Hi. New to the group. I am helping my son install an Alpine HU in a 2000 Cavalier. I know about the dash removal, no problem, but I've heard that there is not enough clearance. Crutchfield said about 1/8 inch interference, and that I should be able to deal with it. Before I jump in, any ideas or experience on how to deal with this?
Thanks
RYDREW55
Replies (11)
RYDREW55 on 09/5/2007 16:27:31
btw. the head unit is an Alpine CDA-9883 CD Receiver
thanks again
swez on 09/5/2007 20:35:54
Welcome to CK!
Did Crutchfield mention the GM Factory Integration harness for the chimes and door alerts?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-h27nP2Y2Y69/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=120GMRC01
As for clearance issues, you will know more once you are in there and trying to to obtain good fitment. If the depth of the Alpine chassis is the main issue, look inside the cavity and note potential binding areas. Sometimes, a few minor adjustments in the cage are all that is needed. (Trimming/shaving plastic or metal obstructions) This can be an issue when running heavy gage RCA signal lines to outboard amplifiers. Here, tightly bundling the wires will help reduce the wire runs.
Again, once you get a good look at the pocket, you'll have a better idea on how to navigate this one.
Good luck, Comments?
Swez
RYDREW55 on 09/5/2007 21:40:20
Thanks. I guess I'll take a look when I get in there and play it by ear. He's away at school, so it will be a couple of weeks before I try it. I have the HU and fi kit ready when he gets back.
Maybe I'm dumb, but why don't they just make the fit kit to hang out a half inch and use a deeper trim ring. No need to respond, just a stupid thought.
Thanks again
RYDREW55 on 09/5/2007 21:41:52
OH yeah, they gave me the integration harness at half off, 40 bucks.
swez on 09/6/2007 06:49:49
Quote: "Maybe I'm dumb, but why don't they just make the fit kit to hang out a half inch and use a deeper trim ring. No need to respond, just a stupid thought."
Nope, that's not a dumb thing at all. It's the voice of wisdom and life experience talking. Like most new things, one is wise to take it slow, ask questions as needed and have a moderate dose of conservative concern as we tread into uncharted waters.
Yes, some kits do come with adjustment features as you mentioned. The trick is to make it look like a Professional install job when finished.
Good luck and come back if you need some help,
Swez
ttocs on 09/6/2007 16:27:26
you should not have too much problem there until you have to plug in your rca's, sirius unit or the changer ai din cable. These all plug into the back and stick out a bit. Rca's can be shortened by using a 90 degree adaptor if needed but if you need more space then that you will need to have the deck hang out a little. On the initial installation you should have no problems. Mount the din cage to the kit, and then slide the deck into the cage/kit and have the hrns already plugged in. When you mount the kit now take the extra wires and loop them over so they lay over or under the cd player. you will be able later to still slide the deck out from the front with the alpine keys and disconnect the hrns, but the wires inside will make it hard to just reconnect it and slide it back in, You would probably have to remove the dash again and repeat the installation.
I would not sweat it is the just of the paragraph above, you will be fine with that deck.
RYDREW55 on 09/6/2007 17:41:08
Thanks ttocs. Sounds tight but doable.
What about the high speed i-pod cable. I wonder if this is going to stick out too far off the back of the deck. I doubt there is a 90 degree adapter for that. I guess I'll see when I get there. May have to do some bumpin and grindin.
Thanks for all the advice
ttocs on 09/6/2007 18:05:01
I am not sure about the ipod, UK will be able to better help on that one.
RYDREW55 on 09/8/2007 09:02:19
Update - Still waiting for my son to come home to do the install, but I just did the same HU in a Plymouth Breeze. RCA jacks are recessed and the ipod connector hangs out on a 90 degree wire in the rear of the HU. So neither will be a depth problem. The jury is still out on the HU depth overall. I'll update again after I finish.
ttocs on 09/8/2007 17:56:41
I can get you through the dash if that is all you are waiting for. When those dashed were new me and the other guys use to try and see how fast we could get a deck out of one(with out scratches or breaks of course!). my record was 11 mins, you have to take some time around the airbag.......
UKinstaller on 09/10/2007 02:59:44
here's a couple of tips for the do-it-yourselfer
1) make your wiring harness connections leaving the wire as LONG AS POSSIBLE!! this will let you hide the enormous data module required to install the new wire behind another side of the dash instead of directly behind the radio. saves a TON of room.
2) the iPod cord shouldn't plug directly into the chassis of the alpine head unit. there should be a cord hanging off of the head unit a few inches long that accepts the iPod connecter. double check what you were looking at. this is a plus in that it too can be hidden behind either side of the radio instead of directly behind it.
3) i guess i should have mentioned this one first, but before you do anything at all get your hands on a dremel tool and cut out all of that unnecessary GM plastic behind the factory radio. be careful not to cut wires, vents, etc.. this will free up space that crutchfield says is an 1/8 inch off or whatever.
4) last but not least, and only if necessary, use the spacer that comes with the dash kit you get to put the radio in. it will space the radio out about another 3/8 inch, which in the tight areas in cavaliers is a huge plus.
all of this combined will get your radio in there no problem. keep in mind that to get the factory radio out, you have to pull the entire dash off anyway, so there will be PLENTY of room for you to hide wires, just keep them long, hide them on EITHER side of the radio that can hold them without altering anything, and remember to keep as little stuff as possible directly behind the radio. you can always put stuff on top of it, too.
enjoy
-UK
Thanks
RYDREW55
Replies (11)
RYDREW55 on 09/5/2007 16:27:31
btw. the head unit is an Alpine CDA-9883 CD Receiver
thanks again
swez on 09/5/2007 20:35:54
Welcome to CK!
Did Crutchfield mention the GM Factory Integration harness for the chimes and door alerts?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-h27nP2Y2Y69/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=120GMRC01
As for clearance issues, you will know more once you are in there and trying to to obtain good fitment. If the depth of the Alpine chassis is the main issue, look inside the cavity and note potential binding areas. Sometimes, a few minor adjustments in the cage are all that is needed. (Trimming/shaving plastic or metal obstructions) This can be an issue when running heavy gage RCA signal lines to outboard amplifiers. Here, tightly bundling the wires will help reduce the wire runs.
Again, once you get a good look at the pocket, you'll have a better idea on how to navigate this one.
Good luck, Comments?
Swez
RYDREW55 on 09/5/2007 21:40:20
Thanks. I guess I'll take a look when I get in there and play it by ear. He's away at school, so it will be a couple of weeks before I try it. I have the HU and fi kit ready when he gets back.
Maybe I'm dumb, but why don't they just make the fit kit to hang out a half inch and use a deeper trim ring. No need to respond, just a stupid thought.
Thanks again
RYDREW55 on 09/5/2007 21:41:52
OH yeah, they gave me the integration harness at half off, 40 bucks.
swez on 09/6/2007 06:49:49
Quote: "Maybe I'm dumb, but why don't they just make the fit kit to hang out a half inch and use a deeper trim ring. No need to respond, just a stupid thought."
Nope, that's not a dumb thing at all. It's the voice of wisdom and life experience talking. Like most new things, one is wise to take it slow, ask questions as needed and have a moderate dose of conservative concern as we tread into uncharted waters.
Yes, some kits do come with adjustment features as you mentioned. The trick is to make it look like a Professional install job when finished.
Good luck and come back if you need some help,
Swez
ttocs on 09/6/2007 16:27:26
you should not have too much problem there until you have to plug in your rca's, sirius unit or the changer ai din cable. These all plug into the back and stick out a bit. Rca's can be shortened by using a 90 degree adaptor if needed but if you need more space then that you will need to have the deck hang out a little. On the initial installation you should have no problems. Mount the din cage to the kit, and then slide the deck into the cage/kit and have the hrns already plugged in. When you mount the kit now take the extra wires and loop them over so they lay over or under the cd player. you will be able later to still slide the deck out from the front with the alpine keys and disconnect the hrns, but the wires inside will make it hard to just reconnect it and slide it back in, You would probably have to remove the dash again and repeat the installation.
I would not sweat it is the just of the paragraph above, you will be fine with that deck.
RYDREW55 on 09/6/2007 17:41:08
Thanks ttocs. Sounds tight but doable.
What about the high speed i-pod cable. I wonder if this is going to stick out too far off the back of the deck. I doubt there is a 90 degree adapter for that. I guess I'll see when I get there. May have to do some bumpin and grindin.
Thanks for all the advice
ttocs on 09/6/2007 18:05:01
I am not sure about the ipod, UK will be able to better help on that one.
RYDREW55 on 09/8/2007 09:02:19
Update - Still waiting for my son to come home to do the install, but I just did the same HU in a Plymouth Breeze. RCA jacks are recessed and the ipod connector hangs out on a 90 degree wire in the rear of the HU. So neither will be a depth problem. The jury is still out on the HU depth overall. I'll update again after I finish.
ttocs on 09/8/2007 17:56:41
I can get you through the dash if that is all you are waiting for. When those dashed were new me and the other guys use to try and see how fast we could get a deck out of one(with out scratches or breaks of course!). my record was 11 mins, you have to take some time around the airbag.......
UKinstaller on 09/10/2007 02:59:44
here's a couple of tips for the do-it-yourselfer
1) make your wiring harness connections leaving the wire as LONG AS POSSIBLE!! this will let you hide the enormous data module required to install the new wire behind another side of the dash instead of directly behind the radio. saves a TON of room.
2) the iPod cord shouldn't plug directly into the chassis of the alpine head unit. there should be a cord hanging off of the head unit a few inches long that accepts the iPod connecter. double check what you were looking at. this is a plus in that it too can be hidden behind either side of the radio instead of directly behind it.
3) i guess i should have mentioned this one first, but before you do anything at all get your hands on a dremel tool and cut out all of that unnecessary GM plastic behind the factory radio. be careful not to cut wires, vents, etc.. this will free up space that crutchfield says is an 1/8 inch off or whatever.
4) last but not least, and only if necessary, use the spacer that comes with the dash kit you get to put the radio in. it will space the radio out about another 3/8 inch, which in the tight areas in cavaliers is a huge plus.
all of this combined will get your radio in there no problem. keep in mind that to get the factory radio out, you have to pull the entire dash off anyway, so there will be PLENTY of room for you to hide wires, just keep them long, hide them on EITHER side of the radio that can hold them without altering anything, and remember to keep as little stuff as possible directly behind the radio. you can always put stuff on top of it, too.
enjoy
-UK
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