I installed today. It went pretty well. However, I had some confusion with the Crutchfield mounting hardware, but a quick call and they straightened it out. I really liked some of the tools and accessories I ordered from Crutchfield, especially these crimp connectors that actually you screw together. That was really convenient and the connection is solid.
The sound is fine for me. I only have the back speakers running right now, but I can hear fine. I bought the JVC KD-R370 CD Receiver which performs well for the cost. For speakers, right now have a couple of old Teac 2-Way 5111s (think 1970s, wall mount, metal casing) and they are handling things well. I like that I can point them forward as there is not a lot of reflective area back there for sound to bounce off of. The speakers in the wheel mounts pointed straight up into the cloth ceiling.
With this unit, I did notice that if left running at default settings, the sound is less than spectacular. However, there are a couple of enhancement areas and after dialing those in, the system really came alive. Certainly there are better sound systems out there, but for the cost, this works well.
For the front, eventually I will get some decent speakers for the doors. The trick of course is finding ones that are low profile enough so the window can fully open. As an alternate, I have 2 more Teacs that I can mount under the dash or something.
As far as the Metra faceplate, it looks fine although it is really plain. Most everything fit well, but as it is a tight space, getting the final fit has been a bit difficult. Fortunately, all the heating and air controls worked right away. The rear defroster button is fine too. I have the entire unit in and stable but it needs the final seating. That can happen tomorrow.
Between Rascal’s posting & other comments here and a video on YouTube that is a step by step for removing the old radio, I was able to avoid many of the problems that I am sure I would have had. I still have some cosmetic work to do with the unit but it is largely done in a 3 hour install.
The sound is fine for me. I only have the back speakers running right now, but I can hear fine. I bought the JVC KD-R370 CD Receiver which performs well for the cost. For speakers, right now have a couple of old Teac 2-Way 5111s (think 1970s, wall mount, metal casing) and they are handling things well. I like that I can point them forward as there is not a lot of reflective area back there for sound to bounce off of. The speakers in the wheel mounts pointed straight up into the cloth ceiling.
With this unit, I did notice that if left running at default settings, the sound is less than spectacular. However, there are a couple of enhancement areas and after dialing those in, the system really came alive. Certainly there are better sound systems out there, but for the cost, this works well.
For the front, eventually I will get some decent speakers for the doors. The trick of course is finding ones that are low profile enough so the window can fully open. As an alternate, I have 2 more Teacs that I can mount under the dash or something.
As far as the Metra faceplate, it looks fine although it is really plain. Most everything fit well, but as it is a tight space, getting the final fit has been a bit difficult. Fortunately, all the heating and air controls worked right away. The rear defroster button is fine too. I have the entire unit in and stable but it needs the final seating. That can happen tomorrow.
Between Rascal’s posting & other comments here and a video on YouTube that is a step by step for removing the old radio, I was able to avoid many of the problems that I am sure I would have had. I still have some cosmetic work to do with the unit but it is largely done in a 3 hour install.