VX head unit replacement

[mcnut]

I'm looking to replace the stock head unit in my vx. A couple of questions:

Is it pretty simple to do it yourself, or is it better to have it professionally installed?

Do aftermarket Double DIN units fit without modification?

Double DIN vs Single DIN & spacer - which is better?

Can one still use the steering wheel controls for the aftermarket head unit? (Not massively important, but handy to have...)

Max budget for new unit & installation is around $500 - any recommendations?

For the head unit I'm pretty much needing something that plays CD's & mp3's & has iPod connectivity.

Look forward to your feedback & opinions!

Thanks mcnut

[m1lky]

easy to do it yourself. your old one will come out via those 4 holes in the front. You can either get euro pins to remove them or do it the less orthodox way. I stuff my allen keys down the holes and pull it out.

head down to repco and grab an adapter that will plug into the factory loom. (you can also get one for most headunits too, so they just plug directly in).

i think the vx had a double din headunit only, so you will just need to get a pocket if you want to use a single din headunit. (repco can sort you out with that too).

steering wheel controls apparently can be done but i haven't seen it done.

not sure about over there but in NZ you'll get alot for $500. Should be about $50 for the wiring. The ipod interface on the alpines is quite nice imo.

Good luck

[Scruba]

I'm looking to do the same thing. Alpine have emailed this list of Single Din units that will utilise your existing steering wheel controls but you will need to purchase a module to connect the unit to your steering controls.

IDA-X305S
Alpine Electronics of Australia

CDA-117E
Alpine Electronics of Australia

CDA-105E
Alpine Electronics of Australia

CDE-126BTi
Alpine Electronics of Australia

I run a Pioneer unit in my Pontiac with bluetooth and iPod integrated. I consider these a must and they are a very clean way of adding hands free and iPod into any vehicle.

Enjoy.

[mcnut]

Thanks for the info M1lky & Scruba. Agreed about the iPod connectivity/function - a small iPod is so much easier than carrying a stack of CDs around! Admittedly I'm no car sound installer, but reading this forum, I reckon I could do an ok job. Once I look at speaker upgrades etc, it'll probably be best to get it done professionally then...

Now to find a head unit I like amongst the hundreds out there!

[m1lky]

Depending what you want to do speakers are no more difficult. Door cars aren't hard to remove once you know how.

If you start amping them etc it gets s little more complicated but not much.

Not sure about in oz but here installers charge a fortune and I don't think they do a better job than you do yourself.

[wraith]

Depending what you want to do speakers are no more difficult. Door cars aren't hard to remove once you know how.

If you start amping them etc it gets s little more complicated but not much.

Not sure about in oz but here installers charge a fortune and I don't think they do a better job than you do yourself.

There's a reason they do. It is a pain in the ass. Also most of the time you will get a warranty on install, I would rather let some one else do it and if something goes wrong have a fall back.

[mcnut]

M1lky - thanks mate...agreed that accessing door speakers etc isn't complicated, but sometimes it's probably easier & quicker to let the pro's do it.

Wraith - agreed mate, coz as we all know, when things go pear shaped, it usually gets expensive & we end up calling in the pro's anyway!

[james[tt]]

Any cheap but decent DVD deck units that could be installed into a vx?

[james.windred]

yes thats right normally they give a lifetime warranty for their work and plus it saves you stuffing around for a day doing it when they will knock it over in 45mins for round 80 bucks