VH system installation

[ezy_4_u]

im 17 and new to the world of cars...
im writting to ask if any1 can help me out with how i would go about installing a sound system in my VH commodore or refer me to another site or something... any hel is appreciated

[holdenboy]

What do you want to know mate?

Ive done a few installs in VHs, even owned VBs, VCs, VHs and VKs....so ive got a fair bit of knowledge (and a sweet spot) for those models

[ezy_4_u]

What do you want to know mate?

Ive done a few installs in VHs, even owned VBs, VCs, VHs and VKs....so ive got a fair bit of knowledge (and a sweet spot) for those models

pretty much everything
ive been putting up wit AM radio for far too long haha
so umm. would i be able to buy any type of head deck?
and how wuld i go about installing it keeing in mind i know shit all?
would it give me FM if i put a new one in?
and would i be able to install speakers in each of the doors coz it only has one in the top of the dash?
as u can tell its stock as a rock

ps ur a legend = ]

[HCVP]

Yes you could just buy a new tape deck, but these days, even if your buying new, you can pick up an entry level CD player, for well under$100...which yes will give you FM lol

[holdenboy]

Alrighty then yeah pretty much any single DIN unit will fit into the VHs, what is in there at the moment, just the original unit? if so thats pretty rare.

Yeah would get FM, provided you have an antenna

Yep you could install speakers into the doors, but most speakers will require you to install some spacers first (the doors are fairly shallow inside).

So what you'd be after is a basic CD tuner (as VP said under/around the $100 mark, any namebrand will be available for that price) and a pair of 6-6.5" speakers, depending on your budget you can go with rear speakers too but i'd stick with a pair of fronts to start with. You can pick up half decent coaxial speakers for $60-$80 and will sound heaps better than the dash speaker.

If you dont feel confident with cutting holes in your doors, running wire from the door into the kick panels then maybe get a store to do that part for you. The stereo install isnt too hard and you could probably do that yourself.

[ezy_4_u]

hahaha yes i do have an antenna

yep it is the original, lucky me (worth anything?), one of my mates was saying something about putting the head deck in the glove box, is that possible?

are the spacers hard to put in?

and how to i go about learning which wires go where?

[HCVP]

I've seen VH's with the head unit in the glovebox. I think it can be a good idea, both for security reasons, and because it keeps a bit of originality about the vehicle. All though for everday use and convienance, it's probably not something i would do, but that's just my personal opinion.... As for the wiring, i can post a diagram for you, closer to when your ready to begin the install. Would first need to know what your installing, and whether you will be adding external amplifiers, ect..

But before you begin, what's your budget? and what are your overall expectations on the final set-up.
I'm going to go out on a limb here, and suggest a little bit different of an install..

Firstly, i wouldn't be cutting up the door trim's, particularly on a VH, and if it's in good nick.
Rather than installing a set of 6-6.5 inch speakers in the doors, i'd spend a little more, and get a good set of 4 inch speakers, to replace the factory units. Match them up with decent 2 channel amp, and possibly look at installing a set of coaxials,(again, budget pending) in the rear shelf, and have them running just off the head unit.
Then look at adding a good quality 10 inch sub,(or 12, depending again on your listening styles ect..) and amp.
All up, will still provide you with good sound quality, without sacrificing too much space, and you'll retain much of the factory look of your interior.

[ezy_4_u]

my budgets low, just ganna get the basics coz im ganna sell it in about 8 months and hopefully ill have the money to get it in a month or 2. ive already got a sub so i just need 2 sets of speakers an amp n head deck so like $350? then again i was just ganna put in 1 set of speakers coz i dnt know how difficult it is ot install the rest of the stuff

the VH only has one speaker and it in the dash and im not too worried bout cuttin the doors anyway. budget is he key here :P

and what does channel mean in referance to amps

[HCVP]

Post deleted.......

[ezy_4_u]

legend
ill get in touch with u wen i get the products for the wiring diagrams

[holdenboy]

Yeah i'd just be buying a head-unit and a good set of coaxials. You wont be able to factor in an amplifier / wiring kit / box for the sub for under $350. Plus its not the easiest of jobs installing an amp.

Decent head-unit ($150) and a good set of coaxials ($100) will leave you with $100 spare.

[ezy_4_u]

nice maths holdenboy :P

what does the head unit actually do... like what makes one better than the other besides the extra gadgets?

btw the sub ive got is orion. good brand? i have no idea how many W it is

[bezz]

I'd be looking at an alarm and immobiliser if you're installing a stereo into a vh. I had my vk broken into in my driveway a few years ago, cd player stolen, and they didnt wake up any of my family that were sleeping metres away. After that I held off on installing any decent stereo gear until I bought a new car.

[HCVP]

Orion are ok, they do some pretty high end gear, like most brands, what model sub is it? is it boxed, and do you have an amp for it at the moment?
As far as the features go for the head units, extra money will get you the usual extra features like, IPOD connectivity,Bluetooth, greater tuning opputities, such as 6 band EQ's, subsonic filters ect, and additional pre-outs for external amplfiers, and much more, but there the most simple extra's you'll find. It comes down to what you need....

[ezy_4_u]

thats unfortunate to hear mate, ive alredy got an alarm in my car.
i wish i didnt though haha i get 3500 if it gets stolen!

i dnt have an amp for it. its boxed so i dno how to tell what type it is but ill have a look wen its daylight tomooro

[holdenboy]

Yeah i did good at maths.....took me 3 minutes to add those up, imagine how long it took me to write up the planning a system on a budget thread

Just as VP said about the main differences in head-units. You'll probably be better off buying a decent head-unit now, and when you upgrade cars you'll be able to use that in your car and add several amps etc, plus being able to adjust the side just how you like it.
Beats spending <$100 for a cheapy h/u then buy a new one when you find out you can add more than one amp and have control over the sub or speakers.

[ezy_4_u]

back again guys, my 18th is on wednesday and it looks like my mates r getting me the head unit and speakers so i was wondering if u could post up that wiring diagram keeping in mind my vh is an SLX so it only has one stock speaker not like the SLE which has 4. (does that mean i cant put speakers in?)

EDIT: i just read u need to know what im putting i so ill let u know when i get the goods, so be preared :P

[Tom_1569]

back again guys, my 18th is on wednesday and it looks like my mates r getting me the head unit and speakers so i was wondering if u could post up that wiring diagram keeping in mind my vh is an SLX so it only has one stock speaker not like the SLE which has 4. (does that mean i cant put speakers in?)

EDIT: i just read u need to know what im putting i so ill let u know when i get the goods, so be preared :P

Red wire = 12v + Ign
Yellow Wire = 12v + Acc
Black = Earth

Run new speaker wire for the speakers in the doors (assuming your still doing this) dont worry about the dash speaker.

Also you could run a new earth if you wanted to.

[ezy_4_u]

im going to buy the goods tomooro im getting this:
Ryda Car Audio - Fusion RE-FR6930 6x9" Car Speakers
Ryda Car Audio - Kenwood KDC-139 Car CD Tuner($99.00)

so what do i connect the new speaker wiring to? and does the new wires come wit the speakers?

[holdenboy]

So youre going with 6" x 9" speakers in the rear parcel shelf? You'll need to cut the holes out (illegal) or use spacers.

The new speaker wiring connects to the speaker, then runs down each side of the car and to the CD player, you'll need to connect the left speaker to the green / green w/black stripe and the right speaker to the purple / purple w/black stripe (black stripe is negative).
The speakers will come with a length of speaker cable but it wont be enough to reach the rear shelf. You'll need to buy some longer lengths (5m to be exact).
Heres the spacers you'll need if youre not going to cut the metal / parcel shelf:
Cheaper, plastic ones:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productResu...p?FORM=KEYWORD

Dearer, stronger ones:
APF69HBL : 1 Pair 6x9" (152mmx228mm) Black Vinyl Fibreglass Speaker spacers :: Speakers And Spacers

Heres an example of speaker cable (you'll need 10m of it):
Regular Duty Fig 8 Speaker Cable - Jaycar Electronics

[holdenboy]

Edit....Double Post

[ezy_4_u]

alrighhhht i bought the gear today
ive pulled out the stock head unit
and i dont know what to do next...

[Tom_1569]

alrighhhht i bought the gear today
ive pulled out the stock head unit
and i dont know what to do next...

Install it

What gear did you buy, that would help everyone decide what is easiest to do next.

By the way, where are you located, might be easier for a member to give you a hand for a 6-pack or something instead of explaining it on here.

[ezy_4_u]

Fusion 6 x 9's RE-FR6930

kenwood KDC-MP243

AND 10M OF WIRING

im at Botany, next to Mascot. That wuld be good. Im soo keen to learn i just have nooo clue what to do wit the wires that came wit the HU im not even worried bout the speakers atm

[Tom_1569]

Alright, assuming thats Sydney, to far for me, but if someone doesnt put there hand up, you could try putting a thread in the NSW section and see.

First off all, I would be laying speaker wiring as its the most prick of a job, if your doing it properly.

If its only two speakers, then just run it from where the speakers are going, to near the headunit (leaving enough length to play around with), if its all 4 speakers, then put a tag or tape on the ends of the wires, marking which is which.

Next I would be finding the wiring loom,and making sure you can access it properly.
Wiring the Positive constant, Positive accessory, and either wiring to the earth, or making an point aswell. At this point plug in the headunit, and make sure you can get it to power on.

Dummy wire the speakers, so you can use them to be tested roughly where they will be located.

Disconnect headunit, and wire the speakers in place, following the diagram. Again plug in and test. If everything goes correctly, get the brace, and fit the brace, Personelly I think this is the hardest part to get right not the wiring. Once the brace is in place, plug the loom back in, and the aeriel, and slot into place.

Test, to make sure its all good, then fit your speakers and wire them properly.

Have a few beers whilst sitting in your car listening to tunes