ski

I have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. I want to put in an Aiwa CDC-X437 CD player. Does anyone know if mid 90's Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/Plymouth require a wiring harness?

It's make or break on whether I get the CD player if I gotta put in another $30 or $40 :eeK:



EDIT: Pictures, if someone can take a stab at what these connections are, please help!







In summary:

A. What are these 4 connections?
B. Will I need to buy a wiring harness?
C. Does the CD player I'm getting, the AIWA CDC-X437, have connections so I can connect and amp (and sub)? I don't see anything about it in the specs

TIA

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And closer...

CynJon

Does it have buttons on the steering wheel to control the stereo? If so, that's one of the connections...they sell an adapter sometimes that allows you to retain the functionality of the steering wheel controls.

#2 looks like a grounding strap
#4 is the antenna connection
#3 looks like the main wiring harness--this is what a Chrysler wiring harness from the stereo shop will connect to--basically you'll connect the new stereo to the new wiring harness adapter, which will allow you to plug the new adapter directly into the existing vehicle harness without having to cut any wires. This will allow you to put the stock stereo back in as easily as reconnecting the harnesses.

Hope this helps...

edit: Keep in mind that you'll probably need to pick up an adapter to make the stereo fit in the dash, as well (to fill in the extra space from the larger stock unit). This will probably run around $8 or so, the harness will be another $8 roughly.

edit #2: in looking at the vehicle-specific harness from Crutchfield, it looks like the factory harness splits into two connections on the stereo (#3 and #1), so all you should need is a dash adapter and a wiring harness...Good luck with your project!

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ski

Nah, no steering wheel connections unfortunately...

Will 150W RMS (from a 12 inch sub in a sealed box about 1.0 cu) be enough to fill my van? Also, I don't want to spend $70 on a Q-Logic box. Exactly what can I get away with -- they sell carpeted sealed boxes at Pep Boys, Walmart, Advance Auto, etc. for about $30. Subwoofer spec says it'll be fine as long as it's 3/4" thick. This will be a VERY low end system

EDIT: As an electrical engineering student, I will be tested on how to design multi-staged amplifers, GPS receivers, and other devices using electromagnetic fields, but I have no idea about common sense electricity I guess $100,000 can't teach you that... so my friend says for installing a head unit and amplifier in a car, you don't need to disconnect the negative side of the battery EVER, but I remember when I installed an amp in high school many years ago, my dad told me to take one of the battery terminal connections off...

Hoser

You can also get a wiring harness and installation kit from www.cardomain.com

Installation kit: http://www.cardomain.com/item/SCOCJ1282B?vq_id=none

Wiring harness: http://www.cardomain.com/shop/item.pl?sku=SCOCR01B

Bires

I always get wirings harnesses for my installs. It will be easier to install, will look cleaner under the dashboard, and can easily be removed/replaced in case you sell it.

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Five years...

bachviet

Get the wiring harness. It's a mess to splice the wires.

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ski

NOOOOOOOOOOOO

http://www.sears.com/sr/clearance/cl...ar+Electronics

They had all the components I was going to get, and the total was under $100 for sub, amp, and head unit... but now they only have the amp... MISSED IT!!

Bires

A bill for all three? The quality must stink so very much; why bother?

ski

Total retail was about $250 for all three, majorly clearanced.

My friend Mike picked up a nice quality 450 W RMS system for about $800, and another friend Eric picked up handmedowns and only 80 W RMS from a low quality sub and amp. While Mike's system is impressive, Eric's caliber of system is all I need, something to play CD's with a little bit of low end. Back in high school, I had a 200W system from Radio Shack and was very pleased with the bang for the buck. Don't get my wrong, once I graduate and have a job, money won't be an object for this, but I do so much driving that $100 to have the ability to play CD's and have a low freq. end boost is something I'd pay (and all I can afford to pay ) over factory system.

rollhard

walmart stereo wiring harnesses, $6.97 Best thing ever = )

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Eloy
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Race Precision Inc.

Performance without Compromise

Bires

Ya. They have great/cheap amp wiring kits too.

ski

For this 380W RMS bridged amplifier, should I go with a 400W amp kit I suppose?

Bires

Eh..

I wouldn't worry too much about it. The 8-guage(edit) wiring will be just fine.

ski

zero guage really?

http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp

It's going to be able 8 feet for my car... so 8 guage should be okay, no?

Bires

Yes. My booboo. I meant the 8guage that comes with most wiring kits...like this one that I use.

However...this one is new...and I would recommend it first.