Custom headunit install - To do or not to do?

[|_Ash_|]

Hi guys,

I'm brand new to these forums, and am also a brand new owned of a Subaru Liberty GT 2007 MY08 (kind of - put down the deposit today, will pick up the car on Monday and pay the rest then). I've just got some basic questions regarding the installation of a custom sound system into the car.

I would really like to be able to install my old sound system into this car, as I dropped a lot of cash on it and it really is a great sounding system that I've just today finished pulling out of my old car with two friends. My audio setup consists of:

Alpine IDA-X305 headunit
Alpine Type-X Ref Edition 6 1\2" component speakers
Alpine Type-R 6x9's
Alpine PDF-4.150 4ch amplifier
Focal 12" 250w subwoofer
Alpine Imprint PX-H100 Digital Sound Processor
Clarion 2ch amplifier (from a build before this one)

This setup in my old car was amazing, especially coupled with the digital sound processor (DSP). I'm yet to properly test run the default Liberty Mcintosh system, but I know it won't be able to stack up against my current setup. I know the stock Liberty is far superior to most stock systems, but again, I've gotten used to my Alpine setup and the tuning options provided by the DSP.

Looking at the stock setup though, it looks like it would be quite a mission to install my Alpine gear - replacing the centre console/exisitng headunit setup, plus trying to fit my component speakers into the front doors. Apart from being seemingly hard to do, it would also possibly ruin the aesthetics and clean look of the car. Also, installing my 6 speakers would cut out about 8 speakers that are fitted throughout the car. I've thought about only installing the headunit, DSP, component speakers in front, and the sub and just leave out the rears - think they'd be hard to do anyway as the rear parcel shelf only has that single speaker on it, the sub.

I guess my main questions would be:
- Is it possible to do? Am I able to do a relatively clean install of my headunit into the center console? I have heard about some people installing their headunit into the storage area above the clock - is that a better option? And I'm assuming you can buy suitable fascias for the center console, but what happens to the four dials there, especially the two that controll the stock headunit?
- Is it possible to fit the component speakers into the door? At first glance, it didn't look like the speakers would fit in the largest speaker bay in the door (6-1/2" speakers, with a mounting depth of 2-1/2"). Has anyone been able to fit similiar sized speakers into the door?
- Is it worth doing? Seeing as more than half of the 14-speaker system would be pretty much cut out and not used, is it worth bothering with this custom install? Or is the existing system of a high enough quality to sound good without any tinkering?

The main reason I want to install my custom gear is because my speakers combined with my headunit and enhanced by the DSP really do sound fantastic. The DSP allows you to fine-tune your setup to a pretty amazing degree and includes things like time correction for each speaker, a parametric equalizer and an MX enhancer. It really brings out the best in the system.
That being said, the car does come with a 14-speaker stock system and even a sub - a fair bit better than most stock car setups.

So - is it able to be done? And if so, it would be great to get some pointers, tips and even pictures of how other people have managed to get a custom audio system installed.

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to finally getting my GT on Monday.

[garbo41610]

Key points:
Ditch the sik by nyns. You won't be able to fit then easily. And they all sound ordinary. Run factory rears and fade them right out.

6.5" splits will fit easily in the front doors with a baffle.

Don't be fooled by the amount of "speakers" in the car, it's just a whole bunch of tweeters and they, whilst relative to other factory systems sound good, are I'm actual fact quite terrible.

Do some reading through the audio section as this topic has been covered dozens of times previously. Andy85 has possibly the nicest setup on the forum.

[Stewie1995]

From what ive seen, facias are about $400 from Japan, however, thats all i know, there may be other options closer to home.

As for installation, i just finished mine literally an hour ago, the installation is fiddily as f*ckk, and you continually come up with more and more little things.
E.g, i had to buy spacers for my 6.5" and they barley worked and i quite dodgey.
The tweeter holder is a little pain, i have a larger tweeter and didnt fit in the pocket,
So i ended up having to get a soldering iron and melt the plastic and do some melting and grinding, and the tweeter doesnt even sit in the pocket, it half sits in the pocket and we just used superglue to get it in.

Rear speakers is up to you, i just faded my rear speakers out (theyre coming off the headunit, otherwise all my other speakers are emplified) and it sounds awesome

Its defs a bit of a pain instalation wise compared to other cars.

Good luck though!

[|_Ash_|]

Thanks for the info, food for thought.

I may ask around at Northfield Car and Sound, see if they've done any setups for Liberty's. I'm not the greatest for tidy installs, so it may pay to have someone do it professionally, so that I can retain the clean look of the car.

The rear speakers are another thing. I may look into making a custom parcel shelf so I can mount my 6x9's.

I'll keep combing the boards here as well and look into what others have done. Were you going to upload pics of your install? I'd be interested in seeing what you've managed to pull off.

Thanks again for the tips.

[chubbs]

ive done all this in my 07 tbSTI its not as hard as you think it is,

i installed double din facia kit from japan parts with the aircon unit, its quite pricey around $400 mark but its worth it. it fits perfectly for a nice clean look ill post a pic up tonight. hardest part of the install is just disassembling and assembling the car. you have to be patient pulling the car appart so you dont break anything, as far as the electronics go simple if you have installed car audio before, you should be fine i gather you know what your doing. trickiest part on the install for me was just trying to locate the steering control wires to connect the steering wheel module but even that was easy.

[Mr04Liberty]

6x9's are over rated, if they were 7x10's I could understand trying to fit them in...
Any decent 6.5" should work fine, Put 2 ways in the rear doors and forget about them if anything.
Alpine make quality audio and I would take your time to make it look and sound great if your going to spend more...

[garbo41610]

6x9's are over rated, if they were 7x10's I could understand trying to fit them in...
Any decent 6.5" should work fine, Put 2 ways in the rear doors and forget about them if anything.
Alpine make quality audio and I would take your time to make it look and sound great if your going to spend more...

Even 7 x 10's sound like shit. Oval speakers distort way too easily. OP, serioulsy reconsider the sik by nyns. You have a semi decent 12" sub that can play low enough and high enough. Work on the installation and tuning and you will be fine with the 6.5's and the 12". You will get issues with frequency cancellation with the sik by nyns as well as distortion, not to mention you will most likely have to cut a chunk of the metal framework out of the parcel shelf to fit them in. You will also have issues with the sub rattling the sik by nyns to death causing even more distortion. Not to mention they will drag the staging too far back (rear speakers in the rear doors are bad enough if left faded in). So you will be going to a lot of work for a detrimental effect.

It's up to you at the end of the day, I am just providing advice from my experience in the field, you will be losing a lot installing them. There's a reason no one who builds decent systems, let alone enters competition, uses them.

As for professional install, if you aren't confident of it, definitely get a pro to do it. You providing the gear will save a lot. Installation is the key, decent speaker mounts, plenty of sound deadening and most of all, tuning will net a great result. I've heard $1000 set ups professionally installed (not by JB Hifi etc) outperform setups worth a LOT more installed by backyard cowboys and I have had to rectify the work.

[chubbs]

this is my facial kit i wrapped it in carbon fiber i thought it looked better than matt black, and ignore the shitty turbo timer, was installed by previous owner a cbf getting around to ripping it out

[Stewie1995]

Just saying ^ but that looks fkn awesome!

[|_Ash_|]

That is a really nice looking install. Very clean, looks fantastic. The carbon fiber finish also fits in really well, great job on the install. Definitely lets me know that a custom install and headunit can be pulled off nicely.

I may just reconsider the 6x9's. Not because of the quality (they're pretty good for rears, and the Imprint DSP gives you some nice tuning options for them), but because of the install process. Cutting into or replacing the parcel shelf seems like a lot of work for not too much gain. This car isn't as big as my last, so I won't miss the audio as much, and like everyone is saying, the rears tend to be faded out during tuning anyway. Cheers for the info on that.

I will definitely chuck my sub in though. I got to drive my Liberty home today (damn it was awesome), and the sub in the back is distorted, sounds like a blown or damaged cone. Too much rattling for me, even with the bass turned down and the volume reduced. Definitely cause for me to get my focal 12" in there.

I do want it to look clean, so I'll at least get a ballpark figure for a professional install. I want this done right, and to do that, it'll take more skill and know-how than I possess. It's worth paying someone to get it done properly, cleanly and professionally. If the price is too high though, I'll look into a custom install. I know how to do the wiring easily enough, but pulling the console apart and attaching a fascia with the climate control module seems a bit much. May have to Youtube that.

Thanks again to everyone who replied, and thanks especially to garbo41610 for the pro-tips and Illestlib for the pic (again, mad install job). If anyone has anymore pointers, tips or even places to call around for installs (I live in Brisbane, and Northfield is the company I'm going to call first), it would be great it you could give your two cents.

Cheers guys.

[Stewie1995]

When i did mine, i thought getting the headunit out was gunna suck, srsly was the easiest thing to do of the whole install. Not even joking, just unscrew the centre console (two clips against the side at the back), take gear nob off, take side silver panels off then unscrew. Easy.

I regret not doing it professionally because of how time consuming it was and all the little problems that arose, i defs reccommend doing it professionally but be prepared to pay a bit extra than normal cause they know theyre abit of a pain.

[mihai]

I know how to do the wiring easily enough, but pulling the console apart and attaching a fascia with the climate control module seems a bit much. May have to Youtube that.

That is one of the easiest parts of the whole install!

just unscrew the centre console (two clips against the side at the back), take gear nob off, take side silver panels off then unscrew. Easy.

You don't even need to remove the centre console. Just pull the silver trim on either side of the headunit towards the rear of the car. 2 clips hold them in. Once these are out of the way, there will be 6 screws holding the headunit + climate control in. 2 at the bottom on each side and 1 recessed further in on each side (the very top screws on each side do not hold the headunit in place).

Once these are removed, the whole assembly can just slide out. Unclip the hazard lights switch and then unclip the stock wiring for the headunit and climate control.

The fascia kit is simple to put together. Has 2 metal brackets (one for each side). To which the new headunit screws into and the replacement climate control screws into. From there, its all a matter of plugging everything back up. Very simple!

[mihai]

This may also be of some help: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=8395

[seanmau5]

I have written up a walkthrough on a double din install for a Gen IV.. Pulling the dash apart is easier than the wiring and you've said the wiring is easy so there you go!

Happy to email my walkthrough.

[mihai]

I have written up a walkthrough on a double din install for a Gen IV.. Pulling the dash apart is easier than the wiring and you've said the wiring is easy so there you go!

Happy to email my walkthrough.

Pre-facelift dash removal is different to facelift though.

Wiring is the same however.