Replacing stock head unit on '01

[treynor]

Replacing stock head unit on \'01

OK, this isn't exactly in the same league as some of the other modifications I've made to my RT

but it's an important one nonetheless. Has anyone installed an MP3-compatible head unit in their Gen-II ('01 in particular) and if so, did it work properly with the existing factory amp & speakers? Any advice or pointers would be appreciated.

 

[Chuck 97 GTS]

Re: Replacing stock head unit on \'01

Ben you won't be able to hear the radio, so why bother?

 

[treynor]

Re: Replacing stock head unit on \'01

With cats and a Corsa exhaust, the Beast is actually quiet at cruise speeds; quieter, even, than it was before I sent it to Doug. It's shatteringly loud when you're on the gas, of course, but that only happens for "10 seconds or less"

 

[Hisser]

Re: Replacing stock head unit on \'01

Ben, I replaced mine with an MP3 player and love it. 140 songs on one cd. Not sure if you know how to convert cdplayer files to mp3 but make sure you name the directories and the name of each song manually so that the mp3 player can read the names of the songs and display them for you. I bought a pioneer and love it. I replaced the rear single sub with a fosgate 6.5 inch but had to remove the security key and just let it hang there. It still is going to rattle until you find some way to keep the dern glove box from rattling. There are some fixing that have been posted on that. As far as the amp its 200 watts and its OK. I just kept the factory amp but you have to cut into the din cable at the back of the radio. Keep your original radio and look on the back of it, it tells you what wire go to where in the din cable and they will need to know the color wires when you connect the new radio to the din cable. Or just replace the amp and forget about the din cable crap. What I did was make a complete mp3 cd of each singer. So I have one cd with over 100 songs just for that singer and so on. Go for it, you will love an mp3 player. If you are confused on the din stuff email me and I will explain in more detail.

 

[treynor]

Re: Replacing stock head unit on \'01

Wayne -- thanks, that is great info. I'm quite familiar with MP3s and CD-R burning, so no issues there. With regard to the DIN cable, I assume it splits into a wiring harness connector before connecting to the OEM head unit? I was planning on ordering from Crutchfield, as they supply wiring harness adapters and with a little soldering you have a conversion loom which connects to the new head unit and to the existing OEM connector.

Which Pioneer unit did you end up choosing?

Thanks again,
Ben

 

[Hisser]

Re: Replacing stock head unit on \'01

Ben, I dont believe they sell what you are looking for. I tried last year to no avail. The din cable is round and has pins inside of it that go to the back of the radio and it also controls the volume when you put in the mode where the faster the car goes the louder the radio goes. The radio comes out in about 2 minutes and you could see the back of it when you unplug the din cable. They will have to cut into the din cable and splice into the wires. It is a pain in the butt. I dont know of anyone that makes the adapter for it. If they do please let me know. I thought I had a pioneer but its a Jenson MP3310 I got it at Walmart for 139.00 yep 139.00. I have no skipping, and the sound is great for an RT/10 with the fosgate sub.

 

[holdontight]

Re: Replacing stock head unit on \'01

Ben I have an 01 rt/10 and I installed an Alpine CDA-7998 it needed an amp so i put a JL amp and boston accoustic speakers it sounds great, the only drawback is bass so this week I am trying a JL 6wo woffer in the stock location.Hope this is a help