Metra kit installed

[Nique303]

Originally Posted by Edscapade

Glad it all worked out! gill7784 - your the man.... always good to see others help when nothing in it for them. Good job by all.

Def the man! Everybody was Very helpful

[Nique303]

Originally Posted by weenie25banini

How much for everything? With labor and all just wonderig.

I bought everything off amazon.com

Paid

$206 for the metra kit
$399 for DVD system
$10 for butt connectors
Labor was free since I installed it myself

Total Little over $600

[weenie25banini]

Originally Posted by Nique303

I bought everything off amazon.com

Paid

$206 for the metra kit
$399 for DVD system
$10 for butt connectors
Labor was free since I installed it myself

Total Little over $600

What kind if DVD screen is it? But that's a good deal.

[rxfox3]

I am considering buying one of these and doing the install myself. Does the metra kit deal with the sub menu system that's part of the factory radio? Remote start, lighting, door look options, etc etc, etc.

Also, can you lost links to head unit you purchased? Does it have separate sub control?

Thanks!

[Nique303]

Originally Posted by weenie25banini

What kind if DVD screen is it? But that's a good deal.

Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD 7"

[Nique303]

Originally Posted by rxfox3

I am considering buying one of these and doing the install myself. Does the metra kit deal with the sub menu system that's part of the factory radio? Remote start, lighting, door look options, etc etc, etc.

Also, can you lost links to head unit you purchased? Does it have separate sub control?

Thanks!

The metra kit has everything the factory system does just ties it into rows of soft buttons (ac/heat seats activation/lock - unlock/hazards)......

As for lost controls only controls I lost was my buttons on the steering wheel But there are controllers and can be hooked up to make these work

Yes it has RCA hook ups for a sub and Has EQ adjusting On the unit

[scoobeepsk]

Originally Posted by Nique303

The metra kit has everything the factory system does just ties it into rows of soft buttons (ac/heat seats activation/lock - unlock/hazards)......

As for lost controls only controls I lost was my buttons on the steering wheel But there are controllers and can be hooked up to make these work

Yes it has RCA hook ups for a sub and Has EQ adjusting On the unit

First, your car looks awesome. I am suppose to have my kit installed by an installer next week. He could not answer-what I think you just answered. You can get into the menu setting for the car and turn on/off remote start, lights indicator...etc. The functions you would normally see on the factory unit. If so, Does it display at the top? Thanks for the help.

[Nique303]

Originally Posted by scoobeepsk

First, your car looks awesome. I am suppose to have my kit installed by an installer next week. He could not answer-what I think you just answered. You can get into the menu setting for the car and turn on/off remote start, lights indicator...etc. The functions you would normally see on the factory unit. If so, Does it display at the top? Thanks for the help.

Thank you!

As for those settings I think you will lose them really didn't get too much into the car setting through the stock unit I would just adjust audio.

Metra kit buttons

Air speed buttons (up down setting)
Temp. Control buttons (hot cold)
AC button
Lock unlock buttons
Hazards button
Driver heatseat passenger heatseat buttons
Airflow windshield button
Airflow face button
Airflow feet button
Airflow feet windshield button
Airflow head feet button
Mirror heat activation button
Recycled airflow button

This is all the buttons that you will find on the metra unit as far as accessing a menu for more settings on the metra kit you can't

Hope this somewhat helps???

[gill7784]

Ill just add on to what Nique303 has already said - The Metra kit is actually pretty slick for the price. There is a whole lot that goes into retaining factory controls, and Metra pulled it off without a hitch.

Having installed a few of them, I have made every mistake one could possibly make. Likewise, I have always been able to find the solution. I strongly encourage anyone contemplating paying for an install, give it a shot yourself. You will save big money that could be otherwise used for more mods.

The install on my car was about as complex as it gets. I went with the DNX9960, which requires mounting a new mic, voice control switch and satellite/GPS antennas. I also did new 6 3/4" components in the door, 6x9 coaxials in the rear deck, 400 watt main amp, 2 12" woofers and a 1000 watt sub amp. I'm very very anal about things being done right, thus my refusal to pay some shop to do a hack-job.

In reference to losing your vehicle controls - It is not entirely accurate to say you "lose" them. You can retain them with a simple module that plugs into the Metra interface. See pic #3.

Anyhow, here a few pics of my install. I opted to paint my Metra face and shift bezel to match my exterior, SIM. For some reason, Metra chose to use blue as their button color. In effort to balance the rainbow of colors that was in my car, I lit up my footwells with some pretty blue lights. I also changed to LED on my base knob to blue.

[Darth Martel]

The Metra kit should have come with the module that allows the steering wheel controls to work. It's one of the selling points of the kit.

Originally Posted by Nique303

The metra kit has everything the factory system does just ties it into rows of soft buttons (ac/heat seats activation/lock - unlock/hazards)......

As for lost controls only controls I lost was my buttons on the steering wheel But there are controllers and can be hooked up to make these work

Yes it has RCA hook ups for a sub and Has EQ adjusting On the unit

[scoobeepsk]

Originally Posted by gill7784

Ill just add on to what Nique303 has already said - The Metra kit is actually pretty slick for the price. There is a whole lot that goes into retaining factory controls, and Metra pulled it off without a hitch.

Having installed a few of them, I have made every mistake one could possibly make. Likewise, I have always been able to find the solution. I strongly encourage anyone contemplating paying for an install, give it a shot yourself. You will save big money that could be otherwise used for more mods.

The install on my car was about as complex as it gets. I went with the DNX9960, which requires mounting a new mic, voice control switch and satellite/GPS antennas. I also did new 6 3/4" components in the door, 6x9 coaxials in the rear deck, 400 watt main amp, 2 12" woofers and a 1000 watt sub amp. I'm very very anal about things being done right, thus my refusal to pay some shop to do a hack-job.

In reference to losing your vehicle controls - It is not entirely accurate to say you "lose" them. You can retain them with a simple module that plugs into the Metra interface. See pic #3.

Anyhow, here a few pics of my install. I opted to paint my Metra face and shift bezel to match my exterior, SIM. For some reason, Metra chose to use blue as their button color. In effort to balance the rainbow of colors that was in my car, I lit up my footwells with some pretty blue lights. I also changed to LED on my base knob to blue.

Thank you both for the information. So, I want to make sure I understand correctly. As far as the base metra kit- you can not access the steering wheel controls nor the menu setting for the car, but you can add modules that allow access to those on the metra kit - Is that correct? Your car looks awesome. I have the Kenwood 9960 in my h2 and I love it. It can be a little sluggish at times but overall it is a pretty cool unit. FYI, if you have a remote hotspot in your car and a new ipod touch or iphone 4, you can have netflix play on your 9960. Pretty cool to rent a movie for your passengers or stream a tv show.
As far as my install, I am going with the new Pioneer Z130 bt. I am not good at that kind of stuff, so I am going to pay to have it installed..but it is costing a lot. 2k out the door. Ouch!!

[GTPprix]

So all of you with this kit how do you change the vehicle options now that the factory radio has been used? Does the Metra kit somehow retain this ability?

[gill7784]

Originally Posted by Darth Martel

The Metra kit should have come with the module that allows the steering wheel controls to work. It's one of the selling points of the kit.

The steering wheel controls work flawlessly with the kit. No need for any other modules or harnesses.

[gill7784]

Originally Posted by scoobeepsk

Thank you both for the information. So, I want to make sure I understand correctly. As far as the base metra kit- you can not access the steering wheel controls nor the menu setting for the car, but you can add modules that allow access to those on the metra kit - Is that correct? Your car looks awesome. I have the Kenwood 9960 in my h2 and I love it. It can be a little sluggish at times but overall it is a pretty cool unit. FYI, if you have a remote hotspot in your car and a new ipod touch or iphone 4, you can have netflix play on your 9960. Pretty cool to rent a movie for your passengers or stream a tv show.
As far as my install, I am going with the new Pioneer Z130 bt. I am not good at that kind of stuff, so I am going to pay to have it installed..but it is costing a lot. 2k out the door. Ouch!!

The steering wheel controls work fine with the Metra kit. To access vehicle settings, you will need to purchase the module pictured above.