No sir, no pics. I actually returned it due to a tuner problem.
Head Unit w/ Nav and Backup Cam Suggestions?
- Thread starter NewbieMcNewster
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No sir, no pics. I actually returned it due to a tuner problem.
I know Crutchfield "was" offering discounts for about any club, group, or tribe one belonged to. (I don't know about now) anyways, tell them your a ih8mud member, and they may hook you up with 10% off! I am NOT an employee or anything! I've just used them since I received my first Olds 442 back in 1982! (69 442.....W31...FUN!)
Anyways, I HATE to see ANYONE get screwed over by anyone! Good luck! We want pics!!
At times Crutchfield also has refurb units that look totally new. Sealed packages, unopened box kinda new.
- Thread starter
- #24
Yeah, I spent some time on their website yesterday, and I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a refurbished Kenwood unit (693S, I believe) at like $200+ below the normal price for that unit... I'm not above buying used!
- Thread starter
- #25
From doing some research online, it seems like if I use a wireless backup cam, then I won't have to route any wires through the dash for a navigation antenna or the camera. They should just fit behind the HU in the dash (I think/hope).
However, it seems that if I want to put the mic for bluetooth calls up by the rearview mirror (which is apparently the best spot), I'd have to run the wire along the headliner, down the A-pillar, and through the dash over to the back of the unit.
This is a total wiring newb question (see user name), but how do you route a wire across the dash without removing the whole thing? I've never wired a house before or done any electrical work in a car, so my knowledge is pretty much limited to know what it means to route a wire.
Do you do something like shove a somewhat stiff wire through from one end until it magically comes out where you want it, then hook the actual wire to the end of it and pull the whole thing through? It's surprisingly hard to find youtube videos on this point...
However, it seems that if I want to put the mic for bluetooth calls up by the rearview mirror (which is apparently the best spot), I'd have to run the wire along the headliner, down the A-pillar, and through the dash over to the back of the unit.
This is a total wiring newb question (see user name), but how do you route a wire across the dash without removing the whole thing? I've never wired a house before or done any electrical work in a car, so my knowledge is pretty much limited to know what it means to route a wire.
Do you do something like shove a somewhat stiff wire through from one end until it magically comes out where you want it, then hook the actual wire to the end of it and pull the whole thing through? It's surprisingly hard to find youtube videos on this point...
JaketheSSnake
SILVER Star
Yeah you just have to kind of get down underneath the dash and look for openings. It doesn't have to go straight across and would be easier to work with down low, if that makes sense. Zip tie it to other wires along the way. And yes, something like a coat hanger can definitely help.
JaketheSSnake
SILVER Star
Also, there is a metal support right above the stereo in the dash that a magnetic gps antenna can sit on if you have one. It works fine right there and makes it so much easier to install.
- Thread starter
- #28
Thanks man! I guess that makes a lot of sense... Why go across the top of the dash if I can just get it down under where no one will ever see it...
- Thread starter
- #29
That's exactly what I was hoping to find. The youtube video for installing the gps antenna said the same thing - just find a metal piece inside the dash and attach the antenna to it. Glad to hear that's the case for these rigs as well!
RE: backup camera
it is very easy to get the video cable from the head unit to the back interior corner where the taillight and jack is stored. it can be a royal pain in the arse to get the video feed and power from the back corner and into the tailgate. and I'm an industrial automation technician. and i would advise against using a wireless backup camera. they all look like garbage to me. but even still, you still have to get power from the reverse light and into the tailgate, still a pain. if you must use a wireless transceiver, i highly advise to put the unit in the storage pocket where the jack lives
all of the under dash pieces are just screwed or pressure fit in. its very easy to get the dash apart. you'll just be on your back contorted in the drivers foot well for a little while. you will also need wire for the reverse sense for the head unit and also for the parking signal override depending on the head unit
i have a kenwood. seemingly bullet proof but i am dying for the next wave of apple carplay units to come out. i see no reason to get a head unit with nav. with google maps or waze on my phone (thank you ram mount!), im just waiting very impatiently for it to be on the head unit screen.
that raspberry pi setup sounds amazing. great, yet another rabbit hole to go down. my wife would lose her mind if she could play super mario world on the way to the lake house!!
it is very easy to get the video cable from the head unit to the back interior corner where the taillight and jack is stored. it can be a royal pain in the arse to get the video feed and power from the back corner and into the tailgate. and I'm an industrial automation technician. and i would advise against using a wireless backup camera. they all look like garbage to me. but even still, you still have to get power from the reverse light and into the tailgate, still a pain. if you must use a wireless transceiver, i highly advise to put the unit in the storage pocket where the jack lives
all of the under dash pieces are just screwed or pressure fit in. its very easy to get the dash apart. you'll just be on your back contorted in the drivers foot well for a little while. you will also need wire for the reverse sense for the head unit and also for the parking signal override depending on the head unit
i have a kenwood. seemingly bullet proof but i am dying for the next wave of apple carplay units to come out. i see no reason to get a head unit with nav. with google maps or waze on my phone (thank you ram mount!), im just waiting very impatiently for it to be on the head unit screen.
that raspberry pi setup sounds amazing. great, yet another rabbit hole to go down. my wife would lose her mind if she could play super mario world on the way to the lake house!!
I installed my backup camera about a year ago. Overall, I'm pleased but I would prefer a wider view.
Reverse Cameras
Reverse Cameras
Just a recommendation.... one of the most used "tools" I have for doing auto audio/video is my old fishing pole with all the metal "rings" taken off. Works great for fishing wires, cords, and such whereever you need them, and it comes apart so you can use half, or full thing....7ft.
I've probably ordered 100+ Head units, speakers, subs, etc. and I've never had a problem. I better "knock on wood"! Lol
mypancreasbroke
SILVER Star
The inlaws got me a Joying head unit for Christmas (and new window motor for my rear passenger door). I plan to install that, and a small amplifier, in the next week or two. I'll try to get some install and final product pics. I'm also planning to order a backup camera, and cb to install into the cab. I figure while I have the dash apart its time to install everything all at once.
So it's not a double din, but I just installed over last weekend a Pioneer avh7800bt in my 80. Went that route because I have my cb mounted underneath. Regardless, Pioneer offers an app that allows you to stream google maps etc. to the headunit. It works for their double din HU's as well.. I haven't tried the ap yet. But I have read reviews that are 50/50 about it working properly. I hooked it up to an Esky back up camera. ($20 amazon) Decent camera thus far although many 50/50 reviews on it again, Mostly dealing with moisture getting inside. Time will tell. As for running the wires its simple just time consuming, I did however pull out the drivers front and 2nd row seats..I still can't figure out how to wire up my antenna to work as I bypassed the amp...Ill tear back into that one of these days. I wired it up so I can view the camera all the time if I want instead of coming on solely with the reverse lights. I also wired it to play dvds while driving.
- Thread starter
- #38
I've ordered all of the parts for my install (Kenwood DNX693S, refurbished, from Crutchfield), and they're arriving tomorrow (the backup cam from Amazon already arrived).
I'll try to take and post pictures from the install, although I don't know when I'm going to get around to the project as I'm also moving in the next few weeks...
In any event, I'm excited to get into it. This will be my first electrical/wiring/stereo work on any vehicle, so I'm sure there will be a learning curve. I'm going to concentrate on not fxxxing up the wiring or any of the trim surfaces, since everything else will be hidden.
One question I've forgotten to ask as this thread has grown... My rig's got a 4x4Labs rear bumper with tire carrier and jerry can rack, and the backup camera can't really be mounted anywhere that it normally would be. Since there's already a license plate bracket (and plate, obviously) underneath the jerry can rack, which has wiring for the plate lights, I'm hoping to install it there and piggyback on the wiring already in place to get to the taillight. The camera will be a little off-center, although I don't think that will bother me as I mostly want to be able to see that I'm not going to back up into/over the car behind me, and I figure as long as I can see roughly how close they are it will do.
Anyone have experience with a backup cam and the 4x4Labs bumper? Any other suggestions on where a camera might fit and how the wiring into the rig would work for piggybacking?
I'll try to take and post pictures from the install, although I don't know when I'm going to get around to the project as I'm also moving in the next few weeks...
In any event, I'm excited to get into it. This will be my first electrical/wiring/stereo work on any vehicle, so I'm sure there will be a learning curve. I'm going to concentrate on not fxxxing up the wiring or any of the trim surfaces, since everything else will be hidden.
One question I've forgotten to ask as this thread has grown... My rig's got a 4x4Labs rear bumper with tire carrier and jerry can rack, and the backup camera can't really be mounted anywhere that it normally would be. Since there's already a license plate bracket (and plate, obviously) underneath the jerry can rack, which has wiring for the plate lights, I'm hoping to install it there and piggyback on the wiring already in place to get to the taillight. The camera will be a little off-center, although I don't think that will bother me as I mostly want to be able to see that I'm not going to back up into/over the car behind me, and I figure as long as I can see roughly how close they are it will do.
Anyone have experience with a backup cam and the 4x4Labs bumper? Any other suggestions on where a camera might fit and how the wiring into the rig would work for piggybacking?
So run the camera cable(s) along the transmission tunnel then behind the 2nd row seats turn and run underneath the plastics on the drivers side. Run back to the tail light area (still behind plastics). Down deep in that pit you will find a grommet that leads to the outside. Run the wires through that grommet then snake it to where you want to put it.
You would/should do the same if mounting on license plate except you come out of that grommet and travel central following the factory harness. Then push through tailgate rubber hose. And then through the license plate wiring grommet hole.
