Traveling, so I do not have the diagram, but basically I think the only difference is the " brain" that has an audio out level adjustment for use with the facotry sub system.

You must turn the "screw" on the Metra "brain" all the way down. It will be horrible sounding if you turn it even a quarter turn for use with the factory amp/speakers.

Also, do not forget to buy the antenna adapter.

CJ

 

Where can I get the basic one? I emailed metra and they said," It's not out yet, and it probably will not be unless you have already pre-ordered it (307 have done so already)". I emailed them back on where to preorder it and never got a reply.

 

I am in the same boat, got an alpine 4 channel amp coming JL audio speakers, alpine digital media player, I guess its a hard wire, too bad this will be my first install

 

I pre-ordered at installer.com, but then cancled and spliced into 2 wires on factory adapter and 1 on power port. You only need 12V power/Ground/Ignition (drivers power port purple) I did not use factory speaker wiring or amps. I ran my own wiring from after-market amp. All the wiring and factory adapters are still in plcae. If you want to wait for the harness, I was told up to three months for the non-amp version. BTW metra's single DIN+slot for after market single DIN adapters is really nice and fits perfectly. It actually looks factory. My only problem with it is the slots top piece bows a little.

 

thats kind of what I was thinking, just splice power to my new HU, rca's out to the amp, and new speaker wire to my jl's, I am just not the handy type but I need to give it a shot

 

I guess when you think about it, if your overhauling the whole system, you can even run new power and ground wires as some manufactures recommend. Run speaker wires from your aftermarket amp or from the headunit to the output wires on the stock amp (after you disconnect them) to use headunit power. Your going to be disconnecting them from the stock amp anyway to use the stock wires. Then just tap a 12V igmition.

No harness needed really in any situation replacing the stock stereo.

 

Unless you're in my situation. I'm installing a Pioneer AVIC D3 & a 12" sub (and amp) & leaving the rest alone.

The problem is...on the stock Infinity system, the output from the back of the deck is, from what I understand, not a speaker level signal but RCA level. They just aren't using RCA plugs.

So, on my new deck, I'll need to use the RCA outputs & convert those plugs to 2 wires per RCA & tie them into the wires going into the stock amp. If I went this route, it would be a PITA to do. The harness makes much more sense.

On the other hand, I could just re-think my plans & install new components up front, new coax's on the sound bar, use my spare amp for those speakers & just ditch the stock system entirely.... I dunno...

 

To any one that replaced thier factory radio. Did the new radio help with the sound output at all?

I have the 6 disk with Infinity and sub, when the volume it turned up the speakers distort pretty bad.

Eventially I want to replace the entire system, but will I gain anything in just replacing the head unit?

 

There is a problem with your stereo. Either your amp or your head unit is not functioning correctly. If your head unit is broke, then yes, an after market deck will help.

If your amp is out of whack, then no, an aftermarket deck won't help.

I'm not trying to dodge your question, it's just that something's not right with your system...my guess is it's the amp. The bottom line is..your stock system shouldn't distort like that.

My stock system I could turn up to 30 & it was pretty clear.

I'm sure you've tried this, but put it on the radio on a good, clear station...& put all the gains flat...(bass, mid, treble) & see how high you can turn it up unti it distorts.

It's also entirely possible you've blown a speaker & no matter what the volume is, it's gonna shound like crud.

 

Thanx for the ideas. I'll give it some more looking into.

After playing with it this morning, it seems to be more of a problem when the ipod is playing (certain songs) than anything else.