Complete Noob!

[Piper]

Hello Everyone!Well I am new to this forum and wanted to shout out a big hello! I have been a Vibe owner for about almost a year now. I have a 2004 GT VIBE and have decided that stock is just not good enough. While visions of the “Fast and the Furious” dance in my head my wallet holds me back.I hope that though this forum I can find some good deals and hook up with other vibe owners in my area. After all I spend 12 hours a week in my car so why not make it as nice as possible. The first step for me is the sound system. I am going through some tough choices right now and could really use the help of some one that has been through this before. I pride myself on being an audio/technophile so the setup that I have in my VIBE now is just not up to my standards. Here is what I have on the shelf: -Pioneer DEH-P7400MP-Polk Component Speakers -Delphi Skifi2 Here is what I have in my VIBE: -GPS/DVD Navigation system with CD Changer-Polk SpeakersI would like to keep the NAV system and integrate into the gear that I have on the shelf. But the more I look on this forum the more I come to the conclusion that in order to raise the bar on sound I am going to have to sacrifice the navigation system. I can’t figure out where I would put the Pioneer if the NAV system where left in place. If anyone out there has been able to have their cake and eat it too please post! If not I will take the NAV system and changer and sell it on Ebay and save up for the Pioneer In-Dash DIN NAV system. (Which looks a hell of a lot more capable that the OEM VIBE system but costs 2k!) Finally does any one have a detailed subwoofer install? (Do you need amps? What wiring do you need? Etc?) I have looked at the firewall and getting wiring through doesn’t look easy. If any one has tips on getting after market wring through the firewall (Firewall for dummies) please post! Like I said in the title of this post I am a complete noob to VIBES. But summer is coming and I am looking forward to going to the NHRA track in my area for the first time.Cheers, Piper

[damronjr]

Welcome to the site! I am just shooting from the hip here, but assuming you could just leave the vital wiring for the Nav HU, you may be able to hook up an aftermarket HU in the center console or glove box and run the speaker/amp wiring and such to it and keep the NAV unit in the dash and still be able to use it for NAV purposes only. I'm not sure if this is possible, but I don't see why it wouldn't be with the right people doing it. Might cost a little extra for the wiring, but you would be able to have your cake and eat it too!

[joatmon]

Hi Piper, welcome to genvibe!I don't know if you'll have much luck keeping the OEM NAV system and adding an aftermarket head unit too, but if you do be sure to take lots of pics, and post them and wiring diagrams .in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=14274 Jahntassa saidQuote »Run the power wire through the main wiring grommet in the firewall, it's just above the gas pedal on the firewall. He'll likely reply with better info that I can provide 12 hous a day driving in Reston? That's what, about 20 miles /week? I almost never get over that way, and I don't know if it's Reston proper, but I had to get off the toll road onto 28 during rush hour. What a nightmare! Hopefully your miles are west from there, instead of into the maelstrom of DC traffic

[kostby]

Welcome to the Encylopedia of Vibe!From a space standpoint, I suppose you could install either 1) the old NAV or 2) the new HU in the large mid-cabin 'storage' compartment, but it'd be HECK trying to 1) read directions, or 2) change stations, or CD's while driving!

[Mase]

I've seen an aftermarket HU installation where the 12v and 110v outlets are on the front console with a tv screen in place of the nav system. Of course, you will have to relocate your outlets and build a custom HU bracket, but it's possible.

[Piper]

Those of us who live in Washington DC know the nightmare that is the daily commute. Right now I am commuting from Reston to the Pentagon where my job site is. I am a information security consultant. So my work takes me all over.

[Piper]

From the sound on things to have my cake and eat it too would require way too much modding. Which translates into way too much money. So I have made the choice and am going to sell my Nav unit and CD changer. Like everything I have done on a limited budget this is going ot be a staged build. First stage it to get the car transition over to my Pioneer HU and upgrade the entire speaker system. In 12 to 16 months from now I will hopefull have enough saved up for a an after market HU NAV system like the one that Pioneer sells. Then it should be a lot easier to install since all of the mounting will be in place. Seems like the bottom line with the OEM parts is that if you want the best you got to pay for it.

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by Piper »From the sound on things to have my cake and eat it too would require way too much modding. Which translates into way too much money. Seems like the bottom line with the OEM parts is that if you want the best you got to pay for it. How very true that is! But it is a possibility if you REALLY wanted to do it. TBHWY, unless you have a stock Bose system, pretty much everything else is better off replaced with aftermarket for quality purposes!

[Piper]

AGREED, Look for Pictures of my install project on this forum after my March LAN Party. (Yeah I am a gamer too) I am going 100% Crutchfield.