Newbie's Shopping List

[simonclay]

I'm new to this forum and have only had my alero since October 27, and haven't done any mods yet. I think Ive decided that the first thing I am going to change is the stock sound system. None of the speakers are bad, but I just want more than the stock, un-amped mediocraty. Here is my shopping list and I was hoping you all could tell me if I'm forgeting anything.

2-Sony 4 way 4"x6" speakers
4-Sony 4 way 6"x9" speakers
2 Farad capacitor+amp install kit (speaker and power wire, fuse holder and fuse, connectors and such)
Boss cx350 400w 4 channel amp
either a JVC KW-R500 or Kenwood DPX300U head unit
Metra vt-gmrc-01 adapter for the door chimes

I do plan to add a second amp and subs at a later date, but for right now I just want to upgrade the existing system. Am I forgetting anything guys?

[S8track16]

Are you putting 4 6x9s in the back?

[xXManwhoreXx]

Clear your corners! And post pics of your car... duh

[Truth]

Clear your corners! And post pics of your car... duh

:agree:

[simonclay]

Ok. I uploaded the best picture I have right now. And I was planning on changing out the door speakers all around and the back deck.

[S8track16]

Everything seems to be fine, when you add the second amp you will need a distribution block and possibly a second battery if you require a lot of power.

Welcome to the site btw.

[Shiwnath]

I'm new to this forum and have only had my alero since October 27, and haven't done any mods yet. I think Ive decided that the first thing I am going to change is the stock sound system. None of the speakers are bad, but I just want more than the stock, un-amped mediocraty. Here is my shopping list and I was hoping you all could tell me if I'm forgeting anything.

2-Sony 4 way 4"x6" speakers
4-Sony 4 way 6"x9" speakers
2 Farad capacitor+amp install kit (speaker and power wire, fuse holder and fuse, connectors and such)
Boss cx350 400w 4 channel amp
either a JVC KW-R500 or Kenwood DPX300U head unit
Metra vt-gmrc-01 adapter for the door chimes

I do plan to add a second amp and subs at a later date, but for right now I just want to upgrade the existing system. Am I forgetting anything guys?

While you're doing all this you should do the "Big 3" upgrade as well. All it involves is upgrading 3 wires to bigger gauge wiring. Engine to negative on battery, Chassis to negative on battery and Alternator to positive on battery Video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX9Rcq5DnKw

[simonclay]

Ok. thanks for that ^^ by the way. I'll look into it. Could I go ahead with my install until I get the aftermarket head unit? I mean, does the factory h/u have wiring for an amp?

[Shiwnath]

Ok. thanks for that ^^ by the way. I'll look into it. Could I go ahead with my install until I get the aftermarket head unit? I mean, does the factory h/u have wiring for an amp?

What year is your Alero? 99-01 don't require chime kits for aftermarket radios while 02+ do. At least that's what I remember.

[S8track16]

If you are adding a speaker amp, it would be easier to just wait until you have everything. It will help if you decide to change the speaker wire during the process.

^ if you have a factory monsoon system and amp, it will make the install difficult.

[simonclay]

It's an '01 without the monsoon system. The only reason I thought I needed the chime kit was because when I was shopping around on crutchfield.com for a h/u, it said my car needed it. Why would I maybe want to change my speaker wire?

[Shiwnath]

'01s should not need a chime kit. There are plug and play solutions that will work just fine.

[S8track16]

Well, it depends where you are planning on placing the amp. Running new wire to the speakers would be easier than using the stock wire.

[simonclay]

I was planning on putting the amp in the trunk or possibly under the passenger seat. I just figured it would be easier to run some wires up to the dash to connect to the pre-existing speaker wires than it would be to run new wires into each door and the back rack.

And Shiwnath, can you give me a name or a link to a plug and play solution? Please

[S8track16]

That works... I think Shiwnath was talking about something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GM-4004-GM-CAR-RADIO-FACTORY-WIRING-HARNESS-ADAPTER-METRA-70-2003-/300658811251?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Year%3A2001%7CModel%3AAlero&hash=item4600a96173&vxp=mtr

[simonclay]

Sweet, thanks for the link. the version I found was $80 so that link made my day. And I never got an answer, does the factory h/u have wiring for an amp? Because I would like to keep it for a little while longer until I decide on a new one.

[S8track16]

I can't really remember but I doubt that it will have RCAs on the back.

[simonclay]

Ok, that's what I kinda figured. Thanks for the help

[spc2125]

I have a sony head unit that has rca outputs in the back if you want it. It comes with a wiring harness already wired for the alero. And it comes with the double din.

If you want it, PM me

[simonclay]

I ordered everything Monday night, and I've started recieving everything. It should all be in by next Thursday, so I'll probably work on it after work next week or next weekend. I'll post pictures and maybe write instructions on here then

[S8track16]

what is the model numbers for the speakers?

[simonclay]

They are all four Sony Xplode's. The 4x6's are XS-R4644 and the 6x9's are XS-R6944.

[simonclay]

Ok guys so I feel really dumb for having to post this, but I need your help. I've got everything done with my system except for the head unit replacement and I've ran into a problem. I already bugged my new h/u wire harness to my metra adaptor harness for the correct year (2001).

When I removed my old h/u I slid the new one in place and then trimmed some of the plastic to make it fit, which was no problem. Then I got my harness and realized that it doesn't plug in... so that's my question. What do I do now? I got the metra 70-2001 which is supposed to fit. and I noticed immediately that the old h/u had two plugs, but the metra harness is one big one. And there were no instructions with the harness

[negolien]

If you purchased it from Crutchfield call the Customer Service number they're great at walking people thru stuff. As a side not that's differant than the one for my 2001 Alero sedan w/ monsoon not sure if it matters you can always ask em.

[simonclay]

I ordered it from amazon at the same time I got the head unit.

[simonclay]

Ok guys. I'm sitting in my car and I figured out that the plug I thought went to the radio actually goes to the vents. Whoops. But there really is two plugs on the back of my factory h/u. And now I've got all my wires tied into the factory wiring, except for the ignition wire. Do I have to run my own wire to the ignition? And what do I do with the purple serial data wire that used to go to the h/u? Is it important?

[S8track16]

i believe that you don't have to wire into the ignition since your Alero is a 2001, correct? It should be plug 'n play.

[simonclay]

Well I've used a meter to check all of the wires going to the factory radio harness. And none of them turn on with the ignition. The only ones with any voltage are the positive and negative (~12v), and the serial data wire (~0.4v)

[simonclay]

This is the factory harness and the metra adapter. the adapter is the big blue one.

[negolien]

Any updates:?

[jawa]

i have a o1 and i had to run a power wire from the fuse box to power the radio fused of course

[jawa]

oh and dont worry about the purple wire unless you got the aftermarket chime kit

[simonclay]

Ok thanks. But I already have 12v there now, I just need a wire to tell the h/u to turn on. And where does the dark green "power antenna" wire go? Does it need to be connected to anything?

[simonclay]

I got it working. But when I turn it up speakers cut in and out and it says "check wiring" any ideas on that?

[simonclay]

So now that I've messed with all the settings and put in a cd to avoid the static from the radio, I figured out that it's overpowering the speakers and causing clipping. So I guess I'm going to be ordering new speakers. Unless there's some way to fix it. My amp is rated at RMS 50w x 4. And my speakers are RMS 50w each.

[negolien]

Strange I have never had an audio system start clipping. I hope you don't go thru all the drama to find out it's an issue from the install. That's one reason I have had anything installed done by a professional in my old age. Gone are the days where I' am wedged upside down underneath my dash trying to install something.

[simonclay]

Well after doing a bunch of research online, I found out that it is clipping. But I was wrong about what clipping is. Lol. So for now I'll just keep the volume at a controlled level until I can get a bigger amp or learn to live with it

[negolien]

So you have the 2 4x6s running of the deck and the 4 6x9s running of the amp?

[simonclay]

No. Sorry for any confusion. When I listed eve rything, I made a typo. I'm running two 4x6's and two 6x9's all off of a four channel amp. The amp is rated at 50w RMS per channel. And the speakers are 35w RMS for the 4x6's and 50w RMS for the 6x9's.

[negolien]

Ah gotcha well keep us upto date on how things are going. I' am interested because I' am going to change my HU soon also.

[simonclay]

Ok, I got it figured out and fixed. I was just getting in too big of a hurry when I was finishing wiring it. I accedentally wired the amplified speaker wires into the head unit. :eek: So that was causing my head unit to mess up and skip and turn off. But I fixed it all and it works great. If you need any help, negolien, I'll help any way I can. And pretty soon I'm going to post a build thread and I'll probably do a walkthrough on how to do it and what not to do. lol

[negolien]

Awesome glad to hear that. I think we all pay attention when someones doing something as we'll probably be doing the same sometime in the future lol. I appreciate the offer and posting a build and advice is always good for the forum. I will however have anything I get installed. I' am getting lazy in my old age lol. As I posted somewhere in the Alero forums I don't at all miss hanging upside down under my dash trying to wire Audio eqiupment lol. pics would be good though.