Stereo install not as smooth as I had hoped - have a couple questions

[Beatcoaster]

I am installing a Kenwood x493 into my 69 c10 and am having trouble getting it to turn on using the existing fuse box. Because of this and to keep the power demands of the unit off the old wiring, I will be hardwiring(with fusible link) the power lead directly to the battery. But even with that, functionality is off, so my questions are:

1. Does anyone know which wire color or spot in the fuse box is a switched 12volt that I can use? I tried what I figured would work but the deck won't turn on. Is there a space that is known to work?

2. Is the gray wire off my instrument cluster essentially an illumination wire? I want the deck to dim when I turn on the lights and was just wondering what others have used as the illumination wire on these old trucks.

Thanks!

[AceX]

As far as the illumination wire goes, I couldn't answer that, but there should be a basic 3-wire hook up for most decks.

Acc. (Accessory/constant)
Ign. (Ignition)
Gnd. (Ground)

From the factory, the deck's wiring harness should have all these labeled for you. I'm not sure about the ability of a factory harness (especially if it is the original form '69) to handle additional power demands, but you should be able to use the factory harness as a base and splice into it.

[Beatcoaster]

For some odd reason the Kenwood's yellow wire is the constant hot and goes to the battery not the red(every other stereo I have installed the yellow wire was the switched power lead)...that was creating the issue. I ran the yellow directly to the battery and got the switched power from the 20amp tab next to the cig lighter on the fuse panel. Zero issues and it fired right up.

[AceX]

Glad to hear it.

[72BlckButy]

Beatcoaster, ironically enough I just finished installing the same unit in my truck yesterday.

Quick question about it though.... I have yet to get the unit off of demo mode. Do you have to get it off of demo mode for sound to come from the unit when playing CDs/Ipod? While going through the features it will have sound pumping while set on the radio, but once I drop in a cd or plug in the ipod to ensure everything is working; it will play but no sound is being emitted.

Stumped...

Also where did you end up plugging in the power wires? Do you have your setup to operate on the accessory setting on your ignition? Or is it constantly on?

[72BlckButy]

bump...

[dammitmitchell]

just a head up.. the illumination wire taps into the exit side of the rheostat that controls the dash dimming..
so check the diagrams on this site for that wire color (oh in your haynes manual) and T-clip into that wire for an illumination..
it is NOT nessesary to connect the ILLUM wire.. it's just to make your head unit to be able to adjust to the intensity of your dash..

[dammitmitchell]

and the easiest way to check for switched power is!
get a test light...turn key forward to accesory position,
then poe wires until the light comes on, then turn the ignition to off and make sure the light goes out on the same wire...
easy as pie..
wire your batery back up wire (the little positive lead) to the wire that feeds your cigarette lighter.. that's the easiest to get to... and is a constant hot

[72BlckButy]

Thanks dammitmitchell! I've pretty well got that part of the install taken care of (but thanks for the illumination info above). I've used the test light this weekend while hooking everything up, but ever since my truck tried to fire up in the accessory position.... I've tried to refrain from using the accessory position until I can get a new ignition switch hooked up.

[Beatcoaster]

Been away from a computer for 8 days on my honeymoon, but I did get it all figured out before I left...

I have the yellow wire running to a fused link off the battery directly. I then have the red wire running to a switched tab on the fuse block near the cig lighter spot. The orange illum wire can just attach to the gray wire that powers the heater/defroster bulb - just as I expected it just needs a voltage and will dim itself(although not by much). I don't know about the demo mode weirdness you are having as that is the first thing I turned off, it is a truly pointless feature car audio stores don't even use. Regarding the tuner/usb/aux/cd player - it switches when anything is plugged in and/or selected via the SRC key and plays music, I have to think demo mode is screwing you up.

I have since added the amp tonight and will be building the speaker boxes for the underseat 8" woofers this week...it cranks pretty good so far!

[dammitmitchell]

this thread need piiictures!

[muscletrucks]

Can you post a picture of the x493 installed in your dash? I am trying to decide what radio to put in my 72. Thanks

[Beatcoaster]

here are some photos for you guys...


[IMG]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x166/beatcoaster/c10/interior%20
done/IMG_1592.jpg[/IMG]

[Beatcoaster]

and a couple more...


Testing box configurations - went with the recessed style



Sounds awesome and you can't see a thing...

[72BlckButy]

dammitmitchell.... are those 8" subs under the seat?

[dammitmitchell]

that[s what it's lookin like...

hey beatcoaster....
give us specs... let see what that nice system can do..

it looks really clean and honestly.. it diddnt seems like you are one who needs any advice there....
nice truck!

[pokethesmot]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

that[s what it's lookin like...

hey beatcoaster....
give us specs... let see what that nice system can do..

it looks really clean and honestly.. it diddnt seems like you are one who needs any advice there....
nice truck!

yo man now that a think about it ive never seen ur system before how about some pics

[muscletrucks]

That is awesome. I wished you lived closer to Kansas City and I could hire you to do a install on my 72.

[muscletrucks]

Is the x493 what I should get for the head unit?

[Beatcoaster]

I have always been a Pioneer fan myself but I find the Kenwood to be pretty feature rich for the price. For $130 it has good power, good output voltages, lots of crossover options and accepts aux/ipod and usb on the faceplate - which can be nice. The interface/menus are pretty damn annoying, I'm not going to lie, and the instruction manual gives no real instruction. Thankfully I have done quite a few installs over the years and am pretty used to various menu styles, but the Kenwood is not very intuitive...For this build I wanted to keep costs as low as possible and for the money, the Kenwood is hard to beat for the price. I would go with a Pioneer 610/710bt, and spend a bit more if I was to do it again, as I love their menus and ergonomics much more...

Here are the specs of the setup in my c10:

Kenwood x493 - $130
Polk db 5-1/4's in dash (x-over at 80hz) - $100
Polk MMC690 6x9's in doors - $110
Polk db 8" subs in .35cu boxes - $80
Wood/glue/screws/etc - $60
MB Quart DSC480 powering 6x9's(full range) and 8" subs(x-over at 120hz) - $120
4ga wiring kit and speaker wire - $40
eDead(and some leftover Dynamat) in doors(both sides) and floor - $50

So for about $700 and a couple weekends of work this truck rocks pretty damn hard, and frequency response is quite good. I am a true audiophile and am extremely picky about output and frequency response, but for the money spent, this is a really nice setup and I am quite happy with it. Coming from a guy that is used to listening to AV123 LS-6's(below) on a daily basis, let's just say I was delightfully surprised by the setup I created....

[muscletrucks]

Wow, you have helped me tremendously! I can't thank you enough. I am going to start assembling the material. I will probably have more questions :-)

[muscletrucks]

First one.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...H-P610BT?tab=B

This link gives a side by side comparison between the two Pioneer models. The audio features are identical except the 710 has a EEQ (7-Band Graphic) Equalizer where as the 610 has a EEQ (3-Band Parametric) Equalizer. Also the 610 has it's input and USB connections in the front. With the 710 they are both in the back plus you get an additional USB. I guess the thing to do here is that the cable for these in the glove box. Another differance is the remote operation but this is not important to me. I think the 710 is the way to go.... heck it's only another hundy.

[muscletrucks]

This is not good........ the owners manual is 245 pages and the installation manual is 49 pages. I hope that includes lot of pictures and different languages. I took me entirely long enough just to put a gas grill together on Father's Day

[dammitmitchell]

i dont have a "system yet" dudes.. but i will and it will be a pioneer underseat with amp built into the back of the seat..
whenever i get off my butt to do it.. but i have to liner my inside cab first etc.. so it'll be a few months..
i just run kenwood reciever and "blown" speakers for now hahahahha

[pokethesmot]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

i dont have a "system yet" dudes.. but i will and it will be a pioneer underseat with amp built into the back of the seat..
whenever i get off my butt to do it.. but i have to liner my inside cab first etc.. so it'll be a few months..
i just run kenwood reciever and "blown" speakers for now hahahahha

thats gunna sound awsome...my system beats purity good...it throws ppl off cuz they see this bubba truck pull up but beats loud as hell