n00b question on replacing factory HU

jerbroni · 04-20-2006, 12:13 PM

Hi there

Just got my Titan on Saturday and already trying to tear it up.

I bought an 06 Crew Cab LE with the Fosgate stereo. It's OK, but I want something with preamps and DVD.

I know that most of you guys have replaced the factory head unit, and I was hoping that you could provide some pics of how the replacement dash molding looks. I love that brushed almuminum look and I'm hoping that somebody is making something similar for aftermarket stereos.

Second, looking ahead to the speaker replacement - is there a guide out there with the basics of getting at the speakers themselves? Are the grilles just snap-on? I'll probably order the components from Crutchfield - is their guide on the subject accurate and helpful? This is my first brand new truck and I'm not as eager to go prying into things before I've even made a payment. How about routing power and ground through the firewall and dash - is there a good spot already there or am I going to be doing some drilling? Is there a good place to ground in the cab or will i be routing to some out of the way spot in the engine compartment?

Thanks in advance for the help - sorry for all the n00b questions all at once.

Matt

bestatchess · 04-20-2006, 12:18 PM

I don't think the power window feature of the 2006 allows mounting a bunch of amps on the back wall, but this is probably a good place to start looking:

Audio Install (3 amps, Changer, HU, Matrix, Comps, Subs, PacSWIX, Optima, Sirius)

Blindside1234 · 04-20-2006, 12:25 PM

all of your questions can be answered by hitting search. And everything from removing the door panels (no the grille does not come off) to routing power and aftermarket HU installs, even truck boxes that make everything look neat. Just hot search and have fun

grunge311 · 04-20-2006, 01:08 PM

Your going to have a problem with the 06 climate controls. I haven't seen an aftermarket bezel that accomodates this yet. The 05 and 04 LEs didn't have auto climate so there are no aftermarket bezels out right now that have that cut out.

There are other options, one member just cut out the hole for the LCD, or you could use a LOC or cleansweep on your factory deck to get preouts.

jerbroni · 04-20-2006, 01:38 PM

Damn. Sammy is a mad man! I have now realized that I have no business taking on this project at this time as I lack the nuts to let my wife see my new truck completely dismembered. Thanks for the links.

archer75 · 04-20-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunge311

or you could use a LOC or cleansweep on your factory deck to get preouts.

What is this?

If I could just get pre outs put on my factory deck I think that would look best. Then I can just put in some amps and new speakers.

bestatchess · 04-20-2006, 09:25 PM

Example LOC:

http://www.davidnavone.com/detail.as...UCT_ID=NE-774V

grunge311 · 04-21-2006, 10:55 AM

A LOC is a cheap way of getting preouts out of your factory deck, $40 or so. A cleasweep is by JL and is supposed to make your factory deck sound as good as a top of the line aftermarket.... but the price is $450 so its kind of a joke.

Bhudda454 · 04-21-2006, 12:42 PM

Clean sweep can be had new with warranty from Cartoys for 345. Keep all your factory controls and no theft issues. Hardly something to scoff at. I understand some people feel the need to micro-manage each and every hertz coming out of the radio. But for the novice on up to head banger, it would be the ticket.

**chunko** · 04-21-2006, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerbroni

Damn. Sammy is a mad man! I have now realized that I have no business taking on this project at this time as I lack the nuts to let my wife see my new truck completely dismembered. Thanks for the links.

Yeah, I gave up after looking at Sammy's post. Just payed a carshop to add a deck, speakers, and amp.

archer75 · 04-21-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhudda454

Clean sweep can be had new with warranty from Cartoys for 345. Keep all your factory controls and no theft issues. Hardly something to scoff at. I understand some people feel the need to micro-manage each and every hertz coming out of the radio. But for the novice on up to head banger, it would be the ticket.

So you can install this into a factory system and retain your stock speakers? Or would you have to replace the speakers? It looks as if all it does is provide aux outputs? Which would then require amps and new speakers?
Does this improve the sound of the OTA radio using stock speakers is what i'm wanting to know? I can't seem to find any installation instructions or photos.

The stock system sounds great as it is with the ipod connected. However it sounds like crap when just listening to the radio.

bestatchess · 04-21-2006, 01:47 PM

The clean sweep is designed to produce a signal devoid of any factory equalization curves to feed to aftermarket amps. I think (and I am not all that sure here) that the people have used the clean sweep in connection with the RF HU have connected it downstream of the OEM amp.

As far as the OEM speakers go, it will sound way way way better with a decent set of aftermarket components & amp.

If you are pleased with the stock system with the exception of the radio reception (AM-FM) and you like the way it sounds with the Ipod & CD, you might think about just getting XM or Sirius if you want to avoid an extensive stereo install. In my experience, the XM sounds alot better than the AM-FM radio of the stock RF HU. I also have two sets of edi6500s and they sound way better than the stock speakers.

Bhudda454 · 04-21-2006, 01:47 PM

fm radio reception was a known issue in the older models like mine. Not sure if new ones are covered by the TSB or not. The cleansweep is if you want to add amplifiers to an existing system. You could retain the stock speakers, however it woud be a waste and should be criminal to leave all the crappy 2ohm speakers there. The cleansweep flattens out the signal from the HU. Allows for better tuning with the amplifier(s).

Count yourself lucky that you have a good aux input. Most us with older trucks had to have the decks switched, and/or add a PAC inline amplifier to boost the signal going in.

Hope this helped.

Bhudda454 · 04-21-2006, 01:48 PM

get out of my head bestatchess. we must have been typing at the same time. LOL

bestatchess · 04-21-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhudda454

get out of my head bestatchess. we must have been typing at the same time. LOL

At least we agreed.