I might DO IT MYSELF if I can't get a better quote than this....

I'm on the brink of getting my system put in my G35 Coupe (w/o Prem system), and I just wanted to see what a local professional shop wants to charge me to install my system. He also told me that (and I haven't heard this on this forum) the air conditioning ducts/tubing had to be moved (or something) in order to do the dash part of the install. That would take about 1/2 day or some crap. I'm thinking - are you insane??? He said they have done a few G35's and they had to move around some A/C ducts or something. What the crap is that all about?? Anyway, I'm providing all parts unless otherwise noted:

1. Dash install with HU
2. Amp Install (back of rear seat)
3. Front Speaker install with "baffles". This is where they create like an oval piece to put the speaker in, which is in the door... looks like extra work to me, but that's why I'm posting?? Don't 6.5's just fit right in the slot??
4. Boston Pro Sub 10.5 ($199) & Downfiring box (custom, but simple, box)
5. Misc Parts
6. Viper Responder 791XV (I'll buy/install from them)

Total = $1920.00

So the only things I would technically buy from them (so far) would be the Boston 10" sub, misc parts (power, spkr wire, etc)., and the Viper Alarm system. I'm supplying all other parts. He said since I didn't buy the parts from them, that that's as good as he could get (obviously available with retail markup).

This is a reputable place and I would trust they did a great job, in fact - but $1920?? I'm thinking about doing as much as I can, then just get them to do the sub-box and amp install. I'm not sure of the best way to mount the amp on the back seat so it doesn't come off or rattle. He also said I would need a bigger fuse or something. I'm pushing an Alpine F450 5-ch amp - am I missing a part somewhere? It'll be pushing the fronts (alpine SPR-176A) and subwoofer only. Thoughts?


The Bamadog
BAMADOG.COM
2004 G35 Coupe - Black/Black 6MT - Chrome 7-Spoke Wheels - Aero Kit & Package w/spoiler - Tint - Alpine System - Body Side Molding

 

it depends on if you have the double din parts, if not they do have to relocate some of the ac ducting, so he isnt lying to you, but if you have the double din it should be a straight forward install,

so if you do have the double din call him back and tell him

 

Just have them do the amp, sub and speaker installs. Like tig said, if you have all the v35 doubleDIn parts from J's, you can do the HU/dash swap yourself and save the money.

I don't know what they are talking about having to move some AC ducts. I would think that this happen only if they are fabricating the stock navi cubby to fit a DIN deck like achee's AVIC N1. Otherwise, the HU should fit in the doubleDIN w/o AC duct modifications.

If you have the shop do only the amp, speakers and sub installation, YOU provide the wiring, you can get ap/speaker wiring kits from Crutchfield, sounddomain.com for a fraction of what you would pay at an install shop with sometimes, better quality parts. You could ask them to run your RCAs for you and leave them hanging under the steering wheel so you can just plug them in when you do your dash/HU swap. But then again, they'll probably charge you and arm & a leg to just run RCAs.

 

i learned a big mistake from gettin my system installed at a car shop, and it was a reputable one to... but when joe and nyc35 finally posted excellent DIY guides, i couldnt resist to install my aftermarket HU myself...

i took my car to the shop to have em install 2 amps, a sub and my components off the factory headunit. I provided them with all the cables n stuff, but the install costed me $181, it took em a total of around 7-8 hours for this... when i drove home, my doors were rattling bad, especially bumpy roads, i was pissed, and anutha thing i discovered that one of my amps the gain was turned all the way up for my front speakers, arghh, and they drilled like 10 holes in my trunk just to ground the amps, wtf? they could of just used one screw... the tips of the speaker wires, ground wire, remote, and power wire werent even terminated with spade terminals or speaker prongs... they just stripped the ends off the wire n stuck it str8 in the amp like that... they used like 5 different color wires, green, purple, red, orange... sigh... i mean i paid good price to get a good job, but they really messed up bad...

the other day my aftermarket headunit came, and i wanted to install it so bad, so me and my friend used joe's and nyc35's DIY guide to pull apart the car. i decided to rewire my car, cause i really cant stand all those ugly multicolored wires... so i bought new ones to match and reran all my wires, only to find they spliced into so many damn different wires that they werent spose to, sigh these guys took the easy way out, we spent 2 whole days trying to figure out what the hell they did to my car... my amps were installed to a constant fuse, so when the key was in, but in the off position, my amps were still on, even tho the radio is off, wtf? this constantly draws power from my battery, so we had to redo that as well, they broke some clips and carpet rings, sigh... the more we took the car apart the more we found out how bad they messed things up, i learned my lesson to never take my car to anyone ever again, if you want to do things right, your better off doing it yourself, its worth it in the end... and you know you'll be doing a careful job cause its your car. Those people don't even care about the car, they just want to get it done fast and over with. Sigh... so really do it yourself... I don't trust anybody with my car. especially a g35...

much thanks to joe and nyc35 for there excellent in depth detailed DIY guides, we can pretty much install everything ourselfs... nyc35 is about to post a DIY guide on how to take apart the side door sills, rear panels, etc soon, so we will be complete...

 

euro,

I hope you are getting your money back. That install shop sounds like they did a crap job. I would've taken pictures of the crap install and sent them the to BBB in your area and sought your money back.

I can understand some assumption of risk when you pay someone to install something, but not something that bad. This was a reputable shop you say, I would spread the word that this was a crap install. From what you described, monkeys could have done a better job.

 

Read the receipt or order slip you signed when you paid for the install. Does it have something about a guarentee or install warantee?

 

-eurog35

no good shop would charge you $181 for the whole install it's atleast $300 job

OWNER OF MOBILE ELECTRONICS OF NY
THE BEST CUSTOM JOBS FOR ALARMS, REMOTE STARTS, AUDIO SYSTEMS, MOBILE VIDEO, NAVIGATION SYSTEM
ANY QUESTIONS EMAIL ME AT VSOKOLOV@HOTMAIL.COM

 

oops i mistyped, they charged me $281

and after what i found out when i took my car apart, the install was terrible, no common sense what so ever...

 

one thing i can tell they aren't much proffesional

OWNER OF MOBILE ELECTRONICS OF NY
THE BEST CUSTOM JOBS FOR ALARMS, REMOTE STARTS, AUDIO SYSTEMS, MOBILE VIDEO, NAVIGATION SYSTEM
ANY QUESTIONS EMAIL ME AT VSOKOLOV@HOTMAIL.COM

 

BTW, yes, I already have the double-din kit, HU and practically everything. The MAIN thing was installing the amp (back of rear seat) and making me a box that would fit in that 10" high section behind the seat.. I also wasn't sure about taking the door paneling off.... I have seen the DIY for the DD kit and running wires to the back... how about removing the door panel? I assume it pops off just like everything else, huh? If so, where are the clips/connecting points. Is it best to put in the fronts with the window all the way down, or just partially down (or does it matter)?

Joe - come over here to the Big D and help with the install and we'll do it right. Then I'll take you over to Bone Daddy's (smokehouse) afterwards. It's like Hooters, but the food and eye candy is even better.

And believe it or not, I don't think this place would screw anything up with the install... but I do believe I'll do what I can and let them do the rest. Earmark is the name of the place and they do good work. They did my Honda Prelude after someone stole my crap out of it.


The Bamadog
BAMADOG.COM
2004 G35 Coupe - Black/Black 6MT - Chrome 7-Spoke Wheels - Aero Kit & Package w/spoiler - Tint - Alpine System - Body Side Molding

 

Oh - no one mentioned these "door baffles" that I originally posted about. Don't the 6.5's just fit right in the hole that the stock speakers were in? He kept saying they wouldn't fit right and they have to specially make some wooden "door baffle" bracket that the speaker will actually be mounted either "to" or "into". I thought that seemed rather strange.... are the crossovers (with the components) mounted to the door w/hardware, tied down or what?

The Bamadog
BAMADOG.COM
2004 G35 Coupe - Black/Black 6MT - Chrome 7-Spoke Wheels - Aero Kit & Package w/spoiler - Tint - Alpine System - Body Side Molding

 

Bama,

if you pay my way from Hawaii over there, I'll definately come over and do your install in less than 4 hours. lol

Is Bone Daddy's nationwide or local place?

 

1920 is a total ripoff. I paid just a few hundred more than that for my whole install including all the installation parts needed, accumat, wires, battery, etc. My install was far more custom than what you are describing so i am going to say you are getting screwed if you agree to that price.

If you want to see what i am talking about, feel free to check my profile. The link to my page is there. Took about 2 weeks. Yours might take a few days at most so 1920 is ridiculous.

 

Bone Daddy's is a local place. Don't know if you're heard of 'em, but they are a branch off of Razoo's and they do a great business. Let's see how many airmiles it'll take....... hmmmmm...

As for the 1920, I already (pretty much) knew it was a ripoff. Obviously, they are trying to gouge me by not buying the products from them. I'll take a look at some other places, but I definitely need a box built to fit that area like I want... and to install the amp.

QUESTION: I have the Alpine F450 5-ch amp... the guy told me I would have to upgrade my power wire. I currently have a Rockford Fosgate 4G wire with a simple gold-ended fuse with the gold 'Z'-shaped contact inside (you've seen 'em) about a foot from the battery terminal hookup. He said I needed the same guage wire, but a bigger/better "fuse area" because that fuse wouldn't be able to handle the load of the amp I currently have. I believe the amp I have has (2) 30A fuses in the side of it... I guess he was talking about something like a JL amp kit that had the wire and a bigger "box" area where my fuse was. What's the deal there? This wire/fuse won't handle this amp? I'm just running a 10" sub and a set of components. I'll probably wire the rear speakers off the deck since the amp would probably blow the rears.


The Bamadog
BAMADOG.COM
2004 G35 Coupe - Black/Black 6MT - Chrome 7-Spoke Wheels - Aero Kit & Package w/spoiler - Tint - Alpine System - Body Side Molding

 

To answer your question, baffles aren't necessary, but aren't a bad idea either. Yes, you can drop the 6.5's right in, unless it is too deep. In this case you would need baffle's to increase the depth a bit. Baffles also offer a better mounting area imo. Although its not necessary and i think you could get away without it.

The only necessity for them would be speaker depth. Any other reason is purely personal preference and is an avoidable cost. How deep are your speakers?