Opinion on Pioneer stereo install

[jwfisher]

I'm thinking about installing a Pioneer AVHX8500BHS Double-DIN Multimedia DVD Receiver With Bluetooth And HD Radio into my '06 LS. This has a detachable faceplate, which is a requirement. The LS will be perfect with a good stereo system, especially with Satellite.

Question - I have the top of the line stereo, but not the nav. So I need to get a dash bezel. Metra stocks one in silver... will that really match or will it look like heck? And I'll also need their wiring kit to adapt the unit to the LS' wiring harness.

And their Metra Axxess ASWC Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface - or is there a better one? Has anybody used this interface?

Question - this is going to interface with the stock amplifiers (at least in phase 1). Will this work - can I just plug it in?

 

[1LoudLS]

I'm thinking about installing a Pioneer AVHX8500BHS Double-DIN Multimedia DVD Receiver With Bluetooth And HD Radio into my '06 LS. This has a detachable faceplate, which is a requirement. The LS will be perfect with a good stereo system, especially with Satellite.

food for thought...
having a motorized or removable face plate will be the most likely thing to fail on those radios. no matter how good of a brand you choose. 75% of all broken video units i see or replace are because of either a problem with the ribbon cable or the connectors to the removable face plate wearing out, the motor failing, or the sliding arms getting out of alignment or breaking

Question - I have the top of the line stereo,

if you do not have the NAV, then you do not have the top of the line THX system. sounds to me like you have the middle of the road audiophile package that 9 out of 10 LS have. (which is actually a good thing as far as making the install as easy as possible)

but not the nav. So I need to get a dash bezel. Metra stocks one in silver... will that really match or will it look like heck?

yes the metra kit is a very good match

And I'll also need their wiring kit to adapt the unit to the LS' wiring harness.

yes you will

And their Metra Axxess ASWC Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface - or is there a better one? Has anybody used this interface?

that is the one to get, it is easier to program and works better than the PS-SWI

Question - this is going to interface with the stock amplifiers (at least in phase 1). Will this work - can I just plug it in?

well this has been covered many times, but for short, as long as you get the right harness (the one with the sub harness with RCA's) then it is all plug and play. you will either need a resistor or a voltage reducer to keep the subs from popping when the radio is turned on and off as well.

 

[jwfisher]

GREAT reply - thanks! This helps enormously.
Is that step-down something like the Axxess Interface AFDI-5V Ford 12V to 5V Step Down ?

My corp. HQ is in a not-so-great part of town... so I think I need that detachable faceplate. I've already lost my older Alpine unit there a few years ago... along with half the dash when they ripped it out.

 

[jwfisher]

GREAT reply - thanks! This helps enormously.
Is that step-down something like the Axxess Interface AFDI-5V Ford 12V to 5V Step Down ?

My corp. HQ is in a not-so-great part of town... so I think I need that detachable faceplate. I've already lost my older Alpine unit there a few years ago... along with half the dash when they ripped it out.

 

[1LoudLS]

GREAT reply - thanks! This helps enormously.
Is that step-down something like the Axxess Interface AFDI-5V Ford 12V to 5V Step Down ?

precisely

My corp. HQ is in a not-so-great part of town... so I think I need that detachable faceplate. I've already lost my older Alpine unit there a few years ago... along with half the dash when they ripped it out.

thieves are idiots, they see a nice car, and a radio that is not stock, they probably break in before they notice the face is missing (if they even do!). then the damage is done and your coming out of pocket. I've seen* radios get stolen that didn't have the face on them (*didn't see the crime take place, but the aftermath of a broken dash and a faceplate that was in their pocket)

your best bet is tinted windows, and car insurance. if your really parking in a bad part of town, an alarm is not a bad idea either...

 

[1LoudLS]

GREAT reply - thanks! This helps enormously.
Is that step-down something like the Axxess Interface AFDI-5V Ford 12V to 5V Step Down ?

precisely

My corp. HQ is in a not-so-great part of town... so I think I need that detachable faceplate. I've already lost my older Alpine unit there a few years ago... along with half the dash when they ripped it out.

thieves are idiots, they see a nice car, and a radio that is not stock, they probably break in before they notice the face is missing (if they even do!). then the damage is done and your coming out of pocket. I've seen* radios get stolen that didn't have the face on them (*didn't see the crime take place, but the aftermath of a broken dash and a faceplate that was in their pocket)

your best bet is tinted windows, and car insurance. if your really parking in a bad part of town, an alarm is not a bad idea either ...

 

[1LoudLS]

:shifty:

 

[RigsLS]

glitch in the matrix ... happens.

 

[G-RELL]

:shifty:

I was hoping he did it on purpose.... funny sh!t, but great advise. Tint and alarm!!!

 

[joegr]

I was hoping he did it on purpose.... funny sh!t, but great advise. Tint and alarm!!!

I'm not sure about it being "great advise." But I would agree that it is really good advice.

 

[G-RELL]

I'm not sure about it being "great advise." But I would agree that it is really good advice.

I think you meant to type:

I'm not sure about it being "great advise,", But I would agree that it is really good advice.

 

[joegr]

I think you meant to type:

I'm not sure about it being "great advise,", But I would agree that it is really good advice.

True enough. I only notice and pick at it because I do the same things.

 

[G-RELL]

All in good fun. :beer

 

[Telco]

What you need is not a detachable faceplate, but a fake stereo cover. When the thieves look into your window and see that "AudioVox" stereo (or whatever the crap brand is these days) in the dash, they won't knock out your glass. Instead they'll leave a few bucks under the wiper out of pity.