Todd Stout

A couple of Installation questions

After several weeks of looking at head units (see my previous thread), I finally bought an Alpine CDA-9885. I was looking at the wiring harness that plugs in to the rear of the unit and noticed that the power and ground leads are a slightely larger gauge wire than the rest of the wires. The manual shows the power lead connecting directly to the battery but I was wondering if this is really necessary. Do newer head units really draw that much current or can I just connect the power lead to the wiring harness adapter that plugs into my vehicle's factory wiring harness?

I have seen many people mount the crossovers for their component speakers in the doors of their cars and was wondering if this is a good idea. I have read several places not to do this due to vibration and moisture concerns. What is the best location to mount component speaker crossovers?

I had originally intended to have a shop I had worked with before install my gear along with an amplifier a subwoofer (or subwoofers) but after being quoted over $2000 for the work I think I'll just do it myself. I have installed car stereos in the past and even a car alarm once so I think I know what I'm doing. I do welcome any and all suggestions however.

My vehicle is a 2001 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 and I currently have an Alpine CDA-9885 head unit, Alpine TUA-T500HD HD-Radio Tuner, Infinity 6810cs component speakers, and Infinity 6812cf coaxial speakers in boxes and ready to install. I want to add amplification and a sub or two to fill in the bottom end but I haven't decided 100% which way I am going with that yet.

Robert_J

Re: A couple of Installation questions

What's the current draw of your new HU and the rating of the car's fuse for the power wire to the radio. If your car's wiring can handle it, you don't have to run a wire to the battery. If you are already doing that for an amp, it won't hurt anything to supply the HU more juice.

Doors if it is dry, behind the kick panels, under the dash, in the trunk, etc. Mounting them in the doors has the advantage of only running one speaker wire to the door or using the existing speaker wire. If you mount them anywhere else, you have to run both mid and tweeter wires into the door. Not always fun to do.

Once you have at least a budget and the amount of space you are willing to give up for your sub(s), then we can offer suggestions.

-Robert

Todd Stout

Re: A couple of Installation questions

Thanks Robert.

I'll look into the current draw on the head unit and the size of the fuse that is in place for the stock head unit and see if it's capable of handling the current draw. Duh... I should have known that.

I assumed that installing the crossovers in my doors would be okay but from time to time I encounter people who say that doing so never a good idea. The instruction manual that comes with Infinity car speakers doesn't really tell you much and makes no mention of ideal crossover mounting locations so I thought I'd ask.

As far as subwoofers go, I was thinking about going with a pair of 8" subs such as the Image Dynamics ID8D4 V.3 or MAYBE a 10" sub or two. I am not dead set on any particular brand or model at this point. There aren't too many stealth sub mounting locations in the 1995-2004 Tacoma X-Tra Cabs so I'm still tossing ideas around. I'll probably just put an enlosure or two on the shelf that the rear jump seats fold down on top of. As long as I can secure the sub enclosure (or enclosures) and still be able to get to the storage compartments underneath from time to time I'm good to go.

jseese

Re: A couple of Installation questions

A tip I always do when mounting x-overs in the door is put them in a zip loc baggy and take a wire tie and seal it off, that will help with moisture. Also do not just drop them in the bottom of the door try to mount them in the door or at least zip tie them through the mounting hole and to the door. That will solve rattling issues.