2-9-08 I just installed my new headunit. It's an Alpine IVA-W205. It's the most beautiful pain-in-my-ass yet. 6.5" touchscreen DVD headunit. Install wasn't too bad, took a bit but was worth it. There's no video display yet, I didn't even bother to connect the e-brake and foot brake wires. I don't know anyone who has their DVD H/U hooked up legally. I'm waiting for the TR7 module, it should fix everything.
Here's the starting point. I didn't need a tool for this part, just applied pressure with my fingers and the face pops right off.
Here are the clips holding the face of hte dash on. There are 8 in total.
When the trim is off, this is what you will see. i have a green box in there though, it's a signal converter for my subwoofer amplifier.
This is my girlfriend's Pooh Bear in my truck helping me out with the project, LOL.
Bad picture but here's roughly how the back of the OEM headunit will look. It had two harnesses and the antenna plug. I know one harness is all your primary goodies (i.e. speakers, ground, 12+, acc) and I believe the other one is for dimming control and auxiliary input.
When disconnected, here are the harnesses.
Here's the trim dangling by the AC harnesses and stuff.
Totally empty.
This is me connecting the wiring harness to the Alpine harness. I only use butt-connectors to do this.
Unfortunately, I needed a Chrystler antenna adaptor. Why car makers are having us poor unsuspecting consumers puchase this part, I don't know...But I wouldn't do the install without one.
Even though it's a double-din head unit, I needed an install kit because it's not only going into a double and a half din space, but also because the brackets on the OEM radio can't be reused. This picture has the kit already attached.
Git 'er dun! Just start connecting your harness, antenna, subwoofer RCA's, and any other things you have connected. This one is just the bare basics for now, gonna get better later.
Here's Pooh again pushing the RCA cables in.
I just put the new head unit in. I used the same screws that bolted the old one in.
This is the "finished" product. I actually had to align this several times before I stopped touching it. Also I had to put spacers behind the top mounting holes of the install kit because it sunk in about 3/8". It sits pretty flush now.
It sounds pretty good, it has a high pass filter user-adjustable for both the rear and front. It has subwoofer controls, controls for both treble and bass (crossover and slope), dual-zone, and loudness. It sounds excellent!
I'll end up putting the TR7 module in whenever it comes in. I'm expecting it in within a week, hopefully by next Monday if not earlier. I'll post pictures, let everyone know if it works and if it does work, then I'll set up install specs and images.
Page 1: Intro
Page 2: Stock
Page 3: So far
Page 4: Mods list
Page 5: 1-7-08 Flowmaster installed
Page 6: 1-20-08 HID installed
Page 7: 2-8-08 Part of new system installed
Page 8: 2-9-08 DVD headunit installed
Page 9: 2-29-08 GPS, TR7, fold down installed
Page 10: 7-31-98 EDGE Programmer, K&N, LED light bar installed
Page 11: 9-04-08 3" Leveling Spacers
Page 12: 10-27-08 New sub system, custom box
