radio w/gps and floor mats

[chrystalandmike]

I just bought a 2006 EB with 101,000 miles for 12000. It is in great shape and as far as i can tell no issues (knock on wood).

I want to put in a head unit to replace the 6 disc changer it has in it now. I want a unit that has a read usb so I can hook up my ipod classic. I would also like to be able to use the steering wheel controls and run the factory dvd player from the unit. I have been looking at the clarion nx501. I have put in one radio before and it was not that hard I am hoping I can do this one my self too. Any input or advice would be great.

I was looking at weathertech floor mats for 1st and second row. Are they worth the money?

 

[GAINMOB]

just my $.02...i dont think weathertech are worth it...they are great but not THAT great to me...as far as the HU...you should be able to do this just fine...any HU that is equipped usb will be good...check out www.crutchfield.com and see what they offer and then search the internet for better deals...i buy from crutchfield for the lifetime support and free guides and everything else they give free or very cheap like wiring kits

 

[jaydee427]

I agree with Freeway, WeatherTechs are very expensive and really don't serve a purpose. I had a set of them when I was living in NY and the snow / slush would build up in the tracks and eventually run-over. I ended up buying a set of custom fit heavy-duty carpet floor mats for about $75.00 from Ebay and it even covered the 3rd row. I got them in black so that it will not stain as quickly as a lighter color. When they get dirty, just shake 'em clean and when they get wet, just hang 'em to dry. As far as the HU goes, I had this Valor NVG-606W (looks like the Pioneer AVIC-D3) in my Expy. It had everything (including steering wheel controls - adapter purchased seperately) EXCEPT for bluetooth, not to mention, it was reasonably price below $350.00





I am about to install a Valor NVG-868W in my girlfriends Explorer and I'll post photos of that project real soon.

 

[chrystalandmike]

jaydee that set up looks great. Any issues putting it in?

I purchaced a Clarion NX501 from Amazon 577.00 and all the parts needed to install it from cruchfield 124.00 which includes the steering wheel control adapter and DVD hook up. I hope they get here in time for the Friday trip i have to make.

Any wire connectors I should use or are any of them ok?

I am still on the fence about the weathertech floor mats. They look like they would fit perfect and not slide around.

 

[GAINMOB]

if you got everything from crutchfield...wire harness adapter...you should be good to go...pulg in to new HU...plug to truck harness...connect wires accordingly...i need to get my steering wheel control done

 

[chrystalandmike]

Freeway I will let you know how it goes. If I figure out how to I will post pics when it is done.

 

[jaydee427]

.......Any issues putting it in?

I purchased a Clarion NX501 from Amazon 577.00 .........

Any wire connectors I should use or are any of them ok?

I am still on the fence about the weathertech floor mats. They look like they would fit perfect and not slide around.

Thanks, and I love the 3D Navi display on the Clarion NX501, enjoy it. Installation was a breeze. My only issue was determining where to mount the 12 volt to 5 volt regulator to avoid the turn on "pop" sound.

Believe it or not, I did not use any wire connectors. I just slip a small piece of heat shrink over each wire on the aftermarket harness. After that, I took the wires to be connected and folded the exposed leads into a "j" or hook position. I then joined the harness wires with the aftermarket radio wires, twisted them, pulled the heat shrink over it, heated it and grouped all the wires together with zip tie.

Look into the carpet mats I mentioned earlier. I'll post pics of a set I have in our Freestyle later.

 

[jaydee427]

Freeway I will let you know how it goes. If I figure out how to post pics when it is done.

Go to Photobucket.com, upload your pics to their site, save it into your album (on their site). After it's saved in your album, you can copy and paste the link to be uploaded in this forum.

 

[chrystalandmike]

Thanks jaydee.

I stopped by Best Buy just to see how much it would be for them to hook everything up. I was shock that it was so high 180.00. I better not mess this up I am running out of money.

 

[splintrcel]

floor mats are such a waste to me. Billy Mayes blessed us with oxy clean. That stuff gets out all stains. I like just normal floor mats in my truck because i think it looks a hell of a lot nicer that way. But do what you will, i suppose if your walking around in the mud and hop in your expy you dont wanna get mud everywhere.

 

[iamking313]

I bought the Clarion NX501 factory refurbished from ebay with a warranty for $459. I've had it for about 2 weeks and I love it! I was going to try to install it myself until I opened the box and saw all those wires and connections, so I took it to a local car stereo shop. They installed the steering wheel controls as well as a switch to allow video to play without engaging the parking brake. My next purchase will be tinted windows and a good alarm.