When I left off, I had all the parts to install a Pioneer double din stereo in the truck. I had never dealt with car audio before, so I was a little uncertain if I would be able to figure it out. When I bought the Pioneer, the guy at the shop assured me it was easy. Once he knew I understood wire splicing, he said all you have to do is match the wire colors. The video I watched used an adapter that went from the stock plug to the new stereo. The shop guy said that might not work for me since my stereo was not stock, so I didn’t look into buying an adapter.
Once I worked up the nerve to actually do it, I pulled off the instrument bezel and took the Clarion unit out. Looking at the truck wires, none of the colors matched the ones from the Pioneer plug.
So many wires, so few brain cells.
I really thought I would have to pay someone to do it for me, I was a little intimidated by all the wires and the different colors. My wife convinced me to do more research first, so I looked for YouTube videos. This video explained what all the colors meant and I realized I was looking at the truck’s wiring and I needed to look at the wires from the old Clarion connector. Then I went through one at a time and cut a wire. I found the matching color on the Pioneer harness, stripped it on both ends, and slid a section of heat shrink over it. Once I had it ready, I put a butt connector on it, crimped it, and heated the heat shrink. There are 15 wires, so it took awhile. The stereo plug also has an attachment for a rear view camera and an extra long wire for the parking brake. I did not use the camera one and the brake wire I grounded to the frame. Then I took a section of wire loom tape and wrapped the whole thing. It definitely looked better than what was there before, and I had paid someone to do that one.
This took way too long.
It also came with a microphone and I ran that through the dash and mounted it on the steering column.
Now it was time to cut the bezel. The kit had a template that snapped into the bezel to trace around and cut. For this I used my Dremel. It cut easy enough, I just had to go slow or else the plastic would melt back together behind the tool.
Looks bad, but there is a cover.
Then I checked the bezel and it looked very nice.
See, much better.
Then I pulled the stereo out of the box, holy crap the screen was huge. It was separate from the main stereo for remote mounting, but I needed it attached, so I put it together.
Then I attached the bracket from the adapter kit.
Now it was time to cut the inner dash. In the video and a post on Cumminsforum they both said not to cut the bottom even though that’s what the instructions call for. I did a test fit and the top was barely too tall to slide in, so I decided to cut the metal off the top of the joint of the stereo and screen.
Cut flush with the plastic.
Now I slid it in again, but the plastic of the lower dash angled downward so the stereo still wouldn’t slide in, so I had to cut the inner dash up, something I was hoping to avoid.
Also ugly, but will be hidden.
Now it was time to connect the wiring and slide it in. I was so nervous to hook the batteries back up and turn the key. The screen lit up like it should. That was a major relief.
YES, IT’S ALIVE!!!
Then I ran the USB cord from the back of the stereo to the opening above my airbag controller. I had bought a piece of glossy 1/4″ plastic so I cut it to shape and drilled a hole and screwed the USB cable holder into it. I put the bezel on and admired my work for a minute.
Nice, but crooked.
Looking at the screen, it was off kilter. Also the USB holder was loose because the gap behind the bezel was about 3/4 of an inch from the dash. I realigned the stereo and glued a piece of foam to the back of the plastic holding the USB cable.
Looks much better.
I am still not 100% happy with the alignment, but it is good enough until the next time I have to take the bezel off. That will probably be when I buy a back up camera. It’s not worth dealing with on its own.
Once I got the equalizer set how I liked it, I was amazed at how much clearer it sounded than my Clarion. Between the sound quality, having a larger screen, and being able to talk on the phone while driving in spite of how loud my truck is, this is one of my favorite upgrades. Total cost was $500 and around 6 hours of work. If I did it again on a different truck, it would probably only take around 3 hours.
Nice work, stereos can be a headache
Once I figured out what I was doing, it was pretty straightforward.
Most of the headache was getting the knowledge and confidence to do it.
In the olden days, you had power, ground, and two speakers.
In the olden days, stereos didn’t sound as good as this one.
Also didn’t have half of the capabilities.
I would say more, did not have 1/10th the capabilities.
Once you get around to the backup camera, you’ll wonder how you ever did without. Especially if you are hooking up a trailer.
As I mentioned at Episode 1, we did this to Mrs. Dean’s FJ. Thirty seconds into the how-to YouTube, I said “No. Effing. Way.” I paid the pros, and the final result is, well, professional.
Nicely done. It was a better decision to cut metal off the stereo than to cut the bottom off the dash. Good dashes don’t grow on trees.
That was my thinking, but I had to do it anyway, just not as much.
What about good hyphens?
That’s enough of that, period.
That’s a lot more complicate than the new stereo and speakers I installed in 1989. Funny how every stereo replacement seems to include a lot of spit and string to make everything fit.
Great job!
It looks great and I don’t think the alignment is worth spending another second on.
When I put a back up camera in, I might mess with it more.
Your (well, my, anyway) first go at anything is never as pretty as the second. One reason I used the shop I did is they have done many times what I wanted done to the FJ.
Congrats, Ron!
🙂
Thanks
Speaking of cars, and girls, and cars-and-girls…
The Richard and Izzy Hammond show is pretty hit-or-miss for me, but this one was really interesting. Not for the track day antics so much as the “Who are you, and what have you done with my little girl?” part.
I enjoyed Richard’s summary of modern Ferrari.
https://youtu.be/Y6INMSEj2GU?si=kVxWFbeu9f0R4qGR
He concluded he’d rather have a Dacia and house.
Oh my. When it started nagging him about the white lines lol!
That was wonderful. She’s adorable. And he looks at her like I look at mine when she’s playing a gig. Such pride.
I’ll have to watch that later at home.
Nice job. Funny thing is I find complex mechanical repairs much more tedious than electrical.
The approach to both is organization in whatever way works for you.
Also, re Izzy- does exhibits not the slightest regret or confusion about her “assigned sex”.
Richard’s summary of modern Ferrari.
Most excellent.
I have a soft spot for Dodge Rams, since Walker Texas Ranger was one of my favorite shows growing up. I wished I had your skill Ron!
His truck was the same body style.
I’ve liked the second gen since they first came out in’94.
A properly done 1st gen is a work of art.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saWLNrUPnIg
Oh shit, did I never post a link to The12Volt? I used to use that site extensively, for the year.five I worked in a car audio shop that built, among other things, DB drag systems. Lots of useful information there.
Regardless, that’s some very nice work.
You did once when I mentioned being confused by the wire colors not matching.
Also, I’ll be in Williamsburg for work one day in the next couple weeks.
Since I should finish around 1-2 pm, I’m going to have my wife meet me at Food for Thought.
Cool! Place passed the test, huh?
Ron, you mentioned in dedthred that your kid is having a bitch of a time in the marketplace of XX psychos. My 24 yo son is experiencing similar issues. Lately, though, he’s been swing dancing and has met a bunch of cute chicks – including prospects whose SOs won’t dance with them. I know DEG is involved in the scene, too, so it may be something for the kid to look into.
“…including prospects whose SOs won’t dance with them.”
I recognize all the words, but the meaning doesn’t make any sense? Isn’t it understood that when your SO wants to dance, you haul your ass out on the floor? I though that was the rule?
Apparently no longer.
Not a rule, so much as a defensive strategy so your girl doesn’t dance with some stud like Tundra Jr.
This is how I know I’m getting old – young people are getting increasingly lame…
Pictured: Tundra Jr. in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4VlD-JP0ug
I recognize all the words, but the meaning doesn’t make any sense? Isn’t it understood that when your SO wants to dance, you haul your ass out on the floor? I though that was the rule?
With respect to Swing dancing, Salsa dancing, or other partner dancing (Samba, Walz, Foxtrot, Bachata, etc.), assuming the guy is a beginner, it’s rough for the guys at the beginning. There is a lot to learn. Many women won’t be helpful. Yes, sometimes even their girlfriends. After all, there are much better guys to dance with at the dance.
So I sympathize as I’ve been there before and been that awkward guy that doesn’t know what he’s doing that no one will dance with except for some women taking pity on me. Well, I’m kinda there again whenever I dabble in Latin dancing.
But, the only way to get better is to get over this and keep trying. Take lessons and work at it. Eventually you’ll get it, and the women that ignore you now will suddenly want to dance with you once they see you are competent.
I will also say that you can get burnout.. I did ballroom/latin for 10 years with my wife.. Went from zero to fairly good. Then it was no longer fun.. she loves it, I’m ‘meh’ So she will dance much more than I will..
In the beginning I couldn’t dance.. I could do the one choreographed wedding dance with my wife, and then had to learn everything.
Learning to lead the dance is one of the skills.
Thanks, DEG. I knew you’d have good input. The boy is indeed taking lessons but he’s commented that just jumping in has done a lot for his confidence and overall attitude.
I love tango, but leading it is an insane amount of work.
There were very few mixed couples (dancer/not dancer) back when there was a swing dance scene here.
I broke both of my ex-wife’s pinky toes dancing. I only dance with myself now.
pistoffnick (370HSSV) – Clearly you’re not the right choice for teaching the world to dance…
Maybe I’ll mention something like that to him.
Thanks
” I had never dealt with car audio before, so I was a little uncertain if I would be able to figure it out. ”
Back when I worked for the auto electrician shop, the main business was building police cars. Which is just a car stereo system on steroids. We had about 10 radio techs on the payroll, and they all started by working on car stereos.
And if those idiots can do this, anyone can. See the wiring from the former “tech” for example. You did much better work.
It all looks good, congrats!
This is all fascinating. But for me if falls under the “I are engineer; I pay someone else to do stuff” banner.
Intelligence is highly compartmentalized. Mechanical, electrical, biological, mathematical intelligence seem especially so. I am what one might call a mid-wit in that I have a basic grasp of just about everything but no above average of anything. Oh well…the cards we are dealt….
For any skill other than symbol manipulation*, I am below average. Fortunately, the one thing I am really good at was well paid.
*and even that doesn’t include math.
I think many of us are like that. I know my way around carpentry, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, music and a bunch of other things but I wouldn’t describe myself as gifted in any of them. It’s nice to be able to pick and choose what I feel like tackling.
YouTube has been a game changer for me. I’m sort-of good with tools, but Mrs. TOK’s cousin showed me that when something breaks, look for a video. I (or the two of us) have fixed my furnace, water softener, clothes drier, and cars that way.
Previously referenced client is so beyond my mental capacity, I feel ashamed to be alive.
feel ashamed to be alive.
Unless you are a mass murderer or a child rapist, never think that.
Talking to people smarter or more knowledgeable than you grows your mind. Talking to people less intelligent or knowledgeable than you grows your ego. One feels better; the other is better.
I taught myself basic woodworking and can do that pretty good. I taught myself brewing and excelled at it.
But I won’t bother to learn to do something one time, particularly if there are significant costs involved in screwing something up.
This is why I always hated working on my daily driver. The stress of not being able to finish it on a deadline (getting to work, usually) made me very anxious. Much rather work on someone else’s car, a hobby car, or do electrical work. I am much better at all of those.
All the car stereos I put in were smaller than the stock one, so I never had to deal with cutting shit. I’m glad I didn’t have to, I’d fuck that up.
For the D&D nerds:
https://x.com/PulpLibrarian/status/1874890896514355427
I probably read a few of those back in the day. Those covers are beautiful.
There was a lot of good artwork for D&D back in the day.
I recognize a few of those names.
Once he knew I understood wire splicing, he said all you have to do is match the wire colors.
Heh.
Once I worked up the nerve to actually do it, I pulled off the instrument bezel and took the Clarion unit out. Looking at the truck wires, none of the colors matched the ones from the Pioneer plug.
I knew it! I knew this was coming!
Once I got the equalizer set how I liked it, I was amazed at how much clearer it sounded than my Clarion. Between the sound quality, having a larger screen, and being able to talk on the phone while driving in spite of how loud my truck is, this is one of my favorite upgrades. Total cost was $500 and around 6 hours of work.
Excellent!
Ron, if you ever want a “remote unlock” let me know. I installed a remote keypad for my friend in his dive truck (you don’t want keys or the remote with you) A RAM 3500 . Now the default instructions say.. cut this wire, and this one.. directly connect to the door motor etc. which is too risky. The in door lock/unlock switch only has 2 wires (signal and ground). It uses two different resistors to signal lock/unlock to the central computer. So given the wiring diagram and measuring the module, we used Ohm’s law to reverse calculate the 2 resistors required, prototyped it with alligator clips, and then hooked it up.. still working today.
My car supposedly has an entire module in the tailgate just to allow you to have a RFID wristband for this purpose.
I am reminded of the “you left your lights on” beeper in my 83 Pontiac.. The module in my car didn’t have that feature, but for some reason I had the module out, saw that the circuit board had the tab and wiring, but just didn’t include the relay to trigger that feature, so I soldered in a standard relay, and it worked.
Car wiring isn’t that hard, but having the detailed wiring diagrams is key.
Butlerville’s snow has finally made it down here.
Bummer to start the year. The other day I mentioned the cute Libertarian activist who said she always got laid after New Years parties. Got me thinking, so I googled her. Found an obit– she died last year of cancer. It is tough when you reach an age when folks you knew who are younger than you start passing.
Sorry, creech – a down-note to start the year.
Sorry
Well that sucks. Sorry about your pal, creech.
Just because.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8mE1ULEnGc&ab_channel=SoulAsylumVEVO
Just Because
Huh, never realized Questlove played the drums on that.
That’s…lovely!
Nikka gets my vote for “most mystifying non-superstar”.
She’s a wildly talented singer songwriter who puts on a fantastic live show, she’s attractive, has tons of industry connections (her dad, Don, was a big-time producer, she’s worked with Prince, Clapton and others) and… she’s largely unknown.
The music business is crazy.
Thanks for the new follow.
Just Because.
My first adventure in car stereo installation was in my 1967 Ford Galaxie.
It had an AM radio in the dash. And still did when I was done. With the help of my Uncle, we strapped a FM (Only) radio from out of a late ’50s Lincoln. They had completely separate radios for FM and AM at that time. We then slaved in an old 8 Track* and mounted speakers on wood panel and attached them to the B-pillars and back deck. Was actually a pretty kicking system for a $300 car.
Ran wiring directly into the fuse box to make things work. Just had to figure which fuse was on the right switch.
* 8-track was just starting to die out for cassettes, so I could get 8 tracks for dirt cheap.
Forgot to add… Everything was attached to the underside of the dash, using plumber’s tape and sheet metal screws.
I changed out the ones in an ’80 Monte Carlo and a Chrysler who’s year I forget now. Very straight forward.
All I can do in my ’03 Monte is plug a box into the AUX input on the back and route my phone through that because the security and other stuff goes through it as I understand it.
There used to be “put the OEM radio in the trunk and have it pass through to the new unit” kits — but I expect they (like the box I have) aren’t made/sold anymore. (I just found that the washer fluid line I need to replace is also discontinued everywhere… sigh… car is only 20 years old, Chevy… going to have to see if I can superglue the line back together (it gave out at a join not a break).
And re: the dancing above… I have no rhythm and know it. Fortunately my wife has no interest in dancing, because I’d be royally sunk if I had to. I would seriously embarrass the human race if I were to try.
I was at a car show and one of the dudes with an old Pontiac had a working 8-Track. So groovy.