After Market Radio for 2003 i35

[cwiebe]

Any suggestions as to which radio I can install in my Infiniti 2003 i35 so the steering wheel controls will still work?

[Sentientbydesign]

Do you plan on rewiring the whole thing and buying new speakers too? I haven't found an aftermarket head unit yet, that will allow you to use the bose speakers.

Although, I'll be honest to say, that I am far from impressed with the bose units in anything newer than 99. It's like they got cheap and sound very digital.

Since when is digital better? You're taking an analog sound, converting it to digital, then back to analog again...

[cwiebe]

Haven't even considered the speakers, which I can live with at the moment. People tell me the Infiniti and Maxima 2003 are identical. Does this mean I could use this for the dash:

http://www.installer.com/item/...-7416

and this for the steering wheel connection:http://www.crutchfield.com/S-5...IJACK

Or, to put it another way, if the adapter etc. is compatible with Maxima 2003 will it work with 03 i35?

[Sentientbydesign]

I guess I should have clarified. The bose speakers and xxx head unit cannot be used with any other systems other than those designed for bose speakers.

So you can't buy a sony head unit and use your stock wiring and speakers. They work off of different impedences. A couple of places supposedly have adapters, but they waste a $3k-$5k bose system and have the potential to blow the speakers or distort the sound.

Are you looking for something specific for your HU? MP3, a sub?

[cwiebe]

Wow, this is getting complicated. I'm trying to connect my iPod to my 2003 i35 Infiniti. I purchased a drive & play with the fm antenna module, but it still sounds like crappola. So, the search is on to replace the unit, I'm not unhappy with it but really only want an aux input.

Trying to find matches for the Infiniti 2003 i35 is near impossible, but I've found out the car is basically the same as the same year Maxima. So, I've found the console adapter, the steering wheel control adapter and the wiring harness to go to an OEM radio.

Now you say the speakers won't work? I really don't want to replace all the speakers, that would make this project to pricey.

[snwbrdr435]

ok here it is, you can use the nissan wiring harness becuase our car is a nissan, but the maxima dash is wider then the i35s by about an inch to an inch an a half. Also you can use aftermarket speakers on the newer bose systems because each speaker is not amped independently. It sounds like alot of work, it can be but the only real problem you should have is with your dash kit, i had to custom fab my on my 00 i30.

[MattB]

Also not all Maximas came with the Bose system. All I35s did. So unfortunately you can't just assume that something for the Maxima will be compatible.

I wonder if you could take an A33 I30 Bose HU and wire up an iPod adapter. The I30 HU has an auxiliary input for the trunk changer that the I35 doesn't have. It might be possible to plug an iPod adapter into that. You'd only be able to have one CD though.

[Sentientbydesign]

Does that mean that you can also use the bose speakers with a non-bose HU?

[MattB]

Does that mean that you can also use the bose speakers with a non-bose HU?

I doubt it.

[cwiebe]

The more I learn about this, the less I like it! I'm obviously naive, but who would have thought that speakers would be tied to an HU?

So, the best option is to replace the 6CD changer with a single CD that has the aux input.

Anyone have any suggestions where I might find one of these? Other than ebay of course.

[MattB]

The more I learn about this, the less I like it! I'm obviously naive, but who would have thought that speakers would be tied to an HU?

So, the best option is to replace the 6CD changer with a single CD that has the aux input.

Anyone have any suggestions where I might find one of these? Other than ebay of course.

Is your HU one of the SAT-capable ones? If it is I might be willing to trade. Otherwise I'd just suggest finding an 00-01 I30 head unit.

[cwiebe]

I wish it was sat compatible, that would solve my problem as I could just plug my ipod into it, which is how this journey started.

From what I've read, the single CD has this input for the trunk CD changer which can be used for an ipod or sat, but renders the CD unusable which I don't care about.

[MattB]

I wish it was sat compatible, that would solve my problem as I could just plug my ipod into it, which is how this journey started.

From what I've read, the single CD has this input for the trunk CD changer which can be used for an ipod or sat, but renders the CD unusable which I don't care about.

If I understand correctly the only thing it wouldn't allow is the use of a trunk CD changer. You'd still be able to use the in-dash single CD.

[Sentientbydesign]

The more I learn about this, the less I like it! I'm obviously naive, but who would have thought that speakers would be tied to an HU?

So, the best option is to replace the 6CD changer with a single CD that has the aux input.

Anyone have any suggestions where I might find one of these? Other than ebay of course.

The reason they're connected is because of the proprietary technology that Bose uses for their speakers. The amps use a lower impedence of somewhere arounf 1.2 ohms instead of the 4 ohms that many other systems use. I'm not sure how that translates into better sound, but I've been able to pown the idiots out here with their expensive over-powered (2 kilowatt +) systems with just my stock bose system which puts out around 150 total watts if I'm not mistaken. *shrugs* ...and my sound doesn't distort at high volume like their's.

[cwiebe]

At the tender age of 49, I'm long past the days of stereo wars <g>. I just want something that sounds good, without costing a fortune. The stock bose system may not be good enough for some, but it's fine for me - except for the lack of an aux input.

I think I'm back to trying to find a single CD player for the car so I can use the aux input.

[bholt12]

HAs anyone on the board used a hard-wired FM modulator, any any hints as to removing the factory HU in my 2003 I35? I simply want to connect my iPod and after a variety of FM transmitters I am looking for something better. The card does not have NAV, and i **beleive** with the in -dash changer my options are limited.

Thanks.