How hard is it to install a CD deck?

[Viper GTS]

I finally got my insurance check ($577.24, YEAH!), so I'm finally going to get a CD player for my car. A guy here at work who's crazy (he has a 15" sub in his trunk) recommended the Panasonic DF100 as a good deck for it's price. I can get it for $156 online, or he said it's available locally for $179 installed. Is it worth the drive & the extra money to get it installed, or is it easy enough that I could do it myself? What other hardware would I need?

Keep in mind that I have precisely NO experience with car audio. Installing this might be a good start for me...

Viper GTS

 

[IamDavid]

Its very easy to do.

 

[geno]

Easy - just make sure you check your wiring

 

[Killbat]

That local price is not-too-shabby, but you could probably handle the install yourself just fine. It's just a matter of finding the fit kit for it and a getting/making a wire adapter.

 

[yakko]

Viper GTS,

Once you pay for shipping the price difference is not that much and the little extra you pay is worth it so you can drive back to the store and say "You installed wrong."

 

[bigbootydaddy]

smilephotovideo.com

they dont have the model you want, but some bad-A prices, you should check it out.

installs are easy

 

[Frenchie]

It is an easy install. However, for an extra $14 ($165 shipped v. 179 installed) why not let someone else deal with the headache. And you get a professional install, and typically a warranty on their labor as well.

 

[Viper GTS]

bigbootydaddy...

Actually, they [L=do]http://www.smilephotovideo.com/details.cfm?store=carstereo&category=In%20Dash%20Cd&itemno=PACQDF100[L] have it.

And for <$135, too...

Viper GTS

 

[Optimus]

Its dead easy to install - check fuses, connect all the wires correctly (testing with voltage meters and knowing which ones are 12v, ground, memory power, antennae, and speakers), install mounting hardware... and watch as the damn thing refuses to work. Test, retest, use voltage meter, test fuses, check power, re check wiring for the millionth time... nada.

Finally pay the b@stards at Future Shop $50 to install an already installed radio - they mess with it for a few minutes and it starts working - they don't know what they did, but are happy to charge you $50 anyway ($40 plus $10 because we had already tried to install it).

Worst bunch of crooks I've encountered since my Saturn dealership's service dept. :|

 

[Soybomb]

Its really really easy to install....once you figure out how to get the trim around the radio off hehe. I'd sort of question the panasonic choice though, I haven't heard many people rave about them for car audio.......

 

[Viper GTS]

Soy...

It's far better than the stock Honda deck that's in there now. And price is a big concern right now. If I ever get serious about car audio I'll replace it, but this is just a temporary.

But, that having been said, does anybody have any better suggestions for the price? I'm looking for something under $200...

Viper GTS

 

[bigjon]

What kind of car is it going into?

If you're lucky (and have a fairly new car) you can get a wiring harness at Circuit City or even Radio Shack which will make the installation even easier. If one isn't available for your car you can probably still get one through Crutchfield for $15 or so.

Do you need a harness? No. Will a harness make your life easier? Yes.

BTW, have you thought about getting an MP3 CD player like the Kenwood or Aiwa?

 

[Farbio]

viper, if you can do all the computer stuff you do and know how to get a box up and running from scratch, you should be able to install a head unit pretty easily, its just a matter of watching the color coding on the wires and making sure you get them all correct. the hardest part is probably getting the original deck out in all honesty....

 

[pdo]

If you wanna install it yourself. Best bet is to get it from Crutchfield where it came with a mastersheet on how to remove the panel, wiring harness where you can just plug it in and it's done, and a kit if your car need it one. I wouldn't recommend you try it yourself unless you know what you're doing. You gonna need tools like a test light and a crimper.

 

[Viper GTS]

bigjon...

It's going in a 1989 Honda Accord, &amp; I'm quite sure it's had a CD player in it before, as the stock deck is loose.

As for the wiring harness, I like the sound of that... Kinda like a softmenu, I guess.

Viper GTS

 

[Doodoo]

Its not hard at all...snip the harness off...connect 11 or so wires...and ur set. Hardest part is figuring how to get the damn thing out. Check out claroin and pioneer decks. Also check out www.carmedia1.com for prices. They ususally have the lowest prices on hte net.

 

[Farbio]

oh yea, they have a harness for your car viper, guaranteed, just go into circuit city or best buy....it'll be there

 

[Soybomb]

I havent used a test light or crimper once....I solder all my connections and have a sheet saying what color wire is what. HERE is a nice basic receiver, good brand, lots of power, plays cds, detachable face, etc. And with ordering from crutchfield you'll get all the wiring pieces you need, a sheet showing you how to take your car apart to get to the stereo, some of the best customer service i've ever had, etc. I think thats worth another couple bucks, at least the first time you do it

edit: might I add that i hate the &quot;snip the old harness off&quot; idea. What if you ever want to put the old one back in to sell it or something? Crutchfield will give you an end that will plug into the car's harness and one that will plug into your deck. You look at the sheet that tells you what color wire is what and match 'em up.

 

[Viper GTS]

I'm gettin' 403 errors off that link, Soy, what model were you trying to link to?

Detailed instructions would be perfect, I'd rather take the time &amp; learn to do it myself than just pay somebody to do it.

Viper GTS

 

[bigjon]

Viper,

This guide helped me a ton the first time I installed a head unit. It's free too (and there's a PDF). Your car should definately have a harness - check our Circuit City or some other place that has car stereo stuff.

 

[BigToque]

Viper,

I just recently installed my first cd deck (Pioneer P3100). I opted to install it myself. When I first pulled out the old radio (not a tapedeck/raido) there were like plugs a stuff and I figured I was totally above my head in doing this. I went to future shop to get it installed (for free) but they said it would take a week and a half before they could get to it. Being the impatient guy I am, I decided I was gonna get it done myself or ruin it trying.

I went to Canadian Tire (local hardware store) and was told to get a test light to find the power and ground wires, etc. After cutting the ends off the factory plugs and a little bit of logical thinking, IT WAS VERY SIMPLE to install the deck.

4 sets of wires for the speakers (8 total wires)
1 ground wire
1 constant power wire
1 accessory wire (I think thats what its called)
1 Radio plug

and thats it as far as I know. I just put some electrical tape over the other wires and tucked them behind the dash. Everything works fine now.

 

[Wangel]

I suggest that you let someone else install it. If they mess up your dash, stereo, or anything else in the dash, then it becomes their fault. Many dash panels have clips that break easily. Let them be responsible. Likewise, if the stereo develops any problem, they will blame it on your install. Let them be fully responsible. If you haven't installed a stereo in a while, there are many tips and tricks. Some cars use floating grounds, have preamps installed, electric antennas, keeping the speakers in phase, and other things.

The previous poster was almost right: Actually any BOZO can install a stereo.

 

[Doodoo]

As long as your car doesn't have a stock amp you should be fine. Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes. Check out www.installdr.com. It'll show you how to take apart your dash. I guess if for some reason you want to ever put ur old deck back in...id get a wire harness...they're bout 10 bucks or so. You can get em anywhere...i even think Sears and Walmart carry them. For under 200 bucks, i'd check out these http://www.soundhabit.com/Store/dir.cfm?CategoryID=59.

 

[loup garou]

I've installed several headunits in my cars (stereos don't last long in New Orleans, if you catch my drift), and the wiring part is easy. The hard part is physically getting the damn thing in there. A japanese car will probably be easier, but on the Olds and Chrysler I've installed headunits in, there's hardly room for all those wires and the unit in the dash. You've got to be very neat with the cables. I actually had to bring my latest headunit in to a local installer, because I had it all hooked up, it worked, but stuck out an inch from the dash. I don't know what the hell they did, unless they trimmed some of the wires, but it's in there now.

 

[Thegonagle]

Viper, it's extremely easy to do in your car. Grab your #2 Philips screwdriver and take off the sides of the center console, if it's an LXi with the cassette bin. You have to get underneath the back of the radio. You might need to drop a little black compu-box out of the way, but don't try to disconnect it--you don't have to. Look up under the dash. You'll see the 2 bolts that hold the radio in place. Remove them. Slide the radio out towards you. Disconnect the Antenna and wire harness from the back of the radio and it's out. That's it! Hondas fscking rule, though I have a Nissan and a Toyota now.

For the new one, just follow the installation guide. You should have no big suprises, unless some ding dong cut the factory harness :|

Good Luck!

P.S. Your dash has no easily broken clips that I can think of. Just don't lose any screws.

Edited for brevity.