Fun to be spoiled occasionally

[House of Wax]

Finally got this bad boy installed. It's not 100% permanent yet, I'm going to play around with the mic placement some and decide where/how I want to route the cable for the Android hookup.

But... installation went smooth and everything works as it should. The Axxess ASWC steering wheel control module detected the car and head unit perfectly, so all steering wheel control works, Android Auto sync'd up and appears to be working as it should. ....this thing is awesome. I've got a lot of reading to do to figure everything out lol.

Stock:

Dash all taken apart. As many times as I've done it, I still hate and can't get used to the sounds of pulling interior panels off haha:

Testing everything out to make sure everything is working before stuffing it all back in. All connections were soldered and heat shrunk except for 2 wires for the steering wheel module that got tapped into the factory harness:

Few pics finished up:

 

[RDKC]

Factory unit looked terrible, IMO.

Looks good though, it's always fun (and frustrating) figuring out a fancy new unit.

 

[Sizzle Chest]

Nice install. Clean. Looks good! You will have to give us a review on it after you get it all figured out!

 

[House of Wax]

Will do

 

[RaysWay]

That looks MUCH better! I bet it sounds better too. Nice job!

Dash all taken apart. As many times as I've done it, I still hate and can't get used to the sounds of pulling interior panels off haha:

Haha I used to work at a car audio shop and we were all pretty good at dismantling interiors VERY quickly. We wouldn't allow customers in the garage because they would be mortified watching us gut their interiors in a matter of minutes. We would challenge each other to install a radio in 15 minutes! And that includes rewiring the factory harness. Good times

 

[House of Wax]

Thanks. Yeah, I still want to replace the factory speakers, but they do sound MUCH better than before. Much more clear

 

[GearHead_1]

Thanks. Yeah, I still want to replace the factory speakers, but they do sound MUCH better than before. Much more clear

I mean no offense but if high fidelity is what you were seeking, speakers should have been the starting point. Even if you aren't throwing more power at them inititially a quality speaker is easily identified. Of course once amps are added the real benefit shines through. Then again, they're not nearly as much fun to play with as all the other bells and whistles.

 

[House of Wax]

I mean no offense but if high fidelity is what you were seeking, speakers should have been the starting point. Even if you aren't throwing more power at them inititially a quality speaker is easily identified. Of course once amps are added the real benefit shines through. Then again, they're not nearly as much fun to play with as all the other bells and whistles.

None taken. It'll all get done at some point. The head unit replacement was the easiest part of the system to replace and it got me complete hands free control of my cell phone, modern hookups for any device I want, and video for the kiddos, which are all more useful/important than sound quality for now.

 

[Ronkh]

Enjoy !!!

 

[GearHead_1]

None taken. It'll all get done at some point. The head unit replacement was the easiest part of the system to replace and it got me complete hands free control of my cell phone, modern hookups for any device I want, and video for the kiddos, which are all more useful/important than sound quality for now.

I admit you'll have more fun and the hands free phone setup is a no brainer for the safety interests of the whole family, not to mention the pluses of the back seat video baby sitter. I've installed tens of dozens of systems over the years, some were truy nice systems. I no longer feel the need to spend thousands on a car sound system.

In the past, when getting a new vehicle I've always upgraded at the very least the speakers with perhaps an amp, sometimes leaving the factory head unit simply for the sake of saving OE features. I picked up a new vehicle a few months ago, it came with a Sony Premium sound system that includes 10 speakers and 3 amps, it's nothing to write home about . Knowing this isn't a kick butt system I put in some music that I like and more importantly that I know how it should sound. I sat back and thought to myself I'm not changing a thing. These type realizations confirm that I am getting old.