Stereo Systems

[getlost4x4]

I need a little help here.

I'm building a complete system in a waggy.

i want to keep the old AM stereo in place and add a hidden system in the vehicle. all i want the new unit to do is sound quality, volume control, FM /AM stations, USB or Ipod Compatable, and blue tooth. I do not need a CD player. I will play music off my blackberry through the receiver unit. i'd like to be able to route my calls through the unit VIA bluetooth.

i'll add some 6.5" speakers in each of the 4 doors. and i'll add some 6x9 speakers in the tailgate. i have two amplifiers already. one is a 2 channel pioneer with 300 watts, and the other is a sony explode with 333 watts. both are mosfet.

i'll be upgrading the alternator later on to deal with the added power drain.
Chevy 140 amp alternator

i'm also installing a CB, winch and lighting.

Thanks

 

[Figone]

What help do you need? Trying to decide on a head unit? Wiring suggestions? Be happy to help, but not sure what you're looking for.

 

[getlost4x4]

i need a head unit. i'm not sure what to get. i do not need a CD player at all.

 

[esh]

The Alpine media head units (ida-x303) are pretty nice, and have no CD. They have one of the better screens if you are using the head to control USB/ipod/blue tooth audio.

I ended up with a JVC (kd-avx33) with similar features but with CD/DVD player. It was cheaper because bluetooth phone+audio was built-in. The 44 is the current one, but I didn't like the touch screen interface so I found an old stock with buttons on ebay. It has a crapload of features- usb/ipod/aux in/bluetooth/sat radio/video in/out.

One thing to test out in a store is the UI that controls your ipod/usb device. In general they seem to be horribly designed, non-intuitive, slow. The JVC is pretty good but it took time to get used to it. Take your ipod or at least a usb stick in with you. I recommend finding something that can handle playlists.

All the optional features start to add up. I bought a lot of them on ebay, but it turns a $200 head unit into $500 pretty quick once you start adding connections not built-in.

 

[Token]

Hidden is your biggest issue.. It used to be kinda cool in the 90's to have a wired remote so you could stand outside your car and screw around with your radio.. That gave way to wireless remotes.. Thing is most of those are IR and pretty much line of site.. If the head unit is outta sight, the IR remote isn't gonna do much for ya..

Might think about hiding it in the glove compartment though.. Still be a PITA to have to be reaching over to open the glove compartment all the time so you can change the station with a remote..

Somthing you might think about is putting a visor shelf above your head and sticking a decent head unit up there.. If you wanted to hide it out, you could even make a semi transparent cover out of a black sheer material..

May want to surf some of the Hot Rod forums.. Surely some of the "Good Guys" have came up with some creative ideas for hiding good sound in those "restored" T-buckets..

 

[larryt]

I recall that Sony used to make a wired head unit type controller that was only an inch or so thick and could be mounted in a variety of unusual locations -- visor, etc. That was just a CD changer controller only though, I think. And I don't see anything like that on the market today.

Some people just connect an Ipod directly to their amp, but that would cut out Bluetooth, FM, etc. I ended up just using a single-DIN head unit with a removable face and making the rest of the system completely hidden. You might head to one of the car audio forums for other hidden options that can retain your stock head unit.

 

[ckale1]

http://www.normansclassicautoradio.com/
http://www.vintagevibes.net/Stereos/secretaudio.htm

Try this for a start.