DIY: Installing a car stereo

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

Just got a 2004 Galant, and want to buy a stereo for it that has an AUX port for my MP3 player. Have considered paying Best Buy to install it, but I've read reviews about it, and people say there are almost always additional charges on top of the $50, and usually for extra parts they needed, a harness, any additional labor time, etc. I even read that one guy got charged $130 over the $50 they told him.

 

Anyway, I am just wondering if anyone has this car, or a different Galant and can tell me how likely it is my dad and I will be able to figure this out on our own. We installed my stereo in my '95 Civic, but there were less that went into those cars, which means less things to screw up internally.

 

I am buying my stereo from Crutchfield, so tools and harnesses are included, so hopefully I won't need to buy additional parts.

[Texsox]

It has been a long time since I did a DYI on a car stereo. I can tell you that the Best Buy here did a perfect job installing sat radio in my gf's Honda CRV. Absolutely perfect. And she is impossible to please when it comes to her car.

[NorthSideSox72]

Just got a 2004 Galant, and want to buy a stereo for it that has an AUX port for my MP3 player. Have considered paying Best Buy to install it, but I've read reviews about it, and people say there are almost always additional charges on top of the $50, and usually for extra parts they needed, a harness, any additional labor time, etc. I even read that one guy got charged $130 over the $50 they told him.

 

Anyway, I am just wondering if anyone has this car, or a different Galant and can tell me how likely it is my dad and I will be able to figure this out on our own. We installed my stereo in my '95 Civic, but there were less that went into those cars, which means less things to screw up internally.

 

I am buying my stereo from Crutchfield, so tools and harnesses are included, so hopefully I won't need to buy additional parts.

If you order from a place that specializes in this sort of thing - like Crutchfield - they will send you a complete kit for your specific car, and complete instructions. I've done it twice, and it was pretty easy both times. Plus ordering that sort of thing online is cheaper, and, they will filter your options to what works only on your car.

 

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

If you order from a place that specializes in this sort of thing - like Crutchfield - they will send you a complete kit for your specific car, and complete instructions. I've done it twice, and it was pretty easy both times. Plus ordering that sort of thing online is cheaper, and, they will filter your options to what works only on your car.

 

I was going to buy from Crutchfield until I realized that I can get the same stereo on Amazon for $20 cheaper, and it also comes w/ a harness and installation kit + instructions.

[StrangeSox]

If you run into a snag while installing the stereo, you can give Crutchfield a call (24/7 I think). I did that a few years ago with a '04 Grand Am and they were able to quickly help me identify the wiring problem and correct it. That may be worth $20. I shopped around and found that Crutchfield was the best price for what I was looking for anyway, though.

 

If you have an iPod, consider looking at the Pioneer headunits. They have built-in iPod control so you don't have to pay $50-100 for an iPod module like most other stereos.

[RockRaines]

Is your stock stereo integrated into anything or is it a classic pull-out type of head unit?

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

If you run into a snag while installing the stereo, you can give Crutchfield a call (24/7 I think). I did that a few years ago with a '04 Grand Am and they were able to quickly help me identify the wiring problem and correct it. That may be worth $20. I shopped around and found that Crutchfield was the best price for what I was looking for anyway, though.

 

If you have an iPod, consider looking at the Pioneer headunits. They have built-in iPod control so you don't have to pay $50-100 for an iPod module like most other stereos.

 

I do not own an ipod, so that's no issue for me.

 

Is your stock stereo integrated into anything or is it a classic pull-out type of head unit?

 

classic pull-out type in the traditional rectangle box-looking slot.

 

 

And something interesting of note, I looked up the stereo I want to buy on Crutchfield, and they say it's been discontinued and they don't sell it. That's kind of interesting to me since you can still buy it on JVC's website and it's a pretty new model of theirs.

Edited February 22, 2011 by JoeCoolMan24

[StrangeSox]

Could be last year's model. I think a lot of electronics lines switch in February.

[RockRaines]

I do not own an ipod, so that's no issue for me.

 

 

 

classic pull-out type in the traditional rectangle box-looking slot.

 

 

And something interesting of note, I looked up the stereo I want to buy on Crutchfield, and they say it's been discontinued and they don't sell it. That's kind of interesting to me since you can still buy it on JVC's website and it's a pretty new model of theirs.

If it has a clean area to install the new cage, I wouldnt bother with crutchfield as its a little more expensive than other places. I've done a bunch of installs back in the day myself and they are fairly easy to complete on your own.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

If it has a clean area to install the new cage, I wouldnt bother with crutchfield as its a little more expensive than other places. I've done a bunch of installs back in the day myself and they are fairly easy to complete on your own.

 

This is what my stereo and inside of the car looks like....

 

http://carreviewsandnews.com/images/2004mi...ishigalant6.jpg

[RockRaines]

This is what my stereo and inside of the car looks like....

 

http://carreviewsandnews.com/images/2004mi...ishigalant6.jpg

Oh, now you made it more interesting, are you contemplating doing a Double-DIN? You have the room for it.

 

Looks pretty easy any way you go. Unclip the dash piece and you will have full access to pull that thing out.

Edited February 22, 2011 by RockRaines

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

Oh, now you made it more interesting, are you contemplating doing a Double-DIN? You have the room for it.

 

I know, it's crossed my mind, but that just means more money, more complications, and losing a nice little storage spot that I will use to hold my Zune when plugged into the AUX, and lighters and other nick-knacks.

 

But maybe at some point in the future if I have extra cash lying around or can get one real cheap somewhere.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

Looks pretty easy any way you go. Unclip the dash piece and you will have full access to pull that thing out.

 

The thing that is going to suck is losing my display near the top of my dash. I've read that once you install an aftermarket stereo, the display just reads "E COMM". Sucks.

[NorthSideSox72]

If you run into a snag while installing the stereo, you can give Crutchfield a call (24/7 I think). I did that a few years ago with a '04 Grand Am and they were able to quickly help me identify the wiring problem and correct it. That may be worth $20. I shopped around and found that Crutchfield was the best price for what I was looking for anyway, though.

 

If you have an iPod, consider looking at the Pioneer headunits. They have built-in iPod control so you don't have to pay $50-100 for an iPod module like most other stereos.

To me, the $20 more is probably worth the insurance of being able to call for help. But that's just personal preference.

 

Sounds like it doesn't matter and that they are out of stock anyway.

 

[StrangeSox]

The thing that is going to suck is losing my display near the top of my dash. I've read that once you install an aftermarket stereo, the display just reads "E COMM". Sucks.

 

Try to find some Galant forums. They might have some guidance or advice on how to swap stereos, help if you have a question, or know how to fix the E COMM thing.

[NorthSideSox72]

Try to find some Galant forums. They might have some guidance or advice on how to swap stereos, help if you have a question, or know how to fix the E COMM thing.

I kind of doubt that's fixable. The small display is expecting data from the stereo, and after market stereos aren't like to be programmed to send data to the Galant's computer.

 

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

I kind of doubt that's fixable. The small display is expecting data from the stereo, and after market stereos aren't like to be programmed to send data to the Galant's computer.

 

That sucks. :/

 

And I've tried to find some good Galant forums, but I can't find any that are active or have something I am looking for.

[StrangeSox]

I kind of doubt that's fixable. The small display is expecting data from the stereo, and after market stereos aren't like to be programmed to send data to the Galant's computer.

 

There's usually some electronics hobbyists/professionals on the forums who just like to tinker and figure things out. For my car, someone figured out how to reprogram the whole dash and activate features not available on the US models.

 

But it also might be more expensive or more work than it's worth.

 

such as this suggestion I found through random googling:

Actually the ecomm error can be corrected quite easliy. This will however require a trip to best buy unless you can find the part online. You'll need a reverse harness to power the factory radio. Then plug that stupid extra plug back in the stock radio and bury the factory radio in the dash. The part # for the reverse harness is 71-7001. All that you have to wire up is constant accy and you'll have to make a ground for the stock radio. Any other questions email me owuld be best since I don't check this too often.

Edited February 22, 2011 by StrangeSox

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

There's usually some electronics hobbyists/professionals on the forums who just like to tinker and figure things out. For my car, someone figured out how to reprogram the whole dash and activate features not available on the US models.

 

But it also might be more expensive or more work than it's worth.

 

such as this suggestion I found through random googling:

Actually the ecomm error can be corrected quite easliy. This will however require a trip to best buy unless you can find the part online. You'll need a reverse harness to power the factory radio. Then plug that stupid extra plug back in the stock radio and bury the factory radio in the dash. The part # for the reverse harness is 71-7001. All that you have to wire up is constant accy and you'll have to make a ground for the stock radio. Any other questions email me owuld be best since I don't check this too often.

 

That suggestion you found is VERY encouraging since after a little googling myself, I found that everyone was suggesting that same harness. So during my last class, I ordered that 71-7001 from Amazon for $8, and since I am a Prime Member, got free 2-day shipping.

 

I had no idea it would also be my fix for the E COMM error, but this is awesome news.

 

EDIT: Damnit, apparently I bought the 70-7001, and not the 71-7001. Ahhh, oh well, the part about "bury the factory stereo somewhere in the dash" concerned me.

Edited February 22, 2011 by JoeCoolMan24