Stereo Update - United Bimmer Community

**QcMarque** · 05-02-2007, 09:42 PM

Well, I went and bought a JVC KD-AVX2 and installed it yesterday... I'll have a 7" TFT-LCD screen right below it where the ash tray used to be. I've had my rear deck speakers mounted in the OEM mounts for some time, but today I broke down and cut the rear deck so they'll actually fit. They're Phoenix Gold Xenons (Left Right), I still need to cut the original grilles to cover the mounting screws, mount and install front kick panel speakers and tweeters (also PG Xenons), the PG Xenon 200.4 component amp and the 2 crossovers... as well as get ahold of a PG Xenon 1200.1 monoblock amp for my PG Xenon 12d4 subs (12", dual 4ohm voice coil), get my deep cycle battery, hookup the power system, and overhaul the alternator.

Where the speaker fade knob went (next to the stereo) I'll run the cable for my mp3 player's AV into the deck (I'll run the cable through the original knob mount I have in a box somewhere.)

I'm thinking of getting the visors w/ the built in screen & dvd player... but I dunno on that one.

I'll post more pics as everything comes together!

Oh, also... the original system that came in the L7 is now going into a '92 Mitsubishi Mirage. I have the amp & wiring installed, just have to mount the speakers and install the Pioneer deck (when it shows up.)

**theSMELSINATOR** · 05-02-2007, 10:31 PM

yuck, i hate aftermarket decks. HATE!

but i do like the speakers. nice work there! and i hafta hand it to you, the LCD screen sounds like nice little mod, although i wouldn't want to put it in a classic like yours.

**celsdogg** · 05-02-2007, 10:46 PM

^^^ you plan on keeping a tape deck forever?

**QcMarque** · 05-03-2007, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celsdogg

^^^ you plan on keeping a tape deck forever?

+1

In my '75 I'll upgrade the speakers, and then I know of a place where they use the face of your original deck and basically put it over the top of an aftermarket one, full function (or as close to as possible) using the stock knobs/buttons, but fold the face down and it shows your real stereo. So it keeps the stock look, but gives you up-to-date functionality.

In the L7 I plan to do a LOT of drivin... road trips, cruisin, Bimmer drives, etc. So I wanted dvd/mp3 function with premium sound. If the original hadn't been just am/fm cassette with no aux. imput I may have kept it and just put in a dvd system - however since the amp & speakers are nice I decided to transplant them into another vehicle.

**theSMELSINATOR** · 05-03-2007, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celsdogg

^^^ you plan on keeping a tape deck forever?

yup pretty much. i have a cassette adapter for my ipod, and while that doesnt give premium sound quality, its still not bad. i just despise the aftermarket "lets see how many things we can make light up" look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by QcMarque

In my '75 I'll upgrade the speakers, and then I know of a place where they use the face of your original deck and basically put it over the top of an aftermarket one, full function (or as close to as possible) using the stock knobs/buttons, but fold the face down and it shows your real stereo. So it keeps the stock look, but gives you up-to-date functionality.

awesome, i'll let you slide then

**celsdogg** · 05-03-2007, 11:32 AM

^^^ i respect that.

i just couldnt do it. i had a cassette adapter for my cd player before i changed the headunit, and it was too much clutter for me, IMHO.

**QcMarque** · 05-11-2007, 11:49 PM

Well, the latest installment: a Pyle 7" TFT LCD screen. Currently it's not installed into the lower dash, but mounted to the ash tray cubby to allow for tilt & turn depending on viewing needs. I just won my Phoenix Gold Xenon 1200.1 amp (1200watt monoblock) on eBay and will have it in a week or two (brand new in box... now I have a complete PG setup). I'm geting ready to mount the front speakers and run all my wiring... in the meantime here are a couple pics of the screen...

http://files.unitedbimmer.com/ub.c/QcMarque/LCD1.jpg
http://files.unitedbimmer.com/ub.c/QcMarque/LCD2.jpg
http://files.unitedbimmer.com/ub.c/QcMarque/LCD3.jpg

**theSMELSINATOR** · 05-12-2007, 12:03 AM

pretty spiffy set up you got there. i like how it blends in fairly well.

**QcMarque** · 05-12-2007, 12:09 AM

The current setup is temporary... I want to replace all the interior, so once I start getting my new parts I'll use the originals as guinea pigs to hack up and make sure my ideas will work properly.

Next thing to figure out is integration of my Creative Zen... essentially I want to have my zen dock in the car and be able to keep it charged and the AV signal go to the headunit. I have a few ideas, and will have to experiment and draw up some designs. Once I'm done it'll be so nice for road trips

**MTurboPower3** · 05-12-2007, 02:01 PM

you should've got an alipne flip down you wouldnt have to cut any thing http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=IVA-D310

**theSMELSINATOR** · 05-12-2007, 05:58 PM

ugh ^that^ is hideous. but yall already know how i feel about flashy aftermarket decks.

**QcMarque** · 05-12-2007, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTurboPower3

you should've got an alipne flip down you wouldnt have to cut any thing http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=IVA-D310

That's a decent unit... but for my JVC I paid less than 1/4 the price listed for the Alpine. I was originally in the market for a Pioneer unit like that (AVIC system) which gives you your acceleration, lateral g-force, rpms, etc... but didn't want to spend that type of $$ right now. For my 7 I'm setting up for road trips, multi-station monitors so people can play games, watch their own DVDs, etc.

Now on my 5... that'll be different story as far as the system: pretty basic, maybe a fold out screen (still undecided), a set of component speakers and a single sub just so the tunes sound right.

**MTurboPower3** · 05-12-2007, 11:24 PM

oh ok well do what you want i was just offering another option for a head unit

**celsdogg** · 05-13-2007, 10:02 AM

that alpine wasnt bad. first off, its an alpine!

but it is more modern, which i know smel doesnt like

nice work QC! looking good!

**QcMarque** · 05-14-2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTurboPower3

oh ok well do what you want i was just offering another option for a head unit

No worries... I'm unfortunately on a strict budget as far as my system goes. I've personally always been partial to Pioneer, but have heard good things about Alpine.

Thanks cels... I still have a ways to go, but it'll be worth it in the end.

**QcMarque** · 05-30-2007, 11:55 PM

well, I finally have my LCD screen flush mounted... I have to touch up the leather (re-glue it down) but it's essentially done.

Now I need to make sure I don't have anymore leaks into the cabin, and put the stereo back in, finish running the audio cables into the trunk for the amps and run all my power/ground and speaker wiring. It's coming together just as I'd hoped (with less work than I had imagined actually.)

**elsabor67** · 05-31-2007, 12:40 AM

Nice

**celsdogg** · 05-31-2007, 09:39 AM

that looks excellent! nice work!

**MTurboPower3** · 05-31-2007, 07:40 PM

It looks good. How long did it take you?

**QcMarque** · 05-31-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTurboPower3

It looks good. How long did it take you?

Headunit install was about an hour or so (including wrapping off speaker level outputs, wiring constant/switched power, gnd, & dimmer to factory, etc), then the screen actually took about 25 min all together (once I figured out what I had to do to mount it flush). Wiring was easy as hell (just a power and ground)... here's the completed headunit & lcd together: