Hey all. I was just browsing crutchfield for a new radio and I finally picked one out. I read the thread that explains how to DIY and that explains all the steps you need.

I'm just confused on one thing.

Crutchfield says "What you need to know:

• The harness does not supply connections for the front speakers, so you will need to run new speaker wires to your front speakers.
• The harness does not supply connections for the rear speakers, so you will need to run new speaker wires to your rear speakers."

Is this true? The radio i'm going to be getting is a http://www.crutchfield.com/S-y13sza4...0&I=130DEHP480 (Pioneer DEH-P4800MP)


The guide that was written on the forums does not say anything near this.

 

Unless you have the wiring diagram for the factory stereo system... yes, they are correct.

However, you should be able to utilize the existing amplifier.

The output's of the stereo are listed in the service manual.

Here is a screenshot of the wiring diagrams. I've highlighted the area you are looking for. The pre-amp outputs of the stereo and the amp trigger is all you should need.

I would recommend a meter to find the hot and ground in the existing stereo plug unless they are providing a harness adapter.

EDIT: Now that I re-read the diagram and the following pages in the manual as well as the becker site's pinouts for the Indianpolis Pro (same as the factory stereo for wiring), it appears the amp is using speaker outputs. The pre-amps outputs of the factory stereo are NOT being used in the OEM Crossfire application. I have added an additional picture showing (in yellow) the speaker outputs from the head unit and (in green) the power and other pintouts.

NOTE: The 'trigger' going to the power antenna only applies to the roadster... it should not apply to the coupe.

Hope that helps!

 

I just installed the Pioneer DEH-P4800MP in my base roadster a couple weeks ago and got the same information from Crutchfield. I ended up calling their tech support people and asked why - if the wires come from the radio to the speaker, why can't I use the same wires?

He suggested that I might give it a try. I did just that - and it worked fine. The only other thing you have to do is switch the switch-operated power wire and the constant power wire on the harness. The directions they included in the kit were clear enough on just how to do that. From the time I removed the old radio until I was on the road listening to the radio was less than an hour - and I took it sl-o-o-o-w...

It looks really good in the dash, BTW...

 

Thanks, I was really confused.

(17 and really not fluent with car stuff)

I was ready to start having a headache.

 

I did not intend to confuse you nox1s. If you want me to, I can point out exactly what wires are what...

 

The radio on the Limited and the SRT is different from the Roadster, as far as I know. I didn't have any problem connecting the new radio to the old wires n the base roadster. The Crutchfield-supplied harnesses and tools worked out perfectly. I only had to make the one aforementioned change to the power leads.

My next step is to install the 12 disk changer behind the passenger seat and hook that up... that will probably be my Christmas present...

 

I have a limited roadster and just used the vw connector and it worked fine. You do have to switch the power feeds around but it worked great.

 

Thank you very much! It always puts a smile on my face to see someone willing to share their knowledge. I do suppose though that I won't need you to! It seems like everyone else got it to work without any problems so I guess the people at crutchfield trying to sell me speaker wire and a case can just go bite it!

 

What's interesting is they told me the same thing. I read on this forum to buy the VW plug and switch the power wires and it gets better -- so I go to the local Best Buys to get the connector and the install tech tell me it will not work with the stock infinity amp. I buy the connector anyways to give it a try. Took about 30 minutes to install the new head unit and it works great. I took it back to show the Best buy tech and he just scratch his head and said they told us it would not work. That's why I love this forum, you learn a lot of good information and mods.

 

When you buy it from Crutchfield they throw in the VW harness and antenna adapter free - as well as the tool to remove the old radio...

 

How about a pic of the stereo installed ? I have an older Pioneer in my XF now (one I already had) but I'm really leaning towards the very same Pioneer DEH-P4800MP and am wondering how it looks in the dash.

 

Roy,

Take a look at the Premier DEH-P880!

www.pioneerusa.com

Regards,

 

Sandman, Thanks. I already know how the radio looks. I want to see it in a Crossfire dash. I'm not sure about the silver trim. JVC makes one that looks like a good match for our dash and it has a usb port in the front and that would be great for my mps player. But... The buttons have red lighting and I have had trouble with JVC stereos in the past so I don't want to go that way.

 

I'll do it this morning. The silver is a real close match and the lights are green so it looks really close to the other lights. I think it looks great!

 

OK - here's a shot of the radio, as well as the Escort smartcord button for my radar detector (just to the left of the radio).

 

Looks great!. I'm going to get the same radio. Thanks for the photo.

 

You should be real happy with it.

 

gibsonjunkie-
You indicated that radio as an input for XM and/or IPOD. Is that input just a standard AUX in?

I use a portable XM device (MyFi, love it) with a cradle in the car, it has an audio out plug that could utilize an Aux in, better than the antenna method.

 

that's the best stereo i've seen.

 

TimeLord is that picture you? If it someone else I do not recognize them.