Questions About Crutchfield

[NickNat]

Hi, I've been looking to install a mp3 car stereo. I have went to Circuit City and they are charging me 64.99 for kit and installation fee. I came to this site and noticed Crutchfield and found this player that I think it's good: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-LSBdk9iFuKl/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=113MP2035

However, I have a few questions. I have no experience whatsoever in installing car stereo. Will the master sheet be clear enough for an extremely nervous newbie? or do you need at least some experience?

I'm living in Alameda, CA. Just wondering if anyone who's near the area can guide me with the installation.

Car: 1999 Protege

Thank you very much.

 

[shaggyhair]

However, I have a few questions. I have no experience whatsoever in installing car stereo. Will the master sheet be clear enough for an extremely nervous newbie? or do you need at least some experience?

installing a new head unit is actually pretty simple. you'll use the wiring harness included to attach the unit to the stock connectors. it's basically if you understand colors, you'll be fine.

also, since this is a mazda forum you can use the search function to find even more specific guides to installation from people who actually own your same car.

 

[Kansei]

There's tons of us here who can help you out (not local but we can still help online). It's really not a difficult install, and crutchfield will include everything you need I think. Pretty much you just match colors from the Kenwood harness to the crutchfield harness for mazda, then it's plug and play

 

[NickNat]

Does anyone knows any video online that shows how to change head unit? similar car will do.

thanks!

 

[MZ ZOOM]

Does anyone knows any video online that shows how to change head unit? similar car will do.

thanks!

ive been buying stereo decks and speakers from crutchfield acouple of times..And they are very good at there services....they have very clear spread sheets and what tools you need to install a stereo to installing speakers....etc...they also give you free harnessess and etc....very good customer service too .....i recommend them if you are gonna buy a head unit....(thumb)

 

[ZoomZoomH]

another satisfied Crutchfield customer here, yes they may be a bit more expensive compared to some other vendors, but the Master Sheet instructions they send you (plus the FREE hardware kit for a complete install) are truly top-notch, definitely worth the price imo.

 

[ZoomZoomH]

and you'll STILL come out ahead in cost compared to letting some monkey at Circuit bad scratch up your dash panel lol

 

[Prodigy]

There's tons of us here who can help you out (not local but we can still help online). It's really not a difficult install, and crutchfield will include everything you need I think. Pretty much you just match colors from the Kenwood harness to the crutchfield harness for mazda, then it's plug and play

Idea A : Simply crimp identical color wires together (time efficient)

OR

Idea B : Be completely anal and do it right!

Step 1:
-get soldering iron, heat gun, clippers + strippers, zip ties, and electrical tape.

Step 2:
-cut wires to shortened length (I took about 5" off)
-strip wires
-slide heat shrink wraps over wires
-twist
-solder connections

Step 3:
-use the heat gun to shrink the heat wrap
note : the quick connection is for the amp turn on

Step 4:
-Add more heat shrink, electrical tape, or zip ties to hold the rest together.



DONE!

 

[NickNat]

I need a heat gun? How much is it?

That's also part of my worries. Buying expensive tools for installing the head unit, and only use them once.

Sorry I didn't mean to complain so much. But money is an issue right now. That's why I'm thinking to install it myself and save some money.

What other tools I need for the head unit installation?

 

[Kansei]

well duh (in reference to prodigy's post) but for someone who says they are a total n00b, I don't think they'd want to get into soldering all those wires. My harness is totally soldered (my custom radio/auxiliary gauge cluster )

 

[Kansei]

I need a heat gun? How much is it?

That's also part of my worries. Buying expensive tools for installing the head unit, and only use them once.

Sorry I didn't mean to complain so much. But money is an issue right now. That's why I'm thinking to install it myself and save some money.

What other tools I need for the head unit installation?

no, you don't need a heat gun. You can activate heat shrink with a soldering iron.

25W soldering iron from Radio Shack - $7.99?
A spool of lead-free electronics solder - $3.00?
A couple packs of misc size heatshrink since radio shack doesn't just sell a pack with the small heat shrink you'll need last I checked - $3.00?

Or like 5 dollars for a bunch of butt connectors and 10-15 for a crimping tool. Soldering is more permanent, electrically better, and nominally safer (depending on how well you would do the crimping job). I don't know of a single audio shop that actually solders things (whether it be car audio or remote starters and alarms). If the safety (fire safety) issue was that much of a concern with butt connectors I don't think all the big chain stores that do car audio installs would do it that way.

 

[Prodigy]

$5 for butt connectors + crimping tool at Harbor Freight.
It's faster + cheaper.

 

[ZoomZoomH]

man some of you are really anal for doing the wiring 'the right way' lol

crimping is fine, just crimp it well

 

[NickNat]

I thought it's all about twisting the "naked" cables together (by hand) and use electrical tape to wrap it up

 

[Prodigy]

I thought it's all about twisting the "naked" cables together (by hand) and use electrical tape to wrap it up

I guess Im teh win!