Any tips for wiring up an aftermarket stereo system ?

[chicken]

94 shouldn't need a dash kit, just wiring kit (if your using the stock wiring)
seanklsc, can you not gmans pic? i would just do that and add some sealer around the wire, either that or crawl under your dash and look for a grommet you can get the power wire through and punch it through

 

[tacklebox]

I was bored so I ran the cords for my amp this weekend to prep for a new deck. I went thru that boot that gman pictured also. Worked good. I used the wall fish I used to wire internet in my house.

 

[JMiles_T]

How I wired mine...

When you remove the splash guard from the wheel well, you'll notice there are clips inside the top of the fender that hold the air lines for the suspension; use them to hold your power wire up and out of harm's way.

These holes are already in the body from the factory. Thunderbirds and Cougars have them too. They are covered by black plugs which you can remove without much difficulty. They are large enough to fit a 0 gauge wire and still have wiggle room.

You want to be able to open and close the door without it rubbing against the wire. You don't want to leave a lot of slack in the door jamb so pull the wire tight, and everything will be fine. Your kick panel, carpet, and backseat will provide all the surfaces needed to keep the wire firmly held in place after you're finished.

(No, I didn't remove my carpet just to run this wire).

You'll have to remove the driver's kick panel, and reach upward to get the wire from inside the car.

All done without having to put more holes in the car.

 

[seanklsc]

Thanks SO much for the pics, thats what I was waiting for !

 

[The Rev]

Ok. And for the people who work 50 hrs a week and go to school full time...how much is reasonable to have it professionally (not circuit city or best buy, just a car audio place) installed? I know its like bringing your own food to a restruant (I tried spelling this at least 5 times I give up) but I wanna buy it all myself and bring it to them to install, the prices at these shops are crazy

 

[NateRW21]

install labor will be over the top as well when running new wire and what not. You're really best off to do the install yourself over a few days if you can. Throw a little sound deadening in there while you're at it... it'll increase the SLP of your system and make the sound more rich.

Also, I'm anal as hell... I want it done RIGHT. And a lot of the things installers do, I feel to be shortcuts. (you'll never see a crimp joint in any of my wiring. It's solder or I don't do it... No electrical tape either; shrink wrap or shrink tape.)

 

[tacklebox]

Ok. And for the people who work 50 hrs a week and go to school full time...how much is reasonable to have it professionally (not circuit city or best buy, just a car audio place) installed? I know its like bringing your own food to a restruant (I tried spelling this at least 5 times I give up) but I wanna buy it all myself and bring it to them to install, the prices at these shops are crazy

I do my own, but I am interested also. I dont have the time that I used to have when I was younger. I once made the mistake of using the "free" install with purchase from best buy. They wouldnt use the factory adaptor I bought of $10, they felt the need to charge me $30 for theirs. Needless to say that's the last time I go there.