Audio Updgrade Time

[Silverchaos71]

Hello genvibe,

Been looking around for information on what I'm planning on doing with my 04 Vibe, but need some assistance.

I want to replace my HU with a double din HU (looking at a JVC KWR900BT or Pioneer FH-X700BT). I know I'm going to need probably adapter kits, and a wiring harness, but I'm stuck on a module that I've been told I need to purchase. BB quotes about 50 bucks for this module. I've been told the module is wired through the HU and controls airbag deployment (not installing it would cause it to either go off unexpectedly, or not at all....or so I've been told). I dont have the M&T package, just a bare bones standard 04 Vibe, so I dont have any of the OnStar stuff or associated extras. Do I need to find this module? Does anyone know where I can find one if I need it?

Secondly, I'll be installing my two Alphasonik 10" subs with ported enclosure in the back. I've got a Pioneer M500 monoblock 500W amp that I plan on putting under the passenger front seat. Couple questions about this:
1: Anyone run into any problems with the amp heating up being so close to the passenger rear floor vent?
2: Some suggestions on where to ground it around there would be helpful.
3: I got a set of BOSS KIT-2 8ga amp wiring kits, but the actual wire looks more like 10ga, as I'm not driving that much power to the amp, will this matter much? Or should I go look for some actual 8ga wire? Reference: http://www.amazon.com/KIT-2-Complete-Ga ... B000FKP7TY
4: I know that HU wiring harness lists have been posted (I've looked at them) but if anyone has a color diagram so I can identify the correct wire for the amp trigger/remote turn-on/whatever its called, I'd appreciate it.

I think thats about it until I get deeper into this mess I'm making for myself.

Thanks for the help!

[Silverchaos71]

Well, after a 5hr install, wanted to take my time and get it right seeing as it is my first time, I got everything installed and running great! Here's the lowdown on the installation:

Bought the Pioneer FH-X700BT and the Metra wiring harness from BB, and the Scosche Installation Kit and Antenna Adapter from Wally World. I heard some bad things about the fit and finish with the Scosche kit, but mine turned out fine.

Here's some pics of what it looks like:

Out of the box:


Into the Car:


As for the amp, here is how I ran my cables:
Power supply ran from the battery through the main cable hole (above the brake pedal, left of the master cylinder, I believe), down the left side of the car, under the drivers door molding, under the drivers seat, around the rear and under the plastic of the armrest and to the amp under the passengers seat. RCA cables and the Remote Turn-on went through the center console and in the opposite direction, down the passengers door molding, to the amp. The amp is grounded to a conveniently placed cutaway in the carpet on the ridge like metal that the passenger seat bolts down onto.

More pics:
Out of the box:


In the car:


As for the subs, I still had them in their original enclosure and placed them dead center in the rear trunk area. The speaker wires ran under the rear passenger door molding, and under the plastic flooring for the trunk to pop out directly behind the sub box.

Subs pre install:


In the car:


Only remaining questions I have are regaring the placement of the Amp. Has anyone had any trouble with placing their amp under the passenger seat right next to the rear passenger floor AC/Heat duct? I dont think the heat will be on that much to cause overheating, but I'd like to know if anyone has had any troubles or advice.

Also, the amp instructions call for a 60A inline fuse, however my amp wiring kit (8ga) came with a 50A fuse. Will this cause any troubles? When I turned them on this morning, and while driving around today, I never had any troubles, but I want to know if it would be wiser for me to go get a 60A fuse.

Otherwise, new sound system is running great and the subs are thumpin!

Thanks for the help genvibe!

Silverchaos71

[UnDeadly]

Hey Silver,

Thanks for posting this, I am considering doing a similar thing, and so far you are the only thread I have come across.

I just got an '04 Vibe as well (only 56k miles ), and am planning a HU, new speakers, and 4-channel AMP that will hopefully go under the passenger seat.

You answered my question about location, but any bad luck with heat now that we have been through a good part of summer?

How do you like your HU? I was looking at it for a while, but had dismissed it due to complaints of how bright it is (I drive a good bit at night).

And if you were going to wire for speakers instead of a sub, would you run your speaker cables in some sort of reverse-C configuration? That is, front speakers going up through the passenger side floor, and across the dash? How would you run the rear the rear passenger speaker?

Thanks so much for your help, already in love with my new baby but man the sound system is rough...

[05baseabyss]

I acutally have the exact same amp and head unit in my car. I had a 10 inch kicker truck box in the back that just went out on me. So i ordered a Rockford fosgate R1L-1X10. it should be here in the next few days. I have had no issues with the HU or amp so hopefully yours will work well for you now onto speakers for me... I have an 05 as my sn suggests lol

[UnDeadly]

I ended up going with the Kenwood DPX300U, and bought from Crutchfield. Considering they included the antenna adapter, wiring adapter, and additional mounting options, I thought it was worth the slight increase in price over Amazon.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DPX300U ... ml?tp=5684" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Install went great, especially considering I have only looked over a few friend's shoulders on their installs. Only had to do some small modifications to the bracket so the A/C wiring would fit properly. Sound improvement was marginal, but at least I have more equalizer options, and can listen to my iPod again.

Turns out I DO have a stock amp under my seat, which could make replacing it a touch tricky. It is mounted in "mid-air" to a black bracket which is attached to the passenger seat frame. I may remove the whole seat and try to modify the existing bracket to hold a compact Alpine amp, which is about 10"x10"x2". But for right now, these dreaded speakers are on deck to be replaced...