DIY Stereo Installation Insights

[Florida]

I installed a Pioneer AVIC F-90BT navigation stereo, Pioneer GEX-P920XM satellite radio tuner, BOYO VLT420 back-up camera, JL Audio TR650-CSi component speakers and Dodge Avenger stubby antenna. (Note to audiophiles: I wasn’t striving for an ultimate system; just something with navigation and substantially better sound than the smart radio 9. I shopped the internet and bought all the gear for about $855. I’m very happy with the result.)



I would not have attempted this project without invaluable information from individuals on this forum, most notably:

· Evilution’s excellent step-by-step body panel removal instructions on http://www.evilution.co.uk/

· SmartHHO’s Pioneer Avic F-90BT installation steps (DIY) Pioneer 90BT install - Smart Car of America Forums

· CubeFX’s speaker installation lessons DIY Step by Step Speaker Installation (door) - Smart Car of America Forums

· Fmaxwell’s door speaker installation shortcuts Door Speaker Installation -- Shortcuts and Recommendations - Smart Car of America Forums

· Jwight, Jefuel and others’ suggestion for the excellent, inexpensive Dodge stubby antenna Dodge Avenger stubby antenna for the smart

There is an outstanding Pioneer Avic forum www.avic411.com where I learned that relocating one wire allows you to change navigation settings or play DVD’s while the car is moving. The latter, of course, is illegal and the former can be dangerous. AVIC411.com • View topic - AVIC-F Hardwire Bypass for Dummies

Here are a few additional insights and observations of my own:

Hide the Navigation and XM antennas under the radio surround



Pioneer provides a thin metal rectangle for mounting the magnetized navigation antenna. The rectangle is rubberized on one side and has peel-and-stick tape on the other. I cut it in half, stuck one half to the plastic under the radio surround in front of the tachometer and the other half to the plastic in front of the clock. I placed the magnetic navigation and XM antennas on the rubberized metal surfaces and coiled the excess wire into the center. Reception is perfect!

Mount the XM tuner near the battery



I like CubeFX’s idea of mounting the XM tuner behind the stereo (DIY XM install and antenna location), but I couldn’t figure out how he attached it there. Furthermore, Pioneer’s instructions cautioned against blocking air flow at the rear of the stereo.

Instead, I put the XM tuner in the empty space in front of the battery. I wrapped it in thin foam to keep it from rattling. I was a little concerned about heat in that location, but it has been working fine for over a month.

Don’t drill a hole in the glove box for the iPod cable



Simply remove the factory audio-in connector from the left side of the glove box. That hole is big enough for the iPod cable.

Follow fmaxwell’s advice on not cutting the weather seal in the doors

fmaxwell’s “peel back” method gave me adequate room to work. I did tear the seal where it apparently hooks over the inside of the door (where you can’t see). It was easy enough to stuff it back into place.

Mount the tweeters close to the woofers



This advice is in JL Audio’s speaker installation instructions: “As a general rule, the tweeters should be placed relatively close to the woofers for best tonal balance and most coherent imaging (the closer; the better). Any separation greater than 8 inches (20 cm) is likely to result in degraded sound quality.”

The TR650-CSi speakers are slightly larger than factory speakers. I front mounted them using CubeFX’s instructions. For the tweeters, I used a hole saw to cut into the door near the woofers. Sound quality is excellent.

Boyo’s backup camera limits access to the rear window release



I used Boyo’s bolts to attach the camera to the top of the license frame. I then realized that the camera makes it hard to reach the rear window release. I wouldn’t have this problem if my license plate was mounted a little lower, but the holes were already drilled by the smart Center when they attached the plate to my new car.

Had I realized this sooner, I would have mounted the camera at the bottom of the license frame. Unfortunately, I had to drill holes through the license plate and boot for the camera cable. It was too late to change after I mounted the camera at the top. Now I just use the remote release button on my key.

To protect against water leaks, I used a rubber grommet where the cable goes through the boot panel.

If you’re thinking about a back-up camera, consider Pioneer’s much smaller ND-BC2 camera (pictured below on a Honda Element). Image quality of the Boyo and Pioneer are equal. The Pioneer is more expensive, but you will avoid the problems described above.



The backup light is powered by the next-to-the-bottom wire



You have to tap into a backup light wire to turn the camera on automatically when you shift into reverse. I tapped the wire on the left tail light because I pulled the camera wire through the rubber sleeve that covers the factory wiring going into bottom of the tailgate. I used a circuit tester to determine which wire was powered when the transmission is in reverse. It is the next-to-the-bottom wire.

Stay tuned for the next installment…

I’m no stereo expert, but a professional installer suggested that I add a small amp for the speakers. I purchased a Pyramid PB440X for $50. I have not installed it yet, but I am thinking of mounting it in the boot storage compartment and running wiring under the inside roof trim. Perhaps I’ll move the XM Tuner to the same location.

I also purchased a Kenwood KSC-SW10 powered subwoofer ($145) after reading somewhere that it would fit under the seat of a smart. No way! It is much too big, and I would worry about any under-seat gear interfering with the airbag/seat belt cable. There is just enough area on the vertical panel behind the driver’s seat, but that surface isn’t completely flat. Perhaps I can add a plywood panel and mount the powered sub there.

Any suggestions on these next steps would be greatly appreciated!

[Napoleon12]

everything looks good. what dash kit did you use. the navi looks like it is not flush with the kit. t taps yuck. from yrs of experience they can go bad.

[Florida]

Originally Posted by Napoleon12

...what dash kit did you use.

Scosche ST2430B dash kit. It actually looks better in person than in the picture. I think the angle and the shadow make it look a little out of alignment. Some of the vendors on this forum sell other brands of dash kits.

I connected the stereo using a Metra 70-1783 wiring harness (colors match wire-for-wire) and Metra 40-VW10 VW antenna adapter.

As for the t-taps, I don't know how to solder...

[Wdhitch]

[QUOTE=Florida;255730]
· Jwight, Jefuel and others’ suggestion for the excellent, inexpensive Dodge stubby antenna Dodge Avenger stubby antenna for the smart /QUOTE]

WTH???? sure... leave out the guy who bought the first Avenger antenna... the world is a happier place because of me and my stubby..... down Jet.... My harem always gets the props....



Nice install by the way.

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by Florida

If you’re thinking about a back-up camera, consider Pioneer’s much smaller ND-BC2 camera (pictured below on a Honda Element). Image quality of the Boyo and Pioneer are equal. The Pioneer is more expensive, but you will avoid the problems described above.

Ayup... Not intending to hijack the thread, but this is the camera I have with my system (AVH-P4100DVD), mounted pretty much as in the photo (except on the driver's side of the license plate). I ran the cable in to the tailgate by popping out the boot release and grinding a small relief in the tailgate skin hole, running the camera cable through, and replacing the boot release. A little dab of urethane sealer keeps it all watertight inside. The camera cable then follows the rest of the tailgate wiring through the rubber grommets into the car's interior.

I have a Boyo camera powered by the reverse lights on my pickup truck, and I *really* like the image the ND-BC2 provides quite a bit better. But that's just me, and YMMV.

Nice work, Florida!

[jwight]

[quote=Wdhitch;256273]

Originally Posted by Florida

· Jwight, Jefuel and others’ suggestion for the excellent, inexpensive Dodge stubby antenna Dodge Avenger stubby antenna for the smart /QUOTE]

WTH???? sure... leave out the guy who bought the first Avenger antenna... the world is a happier place because of me and my stubby..... down Jet.... My harem always gets the props....



Nice install by the way.

Bill, you can unwad your knickers now; here's the wording in the sticky about the Dodge antenna:

Dodge Avenger stubby antenna for the smart
Pulled from WDhitch's thread:

[Florida]

Originally Posted by The Rigger

...I have a Boyo camera powered by the reverse lights on my pickup truck, and I *really* like the image the ND-BC2 provides quite a bit better.

The Element with the Pioneer camera has the same Pioneer head unit I put in my smart. I can't see any real difference in image quality, but the Pioneer has a more narrowly focused field of view. Better for the intended purpose (backing up) I think. I saved about $45 with the Boyo, but I would buy the Pioneer camera if I had it to do over again.

[Florida]

Originally Posted by Wdhitch

WTH???? sure... leave out the guy who bought the first Avenger antenna... the world is a happier place because of me and my stubby...

Sorry, I didn't mean to leave anybody out. I found the Avenger antenna in multiple threads and wasn't sure who came up with the original idea. All you guys are great!

"Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan." - John F. Kennedy

[tivoboy]

this is an AWESOME! thread!

[tivoboy]

does anyone have a comment on best place to put the XM or Sirius antenna? I have seen where people put it under the tachy, some where the tweeter mount is in the dash, some above the roof slider. Any performance issues?