Looking to replace head unit

[Damaged]

Was hoping for some input. I want to change out my stereo head unit. I am not looking to make any serious upgrades... want something that I can plug my MP3 into, will sound good and will allow me to still use steering wheel controls.

Suggestions?


FYI- I have a 2002 LS with the 6 disk in-dash changer

 

[Angel12]

IPAD! lol

 

[1LoudLS]

alpine or eclipse are some of the best sounding, if its an ipod there is a lot more available for compatible decks, if its not than just about every brand now days has a front aux input. you will also need to make sure that the radio you get will have the steering wheel inputs and you will have to get the steering wheel adapter

SWI-PS will work with pioneer and sony's (if the radio has the correct input)
SWI-JACK will work with alpine, kenwood, eclipse, and more (if the radio has the correct input)

 

[Damaged]

1loud... thanks!

BTW- Since the car's audio system has a built in amp, which I do not want to bypass, any suggestions on what type of power rating the deck should have? I have seen 17watt per channel all the way up to 60 watt Since I am not sure how they are connecting to the stock amp, I would be hesitant to send it too "hot" a signal from the deck, which could overheat and blow the stock amp.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[TheArchaic1]

I just swapped out my Alpine deck for a new iPod/iPhone unit and the sound is better than the $1000 headunit I had in before since it has newer sound processors in it, plus it has a direct connection for your iPod/iPhone. Only set me back a $173 bucks and change. I still need to make a new amp rack since the one I am using is from my last car and its to small for the opening to the trunk and I need to make a wall to enclose the sub, but since the weather is nicer now that should be done soon.

 

[LS_is_my_girlfriend]

I am looking at the Pioneer Premier FH-P800BT, since I just moved to California and they have all these laws about being on your phone. The site at Cruchfield says it won't fit, but its a double din, so why would it not. My stock stereo CD player has stopped working for some time, and I am getting sick of the radio stations in San Diego... so need to upgrade. Has anyone installed this deck in there LS? Or used a similar Pioneer Deck? Any feed back would be great.

 

[1LoudLS]

1loud... thanks!

BTW- Since the car's audio system has a built in amp, which I do not want to bypass, any suggestions on what type of power rating the deck should have? I have seen 17watt per channel all the way up to 60 watt Since I am not sure how they are connecting to the stock amp, I would be hesitant to send it too "hot" a signal from the deck, which could overheat and blow the stock amp.

Thanks for all the help.

there are two different power ratings, RMS which is usually any where from 17-22 watts RMS (which is the most accurate number) and max power which is usually anywhere from 50-60 watts, the factory amps is only for the sub and center console speakers (unless you have the THX package) which will use low level inputs (RCA connectors) so the power output wont matter, and you will just be sending the signal to those amps, all the other speakers (all four doors) are driven off of an internal amp inside the radio (which will be the same as the new radio will)

The site at Cruchfield says it won't fit, but its a double din, so why would it not.

crutchfield doesn't have the double din dash kits, so thats why they say it wont fit, its a double din unit, it will fit

Has anyone installed this deck in there LS? Or used a similar Pioneer Deck? Any feed back would be great.

tons of people are running pioneer double din headunits in there LS, along with a bunch of kenwoods and a couple of alpines. double din is a size, all double dins are the same size(at least in height and width, depth might be a little different)

 

[Damaged]

alpine or eclipse are some of the best sounding, if its an ipod there is a lot more available for compatible decks, if its not than just about every brand now days has a front aux input. you will also need to make sure that the radio you get will have the steering wheel inputs and you will have to get the steering wheel adapter

SWI-PS will work with pioneer and sony's (if the radio has the correct input)
SWI-JACK will work with alpine, kenwood, eclipse, and more (if the radio has the correct input)

Thanks!. been looking, seems like the hardest part is finding one with the steering wheel input, that is not loaded down with iPod, iPhone and every other iCrap function that I do not need or want. lol

 

[1LoudLS]

yea that will be difficult as the Ipod options usually come on the lower models than the steering wheel controls do


however, with most brands, the ipod/iphone intergration is just a USB plug on the radio