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06' Nissan Altima S (Help with minor upgrades)

ibex333

ibex333

Diamond Member
Buying a used 06' Nissan Altima and want some advice on rectifying the issue of missing features on such an old car.

1) Backup camera. I absolutely need it. I cant use the mirrors for backing up to save my life. My previous car(first car in my life) had a backup camera and I backed up like a champ every time. I cannot afford a new car with a backup cam installed at this time.
The local mechanics in NYC charge around $400 for installation, which is a complete ripoff given how a cam costs like $35 on Amazon, and the job isn't worth more than $100-200 or so IMO. I was wondering if there are any "simple" solutions which do not require wiring to the tail lights. As I understand, even wireless solutions require connection to tail lights, and this is something I am reluctant to do myself.

2)Auxilary port/Bluetooth. Any solutions which do not require opening up the dash and fiddling with connections in the back of the stereo? I know bluetooth can be done with plug in receivers, but those tend to be spotty.
Hey, if there's no simple way to go about this, I'll be fine with just the radio. Not a big deal at all.

3)Xenon/HID Headlights. Should I bother? Is it worth it in your opinion?
The lights themselves are like $135 online, but I bet installation would run me around $400 as well. Possibly not worth it for that sort of money.
 
I have an 08' G35x with an old 30-pin iPod interface, not sure if the 06' has such option. Because of the change from 12v to 5v my old iPhone 4s was never compatible with the interface. I had an iPod photo that worked just fine however since discovering Spotify the iPod photo was just not cutting it anymore. I picked up one of these BT receivers and paired it with my 4s that now lives in the center console.

I wouldn't bother for upgrading the headlights and sticking to whatever is stock since it is an 06'. You can find something more worthwhile to spend that extra $$ on. Sorry I can't answer your camera question.
 
ibex333 said:
Buying a used 06' Nissan Altima and want some advice on rectifying the issue of missing features on such an old car.

1) Backup camera. I absolutely need it. I cant use the mirrors for backing up to save my life. My previous car(first car in my life) had a backup camera and I backed up like a champ every time. I cannot afford a new car with a backup cam installed at this time.
The local mechanics in NYC charge around $400 for installation, which is a complete ripoff given how a cam costs like $35 on Amazon, and the job isn't worth more than $100-200 or so IMO. I was wondering if there are any "simple" solutions which do not require wiring to the tail lights. As I understand, even wireless solutions require connection to tail lights, and this is something I am reluctant to do myself.
Click to expand...

They require a connection to the tail lights because they need power to run the camera, and the tail lights turn on when you're in reverse. Then the screen plugs into your cigarette lighter port for power.

I bet you can do it yourself - I did - but if you don't want to then you need to pay money to somebody. Shop around a bit - it should be a <1hr job.

Wireless kits are more expensive than wired, but obviously installation is easier because you don't need to run the wire up through the passenger compartment.

2)Auxilary port/Bluetooth. Any solutions which do not require opening up the dash and fiddling with connections in the back of the stereo?
Click to expand...

Not if you want to do it right. eBay will have kits. If you can get an AUX adapter, then a BT->AUX adapter thingy is a quick $15 and you just plug it into the end of the aux cable.

While you're doing all this, you might want to install a second 12v port somewhere for all these gadgets. Since we're talking low-amperage electronics, and assuming you won't be using it for anything beefy like an air compressor, you can just daisy-chain it off the existing port. (Wire in parallel.)

Are you handy with a soldering iron?

Otherwise, yeah, you can get one of those old cassette tape adapters, that gives you line input.

I know bluetooth can be done with plug in receivers, but those tend to be spotty.
Hey, if there's no simple way to go about this, I'll be fine with just the radio. Not a big deal at all.

3)Xenon/HID Headlights. Should I bother? Is it worth it in your opinion?
The lights themselves are like $135 online, but I bet installation would run me around $400 as well. Possibly not worth it for that sort of money.
Click to expand...
LED lights require installation because of the ballasts. I'm pretty sure most Xenon/HID are just drop-in bulb replacements. Please tell me you can replace your own headlights.
 
Don't they sell headunits that include backup camera functionality?
Takes care of 2 birds with one stone.

DON'T BOTHER THE HEADLIGHTS.
Stock headlights are just fine.
 
1. I don't think you'll get away from wiring, however it is fairly minor to pull the wire to your backup tailights, put in a relay, and wire it to powering the camera. The wiring of the camera back up to the front of the car is time consuming but not difficult, considering you can just run it in the side sills. The reason it costs so much is that there is a lot of labor involved in removing interior parts. Also, this brings me to point 2, how are you going to see the camera?
2. If you have an existing in-dash screen, then perhaps you can wire the camera to it. Better yet, it might be worth it to see if there is an existing system for your car that is OEM that you can drop in. This might also give you bluetooth capabilities. Otherwise, yes I would look into an aftermarket system, that already has camera capabilities, and kill all the birds with one stone.
3. Don't you dare get Xenon/HID headlights unless you completely convert the headlight into an HID projector system. Don't be that asshole on the road with poorly directed beams that hit everyone in the eyes. Get a pair of silverstars or some other sort of drop in halogen bulb and deal with it.
 
dave_the_nerd said:
LED lights require installation because of the ballasts. I'm pretty sure most Xenon/HID are just drop-in bulb replacements. Please tell me you can replace your own headlights.
Click to expand...

I think you might have that backwards. If the car just comes with standard Halogen or Xenon bulbs, those can be tossed right on the 12V line, as they're just low voltage incandescent bulbs. HID bulbs have to have a Ballast to "strike the arc" essentially when the bulb is first turned on. An LED Bulb doesn't really use a ballast, but uses something similar called an "LED Driver".

The main differences are that HID Bulbs require AC Power to operate without damage, and thus the Ballast converts DC to AC. It is also responsible for firing the high voltage trigger that ignites the arc. There is also feedback into the ballast that the ballast uses to determine that the bulb has successfully fired and can go to a steady-state arc maintenance voltage.

On the other hand LED Drivers are simply constant current or constant voltage devices that deliver a steady amount of power downstream to the configured bulbs. Aside from really just being buck-boost converters with circuitry to deal with voltage spikes and sags, they are much simpler compared to Ballasts.
 
thecoolnessrune said:
I think you might have that backwards. If the car just comes with standard Halogen or Xenon bulbs, those can be tossed right on the 12V line, as they're just low voltage incandescent bulbs. HID bulbs have to have a Ballast to "strike the arc" essentially when the bulb is first turned on. An LED Bulb doesn't really use a ballast, but uses something similar called an "LED Driver".

The main differences are that HID Bulbs require AC Power to operate without damage, and thus the Ballast converts DC to AC. It is also responsible for firing the high voltage trigger that ignites the arc. There is also feedback into the ballast that the ballast uses to determine that the bulb has successfully fired and can go to a steady-state arc maintenance voltage.

On the other hand LED Drivers are simply constant current or constant voltage devices that deliver a steady amount of power downstream to the configured bulbs. Aside from really just being buck-boost converters with circuitry to deal with voltage spikes and sags, they are much simpler compared to Ballasts.
Click to expand...
Yep. LEDs can often be dropped right in and LED kits come with the drivers. HID kits usually have a much larger ballast that must be mounted somewhere else.

Either way, DO NOT get an LED or HID kit if you have stock headlight reflectors. Your lighting will actually be worse and you'll be an asshole.
 
thecoolnessrune said:
I think you might have that backwards. If the car just comes with standard Halogen or Xenon bulbs, those can be tossed right on the 12V line, as they're just low voltage incandescent bulbs. HID bulbs have to have a Ballast to "strike the arc" essentially when the bulb is first turned on. An LED Bulb doesn't really use a ballast, but uses something similar called an "LED Driver".

The main differences are that HID Bulbs require AC Power to operate without damage, and thus the Ballast converts DC to AC. It is also responsible for firing the high voltage trigger that ignites the arc. There is also feedback into the ballast that the ballast uses to determine that the bulb has successfully fired and can go to a steady-state arc maintenance voltage.

On the other hand LED Drivers are simply constant current or constant voltage devices that deliver a steady amount of power downstream to the configured bulbs. Aside from really just being buck-boost converters with circuitry to deal with voltage spikes and sags, they are much simpler compared to Ballasts.
Click to expand...

Ah, thank you for the correction.

I have been operating under the assumption that "HID" meant "Halogen." Curses.

I have messed around with LED kits that had "drivers" (and obviously thought those were "ballasts") - I thought that was a universal requirement.
 
dave_the_nerd said:
Ah, thank you for the correction.

I have been operating under the assumption that "HID" meant "Halogen." Curses.

I have messed around with LED kits that had "drivers" (and obviously thought those were "ballasts") - I thought that was a universal requirement.
Click to expand...

HID = High Intensity Discharge
 
I disagree with those saying headlights arent worth it. difference between regular and properly installed HID headlamps are night and day. But dunno if the OP is willing to go do it the right way w/ a true retrofit. check out hidplanet .com and theretrofitsource for a very fun DIY project. It would run about $500 for a proper job though.

and just putting HID bulbs in your stock housing will do nothing but blind oncoming traffic. don't do that.
 
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