Gen2 Afternarket Head Unit

[GavinM]

Anyone have suggestions on a good head unit for a 2001 GTS?

Not looking for much, would just like Ipod usb hookup

Is it plug and play?

Thanks, Gavin

 

[GTSnake]

I was thinking of replacing mine with a Pioneer AVIC N2. It's over $1k though.

 

[RTTTTed]

Here's the Pioneer that I just installed in my Stealth R/T TT. I liked the Bluetooth (automatic cell phone handsfree) that I bought another one and installed it in my 2001 Viper GTS. Wrote a Illustrated Upgrade to show instal of ipod and Sirius into glovebox.

When a call comes in to your cell phone the stereo automatically rings and when you say "Hello" you're automatically connected. Sounds like they're sitting in your pass seat! Good stereo with all up to date formats (MP3, WMA, AAC, etc.). 6' ipod cable is included, XM & Sirius Satellite radio compatible, USB adapter capable, TV tuner adaptable, etc.

This is a Pioneer Premier DEH-P790BT

I found the best upgrade to the Viper stereo system is the speakers. The head unit was great, but the sound quality remained the same. When I changed the speakers to Hertz the improvement was HUGE.

Ted

 

[NukedGTS]

When a call comes in to your cell phone the stereo automatically rings and when you say "Hello" you're automatically connected. Sounds like they're sitting in your pass seat! Good stereo with all up to date formats (MP3, WMA, AAC, etc.). 6' ipod cable is included, XM & Sirius Satellite radio compatible, USB adapter capable, TV tuner adaptable, etc.

Is this the same forum that argues ABS and TC are too high tech for such a "raw" machine . . . .

 

[2snakes4us]

I'm real happy with my Kenwood KDC-X791

shop for best price they vary
here is a good link to check it out

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X791 CD receiver with MP3/WMA/AAC playback at Crutchfield.com

 

[GavinM]

Thanks for the ideas guys, how about feedback on the install. ive installed a few on other cars but not sure if anything is tricky cause of the amp etc on the viper.

 

[GTSnake]

Oh no... here we go again. The dreaded aftermarket head unit with stock amp question.

 

[RTTTTed]

TC??? Slow my car down? No way.

Lots of new laws require "hands free phones or get a ticket". No laws forcing me to add TC. If my daughter had to drive the car I would maybe add TC, but ... she can buy her own Viper!

Handsfree and highquality are great as I only instal GOOD stuff into my Viper. TC is for beginners to not crash and needs to be turned off when racing, unless you want to lose.

Hey, I even like the radar operated cruise control on the new Mercedes. But if I wanted cruise control that bad, I'd have to instal the TC so the cruise didn't kill me. A couple more computer systems, another $12,000? Don't think so, I'd rather skip a couple computer systems and buy another Viper.

Oh yah, aftermarket Bluetooth, CD, ipod, 200w Premiere Head unit - $400.
Installed at factory - $3-4,000? Duh, no contest.

Ted

 

[RTTTTed]

Oh no... here we go again. The dreaded aftermarket head unit with stock amp question.

My last Viper had Polk speakers and stock deck/amp. Great sound. I installed a Jensen DVD player instead of the stock Alpine. Same great sound with stock Alpine Amp.

I installed Hertz speakers to replace stock crappy speakers - Great sound. Installed Premiere DEH-P790BT head unit with stock amp. Same great sound. Asked my stereo expert if the common grounds of the stock Alpine amp would cause problems and he said that the big power was output from the amp so everything was good.

But, if you've got a few extra hours and a few hundred extra dollars, you could rewire the whole car and change amps, it might even sound a little better.

Ted

 

[Iceman]

Alpine iDA-X001 Digital Media Receiver designed for iPod

Only $230

Amazon.com: Alpine iDA-X001 Digital Media Receiver designed for iPod: Electronics

 

[dave6666]

Oh no... here we go again. The dreaded aftermarket head unit with stock amp question.

 

[georgethedog]

Thanks for the ideas guys, how about feedback on the install. ive installed a few on other cars but not sure if anything is tricky cause of the amp etc on the viper.

Make sure the headunit has pre-out rca cables and just connect them to the amp. Then get power to the headunit and ground it. There will probably be a yellow wire for permanent supply, a red wire for ACC power supply, an orange/white wire for illumination (headlights) and black to ground. The rest of the wires will be useless (steering controls, remote turn-on, etc.) The speaker wires are exempt because they already come from the amps. Plug in the antenna. Then take the monkey and throw him out the window (with open parachute) of the airplane and the first person he touches is the president... Done.

 

[jpa99acr]

I was thinking of replacing mine with a Pioneer AVIC N2. It's over $1k though.

copycat

 

[RTTTTed]

You don't need to worry about pre-outs. That was one of the question I asked my stereo guy. Both the Jensen and the Premier wired in with no problems.

Anyone need the wiring colors can PM me and I'll send them to you. Simple job of chop and solder.

Ted

 

[GavinM]

Ok, so its obvious that I asked an age old question. Sorry to rehash. Should I just call crutchfield and get advice? Is there a way to avoid cutting and soldering? IE an off the shelf harness?

Or should I just be "ripping out" the amp and going with a entirely new setup?

Suggestions welcomed!

Thanks, Gavin

 

[RTTTTed]

I just spent a long time perusing my chassis manual, testing the wires with my voltmeter and ohmmeter, then cut and soldered. When I asked at the stereo shop for an adapter, they laughed because there's not even a Viper listing. One of the Viper specialists may custom build you a harness? But why not just take the car in and pay a few hundred bucks for a professional instal if you aren't comfortable doing it yourself? With the color codes I've simplified and the Illustrated Upgrade on ipod and Sat radio I wrote on this site the changeover is pretty easy for a Do It Yourselfer. Using a proffessional to instal it, you should probably take my wiring colors an print off the Illustrated Upgrades thread to take with you as it'll save him an hour or two, unless he's done Vipers before.

My biggest problem was where to put the ipod cable. Since the head unit controls the ipod with this unit, the ipod didn't need to be accessable. I tried to put it in the mesh at the front of the seat, but the cable was too short, The GTS glovebox was perfect.

If you like ground pounding/ear splitting bass then you'd have to change to a huge amp and add a subwoofer box, lose the spare tire, etc. I just like the stereo for listening and the stock amp has more than enough power for that (after replacing the junk stock speakers). At half volume (same as the stock head unit) the door panels and floor vibrate pretty good.

While re-inserting my headunit into the dash it took a couple tries to get it back in. With all the extra wiring behind the head unit I'm not sure there'd be room for an adapter with the required plugs.

Ted

 

[costanZo]

I bought the Alpine IDA-X100 for my car. Since I have custom Venzano Blue and Black Interior the Head Unit matches it very nicely. Also if your considering getting an aftermarket head unit, I would recommend getting an Alpine Head Unit since the stock unit in the Viper is already Alpine. For this reason you don't need that plastic black mounting frame around the Unit when putting it in. Any Alpine Head Unit should fit perfectly.

 

[RTTTTed]

If you want the stero colors to match your interior the only one I've found so far is the Clarion. I have a JVC that cycles through 5 colors, but the yellow is too Yellow to match the dash colors.

Ted

 

[costanZo]

My biggest problem was where to put the ipod cable. Since the head unit controls the ipod with this unit, the ipod didn't need to be accessable. I tried to put it in the mesh at the front of the seat, but the cable was too short, The GTS glovebox was perfect.

Yup! That is exactly what I did. It's the perfect spot in the glove compartment between the seats. Can't even see it..

 

[costanZo]

Ok, so its obvious that I asked an age old question. Sorry to rehash. Should I just call crutchfield and get advice? Is there a way to avoid cutting and soldering? IE an off the shelf harness?

Or should I just be "ripping out" the amp and going with a entirely new setup?

Suggestions welcomed!

Thanks, Gavin

Crutchfield is too expensive I ordered all my stuff from:

Techronics.com - Online Electronics Store -
Onlinecarstereo.Com - Wholesale Car Audio/Stereo Deals At Bargain Prices

In the end I saved $1500 doing this from buying online rather then at a store from these 2 sites and I got the following:
(TWO SETS) Boston Acoustics G510-4 10" 450 Watts Car Audio Subwoofer
(TWO SETS) Boston Acoustics Pro60 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Audio Component Speaker System
(ONE) Alpine PDX-1.1000 1-Channel Car Audio Amplifier
(ONE) Alpine PDX-4.150 4-Channel Car Audio Amplifier
(ONE) Alpine iDA-X100 Digital Media Receiver
(ONE) Alpine CHA-S634 6 Disk CD/MP3 Changer

It's an amazing setup!

 

[SYNFULL]

What about HD FM.

 

[costanZo]

What about HD FM.

I never listen to the Radio..

Sirius Satellite Radio is one of my clients though so I could get a deal if I wanted.