Hey everyone i hate to bore everyone with another one of those remote start questions but, I've been looking and want kind of a basic system and now it's chilly in jersey i work out on the road so i at least want to hit the button and have heat when i get in the truck. I've never installed one myself yet but i'm pretty mechanically inclined and have done a lot of other various things close to this. I've searched a couple threads and have gone to viper's web site but still uncertain. If some of you fella's could point me in the direction of a good system i'd appreciate it. I'd like to install it myself cause the local shops suck. Using scotch lock connectors (craaaap), not really doin a bang up job from the get go, and cheatin by cuttin corners then when you call em out on it they deny. I'll do it myself that's just me but thanks for any feedback.

 

very happy with my Python system! quality product too

 

I just had my system installed last night. A buddy has been doing installs for 12 years at the premier shop in my area and he came to the house to help me out (read this as "do the entire install other than my fastening the siren under the hood and running the wire for it).

I went with the DEI Avital line. DEI makes Viper, Hornet, Avital, etc. It's all the same stuff with different pricing levels. The Avital Avistart 4400 is their 2-way, LCD remote alarm with start. Rediculous amount of features and seems to be quality stuff. Does stuff like starting the truck every 3 hours if I want, or starting the truck when the inside gets to a certain temp or starting the truck every 24 hours, tells me the inside temp of the truck via the LCD remote and lots more.

My buddy who knows the wiring diagrams in his head took about 2 hours to install this in my truck. It would have taken me at least 2 times that long. He drops the fuse box and driver's side kick panel and rocker panel trim piece and used T-Taps to connect into everything he needed. We added some extras that make killing the alarm much more difficult and some other add-ons to better protect the truck and contents. He really prefers the Astro stuff and also suggested that you use seperate components for start and alarm so that if any one piece fails, you don't lose other functionality. He said Codealarm, Astro, and then DEI would be his choice in that order. While installing my alarm he explained why he preferred the other brands and actually showed me the differences. Mostly, it was that the DEI stuff is more of a pain for the installer and more difficult and expensive to program and customize than the others (DEI makes the installers buy a device called a bitwriter to program extended functionality and they don't make it software upgradable, the shop has to buy new chips each time there is an update)

Bottom line is they all do about the same thing and most are lifetime warranted if installed by a shop.

It was nice to get into my truck this am (25 degrees this morning, boys) and have it warm and all the windows clear.

 

I bought the Viper 5900SST system for my truck. I was going to install it myself but after looking at all the wires and knowing that you have to splice them in at the right place of it can screw up the truck. I think I'm going to just pay the $250 or so to have a local shop install it. They know a lot more about it than I do. I'm a mechanical guy not electrical.

You could always have the shop install the system and then go back through and hardwire everything. I hate connectors to. I solder and shrinktube everything.

 

I asked my friend about using T-Taps and such. He simply said he's been using them for 12 years and has had 3 occasions where they caused a problem. Each time the issue was found before the client came to pickup the vehicle. I agree that using solder and shrink wrap seems like a better solution, but having the ability to work faster and remove things without cutting, change wires around, etc is appealing. Based on what I've read online, there is no advantage to hard wiring...it goes against my grain, but sometimes we have to realize there is a better way.

 

I am debating between the 5900 and the 7900. How has your 5900 worked for you and if anybody can give me some background on their experiance with the 7900 I would appreciate that.

 

I bought the Vipe(DEI) it seems to work good. I had it installed for $160. I didn't get the auto start. Nobody (that I know of) has tried to steal it since then.(X-MAS). It has the pager which is nice.

 

I know it depends on a couple different variables but typically what does the 5900 go for unistalled and installed? gettin cold here wanna do it soon just don't know where to go might tackle it myself. Tryed pricin on web site but didn't offer prices

 

I'm having a Hornet 564T (same thing as the Viper 5900) installed on my 250 soon. Was quoted $400 locally for the installed system. That's including the tach signal booster and ultrasonic sensor for the interior of the cab to keep people from just popping the rear sliding window open.

I'm an EE and do all of my own wrenching, but it seems like paying the extra to have this guy do the whole installation AND get a warranty through DEI makes a lot more sense than me doing it myself.

 

I've found the 5900 for as little as $175, but looks like $200-$240 is the average just for the alarm. Expect $150-$200 for install unless you know someone who will do it on the side.

The 7900 is the 5900, but with the OEL display remote. Just bling...no function.

 

I just paid $450 for my Viper 5900,here in Jersey....Where in NJ are you?

This system is all you will ever need, It has the alarm, auto start, and auto shut down. Works up to a mile away, and if someone so much as taps my truck it will alert my key chain up to a mile away.....

Got mine installed at AutoImage here in Brick, great kids over there!

 

Your about 25 minutes away i'm in middlesex and there's some decent place around here but i've heard some horror stories also. My friend owns an auto body here in town and he's done a few and swears by viper and he keeps tellin me get it we'll do it. Not that i doubt mine or his mechanical ability but what if you know. It's not like were doin somethin like slappin in a system i really don't know whats involved to do this. Yours a lifetime warranty right?

 

Have you tried the remote over long distances? Everything I've read on the web says it doesn't work nearly as far as they claim unless you have near line of sight.

 

Haha were practicaly neighbors! ya know I didnt even know it had a LT warranty??

Well your not too far if you want these guys to install/sell. FYI its bid out for an 8hr install (i think). For $450 I leave it to these guys who do it everyday. Good luck!

 

I was at festival once up in here in NJ and it was on a sprawling type fair grounds, where I knew the direction of where I parked but couldnt see the truck, and it was started when I got to it! prob. at least a half mile....