A Request About a Stereo

[abrams]

Let me start off by saying I'm not very adept with cars, I just happen to own a 2001 Alero GL. With that:

So my friend recently got a new car that had built-in subs, so he gave me his old sub and amp for free. Here's an album of what I'm working with:

http://imgur.com/a/5rhl5

As far as I could tell in my trunk, I do not have the stock amp ("premium sound system") in my car.
This made me think of a few questions I'd rather make sure of instead of guessing about:

1) Do I need a different HU in order to use this sub?

2) If so, I had this in mind: http://goo.gl/2R6tZV My question with that is will this model fit in place of the radio?

3) If I do need a different HU and that model will work, do I need anything other parts to be able to install this?

I'm aware that my door chime will probably disappear if I need a different HU and I'm okay with that. I did some research on these forums and saw the word "harness" being thrown around a few times, but I'm not sure what one does or if I'll need it.
Any other warnings/tips for installing these would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any sort of helpful reply.

[S8track16]

To answer your questions:

1) You don't necessarily need to have a different head unit but if you decide to run stock, you will need a hi/lo adapter (I think that's what it's called) in order to give you the RCA outputs for the amp/amps. Even if you get a cheaper head unit, it will be more convenient for the future.

2) Yes, it will fit. You will need a single din adapter kit you can get from many automotive stores (I got mine from Canadian Tire). Also, Pioneer is a great brand.

3) The adapter kit will be required as mentioned above.

As for the harness, there are 2 main options. The first, there are cheap wiring harnesses for less than $10 that will work but will require you to "tap" into the ignition wire so the head unit will turn on when the car is on. Or option 2, (This is what I did) Get the more expensive harness (around $50) and just match all the wires up including the power wire and it also allows you to keep the factory chimes.

[S8track16]

I was just looking over the pictures from the link, you should get a prefab box for that sub. Based on the pics, it looks like there is a lot of potential for air leaks.

[abrams]

Originally Posted by S8track16

To answer your questions:

1) You don't necessarily need to have a different head unit but if you decide to run stock, you will need a hi/lo adapter (I think that's what it's called) in order to give you the RCA outputs for the amp/amps. Even if you get a cheaper head unit, it will be more convenient for the future.

2) Yes, it will fit. You will need a single din adapter kit you can get from many automotive stores (I got mine from Canadian Tire). Also, Pioneer is a great brand.

3) The adapter kit will be required as mentioned above.

As for the harness, there are 2 main options. The first, there are cheap wiring harnesses for less than $10 that will work but will require you to "tap" into the ignition wire so the head unit will turn on when the car is on. Or option 2, (This is what I did) Get the more expensive harness (around $50) and just match all the wires up including the power wire and it also allows you to keep the factory chimes.

First, in your opinion, should I go with a stock or custom HU? I don't necessarily need the aux it offers (I use an FM transmitter currently), but I do like the red glow to go with the red of the car (mine is the same as the one in your profile pic). Also, are you saying it would be a good idea to get the Hi/Lo adapter just to have? Will there be a noticable difference in sound quality between a stock and a custom HU?

A quick google gave me this, will it work for a harness? I'm actually not a fan of the chime. http://goo.gl/D43F21
I think I'll be able to figure out the mounting bracket part on my own.
As I said before, I don't regularly work with cars and prefer to let people who know what they're doing (i.e. not me) work on them.

[Nas Escobar]

Originally Posted by abrams

Let me start off by saying I'm not very adept with cars, I just happen to own a 2001 Alero GL. With that:

So my friend recently got a new car that had built-in subs, so he gave me his old sub and amp for free. Here's an album of what I'm working with:

http://imgur.com/a/5rhl5

As far as I could tell in my trunk, I do not have the stock amp ("premium sound system") in my car.
This made me think of a few questions I'd rather make sure of instead of guessing about:

1) Do I need a different HU in order to use this sub?

First thing's first, you should probably swap out that sub into a prefab box. In the picture, it seems as if the air would leak out of the top. This is a recommendation, take it as you will. Prefabbed boxes are not expensive at all. You could probably get a vented single sub box for less than $50 online or on Craigslist.

Also, a different head is not necessary, but it is recommended so you don't have to mess around with the "line converters" and you get more options. Also, features like bluetooth, 3.5mm jack connectivity, and USB connectivity make for a better listening experience. Not to mention if you're using an FM transmitter, the sound quality drops. Once you have USB or bluetooth connectivity, you'll notice how much more clear the sound is using those methods.

Originally Posted by abrams

2) If so, I had this in mind: http://goo.gl/2R6tZV My question with that is will this model fit in place of the radio?

Yes it will, but you need the mounting hardware. It usually costs $20 at Walmart. You can score it cheaper online.

While on this topic, you're better off spending $25 more and getting this radio.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...C-KD-A645.html

It has more features than the Pioneer, and it has 4 sets of RCA cables instead of 2. This means you can later add on an amplifier for your front speakers. This radio comes with USB, Bluetooth and Aux connectivity. The more versatile the radio is, the better it will be for sound quality.

Originally Posted by abrams

3) If I do need a different HU and that model will work, do I need anything other parts to be able to install this?

I'm aware that my door chime will probably disappear if I need a different HU and I'm okay with that. I did some research on these forums and saw the word "harness" being thrown around a few times, but I'm not sure what one does or if I'll need it.
Any other warnings/tips for installing these would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any sort of helpful reply.

Well, I mentioned earlier the mounting hardware, but if you're not interested in the chimes, the normal adapter will be fine. The only thing is that you will need to tap into the ignition cable in order for the radio to work. You would need to tap into a big brown wire near the ignition cylinder. It will keep your radio on in ACC mode BUT you will lose the RAP feature. That's the feature that keeps your radio on for 10 minutes after taking out the key. You will also lose the ding when your low fuel light comes on or when you have a code triggered. These are FYI.

Now if I was you, and I were to do this, here is what I would buy:

JVC Headunit
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...C-KD-A645.html

Scosche Wiring kit. These are true copper strands from what I gather, but they're fairly thin cables. IT works for your set up though.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Scosche-68...-Amps/14667122

Radio install kit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aftermarket-...505f54&vxp=mtr

Vented box (if the box leaks, which it seems it would. Besides, a vented box will give you more boom out of that sub)

IF it's a 12"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Q-Power-QSBA...e m35cc2fb61e

If it's a 10"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Q-Power-QSBA...e m51ba2ec205

[S8track16]

Originally Posted by abrams

First, in your opinion, should I go with a stock or custom HU? I don't necessarily need the aux it offers (I use an FM transmitter currently), but I do like the red glow to go with the red of the car (mine is the same as the one in your profile pic). Also, are you saying it would be a good idea to get the Hi/Lo adapter just to have? Will there be a noticable difference in sound quality between a stock and a custom HU?

A quick google gave me this, will it work for a harness? I'm actually not a fan of the chime. http://goo.gl/D43F21
I think I'll be able to figure out the mounting bracket part on my own.
As I said before, I don't regularly work with cars and prefer to let people who know what they're doing (i.e. not me) work on them.

I would go with an aftermarket head unit. It can make your speakers sound a bit better and the quality would increase as well due to the preout voltage being higher on the aftermarket unit. Eventually if you feel like adding a speaker amp, having the aftermarket head unit will make things easier.

That link for the harness is only meant for the deck itself, it will most likely be included when you buy the deck new. This is what you would want: http://www.amazon.ca/Stereo-Harness-.../dp/B000KL2PEI. For this harness, you have to tap into the ignition wire in order for the deck to turn on when the car is turned on.

[negolien]

That deck has 2 "sets" of rca's not 4 lol just saying. Might look into the JVC arsenal for $175 or so that's a great single din deck. Has all the features at the lowest price of all of em imho. I was either going with that or the DD I got. You'll also need the dash kit for it and the harness. Crutchfield is a good place to get all of it or at least have the site tell you what you need it's automatic when you enter you model and stuff and pick a deck. You can always go to ebay afterwards and look up the items the Crutch says you need and see if you can get it cheaper that's what I do a lot.

[abrams]

Thanks for all the help; I think I have all the info I need. You've been most helpful.

[S8track16]

Just a side note: I believe JVC overrates their products, I had a JVC kdr80bt and it apparently has 4.8V pre outs. After switching to my pioneer deck with 4v preouts, the sound it a lot clearer and slightly louder (everything else the same).