Stereo head unit install info needed
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Stereo head unit install info needed
Gathering up what I need to replace my busted factory radio here. Planning on a Pioneer X7500bt single-din head unit. Was hoping there was a quick way to look up what I need but it seems scattered thru about a Brazilian not-obviously-named threads. So what all do I need here? Definitely not my first rodeo installing a radio in a vehicle, what I'd is specific brands and/or part numbers that have worked well for folks. THIS install kit, THAT wiring adapter, what headaches I can expect along the way, etc. I will NOT be keeping the factory rear DVD, etc, it's broke-ish too anyway. Anybody who wants it give me a holler.
TIA
TIA
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Cargo Master
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From: Sacramento Area
^^^^^ What he said! ^^^^^
More Turbo
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Sacramento Area
I have seen some posts where they get some of the radio controls to work woth aftermarket head units, but I think some decent wiring skills were required. A forum search for "steering wheel swap" should help you out.
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That doesn't help me much 
Either page just leads to a pile of parts that may or may not work, or work WELL. Like what specific dash kit works better than the other, etc. I see Crutchfield has a unit in the scratch n dent bin that beats Amazons price, maybe I'll just go that route since they throw all that stuff in.
What I'd like to do is work out a trade with the standard rear HVAC trim piece in tan. I can deal with a few empty holes in the headliner but can't think of anything else to put in ab empty DVD player hole. Also understand this thing needs work, I played a DVD once for about 5 minutes, then spent the next 10 trying to get the durn thing out.
Not sure if I want to bother with the steering wheel controls or get an aftermarket wheel remote. As far as I can tell, there's no button on the wheel to go back a track, just forward, which bugs me, but the CD player has been jammed since day 1 so I don't know. Can't wait to find out what's all jammed in there. Probably a bunch of beiber albums.
Pull!
*BLAM*
Either page just leads to a pile of parts that may or may not work, or work WELL. Like what specific dash kit works better than the other, etc. I see Crutchfield has a unit in the scratch n dent bin that beats Amazons price, maybe I'll just go that route since they throw all that stuff in.
Not sure if I want to bother with the steering wheel controls or get an aftermarket wheel remote. As far as I can tell, there's no button on the wheel to go back a track, just forward, which bugs me, but the CD player has been jammed since day 1 so I don't know. Can't wait to find out what's all jammed in there. Probably a bunch of beiber albums.
Pull!
*BLAM*
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2007
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Metro is a good dash kit. I think there is only one- as far as steering wheel controls, PAC makes a specific non for a pioneer, and you program what ever you want. I have mine setup to skip foreword and back. And volume up and down...
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Sacramento Area
I don't see why not...I plugged in a 2003 Ford Excursion, and it tells me exactly what parts you need to connect your head unit to the factory wiring, what head unit adapters will work, what speakers fit in your door...etc.
...pretty hard for a wiring adapter to not work well...unless you twist your connections, forget the tape and just jam it into the hole, the wiring harnesses are pretty uniform. One will come with your head unit, then you grab one for the truck side, match the wires, solder/shrink tape the connections and its plug and play.
..."works better than the other"? That's not a question you should expect a single answer to.
I think I used a Metra insert...some don't like the pocket at the bottom and don't want to flip it over to put the pocket at the top...some don't want a pocket at all and want the HU centered vertically.
Some can't figure out how to get the insert in properly and end up breaking the tabs (usually from NOT reading the instructions first).
One guy doesn't like a matte finish, another does.
One guy doesn't like that an insert uses it's own trim ring instead of the head unit - another guy does.
Asking what a guy thinks about one brand over another is like asking "whats the best color"...you'll get 10 guys that give you 10 answers.
..."works better than the other"? That's not a question you should expect a single answer to.
I think I used a Metra insert...some don't like the pocket at the bottom and don't want to flip it over to put the pocket at the top...some don't want a pocket at all and want the HU centered vertically.
Some can't figure out how to get the insert in properly and end up breaking the tabs (usually from NOT reading the instructions first).
One guy doesn't like a matte finish, another does.
One guy doesn't like that an insert uses it's own trim ring instead of the head unit - another guy does.
Asking what a guy thinks about one brand over another is like asking "whats the best color"...you'll get 10 guys that give you 10 answers.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2013
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I have used metra and is fine. Pretty much all the hu install kits are the same quality just one with a pocket and one without from what I see. The PAC is nice too. U just have to program it and it's easy Now I remember someone saying problem with wiring up the rear controls but I can see the PAC fixing that
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Reno, NV
Any reasoning behind the single vs. double din?
I installed my double din Pioneer head unit into my Ex about a month ago. There really isn't any headaches to speak of.
I will say I preferred the American International dash kits over that from Scoshe and Metra.
I did keep my factory DVD and will be running the zone 2 from my current head unit to that so that the kids can choose to have something more than just the DVD that is in there.
I installed my double din Pioneer head unit into my Ex about a month ago. There really isn't any headaches to speak of.
I will say I preferred the American International dash kits over that from Scoshe and Metra.
I did keep my factory DVD and will be running the zone 2 from my current head unit to that so that the kids can choose to have something more than just the DVD that is in there.