What's the Best way to learn about self installations?

I have a 95 honda civic which I have had stereo equipment installed in a piecemeal fashion throughout the years. Can anyone recommend a good setup that provides good bass, without a sub in the trunk, or is that not possible?
I currently have:
-sony xplode deck, (52wx4/ CDX-M610)
-2 amps (Del audio and Lightning audio) Not sure of wattage and don't know how to find it
-2 regular mb quart woofers in the back
-2 tweeters mb
-2 mids in the doors mb

Also, can you recommend a good site or book that would offer stero intallation instructions for an idiot without electrical knowledge?

thanks!
DJ

Replies (13)

xplicitblitzboi on 04/14/2003 14:28:39
what is the reason for not having subs in the trunk? there are some custom installations that can leave almost all your trunk space if that is the problem. To have a full, well-rounded system, subwoofers are most-likely needed. mid-woofers will not usually provide you with the kid of bass that you are looking for.

The best way to learn about car stereo installation is to watch someone else do it. I've found that that is the easiest way. Usually after you've seen it done once, you can do it yourself.

If you really need a book or site to tell you how to do it, Swez or ttocs might know, but at this moment, i dont really know a site or book off hand.

ttocs on 04/14/2003 17:56:06
I started off in my own car. I made more then a few mistakes and sent my share of sparks flying... But after a little while you get the idea of what you should be doing and you just take it to the next level. I eventually got a job selling gear, and worked my way back to the install bay. Once you get your foot in the door, you are constantly learning. This is not an area that you can get into, and then set back and relax. There is always new cars, new products, and new technikes(sp?). Even having been out of the industry professionally for a few years I find myself in cars that I cannot get apart, or do not understand...

What are you wanting to learn? Where are you wanting to go with it(for fun?)?

Swez on 04/14/2003 19:41:50
We can bring you through most of the technicals, ttocs is an experienced installer so a good resource for install and tear out tecniques. A few others here, seem to know how things fit together.

The wiring and amp connections are easy when you know how... the pulling things apart to hide it all or make it look factory are the tough part.

I am sure there are books out there to help you do this... but the best way to learn, is to have a skilled set of hands, working with you. You watch, do some of the basics and let you buddy walk you throught the details. After you have done a few car, things get a lot easier... but as ttocs mention, some of the newer body styles have really made it harder to do these at home. I can only guess what he means by that.... hehe like most newer cars.. they are designed to limit the home DIY's ability to work on certain parts of a vehicle.

Swez

xplicitblitzboi on 04/14/2003 20:46:31
yes, i too have made my share of mistakes, right now, a friend of mine did his own install and he has a short somewhere in his electrical system that i think might have something to do with his install. He was a first timer and had no previous experience. He did not ask for my help, but now is complaining that his fuse for the taillights keeps blowing, and when he replaces it, it blows when he turns the lights on. hmmm, wonder what that is. but yes, the hardest part would probably be figuring out how to take the car apart for amp installation, and running wires. To do this, you might want to purchase a HAYNES manual for your vehicle. DO NOT GET CHILTON. This will tell you how to take apart the dash, seats, rear dash, and things like that for easier installation. you dont want to mount the amp on the box, because this makes it easier to steal the whole package.

ttocs on 04/15/2003 19:09:38
he grounded the deck to the illumination wire.. Move the ground on the radio to the chassis.

SeVeNX7X on 04/15/2003 21:23:16
Before you go out and buy a HAYNES manual... rip off the plastic covering the book, look through it and make sure it actually has instructions for YOUR vehicle. Haynes is very vague when it comes to which car its talking about. Considering its only about 100 pages long [maybe...] and covers, more often than not, many different years, models, and sometimes different cars. Also, they sometimes label them vaguely. I bought one for my 1989 Mazda MX-6 , and it was for 88-92 [the 1st generation] and it only had about 3 things in there about my car. the rest was for pre-88 [carburated] so non of the pictures, or descriptions matched my car. I would have been better off getting the 1st Gen Ford Probe book. ... So in conclusion, make sure your car is in the book you buy =) youll be out 15$ if you dont.

xplicitblitzboi on 04/15/2003 22:41:05
There are a couple different haynes manuals out there. There are some general ones(that they sell at schucks) and then there are some that are for a specific car and give every detail of how to tear down and put back together your vehicle. These have hundreds of pictures that go along with the instructions to make it easier. DO NOT GET THE ONES WITH MULTIPLE VEHICLES. these will be very vague and wont help you much, make sure it says the make and year of your car on the front. get that one.

http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/rodi/guides.haynes.app.html

Blitz

Ricky1981 on 10/18/2006 20:19:40
I have a 96 dodge Ram 2500. I've got new speakers in the factory locations and now I'm wnating to add somemore not in facotry locations. I'm wanting to atleast get maybe four 6 1/2s or two 6 1/2s and two more 6x9s. Can someone help me out with how you put speakers in different places?

ttocs on 10/20/2006 18:09:10
be glad to help ya ricky but it would be helpfull for you to start your own topic for us to ask. Don't be afraid to ask, only a couple on here bite and as long as swez has his dentures out it will not hurt.....

swez on 10/20/2006 19:37:54
Yeah... I've pretty much given up biting now. I put that grumpy old fart on the curb and he went out with the weekly trash... Hehe

Check your other posting Ricky. I put a few comments in there for you to think about and respond. Really... when it comes to speakers, Less is usually more when we do it well and use good quality speakers.

swez

Hydrogin on 10/21/2006 18:09:38
Hey Dj

If you don't want a sub in the trunk you can always use slimline woofers in the doors or even in the rear deck. Another option is under the seats: 1 x 6.5" Earthquake SWS under each fron seat.

Hydrogin

Hydrogin on 10/21/2006 20:04:42
Just ignore my first reply.

Did not see the date of the original post just the last reply.

THINK

Hydrogin

Lethal1 on 10/29/2006 00:08:07
Sony xplod is just junk, get a good pioneer deck, or alpine, both are much nicer.