DIY: Double DIN Aftermarket Navigation Headunit Installed!

White 370Z · 03-04-2009, 12:57 AM

After sending all weekend, it is in. And it looks spectacular!!! It's a Pioneer 700BT, and I love it. I did the install my self, with the help of the DIY that Tennesseez posted on this thread (Thanks Bro). The unit fits like it is made for a 370z. I did put two 1/4" spacers on the top of the mounting brackets to move the radio forward, for a more flush fit. I can't get over how much cooler my car looks when I'm in it. Everyone you has seen it freaks at how slick it looks and how much stuff it can do. The total price with everything, radio, ipod cable, wiring harness, antenna adaptor, PAC steering wheel controller, shipping, & taxes was $598. I did pay the local stereo shop to help me hook up the steering wheel controller, which is the only thing that fell short of my expectations. It works, but is definitely not a good as it was with the stock radio. I plan on calling PAC to see if they have any suggestions to better configure it to the 370z.
The thing I was most concerned about was the boot time of the radio. I can't believe how quick it is. Yes quick. By the time I back out of my parking space, the radio is always playing before I can even put the car into drive. Which I find is a nice feature as I usually turn down/off my radio when I’m backing out anyways. Now it doses it for me. The system is booted up and good to go, by the time I'm pulling out onto the street.

SoCal 370Z · 03-04-2009, 01:04 AM

^ Nice!

arcticreaver · 03-04-2009, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White 370Z

After sending all weekend, it is in. And it looks spectacular!!! It's a Pioneer 700BT, and I love it. I did the install my self, with the help of the DIY that Tennesseez posted on this thread (Thanks Bro). The unit fits like it is made for a 370z. I did put two 1/4" spacers on the top of the mounting brackets to move the radio forward, for a more flush fit. I can't get over how much cooler my car looks when I'm in it. Everyone you has seen it freaks at how slick it looks and how much stuff it can do. The total price with everything, radio, ipod cable, wiring harness, antenna adaptor, PAC steering wheel controller, shipping, & taxes was $598. I did pay the local stereo shop to help me hook up the steering wheel controller, which is the only thing that fell short of my expectations. It works, but is definitely not a good as it was with the stock radio. I plan on calling PAC to see if they have any suggestions to better configure it to the 370z.
The thing I was most concerned about was the boot time of the radio. I can't believe how quick it is. Yes quick. By the time I back out of my parking space, the radio is always playing before I can even put the car into drive. Which I find is a nice feature as I usually turn down/off my radio when I’m backing out anyways. Now it doses it for me. The system is booted up and good to go, by the time I'm pulling out onto the street.

can you elaborate on how the controls are not as good as the stock radio?

zero610 · 03-04-2009, 08:37 AM

Any more information on the spacer you made to move the radio forward? What did you make it out of? Any pictures? Any detail appreciated.

AK370Z · 03-04-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White 370Z

After sending all weekend, it is in. And it looks spectacular!!! It's a Pioneer 700BT, and I love it. I did the install my self, with the help of the DIY that Tennesseez posted on this thread (Thanks Bro). The unit fits like it is made for a 370z. I did put two 1/4" spacers on the top of the mounting brackets to move the radio forward, for a more flush fit. I can't get over how much cooler my car looks when I'm in it. Everyone you has seen it freaks at how slick it looks and how much stuff it can do. The total price with everything, radio, ipod cable, wiring harness, antenna adaptor, PAC steering wheel controller, shipping, & taxes was $598. I did pay the local stereo shop to help me hook up the steering wheel controller, which is the only thing that fell short of my expectations. It works, but is definitely not a good as it was with the stock radio. I plan on calling PAC to see if they have any suggestions to better configure it to the 370z.
The thing I was most concerned about was the boot time of the radio. I can't believe how quick it is. Yes quick. By the time I back out of my parking space, the radio is always playing before I can even put the car into drive. Which I find is a nice feature as I usually turn down/off my radio when I’m backing out anyways. Now it doses it for me. The system is booted up and good to go, by the time I'm pulling out onto the street.

Very nice! that's exactly what I have plans for my 370Z. I am going to start looking at some 2 DIN HU. Do you want to post what I need to buy and where exactly I can buy them from? Where did you buy the trim panel to go around the HU? An individual DIY wouldn't hurt either since the one we have is for single DIN install.

thanks.

pagefaulted · 03-04-2009, 03:43 PM

I ordered the same deck, I'm glad it looks so good. Hope mine will look as clean as yours.

EDIT: Where did you mount the GPS antenna? and do you get good reception?

LiquidZ · 03-04-2009, 04:06 PM

Looks good. I'm definitely going with an aftermarket Nav.

k.alexander · 03-04-2009, 04:12 PM

^ Agreed, except that I want to put mine inside or instead of the leather door, towards the top. Waiting for someone to figure out a good way to do that.

epod86 · 03-04-2009, 04:51 PM

While I think the nissan navi is vastly superior to the Avic F series from par4bmw's video, the F is still a very capable unit. My only major qualm is the failing when it comes to frontage roads in the navigation software and the rather lackluster speed. I was spoiled with my car pc and iguidance 4 before installing the F90BT.

I highly recommend looking into AVIC411.com if you are considering this unit. In the hack/mod section are a number of very handy software hacks/buttons that i used to make the map screen more usable and mor functional. I also recommend one of the "thom's Knobs" you can find here. Make the volume knob much more usable. I have a black knurled one that looks great on the unit and improves the tactile feel immensely. I found the stock knob way to slippery and often had to make a very conscious effort to rotate the knob.

Also as a warning, if you plan to use the ipod/usb cable regularly, put the female cable end in the center console. On a cold startup, the device connected via usb has a tendency not to wake up correctly, and you need to unplug/replug it to wake the device up. This is especially the case with my current generation ipod nano i have in there.

edit: i meant to say center console, instead said 'glove compartment' which is where you really don't want it.

epod86 · 03-04-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.alexander

^ Agreed, except that I want to put mine inside or instead of the leather door, towards the top. Waiting for someone to figure out a good way to do that.

I know that the avic F is way too deep for the binnacle, at least from what I can guess from the pictures I have seen. The F series is a full din length unit, and the binnacle has the air ducts right behind the back of it.

k.alexander · 03-04-2009, 05:16 PM

^Thanks. I'm really looking to only add a GPS to the car. So what I'm really looking for is a large-r screen GPS unit that would fit inside or instead of the leather door, and look like it belongs there. Any suggestions?

Otherwise, I am perfectly satisfied with the HU and AUX plug for my iPhone the way it is. Call me silly, but I've always preferred the look of stock HU over anything aftermarket, just looks like it belongs. I am not a crazy music nut, so I dont need a super crazy stereo setup in my car (having said that the base speakers do suck, even for my taste, but I mostly listen to spoken programs/podcasts in the car anyways).

ENT-Z · 03-04-2009, 06:57 PM

Awesome!!! I'm definitely going to do this when I get my Z. Might even pick up the stereo now since it's on amazon for only about $350 right now, sweet!

Please do tell more about your problems with the steering wheel controller, both in terms of why you needed assistance installing and also why did it not meet your expectations?

ConchZ2 · 03-05-2009, 10:54 AM

looks great......what kind of antenna adaptor did you have to use? From where and part #? Is there enough room behind the AVIC 700 for the HD radio?

msl82 · 03-05-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White 370Z

After sending all weekend, it is in. And it looks spectacular!!! It's a Pioneer 700BT, and I love it. I did the install my self, with the help of the DIY that Tennesseez posted on this thread (Thanks Bro). The unit fits like it is made for a 370z. I did put two 1/4" spacers on the top of the mounting brackets to move the radio forward, for a more flush fit. I can't get over how much cooler my car looks when I'm in it. Everyone you has seen it freaks at how slick it looks and how much stuff it can do. The total price with everything, radio, ipod cable, wiring harness, antenna adaptor, PAC steering wheel controller, shipping, & taxes was $598. I did pay the local stereo shop to help me hook up the steering wheel controller, which is the only thing that fell short of my expectations. It works, but is definitely not a good as it was with the stock radio. I plan on calling PAC to see if they have any suggestions to better configure it to the 370z.
The thing I was most concerned about was the boot time of the radio. I can't believe how quick it is. Yes quick. By the time I back out of my parking space, the radio is always playing before I can even put the car into drive. Which I find is a nice feature as I usually turn down/off my radio when I’m backing out anyways. Now it doses it for me. The system is booted up and good to go, by the time I'm pulling out onto the street.

Very nice setup man,

I have a question, where did you get your wiring harness and PAC steering wheel controller?

And why did you buy antenna adaptor for? Is it for Navigation system?

Thanks

ConchZ2 · 03-05-2009, 08:59 PM

You can buy the PAC SWI-PS for $47.91 on Amazon.com
370Z wiring harness #70-7552 from installer.com

03-04-2009, 04:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
k.alexander Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Age: 45 Posts: 240 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z PG M6 Rep Power: 714	^ Agreed, except that I want to put mine inside or instead of the leather door, towards the top. Waiting for someone to figure out a good way to do that. __________________ -Are you coming to bed? -I can't. This is important. -What? -Someone is WRONG on the internet.

03-04-2009, 05:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
k.alexander Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Age: 45 Posts: 240 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z PG M6 Rep Power: 714	^Thanks. I'm really looking to only add a GPS to the car. So what I'm really looking for is a large-r screen GPS unit that would fit inside or instead of the leather door, and look like it belongs there. Any suggestions? Otherwise, I am perfectly satisfied with the HU and AUX plug for my iPhone the way it is. Call me silly, but I've always preferred the look of stock HU over anything aftermarket, just looks like it belongs. I am not a crazy music nut, so I dont need a super crazy stereo setup in my car (having said that the base speakers do suck, even for my taste, but I mostly listen to spoken programs/podcasts in the car anyways). __________________ -Are you coming to bed? -I can't. This is important. -What? -Someone is WRONG on the internet.

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03-04-2009, 01:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	^ Nice!

03-04-2009, 08:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
zero610 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 89 Drives: 09 370Z Sport Rep Power: 16	Any more information on the spacer you made to move the radio forward? What did you make it out of? Any pictures? Any detail appreciated.

03-04-2009, 03:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
pagefaulted Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle Age: 41 Posts: 30 Drives: 370z Base + Sport PG Rep Power: 16	I ordered the same deck, I'm glad it looks so good. Hope mine will look as clean as yours. EDIT: Where did you mount the GPS antenna? and do you get good reception?

03-04-2009, 04:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
LiquidZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,940 Drives: Mag. Black 2009 370Z Rep Power: 704	Looks good. I'm definitely going with an aftermarket Nav.

03-04-2009, 06:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
ENT-Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 460 Drives: 09 MB 6MT 370Z Rep Power: 16	Awesome!!! I'm definitely going to do this when I get my Z. Might even pick up the stereo now since it's on amazon for only about $350 right now, sweet! Please do tell more about your problems with the steering wheel controller, both in terms of why you needed assistance installing and also why did it not meet your expectations?

03-05-2009, 10:54 AM	#13 (permalink)
ConchZ2 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: connecticut Posts: 329 Drives: 09 370Z red 6sp sprt Rep Power: 16	looks great......what kind of antenna adaptor did you have to use? From where and part #? Is there enough room behind the AVIC 700 for the HD radio?

03-05-2009, 08:59 PM	#15 (permalink)
ConchZ2 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: connecticut Posts: 329 Drives: 09 370Z red 6sp sprt Rep Power: 16	You can buy the PAC SWI-PS for $47.91 on Amazon.com 370Z wiring harness #70-7552 from installer.com