Well i got the head unit in a few days just got a chance to post some pics. I made the installtion kit myself with some mdf, sand paper, black spray paint and alot of time. I used the factory head unit brackets to fasten the kit. The radio is an alpine cda-7897.
There are pictures of the back but that is just temporary for the next month. The three amps will be attached behind the seat with a large ported box on the upper deck of the cargo area.

 

looks good

way better than mine! hehe... and mine has the aftermarket insert too!!

You should look into putting the amp in the side compartment! I think you can fit a 8" for sure in there but maybe a 10" ...

just some ideas!

but looks nice anyway

Lance

 

yeah the back is a work in progress, I just wanna get the new speakers in the doors and get the amps connected then im gonna redesign the back. Chris

 

Looks good and I'm sure sounds even better. But 1 question(of course):

Why didn't you install a double-din head unit to fill the factory stereo location??

 

Is that a Brahma in the back? If so then I'm sure that thing pounds. I love that head unit, I was looking at them but opted for a much cheaper touchscreen unit. What kind of front speakers do you have?? I see you have 2 amos...

 

yes it is a brahma but im having trouble with the current setup not proper box nor direction Im finding. Im in debug stage. I acctually have three amps the 3 rd isnt in the the tantrum isnt even connected to anything yet. I will be running a pair of image dyanmic chameleons componets with 125 watts, and then a pair of mbquarts of something in the rear feeding them 60 watts with another tantrum.

 

no double din cause off of the good head units arent double din!!!!

 

Nice set up!!!

Are you adding any other aesthetic enhancements (neons, fiberglass, clear speaker box)? Anything that you add will only make a tight azz system tighter.

Outkast`

 

Looks Great! I am thinking of that same head unit. They just have so many different models I can't decide. I would prefer a non face off, and that one fits the bill.

 

yes it is a non face off which is great it goes and hides itself atomatically its great.

Um not sure there will be a few neons it the back, with some neon fans. Im in the process of designing a new box cause I cant face the sub up, it just doesnt work. It needs to be faced at the rear window for good output. So a new box and a second brahma is in need. And a different amp i think i need more power at 2 ohm.

Chris

 

bk- does the power antenna go up only when u listen to the radio or does it go up all the time you press power?

 

Chris,

That is sweet!!

 

'03 antenna is in the rear glass. There's not an external antenna.

 

can you still control the volume and the stations from the steering wheel?

 

very doubtful on the controlling the vol etc etc on an aftermarket radio.. Unless you hardwire it in (which I have no idea...)

 

it can be done and will be one of my future mods its very easy to do all you have to do is purchase this item and install it. They got about 60 bucks. But im not sure if its worth it for my my head unit does have a remote control.

http://www.go2pac.com/products/swi.htm
PART# SWI-X

 

Chris, awesome job, better leave the rear window down when it's cranked!

Another question, sorry. The flip out mini-bin below the climate controls, can that be pulled and the space good for something else like a CB, or is it too shallow? Thanks.

 

BT17R:

That slot is too narrow for a cb but it might work.. as for me, I'm planning to wire up a power inverter somewhere there so I have extra power slots...

who knows.... just thinking of some cool ideas

 

yes there is not much room there. also the piece you are refering to is attached to the main center console trim. It would require alittle extra modifiction. Chris

 

Hey Chris,

I put in a panasonic unit at Thanksgiving and have been meaning to wire the SWI-X for some time. Did you install it yourself? I couldn't find the wire the instructions refer to because that part of the installation was done by a shop and they cut off the factory harness. I need to know which wire I want to attach to the SWI-X input as well as whether or not I need to use any of the supplied resistors.

Thanks,
Erik