Whats up guys. I've always wanted to install my own sound system and now that I have a new job my dreams can become a reality! I have a few questions for the more experienced posters before I get started though.

I have heard that it can be quite difficult to uninstall the factory radio (I have a 2004 Monte Carlo LS). I have also heard that there can be a multitude of problems caused by uninstalling the factory radio since it seems like many of the electrical components go through the head unit.

Is there any way around this? Do I need a special harness when installing an after market radio? Would it just be easier to keep the factory head unit?

Can I use these items to install my radio? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B000KL0UR2

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B000KL4EO2

Thanks for your responses.

 

This is what many members have gone with including myself for the wiring harness.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120GMOS...search=gmos+04

You will also need the dash kit and the antenna adapter.

This is the dash kit that I used:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1209920...earch=dash+kit

This is the antenna adapter:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_12040GM...ntenna+adapter

As far as being difficult to uninstall, it's very easy, the dash is the hardest part to remove then the stereo just comes out with 3 or 4 screws and unhook the harness.

The stock deck does have a lot of stuff that you could possibly need, one thing is if you ever need to get a keyless entry remote reprogrammed you would have to go to the dealer instead.

All the rest of the stuff can be done through different methods like resetting the oil change light and tire pressure light.

 

You should check out crutchfield.com

I asked their chat about it and they have some pretty nice deals. Look what he told me:

Adam: Page pushed, http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1303200...B.html?tp=5684

Adam: We send the dash kit and antenna adapter for the vehicle free with a radio over $129. You do need a special wiring adapter....

Adam: Page pushed, http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120GMOS...r.html?tp=3486

Adam: The wiring adapter will be half price with radios over $129.

So you get that $100 wiring harness for $50 and the dash kit and antenna adapter free with any radio purchase over $129. Would just be something to look into if your really serious about getting into this, also, you could put that money towards an amp and set of speakers or a sub, etc.

 

I just quickly put my stock deck back in when I got a new keyless entry remote and it worked fine... Just a suggestion if this is ever needed.

Other than that follow what trewyn15 said... If you need some help picking out stuff let us know and I and we can help

 

Thanks a lot guys. I went to a car audio place in my city and they wanted over $400 to install an after market player in my MC! I said fack that. I'd rather do it on my own.

Thanks for the information.

 

You just need to be careful with the wiring harness, you can harm the computer if its done wrong, but i think it's fairly easy to do, i didnt do mine because i was scared, but now i know how to do it.

Mine was installed in under an hour for $80 while i was on lunch break one day, so if wanting a warranty is a case like it was for myself, then i would look around more if i were you.

 

Since I already got this thread going I might as well ask this question here. I am thinking about putting in two of these into my trunk.

http://www.crutchfield.com/s_500SWR1...3&tp=111&avf=N

What kind of amp would you guys recommend for these speakers?

 

If your looking for alpine I would go with this one:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500MRP1...arch=mrp+m1000

 

Thanks dude. You have a great setup btw.

 

thanks man, its nothing big but it's still in the works. You'll love those alpines, one thing you may want to look into is just one, you will save money and if you power it right it will sound just as good, my 10 is just as loud as a friend that has the exact setup with the amp i just posted.

just a thought though, unless your going for a huge system, then you may want to look into something like RE