2000 LX470 Stereo Replacement Recommendations

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Did a little research yesterday and visited two different Shops here in seattle...Was blown away by what they wanted to charge. Neither shop suggested the Appradio...ODD

Car Toys wanted $500 for the install - Said it was going to be a full new install as they were 85% certain they would not be able to use the Amp. So added another $150 for a new 5 channel amp (total was nearly $1700)

A local shop quoted $400 for the install. Total price from them was in the $1500 range. They did not have the Appradio3 in stock yet.

Anyone recommend a local installer here in Seattle that is not going to rip me off?
 
I know car toys doesn't carry the appradio so when I went they were clueless. And shop installs are a rip off... Hence why i decided to install myself. I suggest doing it in stages as if breaks up the expense. And you can do some of it yourself!

These cars are incredibly easy to do stereo installs on! (But with your amp it might be a little different; however I'm sure many have done it)


Sent from my iPhone, please embrace the typos
 
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JeffinSeattle said:
Did a little research yesterday and visited two different Shops here in seattle...Was blown away by what they wanted to charge. Neither shop suggested the Appradio...ODD

Car Toys wanted $500 for the install - Said it was going to be a full new install as they were 85% certain they would not be able to use the Amp. So added another $150 for a new 5 channel amp (total was nearly $1700)

A local shop quoted $400 for the install. Total price from them was in the $1500 range. They did not have the Appradio3 in stock yet.

Anyone recommend a local installer here in Seattle that is not going to rip me off?
Click to expand...

What are you trying to have installed? Me personally, I would be leery of any "AppRadios." Apple is famous for phasing out software that works with other devices (head units, etc). Example, my iPhone 3 worked just fine until I upgraded the software the last time, it ran like crap on software designed for the iPhone 4. Fast forward to the Pioneer 8000bt i have in my LX, when I updated phone software, the phone no longer automatically connects Bluetooth audio.

If you are seeking nav capabilities with a new head unit, a standalone might be better for the money you might spend on an app radio. But to each his own, my needs are low with an FM tuner, CD, and Bluetooth capability.

I installed the Pioneer FH-X700BT in my F150, it appears to be superior to the 8000bt Pioneer in my LX. It's a bit easier to navigate and my phone auto connects to bluetooth when turning the truck on. It has decent equalizer/audio options and the sound is better than I had with the stock unit. The only pro/con I can see, is that the back lighting is customizable by color (pro) but it's bright as sh!t and cannot be dimmed. If you just need tuner, cd, USB, and Bluetooth calling and audio, this unit is a good value. http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-FH-X700BT-In-Dash-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B0091UW7F6?tag=ihco-20
 
Pulled everything apart today to see what I am dealing with. I also have a "VCR" mounted under the center condole as well as a fold down screen in the back seat.

Looks relatively simple to do the install. Assuming that the HU I buy has a video out port the hook up to the rear seat monitor should be a simple switch of the yellow RCA connector.

I can pull the FM modulator out that they added for audio from the VCR (Had to tune to a specific FM station for audio out of the VCR - No audio input on the Factory HU. I can also pull the inverter that is mounted under the center console, next to the gear shifter...This was used to power the VCR.

Pulled up the passenger seat and getting at the Amp seems easy enough. If I am reading correctly I'll need to get an ACC power signal to the amp to turn it on once I remove the Nakamichi HU.

My only hesitation is the lack of a wiring harness...Plug and play would be awesome...I did look at tosme of the other pages that have the wiring diagrams...Greek to me quite frankly.

Anyone know of an easy way to wire the new HU? Might need to pay someone to do that final connection
 
Forgot to mention...I am listing my Nakamichi head unit for sale on Ebay today. PM or email me if you are interested in purchasing it

jeffjangell at g mail dot com
 
I didn't attempt to mess with the wiring in mine when I replaced the OEM. I paid CarToys $80 to do it, including the microphone for Bluetooth. I'm pretty sure they didn't do anything around the amp. I might be able to take a picture of the harness today or tomorrow.
 
TXLX100 said:
I didn't attempt to mess with the wiring in mine when I replaced the OEM. I paid CarToys $80 to do it, including the microphone for Bluetooth. I'm pretty sure they didn't do anything around the amp. I might be able to take a picture of the harness today or tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Would appreciate a photo
 
I know that in order to have Cartoys bypass the amp I had them quote me roughly $200.00 this was in addition to the install price of the HU. So I'm pretty sure they didn't touch the amp.

TXLX100- do you have a quiet buzzing noise in the background of your speakers. When I first replaced the HU I did not bypass the amp and got a very annoying hum/buzz. However I went back in and bypassed the amp and it all went away. So if you're having CarToys just install and not bypass I'd be careful of that.


Sent from my iPhone, please embrace the typos
 
ChrisJosiah said:
I know that in order to have Cartoys bypass the amp I had them quote me roughly $200.00 this was in addition to the install price of the HU. So I'm pretty sure they didn't touch the amp.

TXLX100- do you have a quiet buzzing noise in the background of your speakers. When I first replaced the HU I did not bypass the amp and got a very annoying hum/buzz. However I went back in and bypassed the amp and it all went away. So if you're having CarToys just install and not bypass I'd be careful of that.


Sent from my iPhone, please embrace the typos
Click to expand...

If they bypass the amp how do you power the Sub?
 
re App Radio:

The system has 50x4 output power built in if you want to bypass factory amps. The RCA outs are 2 volt , not 4 volt like their higher end Nav units. The difference in RCA output is important for connectivity to other amps.

The typical headunit to amp "turn on" connection is different in the Nakamichi setup, you may need an additional accessory to make the Nak turn on.

It's so much simpler and better to replace the factory amp with a modern 5 channel I would highly recommend that strategy.

Cut the 22pin radio harness and dont look back. YOu only need a few wires from it to power your new head unit.
 
JeffinSeattle said:
If they bypass the amp how do you power the Sub?
Click to expand...

You have to run seperate power cable and RCA to the sub.

I had the same as JeffinSeatle, this very annoying hum/buzz. Bypassing the amp has solved this.
Only thing to be aware of is that the head unit is powerd THROUGH the factory amplifier.
 
ChrisJosiah said:
I know that in order to have Cartoys bypass the amp I had them quote me roughly $200.00 this was in addition to the install price of the HU. So I'm pretty sure they didn't touch the amp.

TXLX100- do you have a quiet buzzing noise in the background of your speakers. When I first replaced the HU I did not bypass the amp and got a very annoying hum/buzz. However I went back in and bypassed the amp and it all went away. So if you're having CarToys just install and not bypass I'd be careful of that.


Sent from my iPhone, please embrace the typos
Click to expand...

Yes, I do have the low volume hiss. It's hasn't been enough for me to worry about in the last 3 years. The system sounds decent at medium volume and the hiss isn't noticeable. I might address it one of these days if I get bored enough.

What exactly do you have to do to keep the factory amp and get rid of the hiss? I'm satisfied with the factory components and don't want to upgrade the amplifier.
 
Has anyone installed a Infinity BassLink Sub under any of the front seats? Will it even fit? Thanks in advance here is the specs if the sub if this helps.

Passive Radiator10
Width14-5/8"
Height13-3/8"
Depth10-1/8"
 
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