01 QX4 car audio options

[QX4 Joker]

Hello All!!! I am a proud owner of a 2001 QX4 and am looking to make some serious mods to the audio system. What are your best recommendations to head unit, interiors, subs, and amps? And what are some recommendations to installation and fits? Crutchfield and other sites have not measured this vehicle and I am finding it difficult to weigh out my options.

[Silvia2b]

Welcome to Nico, You may want to be more specific. Like what kind of system you are looking to install. More sub bass, More volume, more clarity etc... What is your budget? How much experience do you have working on you own vehicle. You could check the stickies on this forum, but if you did look here you wouldn't find much for the 2001 QX4 http://nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=12043&page=1 or you could also try the search button, look up and to the right it is flashing red. Good luck and share what you find with the rest of us.

[QX4 Joker]

Thanks Sil, you're right about the specifics. The issues I am having is as follows:

1. Finding the right head unit to mount flush in the dash that wont look weird because of that weird shape the stock set up has in the 2001 QX4.

2. Finding the right sub that will push clean tight bass but wont take up the whole rear space. I have been looking at Solobaric and Bazooka.

3. What amps are out there that can fit in the stock amp that currently comes with the Clarion/Bose system.

4. Just general ideas to piece the ride together.

My budget is tight, about 2500 for installation, components and wiring. Hope that helps anyone that is willing to help me out.

Thanks,

JK

[Rex]

1) IIRC, the HU was a non-standard double DIN unit in the QX4 (& Maxima) for your year. That will make flush/well fitting HU nearly impossible, unless you wanna spend some money for someone to make a custom trim piece.

2) I'd recommend a quality 10" in a proper size/well built /tuned box. The Solobaric's are good subs, as are JL, andmost of the bigger name brands.

3) I don't think you'll find any amps that will fit in the current Bose amp location, as they are piggybacked on the speakers them selves, or at least all the Bose amp'ed speakers I've seen in Nissan/Infinitis.

4) I'd suggest a nice Double DIN CD system, keep in mind matching the look/feel of the interior will help it look "quality". Next, replacing the entire system at once is the right way to do it. I'd get a 4 channel amp to drive the front and rear speakers and a large mono-amp for your sub(s). If you're going to have it professionally done, plan on labor/wiring being close to half your cost.

[QX4 Joker]

Thanks Rex, I really appreciate the advise!!!

I did some scouting and have decided on the Kicker S12L7 solbaric. Planning on getting a 600W amp to push the sub.

I will continue piecing everything together and decide on the right installer to put it all together and make it all look "clean"

Will update as it progresses!!!!

[Silvia2b]

I seem to remember that the late 2001 models were similiar to the 2002-2004 dash size Best Kits makes a kit for those models. Here is the link, http://bestkits.com/SearchResu...02004 that might help getting you a deck to mount flush into the dash opening. The speakers usually need an adapter to be made to accomodate the speakers of aftermarket dimentions.

[QX4 Joker]

This site is great!!!!

You guys really know your stuff and are a great help.

Here is the update:

Headunit: Alpine CDA-9835Dash Kit: Scosche NN1499BSub: Kicker S12L7 (Solobaric)

Need recommendations for Wire Harness and Amp Placemen?

[Rex]

Here's a few ideas.

But keep in mind, having things out of "view" is as much a piece of security as the alarm is.

[QX4 Joker]

Thanks Rex:

As I said here is the update:

Headunit: Alpine CDA-9835Dash Kit: Scosche NN1499BSub: Kicker S12L7 (Solobaric)Sub Amp: Kicker KX600.1

Still looking at speakers for the doors and a 4 channel amp to run them. Looking for clarity. Any recommendations out there? I listen to rock mostly.

[Rex]

Nice looking unit, but isn't your dash set up for a double DIN?



I guess this kit solves that, you'll gain a "pocket" in the dash. Only down side is they usually aren't very useful, as everything just slides out.

I like the Solobaric's, I think the square sub is a "neat" idea, and I've like everyone I've ever heard. But logically the sound wave is round?? and I have a hard time understanding that.

Kicker makes a nice meaty amp, check them out for the 4 channel. I've always been a fan of Autotek, for price/performance mix, but if you're using a local shop, picking up a few of the pieces from them goes a long way in building the customer/installer relationship.

One thing, if that HU supports a changer, it might be worth having the wires run to support adding one, even if it means buying a harness or 2. It could be money well spent, as the install labor later on could be as much as the cables.

Good luck.

[QX4 Joker]

Ok for those of you that have been helping me out!!

Headunit: Alpine CDA-9835Dash Kit: Scosche NN1499BSub: Kicker S12L7 (Solobaric)Sub Amp: Kicker KX600.1Front: Alpine SPR-176ARear: Alpine SPR-174A4 Channel: Alpine MRV-F340

I am all set!!!!! Thanks for your help guys will be getting this installed next week.

[QX4 Joker]

Ok, I have all the components I want to install in my QX4. I need some additional advice!!!!

The following are my components:

Headunit: Alpine CDA-9835Dash Kit: Scosche NN1499BSub: Kicker S12L7 (Solobaric)Sub Amp: Kicker KX600.1Front: Alpine SPR-176ARear: Alpine SPR-174A4 Channel: Alpine MRV-F340

What do you guys recommend to save the alternator and battery? A second battery or a capacitor.

Second, where do you recommend placement of the amps? Bolted to the rear seats or on an amp rack. I am looking for a clean look with no excessive wiring and to hide them as much as possible. One thing though the solobaric box is very small and the amp will hang over the edges of the box.

Any info you guys can provide will be awesome.

[Rex]

Unless you're gonna pound all day long, you won't need to do anything regarding the battery or alt. If you're still on the original battery, you may want ot go ahead and replace it, as it's near the end of it's life cycle. I'd suggest Optima Redtop. A 2nd battery, upgrade alt and caps are for huge heavy load, lots of booming systems.

Find a flat surface to mount the amps. Something out of the way would be good. Just make sure you allow for the correct flow of air across the cooling fins/channels. Does your QX have a rear cover?

Generally you never want to mount amps on sub boxes as the vibrations aren't good for the amps circuitry.

[PoorManQ45]

My budget is tight, about 2500 for installation, components and wiring. Hope that helps anyone that is willing to help me out.

yey, that's a good price .

I think that you'd be a good candidate for the almighty Nakamichi 700II

Or this one:http://itismylife.com/gadgets/index.php?itemid=799

Or this one:

Or this one:

[QX4 Joker]

Rex:

It has a rear cover. I was planning on sticking velcro straps to the bottom of the sub and then "hide" the amps by bolting them to the rear seats....what do you think?

Plus, everyone and their grandmother has been suggesting a 1 farad cap for this system. I am inclined to get one so that the power stream is constant.

Any installer can do a good job hiding the wires....I dont plan on entering competitions. Just want to have good sound, good music for my trips to the west coast.

[PoorManQ45]

Plus, everyone and their grandmother has been suggesting a 1 farad cap for this system. I am inclined to get one so that the power stream is constant.

Bah... You don't need a capacitor. If your electrical system is in good condition, you'll be fine.

Also, those claimed 1 farad capacitors are not really 1 farad capacitors. It's just another one of those marketing gimmicks. Kind of like Snake oil .

Also, it sounds like you have some good components picked out.

[Rex]

Velcro strap to keep it from moving around?? That should work, unless you start autocrossing the QX .

You should be good to mount the amps to the back of the rear seats, make sure you leave enough space for the heat to move up and away from the amp.

IMHO, caps are like fart cans, they don't really do much, but the bigger the better ... looking.

Clean wires, zip ties, and the right fuses will be the key to a good installation. Make sure you have a short ground wire and use grommets where ever you have to apss through metal.

Post up some pics when you're done.

[QX4 Joker]

Ok.....hopefully these will be my last few questions.

Will a 4 channel amp fit in the rear panel, where the Bose amplifier is located?

[Rex]

Ok.....hopefully these will be my last few questions.

Will a 4 channel amp fit in the rear panel, where the Bose amplifier is located?

You've lost me here .

The only Bose I'm familiar with has the amp physically attached to each speaker.

But based on the pics of the QX4 rear bose amp removal, I'd doubt you could an amp of any real size in there.

[QX4 Joker]

Yeah.....I have an amp in that real panel like the one on the link.

I dont think it will fit either....too bad....it looks like wiring would have been a lot easier.

What gauge wire do you think Infiniti uses for the speakers? 12 or 14?

[Rex]

My guess is they used 14, 16 maybe 18 . Unless you're going "all-out", that should be okay. If you have to run new wires due to the location of the new amp, I'd suggest a quality 14.

[QX4 Joker]

For those of you interested in installing aftermarket stereos for the 2001 infiniti QX4:

The best install kit I have found is the Best Kit BKNDK767. Its actually for the 2003 Pathfinder LE. But as we all know its the same vehicle.

[SayNoToPistons]

hey qx4 joker. what are you going to do with your old headunit? my bose 6 in dash changer 's UP tuning button got stolen by a stupid underground garage parker. i cant seem to find one. even infiniti said they dont know. i emailed bose yesterday to see if they have a replacement button by they havent replied yet. ive also asked car audio repairers to see if they can help. samething...i also sent u an email. my email is [email protected]

[QX4 Joker]

ARGGHHH!!!!! I just had my system installed....checked everything at home and found out everything works except the turn signals!!!!!

Anyone have any idea what may have happened? The hazards work but the left and right signals dont. I am thinking its a switch....but could use some help out there, before I go back to the installer.

[Rex]

Do they flash witht he hazards?

Is there a fuse specifically for that?

Just throwing out idea.

[QX4 Joker]

I checked the fuse.....its just fine.

The hazards work fine.

The darn signals wont work at all.

[Rex]

Okay, so somewhere/somehow tying into the dash/illumination something got screwed (pardon the English), I'd try tracing that wire and double checking everything from there to the sterring column??