VT stereo install from scratch

[Local Heavy]

Hi guys.. I know there is probably something out there but i really want to install a full stereo system myself and i dont know where to look... At the moment its a completely stock VT stereo, and i know that i need to get a tool to remove the stock head unit.. I want to run 2 amps, 1 for splits in the front and im going to put 6x9's in the parcel shelf and the other amp direct to a sub.
Is there a link out there for a complete install?? wiring etc?? I know i shouldn't be such a tight arse and i should get a professional to do it... but i just wanted to try it myself..

Anyways thanks in advance guys

Cheers

[Philthy]

I'm sure theres a thread somewhere about doing the headunit in a VT/X, but can't find it right at this minute.

If you have never done much car audio stuff before it might be best to get someone to give you a hand. Someone from here might be able to come help for a 6 pack or something depending where you are.

Failing that, we could talk you through it, but that could take a while

[madnuts]

mate where do u live at i might beable to help u out

[holdenboy]

Check this out, it dosent go into detail about how to wire everything up, but it will give you an idea of what to buy and how much to spend...

Planning A System On A Budget

[Local Heavy]

mate where do u live at i might beable to help u out

Im out at Ballarat mate....

[acarmody]

I've lost count of how many times this has been said, but ditch the 6x9s and spend the money on the front splits. 6x9s are to produce bass like a 8" sub, but if you already have a sub than its worthless. Spending just an extra $100 on front splits can make a world of difference.

[Fonzie]

I've lost count of how many times this has been said, but ditch the 6x9s and spend the money on the front splits. 6x9s are to produce bass like a 8" sub, but if you already have a sub than its worthless. Spending just an extra $100 on front splits can make a world of difference.

What he said... If you have a sub, the parcel shelf speakers are just for rear fill. You shouldn't hear them in the drivers seat. Spend decent money on the front splits, and either put the same splits in the rear (if you give a rats about the passengers) or some cheap (~$60) 6" rounds or 6x9's. You could even leave them stock, but the amp *MIGHT* crucify them...

What are you looking for help on? How to wire it up? Hot to install the stereo/speakers/wiring kits?

I'll give you a basic rundown...

I'm gonna go ahead and guess it's semi decent equipment you want to put in.

First step is install your head unit. Bolt to chassis, get a loom that matches the vt or just solder it up. Wire the speakers in for the moment, unless you're doing this all in one hit. Check everything works... cd/ipod/radio/speakers.

Next install your speakers. With the splits, depending on the size of the crossover, you may be able to mount it behind the door card..? Some people mount them in the boot and run speaker cable for the midrange AND the tweets all the way through. You'll have to rip the door card off none the less to change the midrange drivers, and also fit the tweets somewhere.. Either back of the dash where the stockies are (which means pull most of it apart), or in the door somewhere? Some people but them on the A pillars.
The parcel shelf speakers are usually simple to get at. Remove the back seats and slide the parcel tray off, then unscrew the old ones and put the new ones in. While you've got this out, you may as well drop some speaker wire down for the 4ch amp too.

Next you need to run a wiring kit. Let's say a 4 gauge wire, you have to run it from the engine bay (battery) to the boot (for the amps). Run it along the drivers side cable tray. Fuse it near the battery, just screw it to the current fuse box or something. Re ground the battery with a short 4 gauge wire to the chassis. And put a ground in the boot, just bolt it somewhere to the chassis. You'll need two distribution blocks, or a +/- block, given that you're running two amps. Also, run the "Rem" wire down this tray. This is a wire the deck uses to tell the amps to turn on and off. It doesn't need to be able to hold much current.
You'll most likely need a 5 channel worth of RCA cables, run that down the passenger cable tray. You run them in separate trays to the power wires because the audio signal can get interference. While you've got the cable trays accessible, you may as well run the speaker wire for your splits, from the boot to the front doors.

Next you need to figure out where you're gonna mount your amps. Depending on the size/shape of your sub boxes you might be able to just screw them on... Otherwise, bit of mdf screwed somewhere? Some people mount them upside down hanging from the parcel shelf... Or you could go all out and do a fiberglass install - but that's more complicated.
Connect the power to the distribution blocks, then blocks to amps. REM wire and RCA's to the amps... Wire in your sub(s). Connect the 4ch amp to the appropriate speaker wire ends, then pull your parcel shelf off again and connect it to your rears. Pull your door cards out again and connect it to your crossover.

Aaaand TEST!

If you're lucky, you'll be pumping out tunes in no time. If you're unlucky... you might have to rip some trim off again and check connections/wire/etc. Get a hold of a frequency sweep from somewhere, and tune the deck and amps properly... HPF/LPF.. etc.

So yeah, it's a relatively big job and you do have to be motivated... But it's worth it. The cost of someone installing it isn't TOO unreasonable, and it means it'll be done right the first time, but where's the fun in that?

[Local Heavy]

What he said... If you have a sub, the parcel shelf speakers are just for rear fill. You shouldn't hear them in the drivers seat. Spend decent money on the front splits, and either put the same splits in the rear (if you give a rats about the passengers) or some cheap (~$60) 6" rounds or 6x9's. You could even leave them stock, but the amp *MIGHT* crucify them...

What are you looking for help on? How to wire it up? Hot to install the stereo/speakers/wiring kits?

I'll give you a basic rundown...

I'm gonna go ahead and guess it's semi decent equipment you want to put in.

First step is install your head unit. Bolt to chassis, get a loom that matches the vt or just solder it up. Wire the speakers in for the moment, unless you're doing this all in one hit. Check everything works... cd/ipod/radio/speakers.

Next install your speakers. With the splits, depending on the size of the crossover, you may be able to mount it behind the door card..? Some people mount them in the boot and run speaker cable for the midrange AND the tweets all the way through. You'll have to rip the door card off none the less to change the midrange drivers, and also fit the tweets somewhere.. Either back of the dash where the stockies are (which means pull most of it apart), or in the door somewhere? Some people but them on the A pillars.
The parcel shelf speakers are usually simple to get at. Remove the back seats and slide the parcel tray off, then unscrew the old ones and put the new ones in. While you've got this out, you may as well drop some speaker wire down for the 4ch amp too.

Next you need to run a wiring kit. Let's say a 4 gauge wire, you have to run it from the engine bay (battery) to the boot (for the amps). Run it along the drivers side cable tray. Fuse it near the battery, just screw it to the current fuse box or something. Re ground the battery with a short 4 gauge wire to the chassis. And put a ground in the boot, just bolt it somewhere to the chassis. You'll need two distribution blocks, or a +/- block, given that you're running two amps. Also, run the "Rem" wire down this tray. This is a wire the deck uses to tell the amps to turn on and off. It doesn't need to be able to hold much current.
You'll most likely need a 5 channel worth of RCA cables, run that down the passenger cable tray. You run them in separate trays to the power wires because the audio signal can get interference. While you've got the cable trays accessible, you may as well run the speaker wire for your splits, from the boot to the front doors.

Next you need to figure out where you're gonna mount your amps. Depending on the size/shape of your sub boxes you might be able to just screw them on... Otherwise, bit of mdf screwed somewhere? Some people mount them upside down hanging from the parcel shelf... Or you could go all out and do a fiberglass install - but that's more complicated.
Connect the power to the distribution blocks, then blocks to amps. REM wire and RCA's to the amps... Wire in your sub(s). Connect the 4ch amp to the appropriate speaker wire ends, then pull your parcel shelf off again and connect it to your rears. Pull your door cards out again and connect it to your crossover.

Aaaand TEST!

If you're lucky, you'll be pumping out tunes in no time. If you're unlucky... you might have to rip some trim off again and check connections/wire/etc. Get a hold of a frequency sweep from somewhere, and tune the deck and amps properly... HPF/LPF.. etc.

So yeah, it's a relatively big job and you do have to be motivated... But it's worth it. The cost of someone installing it isn't TOO unreasonable, and it means it'll be done right the first time, but where's the fun in that?

Thanks so much for your input guys.. its a big help and i can't wait to get started I will add some pics and stuff when im done Especially TJ thanks again..

[xxaussiepridexx]

in the vt's do they run 6inch speakers or 6.5inch speakers

[acarmody]

in the vt's do they run 6inch speakers or 6.5inch speakers

6" from factory, but 6.5" will fit with very slight modification, AKA cutting the back out of the factory basket.

[xxaussiepridexx]

ok thanks heaps