Installing modern radio into a GQ (pictures added)

[RN]

Bought a new fangled dvd radio that has line out, line in ,GPS touch screen etc...

The power supply to the new unit is no problem but trying to get my head around hooking the existing speaker wires into the new radio.

I have tested the connector block that came out of the original radio that would seem to connect the speakers to the radio...ie I pulled out one of the connector blocks and the rear speakers stopped functioning.

the main power supply and side door speaker block is a combined unit.

What is the best way to pick up the positive and negative speaker wires in the speaker wire block? i used a circuit tester and found that the tester would light up on two of the contacts in the rear speaker connector. That would indicate power but is that normal for speakers. I am a bit of a loss and may have to employ a proffessional to install.

I don't want to mangle the existing wires as I may have to install the original radio when I dispose of the vehicle.

[bogged]

you can sometimes be lucky to buy from eg Stathifelds a plug that goes NISSAN to ALPINE or PIONEER etc.

so no need to cut and solder, use the OEM plugs.

[Loanrangie]

Google Aerpro, they make looms to suit most cars to most radio models, can be bought from Autobarn.

[RN]

Thanks...that will make it simpler and won't wreck the original plugs.

cheers

RN

[bj42turbo]

How ya going to play your old 8 tracks on that new fandangled stereo but


This is how you do speakers, Using a 1.5 volt battery (any size), touch the positive terminal of the battery to the positive wire going to the speaker, then do the same for the negative wire. Have a friend look at the speaker. If the speaker pops out, the polarity is correct. If the speaker pops in, the speaker is hooked up backwards (out of phase). HOpe this makes sence.

BJ

[Goatse.AJ]

Let us know how you go with it Bruce. Had a call from a mate who wants me to install the same unit (I think) in his car next week.

[Goatse.AJ]

How ya going to play your old 8 tracks on that new fandangled stereo but


This is how you do speakers, Using a 1.5 volt battery (any size), touch the positive terminal of the battery to the positive wire going to the speaker, then do the same for the negative wire. Have a friend look at the speaker. If the speaker pops out, the polarity is correct. If the speaker pops in, the speaker is hooked up backwards (out of phase). HOpe this makes sence.

BJ

Just don't leave the battery on it for too long. Speakers DO NOT like DC...

[T_Diesel]

Bought a new fangled dvd radio that has line out, line in ,GPS touch screen etc...

The power supply to the new unit is no problem but trying to get my head around hooking the existing speaker wires into the new radio.

I have tested the connector block that came out of the original radio that would seem to connect the speakers to the radio...ie I pulled out one of the connector blocks and the rear speakers stopped functioning.

the main power supply and side door speaker block is a combined unit.

What is the best way to pick up the positive and negative speaker wires in the speaker wire block? i used a circuit tester and found that the tester would light up on two of the contacts in the rear speaker connector. That would indicate power but is that normal for speakers. I am a bit of a loss and may have to employ a proffessional to install.

I don't want to mangle the existing wires as I may have to install the original radio when I dispose of the vehicle.

Make sure you don't watch DVDs while you are driving either because that would be illegal and all.....

[RN]

How ya going to play your old 8 tracks on that new fandangled stereo but



BJ

8 track.....Still trying to fit my '33 record player in the gap where the radio was....bumpy roads, it tends to skip alot...

[Ezookiel]

8 track.....Still trying to fit my '33 record player in the gap where the radio was....bumpy roads, it tends to skip alot...

Yeah, not to mention turning the handle on it while driving, to keep it playing.

[RN]

Having it professionally installed tomorrow.

They are going to splice into the existing wiring loom at the original plugs without destroying them He told me it is common practice and it would save me $20.00 in not having to purchase an adapter. If I sell the car I can cut the spliced wires and tape up and re install the original radio.

I will let you know how it goes. I also have to remove the door trim to access the speaker so they can test the polarity. Not a big job.

[AFeral]

I would just unplug the nissan wiring loom and leave it where it is. Would run a positive direct to the battery, cut and put in a joiner for the 'aux' wire. Then run a second lot of quality speaker cable to the speakers. This will give you the best sound. If at a later date you add amps etc, quality cable is already in place.

[bogged]

I would just unplug the nissan wiring loom and leave it where it is. Would run a positive direct to the battery, cut and put in a joiner for the 'aux' wire. Then run a second lot of quality speaker cable to the speakers. This will give you the best sound. If at a later date you add amps etc, quality cable is already in place.

the stock speaker wire is sort fo like human hair, I'd ask them to replace it while they are at it, $50-100 more would be worth it.

[spazbot]

so what radio ya get and how much was it ?

[RN]

One of these.


http://www.e-carcom.com/product/305.htm

Price ...better than the buy in now price on ebay

[spazbot]

tell us the price son....
i been looking at one of teh double din versions so i can install tomtom and oziexploer on it and use it for my incar nav etc....
let me know how it goes etc

[Loanrangie]

Having it professionally installed tomorrow.

They are going to splice into the existing wiring loom at the original plugs without destroying them He told me it is common practice and it would save me $20.00 in not having to purchase an adapter. If I sell the car I can cut the spliced wires and tape up and re install the original radio.

I will let you know how it goes. I also have to remove the door trim to access the speaker so they can test the polarity. Not a big job.

Ha, my adapter was $14.99 ?

[bigcam]

be careful not sur eon GQ's but most older cars use a ommon ground for the fronts and seperate common ground for the rear i.e. 2 grounds conencted to one wire and seperate +ve's.

if you join the two negative speaker wires together on your new fangled unit with a bridge tied load built in amplifier you will get smoke and fire and stuff. all 8 wires = & - for 4 speakers must be individually connected with none connected to each other, ground or +12v.

the 1.5v battery on the speakers is the best way to test 1.5v DC from a aa battery would not have enough current capacity to kill even the smallest of speakers unless you left it for a LOOONG time!

remember to hook up the handbrake wire to the handbrake switch via a hidden switch to ground so when that RN bugger checks it all looks legit oops! have i said too much???

[RN]

Got it professionally installed today ...will ensure that the warranty is not compromised.

Works a treat. GPS seems very good. Sound is very good. Tilt touch screen has memory so that it will open to the last setting. Tilts up down and to the side.

Heaps of Am/Fm stations.

Haven't tried a dvd yet.

Not cheap, but ebay seller had very good feedback, and he allowed me to inspect it prior to purchase.

Will attach photos later.

[high n mighty]

Good to hear you are happy with the install, installers can be dodgey but whatyou don't see won't break your heart. I had the proffesionals do the head unit into my prado's std speakers with no amp or anything over the top and am very happy.

When the same peope did a full installation with head unit, amp, speakers and sub on my commodore I wasn't so happy to find the std 2mm wire running everything dismaly(sp) and replaced it all anyway.


Should be right if it was just a head deck swap and as ya said they have only spliced so you can swap back later.

I will probably sell the hilux, prado and corolla with their respective systems in them though as the gear seems to get out of date pretty quickly and is cheap enough to replace with new better gear.

[RN]

Good to hear you are happy with the install, installers can be dodgey but whatyou don't see won't break your heart. I had the proffesionals do the head unit into my prado's std speakers with no amp or anything over the top and am very happy.

When the same peope did a full installation with head unit, amp, speakers and sub on my commodore I wasn't so happy to find the std 2mm wire running everything dismaly(sp) and replaced it all anyway.


Should be right if it was just a head deck swap and as ya said they have only spliced so you can swap back later.

I will probably sell the hilux, prado and corolla with their respective systems in them though as the gear seems to get out of date pretty quickly and is cheap enough to replace with new better gear.

Because I had gutted the factory original radio and and factory cd player the wiring and the dash were all exposed. A dodgy job would have stood out, but I have seen some of the 'expert' installers do some dodgy jobs.

[RN]

Here are some pictures of the install.

The GPS software is Route 66 and I was informed that it is the only one that will run on the Operation System: Win CE4.2. It picked up 7 satellites quickly and the volume of the radio or cd is reduced when the voice direction guidelines is audible, then it reverts to the selected volume of the radio etc.

Software loaded on a SD card in the front and it can be upgraded when new sites etc are identified. Not sure how to upload the new files at the moment and will leave well all alone..

As I am 6 foot 6 inches tall and built like a greek god I have no problems looking over the screen when it is being displayed.

Sound is excellent and it also has Bluetooth.

[90Mav]

Nice... OziExplorerCE will run on ce.net 4.2 this is proper mapping software for offroad use..

[RN]

Nice... OziExplorerCE will run on ce.net 4.2 this is proper mapping software for offroad use..

Sweet. Is that freeware or paid for software.

My radio has a SD slot in the front in which the road maps are stored. Would you load the OziExplorerCE software to a new SD card via a card reader and keep the two cards seperate?

Wouldn't want to bugger up the Route 66 files if I stuff the download.

[bj42turbo]

Wow that is cool, certainly wouldn't want to do a DIY install on that stereo.

BJ

[RN]

Wow that is cool, certainly wouldn't want to do a DIY install on that stereo.

BJ

Seller indicated that a professional install would benefit the warranty.

[blkmav]

Wow that is cool, certainly wouldn't want to do a DIY install on that stereo.

BJ

Seller indicated that a professional install would benefit the warranty.

'professional install' hmmm then why is the radio half hanging out of the console and on an angle....

[90Mav]

commercial software... just google oziexplorer, you use the main program on your pc to set up routes ect then sent it to the portable device on a sd card... not entirely sure, but i believe you could have the ozi explorer maps and program on a sd card and just run it from that...

[RN]

Wow that is cool, certainly wouldn't want to do a DIY install on that stereo.

BJ

Seller indicated that a professional install would benefit the warranty.

'professional install' hmmm then why is the radio half hanging out of the console and on an angle....

Has to 'hang out ' for when the screen deploys it cannot foul its surroundings. Screen can tilt up and down, side to side to face the driver or pasenger.

Angle ...do you mean angle of the screen or angle of the radio in the pod. ( if the latter then that is due to the cut out of the pod that has been modified to suit a UHF which is now been removed.)

I put the radio in the pod, the professional did the wiring.

[blkmav]

I put the radio in the pod, the professional did the wiring.

That explains it