Good ground point in dash area (for aftermarket headunit)

[wisemonkey]

I'm planning to add after market headunit.
What would be good ground point around dash area?
If crutchfield description mentions:

The wiring harness does not have a ground connection, so you'll need to connect your new car stereo to a grounding point in your vehicle.

How should I achieve this? (what type of wire, wire ends, where in dash and where on HU)

 

[Broski]

I'm planning to add after market headunit.
What would be good ground point around dash area?
If crutchfield description mentions:


How should I achieve this? (what type of wire, wire ends, where in dash and where on HU)

The wiring diagram shows you what wire on the HU is ground should be a black wire.
I like and use crimp on connectors with heat shrink built-in, and a quality crimper. The kind with mechanical action That supplies the shame force every time if it’s closed all the way.
I usually look for another wire on the chassis that is being used as a ground, but any bolt going into the chassis should work.

 

[wisemonkey]

I like and use crimp on connectors with heat shrink built-in, and a quality crimper. The kind with mechanical action That supplies the shame force every time if it’s closed all the way.
I usually look for another wire on the chassis that is being used as a ground, but any bolt going into the chassis should work.

Thanks. I'll try to look around for bolt going in chassis without paint.
As for end connector what type of connector is generally used? (just the ring? https://www.amazon.com/TICONN-Connectors-Waterproof-Automotive-Electrical/dp/B086Z2Y1D6?tag=ihco-20)

 

[Broski]

Yes a ring or a spade can be used.
And those and the exact connectors I use.
Except I buy them directly from Gensco electric
I avoid Amazon, whenever possible !

 

[wisemonkey]

Yes a ring or a spade can be used.
And those and the exact connectors I use.
Except I buy them directly from Gensco electric
I avoid Amazon, whenever possible !

I would like to avoid Amazon if it's possible, but obviously I don't know my way around. (I generally use Amazon for linking here and then try to find things in local Home Depot/Lowes and O'reilly etc)
Is there way to buy directly from Gensco ? (online / in shop)

 

[Broski]

I would like to avoid Amazon if it's possible, but obviously I don't know my way around. (I generally use Amazon for linking here and then try to find things in local Home Depot/Lowes and O'reilly etc)
Is there way to buy directly from Gensco ? (online / in shop)

Yes just Google them.
I often find stuff on Amazon then just Google it most times I can find it cheaper buying directly.

 

[Brindleboxer]

If you don't see a ground spot behind the radio (there should be one), there are two other grounding location I can think of - one in the driver's side kick panel and one under the center console.

 

[wisemonkey]

If you don't see a ground spot behind the radio (there should be one), there are two other grounding location I can think of - one in the driver's side kick panel and one under the center console.

I keep seeing driver side kick panel mentioned. I want to confirm : this will be still about 5ft or so away from HU, right? I should look at extending the wire that came with HU. (kick panel is basically gas pedal / brake area, right)?

 

[wisemonkey]

Also how do I get to ECM ? (Is it remove glove box and it's there?) - not sure if I should start new thread but this is for HU as well.

And finally what is good location (generally) to install GPS antenna

 

[Brindleboxer]

I actually left the gps antenna on the top of my aftermarket unit and haven't noticed any degradation (YMMV). The driver's kick panel is the plastic cover to the left of your foot while seated (there are several electrical connections in this area). If the wire isn't long enough you could either extend (do it right) it or just find a good ground point closer to the radio. Ground point should be metal (no paint) and attached to the body. I cannot recall if there is a factory one behind the radio but there should be as the stock radio would have required one.

As for the ECM, it is behind the glove box area but not sure why you would need to do anything with the ECM when installing an aftermarket HU....interest is peaked.

 

[BILT4ME]

Also how do I get to ECM ? (Is it remove glove box and it's there?) - not sure if I should start new thread but this is for HU as well.

And finally what is good location (generally) to install GPS antenna

There is an actual ground wire connection down on the rail that supports the glove box door.

Check the FSM EWD for actual ground wire locations, as I know they are specifically shown. I once referenced them so I could check all my grounds on my truck.

 

[Broski]

Also how do I get to ECM ? (Is it remove glove box and it's there?) - not sure if I should start new thread but this is for HU as well.

And finally what is good location (generally) to install GPS antenna

As long as there's no metal above the HU the GPS can go right on top of it, Just like Brindlboxer suggest and what I did.
Same with the ground I used the one that went to the OEM HU.
I just did a install in my 06 Tundra 6 weeks ago and got my HU from Crutchfild did everything including a back up camera.
Crutchfild has a dedicated tech-support team, there very helpful and just a phone call away.

 

[wisemonkey]

As long as there's no metal above the HU the GPS can go right on top of it, Just like Brindlboxer suggest and what I did.
Same with the ground I used the one that went to the OEM HU.
I just did a install in my 06 Tundra 6 weeks ago and got my HU from Crutchfild did everything including a back up camera.
Crutchfild has a dedicated tech-support team, there very helpful and just a phone call away.

Yes bought off crutchfield one of the instruction is Connect to Speed Sense VSS - which is part of ECM, but they don't have pictorial representation of that wire/location. So I'm trying to figure things out before I go opening things

 

[wisemonkey]

There is an actual ground wire connection down on the rail that supports the glove box door.

Check the FSM EWD for actual ground wire locations, as I know they are specifically shown. I once referenced them so I could check all my grounds on my truck.

I actually left the gps antenna on the top of my aftermarket unit and haven't noticed any degradation (YMMV). The driver's kick panel is the plastic cover to the left of your foot while seated (there are several electrical connections in this area). If the wire isn't long enough you could either extend (do it right) it or just find a good ground point closer to the radio. Ground point should be metal (no paint) and attached to the body. I cannot recall if there is a factory one behind the radio but there should be as the stock radio would have required one.

As for the ECM, it is behind the glove box area but not sure why you would need to do anything with the ECM when installing an aftermarket HU....interest is peaked.

One of the instructions is Connect to Speed Sense VSS (part of ECM wires), and apparently it;s needed for working CarPlay. So trying to make sure I know where and what to open

 

[Broski]

Yes bought off crutchfield one of the instruction is Connect to Speed Sense VSS - which is part of ECM, but they don't have pictorial representation of that wire/location. So I'm trying to figure things out before I go opening things

The HU that I have did not have that. It does have working Apple CarPlay

 

[ikarus]

I added a Sony head unit last year, you can see a pic where I grounded it. It's a RHD but should be similar, maybe just mirror image if you have a US truck:

Build - Ikarus' HDJ81 Aussie-Style Build

Haha dude I wish I had the money to fully embrace my inner watch nerd. But yeah, this one is actually serial number 89 from a few years back. I did some work for Matt when he was starting Ares. He's a big cruiserhead himself, I believe he has a 60 series and maybe another. That's pretty cool...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[wisemonkey]

I added a Sony head unit last year, you can see a pic where I grounded it. It's a RHD but should be similar, maybe just mirror image if you have a US truck:

Build - Ikarus' HDJ81 Aussie-Style Build

Haha dude I wish I had the money to fully embrace my inner watch nerd. But yeah, this one is actually serial number 89 from a few years back. I did some work for Matt when he was starting Ares. He's a big cruiserhead himself, I believe he has a 60 series and maybe another. That's pretty cool...

forum.ih8mud.com

This helps a lot, and gives me unnecessary ideas lol.

 

[wisemonkey]

made a mistake while removing old stereo.
Should I just run new wire? or is this somehow salvageable

 

[captainva]

You'll need a new wire

 

[wisemonkey]

found a ground (hopefully correct one)

is this the ECM?

What is this connector? (is disconnected)