Stereo install difficulty

[Rockenreno]

Ok, I have a 1996 240sx and I want a new stereo in it (as some may know). I checked out the local audio shops and everything is just too damn expensive. Circuit City had the best prices with the head unit I want (Pioneer DEH-5500) at $220, free install, but almost $100 in wiring harnesses, and misc mounting crap. The speakers (Alpine SPS-170A) are $80/set plus $32 install per set. That puts me at around $600 for the whole deal I think.

In response to this I decided I am doing one of 2 things:1) Buy stuff from Circuit City (maybe buy speakers online), have them install head unit and do speakers myself.2) Buy everything online and do it all myself.

I am wondering if I should try to install this myself or if it will be too hard and not worth the effort/mishaps to do it. I have no real experience with car audio, but I am pretty quick to learn things. I also don't have many tools to work with. Should I just fork over the cash for the head unit and install at Circuit City? I think the speakers should be easy enough to do myself.

Thanks!

['91 240sx]

Installing a headunit is really easy. All you need is either electrical tape or you can get the little fasteners that you need to crimp and then the rest is pretty much color coded. I have the DEH-P4400 and I needed to buy a power plug adapter, so you might need one of those too. I forget how much it was but it wasnt expensive. As long as you have the stock radio mounts the headunit should mount right in. So all you really have to remember for the head unit wires is just match the colors. The only tool I need was a philips screwdriver and a crimper, but like I said you can use electrical tape.

Oh, and the speakers install is pretty straight forward. As long as the speaker mounts into the spot where you want them you should be good for that. The wiring is should actually be like two wires for each speaker, so its not very difficult at all

[4felix20]

heh...i got the deh-2(something) pioneer, and thats all i bought. i just got in there with one of those little electrical meters and soldered all the wires without a damn adapter plug. if you are going to do it yourself, http://www.installdr.com is a BIG help. i have a 1996 se too.

[4felix20]

(if i had 600$ i would build up the motor and stuff)

[Rockenreno]

for $600 I can make my car like .2 seconds faster. Wow. I'd rather replace the cassette deck and 2 front speakers with a CD player and front AND rear speakers. Hopefully I can get some suspension next. Anyone think that it's a bad idea to install the head unit myself? If everyone thinks it should be easy, then I'll just do it myself and save a little money.

Again, thanks for the input, even the thing about the engine, cause performance should come first... just not in my case because I'm not racing anywhere, and I want to listen to CDs...

EDIT: Just saw that install web page. That's AWESOME. Thanks a ton! If I do it myself that will definately help!

[rousie13]

I say do it yourself definately. I've replaced about five of them, and at most it took me about 30-60 minutes, and thats including the time trying to figure out how to get the dash piece off so I can get at the screws holding the head unit in. I replaced my speakers and headunit for about $300(aiwa headunit and infinity speakers all around). If anyone knows a location to run an amp wire through the firewall on an S13 or the best spot to drill, let me know.

[Altiman94]

I've installed everything audio in my car myself. Everythign from the headunit, to the amp wiring kit, to the replacement speakers and amps and subs. There is really nothing to it, and you save alot of money