huero Posted June 17, 2013 Report Share Posted June 17, 2013 I purchased a Pioneer head unit (AVH-P4400BH) from amazona while back and finally got around to installing it. The radio itself is awesome. Very user friendly interface, touchscreen dvd playback, bluetooth, reomte control and all that good stuff. It also comes with a small microphonethat you can use for hands free phone useage as well as assisting with setting up your EQ should you want to. I also hooked up the pac-swx cause I really wanted to maintain my steering wheel controls. All in all the installation was straight forward and relatively easy. For anyone wondering, the parts needed for this installation was a wire harness from a 1g eclipse. Thats it. No special metra kit or install kit or anything like that. It bolts up in the exact same manner as the factory radio.http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-39.jpgI soldered my wires up and used heat shrink to cover up the wirehttp://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-33.jpgThere were a few wires that werent needed, which I cut off any bare wire and the covered with heat shrink again. Just in case...http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-34.jpgThe center counsel is fairly eay to take apart, but the screw will strip really easy if your not careful. I used vice grips on the head of the screws (not an easy task since theres not much to grab) and the screw driver as well as a lot of patience. It worked out in the end though...http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-35.jpgAfter programming the pac (which is fairly straight forward and easy to follow along with in the manual) I placed it down along the panel by the passenger leg. Its an easy to access spot should you ever want or need to reprogram it. Its also out of the way of everything else that needs to be placed behind the radio (RCA cables, satellite radio equipment, nav system parts, or whatever else you may have)http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-127.jpghttp://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-126.jpgThis pac is a universal model, and needs an IR reciever on the radio to work with our steering wheel controls. So, essentially any radio that has a remote would work with this. There are a few models that dont, but you can find out which ones they are by checking online at the pac site. You also have to have the remote with you when you are programming the radio cause the pac basically copies the signal for whatever the remote does, and remembers it for the button you want it to be. If that makes sense. I mounted the IR emmiter under the lip of the center counsel lid. i used a slight offset to the drivers side, but wish i would have moved it more to the drivers side now that all is done. It works well, but every now and then my sleeve will block the signal. I wear a little baggier clothing than most people though, so it might not be an issue for some.http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-125.jpghttp://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-129.jpghttp://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-128.jpgThe radio has a huge range of colors as far as the controls and background goes. You can also load your own images to use as a background. The orange is a VERY close match to the factory colors. The pictures dont really do the coloring justice which sucks.http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-47.jpghttp://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-46.jpghttp://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-42.jpghttp://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-44.jpg Ive had the radio in for about a month with no issues. It made my stock speakers sound 100 times better than they did with the factory radio. Eventually I will get around to installing the rest of my system and Ill post up some info on all that stuff too. For the price point and all the features that come with this radio, I have no complaints. One of the better radios I have owned. Hope you all enjoyed. Let me know what you think and I will keep it coming as I put it in. I have a looooooooot of work ahead of me.http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/vinylavenger/starion/null-56.jpg Noooooow, if I could could please get an admin to move this to the Stereo section, I would be extremely grateful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasQuest Posted June 17, 2013 Report Share Posted June 17, 2013 Wow very nice clean install! I really need to get to work on my stereo and interior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burton Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Looks good!. Don't wait too long to install the rest of those new goodies. Your OEM speakers sound better now, but soon that extra power will have their way with those 25+ year old speakers and they'll start distorting and going out. Blown speakers (and ones on their way out) can put an extra strain on the internal amplifier of the deck, and in some cases cause damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carguygibby Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 (edited) Very nice, I had the 1400 version in my 86, awesome unit.There are universal double din surround trims available that would finish your install off perfectly. (See pic of my old Clarion)Also, like Mark says, you will need to replace your stock speakers soon.Aftermarket ones will really make that unit pop!Colinhttp://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu353/carguygibby/2010-12-07143912.jpg Edited June 18, 2013 by carguygibby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huero Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 She's down for maintenance right now. Gonna drop the fuel tank and clean it as we'll as replace the pump and filters. So while I'm waitin on those parts, ill start work on the Component set and amp. Shouldn't be too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnesiac Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 http://www.starquestclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=129972 I had the 1400 unit and did the install like a year ago. I hooked a relay up on mine to trick the headunit into thinking the car was always parked so I could run DVD's while I was driving (no I didn't watch them, just listened to movies on long trips) if I wanted to. Those units work great, and you're right, it's an easy install with the kit. Definitely upgrade your speakers. I put Alpine 6.5" in the doors and deck panels in back then ran a Punch 400 amp and a Punch DVC 12". It's easy to have a really nice system and still retain a stock appearance for the most part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huero Posted June 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 How did you go about making the holes for the 6.5's. cause I have Rockford's I want to put I'm that are that size. Any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnesiac Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 (edited) For the doors I didn't make the stock holes any bigger, I just removed the stock speaker set up and fitted the 6.5"s in there as tight as I could and screwed them in place. The Alpine's I used did not take up much space as far as sticking out, the center tweeter was flush with the top of the speaker and the mounting depth of the speaker was pretty shallow, so basically the speaker hung over the edge of the factory hole a bit all the way around. I didn't want to hack up the car and I wasn't sure they'd sound very good but as it turns out, it worked just fine that way. I can't say for sure if your RF 6.5"s are gonna fit the same as those Alpines... You're just gonna have to try em out and see. The rear deck speakers just bolted right in place of the stock speakers. I think the stock rear speakers are 6.5" too. Don't forget to go ahead and disconnect those in dash factory speakers. Pass side is easy and driver side is doable just don't get in a hurry. Edited June 21, 2013 by Magnesiac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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