Unfortunately I am not that knowledgable with car audio installation. I am planning on purchasing a 99 Acura TL in a couple of weeks. I am fine with a factory sound system. However, MP3 playback is a must, and steering wheel control would be nice. I currently own a Pioneer DEH-P5500MP. My question is what would be easier/recommended...

a) Sell my Pioneer MP3 HU and purchase a cd changer for the trunk that has mp3 capability and one of those Aux input converters. This way I have steering wheel control, mp3 playback, and I didn't really have to spend much time to hook it up.

OR

b) Remove Bose headunit and install my pioneer 5500mp, with the option of installing a steering wheel control adapter. This, I have no idea how to do, and would take a lot of time. However, it still gets the job done.


I would appreciate any input. Like I said, I don't have much experience with this sort of thing, however I do have a little common sense, and as I have heard, this isn't rocket science.

Thanks!

 

im not familar with the headunit but i would say install the headunit and ditch the factory POS!!!!!! there are a bunch of companies out there that make devices to hook up to aftermarket radios to conect to factory steering wheel controls. best buy, circut city ect... check with them and see if they will work with your radio. if not sell yours and get one that is compatible. you will be happier in the long run with a aftermarket radio in the car over the factory.

 

my problem is that I don't have a clue how to begin to remove and install the new headunit, as well as install the steering wheel adapter. after hours of searching these forums, I honestly can't find any truly helpful info. Any ideas?

 

I have installed a few systems on my own also, and unless you know what you are doing, you might ass well spend some extra $$ and get in done by someone who knows what they are doing. This car is very complicated, I spent the extra money and I am very happy with the results. The company that makes the extra piece for your steering wheel is Peripherial

http://peripheralelectronics.com/2002/steering.asp

I wouldnt recommend this because I think there is a delay from when you push the button to when it does the action...just get a remote or use the headunit itself. I think that part is a waste if you ask me. I have pictures of my install if you would like or if you have any other questoins/advice from someone with your exact car, PM me or email me at newman8350@aol.com.

 

OUSIG,

So I either...

1. Buy a CD/MP3 Changer ($150) + Adapter for trunk ($60) and EASY INSTALL
-----> ~ $225 +
2. Have my Pioneer professionally installed ($???) + accessories (dash kit, harness, steering wheel adapter (~$100)
------> ~$no telling how much
3. Install the damn thing myself (~$100)
------> ~ $100

What's a good chain that does quality work on installs? I only have experience with Circuit Shitty, and it was... shitty. I live in Charlotte, NC. I do believe there are quite a bit of installation places.

 

Ya I wouldnt go to any nation wide chains...other than Car Toys...I searched all around the area and I found a place that the owner happend to have a 03' Type S that they just installed with, so they knew all about the car. If you go that route, look till you find one with experience with your car, you will hear lots of reasons why some "cant" do it...it just means they are too lazy and/or too unexperienced. If you install a new headunit you will lose the stock sub, unless you run a new amp back there to power it from your headunit...I would recommend this if you want to stay stock. People have put a new (small) amp on that sub and they say its an improvement.

The stock system is all shitty Bose and its all integrated. that is why you would lose the stock sub amp. Here is the link to a place to get a very nice dash kit....

http://www.audioonlineoutlet.com/acura.html

you need model # 99-7868.

You could do it yourself, with the dash kit, peripheral kit, and a harness (you may just have to go to Google and search for one).

I honestly would go with option 2, like I said, you can have the installers worry about getting everything to work right. If you do it yourself and dont know exactly what you are doing, then you go cutting and splicing wires and you screw it all up. I am in college and money isnt everywhere, but I knew avoiding the possible huge headache was worth it.

 

the headunit install on the Tl is pretty easy. if all your doing is installing the headunit to the factory speakers. its a piece of cake.
you havent found any good info on the install directions because they havent moved the old data base to the new. if you decide to go that way one of us can tell you how to remove the headunit

 

fsttyms1

I would love to do it myself, if you could assist me that would be fabulous. I just wish I could find something with step by step instructions with pictures (that doesn't cost $).

As for the steering wheel control, I would love this feature, but I'm not sure it's worth time/money/effort... especially if there will be a delay. that would be annoying. hell, i always have my remote for the pioneer.


so if you could help me out with the factory removal & aftermarket install that would be great.

Thanks! :clown: :rocketwho

 

BUMP on this one.

I have searched for stock deck removal and couldn't find anyhelp on it.

I'm about to purchase an alpine mp3 headunit, and would like to install myself. Just need directions on removal of the dash etc...and a wiring diagram if anyone has one handy.

Thanks!

**edit - this is also for a 1999 TL.

 

i would say sell the pioneer cd player and buy an alpine cha-s634 (mp3 cd changer) couple of reasons for this.. 1) you have the ability to play 6 mp3 disk not just one.. 2) if you decide to upgrade the headunit later you already have a good cd/mp3 changer and you cant go wrong with alpine headunits... 3) why go thru all the complication of installing the steering wheel control adapter when you could just leave the headunit in and skip this step... 4) you will not gain any quality by upgrading the stock headunit and keeping the stock system..

 

oh not to mention that those steering wheel adapaters are slow as sh!t... you press the button and then have to wait a couple seconds for it to communicate with the unit...

 

how do i hook up a cd/mp3 changer to the stereo if the car didnt already have one prewired?

im a cartech noob

 

you will need a blitzsafe adapter and there is a place on the back for a cd changer (i believe).. simply plug it in and run the cable to the cd changer and you are done..

 

*splooge*

shit yeah man. 100 albums and steering wheel control, without any in depth installation.

i should be buying a TL in a couple of weeks
i cannot wait