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Aftermarket Stereo Installation

3K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  foxraven99 
#1 ·
Hello all,
First post here as a very proud new Impala owner. As my first question to the forum I think this is a good one, and I'm sure someone has asked it in the past. I've read several (12-15) guides/tutorials about how to install an aftermarket stereo, amp, speakers and subwoofer. The general thought I've had is, wow this is far too complicated for me, if I want to retain the factory dings/chimes, auto off, steering wheel controls. I know crutchfield.com sells everything I need, but it's just a massive undertaking for someone who hates wiring and such. So, the question stands as would it be better for me to take it somewhere to have the stereo and other items installed (locally it's $60/hr. labor cost) or is it not as bad as the guides make it seem? I intend to install the speakers (factory sizes) and subwoofer with it's own mono amp, wired up and ready to go once it's hooked into the aftermarket stereo I want is installed. But, the stereo installation is the daunting task for me just because of all the b.s. associated with it.
Side note, can i direct swap the factory 4 channel amp out for a better one or would I be better off starting from scratch on that front as well?
Thanks, in advance for any suggestions and support the community can provide.
 
#3 ·
X2 need to know the year.

In general it's not that bad, but if you don't want to deal with it, you'd be better off paying a shop to do it. Installing a headunit should be a 1-2 hour job tops, and then you can do the amps and speakers yourself, as you seem to be confident in doing that. I would start from scratch with the 4 channel rather than trying to mess with the factory wiring and amp. It's more of a PITA than it's worth
 
#4 ·
shoot getting off the dash and taking out the HU in a 7th gen will take less than 15minutes easy. if you got the correct harnesses and such shouldn't be long at all. If you have the schematic to the preexisting wire from the speakers I assume you could tap into those and use them with a new amp right? by tap into I mean cutting them at the connector and extending them to the amp if need be.
 
#5 ·
Indeed, but dealing with steering wheel controls can take a while, and depending on the harness, you might have to deal with some wire routing and mounting.

And yes, if you have the schematic, you can tap into those wires, but finding the schematic isn't easy, and without it, you're just gunna be guessing. Never fun. Running wires to the speakers isn't hard and doesn't take long, and even though it's more work than using the existing wires, IMO, it's easier.
 
#6 ·
Depending on the year of your Impala, you may want to consider a "plug and play" head unit. It is super easy to install these units - you don't need to cut or splice a single wire - just disconnect your old radio and plug the new one in! Plus, they look like they came installed from the factory and the good ones retain *all* functions (OnStar, warning chimes, turn-signal sounds, XM-compatibility, steering-wheel controls, etc) without any additional parts.

However, you will not find a unit like this from a big-name manufacturer like Pioneer, Kenwood, JVC, etc. But, if you get a good one, the quality (both build quality and sound quality) is *excellent*.

I have a Rosen DS-GM1010-P11 and I absolutely *love* this radio more and more every time I use it. The sound quality is top-notch and the amount of music that I can store on the head-unit itself is simply amazing:

- Will store 6 CD's on internal memeory
- Had SD card slot that works with cards up to 32GB.
- You can load-up a DVD with .mp3 - a DVD will hold ALOT of .mp3's!

Plus, you can easily connect external devices and control them from the head unit itself:
- Can connect a USB device (thumb-drive, etc).
- Can connect an iPod device - I connected an 80GB iPod (5th gen - paid like $35 for it used) - the iPod sits in the glove box, completely out-of-sight. The head unit also charges the iPod. Never have to touch it.

You add all of this up and you will *never* run out of space for your music... And it's all easily accessible from the touch screen on the head unit.

Then, of course, you also get built-in GPS navigation as well....

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
 
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