Installation on setup from Crutchfield

[flyin-lowe]

We recently bought my son an 04 XLT (3.0 w/ auto) extended cab. We are planning to upgrade the stereo components. I stopped in a locally owned shop today because I am not really good with wiring/electrical stuff in general. I was hoping the price would be reasonable because I like the idea of knowing if there is a problem 6 months from now I can go back in and not have to deal with shipping stuff back etc. I came home and shopped around and they have a pretty big markup on the equipment and they also want $491.00 for installation of a radio, 4 speakers and back up camera. Long story short total bill is close to $1400.00 and it is not super premium equipment by any means. Knowing the job would not be super complicated for a pro I was planning on a couple hundred bucks for labor which would maybe be worth the piece of mind. They priced me a JVC unit (can't remember the model number) but he said it was the cheapest they make with Carplay, and their prices was $315.00. Crutchfield has them for around 250.00 give or take. They priced me JL audio C1 5x7 for 170.00 for the pair and they are 119.00 online. Lastly an iBeam brand backup camera for 77.00. Didn't see that camera on Crutchfield but I assume their brands are similar. My cost on the parts through Crutchfield would be under $600.00. So overall the shops markup and labor would cost me $800.00 which is too steep.

Now to my question. For those who have used Crutchfield, do their custom harnesses/adapters make this job pretty much plug and play? All the speakers in the truck currently work so I don't see a need to replace the speaker wires so I know the speakers themselves should be pretty simple. Thinking of making this a project for me and my son to work on together, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking something won't work correctly a short time down the road and now I'm having to take the radio out myself, send it back, deal with all that etc. I assume those of you who DIY these projects don't typically have many problems... I know on some of the other truck and Jeep forums I visit I from time to time hear people having issues with Carplay or bluetooth not working on aftermarket radios. Would love everyone's thoughts.

 

[SenorNoob]

With a Crutchfield "ReadyHarness" , it should literally be plug and play.

Wiring to me is easy. Mostly just match the colors and splice on stuff this old. The hard part is taking the dash apart without breaking anything. That plastic gets brittle.

 

[gaz]

@flyin-lowe
Stereo installation joints have a bottom line, I walk in, they expect to get me for a minimum $1,500.00...it doesn't really matter what I say or due, that is the program.

I recommend buying your buddy the electrician a big delicious pizza and share a rack of their favorite beverage and source your components anywhere else that the stereo installation joint.

For a 4 speaker set up I would not skimp on the speakers. I can see hitting the $300 for four great sounding speakers.

A decent to very good 4 channel amplifier is an easy score used on eBay, there are even some very nice price products from very reputable brands on the Amazon (Alpine, Infinity, Nakamichi) for great prices new. $99-$250...happy to make recommendations upon request.

I'm fussy on head units but my buddy isn't; he put a super ultra death cheap The Walmart brand BOSS head unit in his Audi...sounds pretty good for $99.

In regards to the "adapter harness" NIGHTMARE...just wire it strait to the battery, also running fresh speaker wires. Just unplug the stock wires and push them aside running a all new stand alone system, all I've ever done; best move to eliminate unwanted noise too. Power, ground, remote turn-on, speaker wires and RCA's...they sell installation kits @ The Walmart for well under $50 that will handle any system as described. On the Amazon or eBay probably in the $30-$45 arena...DONE:

$300 new speakers (4)
$100 nice used 4ch amp
$100 great new sounding cheap head unit or a near mint condition well known legacy performer for about the same amount used
<$50 complete new 4ch installation kit
$45 Big pizza (new)
$19.99 Full rack confections (also new)
$615 !!, plus tax and potential shipping/handling+insurance