GPS/DTV system I bought for Xmas. Basically the system was a drop-on with CAN module so streering wheel buttons work and the radio even sends the freq to the EVIC display (always only radio freq, no CD/DVD or any other info). But of course as my car had the midline 2 audio system with BA amplifier and 6 speakers I had to bypass the amp. As in Europe couldn't find the amp by-pass wire set for reasonable price I bought the connectors from Mouser and made my own amp bypass cable. The price was 1/2 with two set of parts... If someone wants the Mouser part# I can send them.
So the system is the same I linked there a little bit above. And it seems like decent unit with a lot of features and they seem to work as advertised. So sofar I'm pleased with the system. For now I didn't add a new amp, but have preamp wires allready attached and ready to be connected when I buy a new amp (will get this Pioneer GM-D8604 http://amzn.com/B00A02PG0C). And it looks like I can fit it to the about same place as the original one as that isn't that much bigger. So for now I made the own bypass cable so that the rear speaker wires will go straight from on old amp connector the the other and the front and windshield speakers go from the another straight to the head unit where they're parallel. The final solution will be so that the new amp will run door and back speakers and the HU the windshield speakers. I've allready purchased new 4x JBL GTO 939 and 2 x JBL GTO 329. Just have to find time to mount them...
For other goodies for the HU there was a separate DTV tuner and rearview camera. Also routed the 2nd room wires to be ready to connected to back LCD/DVD players for the kids. Rearview camera I still have to mount but because have to go trough the car will first buy cable set for the amp and run the wires at the same time so I don't have to tear the car down 2 times.
Now after most of the stuff is done have to say that thankfully there was a lot of room behind the HU as there is a lot of cables with all the options (3x rca for DTV, 3 x rca for rear LCD, 2 x rca for rearview camera, 5 x rca for amp and sub, 2 x USB extend cable, radio power + speaker cables + CAN decoder, GPS antenna, telephone external mic...). Mounted the DTV tuner with two sided tape to the module that is next to the original amp. For the DTV I used the power cables for original amp (as I made my own bypass could take 12V and GND there) but as I found out the power to the amp is always on so added a extra switch to turn the DTV tuner on and off. I added the power button also because I don't think I need the DTV that much so I can normally keep it off... Antenna I mounted to the windshield behind the rearview mirror.
Have to say that other than that extra button to power for the DTV I didn't need to modify the car or splice to any original wiring. Only made the hole bigger for the USB extender cable to fit trough the allready existing holes in the small place over cigarette lighter but that is not seen outside. Here is couple of pictures from the install and end result. So far I'm happy with the purchase even if I was a little afraid to buy "noname" head unit.
Old HU removed.
"amp bypass" cable.
A lot of cables (and DTV is still missing)...
USB extend and rear space cables.
Extra button for DTV power.
DTV Antenna.
Installed...
Audio player (HDD/SD/USB).
Menu.
Media menu.
GPS program.
GPS map view (night).
Rear "room" cables. There was also ready made hole in the space so no extra drilling.
By the way. Now after reading my initial post it seems like my todo list is empty. Or the original one is as I still have to mount the rearview camera and buy and install new amp