| Author | Message | ||
     jay caragay (Jcaragay) Member Username: Jcaragay Post Number: 137 Registered: 02-2002 |
Hello Everyone- I just received an Alpine 60wattx4 CD/MP3 Head Unit as a gift and would like to install it this weekend. I did a search of the site under the keywords "CD," "Radio,' and "Head Unit" and while I found some good stuff I do have a few questions I'm hoping that some of you will have insight on. Harness Someone mentioned a PAC-OEM2 harness, will this be an appropriate one for my application and where do I source the proper harness? Amps I understand that the factory system came with separate amps for the speakers. Can I easily connect into the wiring to those speakers with the 60x4 source on the new unit? Or will I need to run new wiring? Subwoofer Is there a way to tap into the existing subwoofer amp and speaker system without replacing the amp? If not, what recommendations for amps do you have? Remote Switches While the Alpine comes with a wireless remote, is it possible to tap into the factory controls surrounding the instrumentation? Lighting The factory unit can be dimmed to match the gauges, can the Alpine unit be tied into this feature? Other Issues Are there any other issues that I have not addressed that I should be aware of? Thanks! I'm not very well versed in radio installation so any input is greatly appreciated! | ||
| Joe M. (Little_joe) Member Username: Little_joe Post Number: 94 Registered: 11-2002 |
You're going to find this installation to be very difficult. I did, even w/ the PAC OEM-2. Rip out all of the factory junk incl wiring and do it right. Wish I would have listened when people told me this. I could never get the whine to go away w/ the OEM-2, Crutchfield PAC and locals were stumped. joe | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1221 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jay: I apparently had a completely different experience thanmost others, although it did require a few prayers to Lord Lucas, some incense and a few dead chickens... I doubt you'll be able to tie the controls on the dash into your new rig, same with backlighting. As for hooking it up, you didn't say what year your truck is, nor if it's NAS, but you can hook your stereo up to the existing amps, and they aren't THAT bad. You will need a level converter to mate the output of your head unit to the truck, but other than that, it's not too difficult. I posted the wiring for the speakers the other day, so you can try a search to find the wiring. A good choke/cap filter will remove the whine. Peace, Paul | ||
| Leo P. Hallak (Leo_hallak) New Member Username: Leo_hallak Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2003 |
I have a Alpine unit just like that. and with the amps you cant use it at its 60 watts, it will just feed the stock amps. If you want to use the 60watts you will have to rewire to the speakers. And with the power of that unit running it gets really hot. In the end I just ripped all of it and replaced all the speakers and put in new amps. It was starting to feel half ass. -Leo | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1223 Registered: 02-2002 |
My 40 watt Kenwood feeds the stock amps just fine. | ||
| Leo P. Hallak (Leo_hallak) New Member Username: Leo_hallak Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2003 |
The alpine is a little different Paul to get the 60 watts out of it you have to run a power wire for the amp thats built in besides the normal power wire. It runs very hot in that little dash. I guess with stereo's its all personal opinion.  -leo | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1224 Registered: 02-2002 |
OK, I thought you were stating that it would not work with the existing amplifiers. Sorry. | ||
| jay caragay (Jcaragay) Member Username: Jcaragay Post Number: 139 Registered: 02-2002 |
Thanks guys for the feedback. It is greatly appreciated. Paul- I have a 1995 Disco NAS (I presume this means North American Spec). | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1233 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jay: Here is what I posted last weekend for another fellow, hope it helps. ----------------- OK, here goes: Speaker outputs Rite Front-Green/Black Left Front-Yellow/Black Rite Rear-Red/Black Left Rear-Blue/Black The corresponding ground wire will be adjacent in the wiring harness/connector. Ground Continuous power Switched Power Switched through headllight switch Whoops, you're on your own for the power, SOMEBODY who shares my home decided those neatly filed manila folders weren't as neatly filed as I thought. Peace, Paul | ||
| Kevin Howell (Kevinhowell) Member Username: Kevinhowell Post Number: 51 Registered: 02-2003 |
listen to joe. rip everything out and do it right. after ripping it out, drive to the baytown bridge. stop at the 27th i-beam support, and heave that useless crap over the edge. take note that no tugs or ferries are traveling beneath at that moment, though. hang on to those color codes that paul gave you, because you're going to be very bewildered if you try to trace wires from the speakers (both fronts share the same black/white color code inside the door before splicing into the colors paul gave you). | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1235 Registered: 02-2002 |
I'm embarrassed to admit how long I drove around with the signal to the left front speaker in the right rear speaker... There is no rhyme nor reason to the way these trucks are wired! When I get my hot rod 5.0 litre engine, winch, roof rack with tent, million candle power lights and mastercraft seats with harnesses, I'll rip out the stuff I have now and go back to the Nakamichi stuff I had in the past. Yeah, I like to have tunes, but what I have is enough for me until the other stuff is taken care of. | ||
| Kevin Howell (Kevinhowell) Member Username: Kevinhowell Post Number: 53 Registered: 02-2003 |
amen to that. i'm saving up to install that sports mode button that the later models have so i can get my 0-60 time down to 4 seconds. |
