Finally, AVIC-D3 is installed - with pics.

Ok, I finally got the install of my D3 finished. I had to take it back to have a few things touched up, but overall, the work is very nice. Nothing too special about the deck install. Looks like some of the others around here, except my installer made his own trim piece and covered it with vinyl to match my interior. I think it looks good. Second pic shows the unit at night. The option to change the illumination color to white to match the car was very attractive for me. The last pic here shows the whole interior. I think the gloss black AVIC-D3 looks not bad in my interior along with the Basalt Black door trim and Console I got from Bumperplugs.

Here's some pics of the rest of the system. They built a sub box for the back, and loaded it with an 8" JL Audio sub. Adds plenty of bass without sounding overpowering like some high school kid's car. Up front, they dropped in a false floor and underneath that is where the amps reside. Changes not shown: Hush mat installed inside the door panels to keep vibrations down. Also, JL Audio components installed in the doors and tweeters in the dash. Also, since the center channel is now not being used, I had them install the external powered remote speaker from my Passport SR7+ radar detector up there so it's louder for me. Let me know if you have any comments or questions. The work was all done by Custom Car Stereo on Highway 59 in Houston.

Excellent, this is almost exactly what I was thinking. How much did the whole installation cost? I am not too fond of the bezel though...looks kind of "bubbly" and I am not sure about vinyl. This is going to be a big problem. What are the other bezel options? Also, as far as the install goes...did they have to remove any panels to install the speakers or wiring? I am concerned about removal and reinstall of them. If they are not done right it may squeak and all kinds of nasty little problems. To recap: 1. Cost? 2. Bezel options? 3. What are concerns with install? 4. Lastly, how would you rank it compared to PCM/Bose from factory? My thought is it should be way better...maybe minus the bezel problem.

Love it!!!! Nice work. I see by your GPS signal, that you are home...Ill be right over to check it out!

Swancoat, I was at custom car last week and i saw your car in the shop. I wanted to get some stuff done to my cayman also. Im interested in also getting the D3. Give me some details on how much you spent. thanks

This is very nice! Did you have Bose? I have Bose but would love to have AVIC-D3 installed if possible.

1. Too much. It's a nice shop, but they don't work cheap. However, given the cost savings from not getting PCM or Bose, it starts to look a lot more affordable. I can PM the cost. 2. There's probably other bezel options. I believe they were concerned with matching the paint, so they did the vinyl match. I wasn't keen on it at first, but I like it a lot now. 3. I don't have too many concerns. Changing a taillight bulb may get difficult with the sub box in there. 4. Haven't heard the Bose, but given my prior experience with Bose, I'm confident it sounds better. There's much more functionality, since the unit also has bluetooth integration (the shop installed the mic in the factory location inside the steering column), and XM Nav Traffic, as well as full iPod control (iPod inside center console).

I did not have Bose. From my understanding, you are not going to have an easy time of it if you already have the Bose installed.

Swancoat, This looks great! Makes me wish that I didn't get the Bose and opt for this system. But unfortunately I cannot get this installed with the fiber optics that the Bose system uses. Looks like a quailty install as well, which makes all the difference. I need to come over and check out this system as well as the short shifter you installed. After hearing the results, it has made me really want to switch to it.

TX-KmanS, The system SwanCoat just installed should be usable with a Bose car because he has replaced the Bose speakers and amp. The only extra work for a Bose car should be running 4 line-outs wires from the head unit in the consol, to the amp in the trunk. A CDR24 has 4 line-line outs going from the head to the amp where the Bose uses fiber optics cable to bring the audio signal to the amp. The speaker cables from amp to speakers should be the same in both cars. -Stevie

Swancoat, Welcome to the club. You said that you went with vinyl because of difficulty matching the console paint. With the black trim work you have so far, why didn’t you go black? BTW, I used SEM Medium Titanium bumper cover paint and it almost a perfect match. Other questions: The two amps is one a 2 channel (for subs) and other 4 channel for the front/rears? Where there any issues in fitting the JL speakers into the doors and rear compartment? What were the JL model numbers/sizes? Picture only showed one. Were there two subs? Did you install the handbrake mod shown in (AVIC411.COM)? Finally, had you considered Eclipse or Kenwood when deciding on the Pioneer? Thanks, Stevie

I agree with Stevie. I'm not sure there's actually any original parts of the stereo left. I had a new deck, amp and speakers installed, so the fact that it's got Bose may not be much of a problem at all.

Ok, regarding a lot of the details of the install... It's been a while since I've been tinkering with car stereos and stuff, so on this one, basically I picked out my head unit, and then just laid out some requirements to the shop (lots of headroom, nicer sound quality than the factory), and let them quote me a price. I was familiar enough with the JL equipment, that I thought it would meet the requirements I was looking for, but I do NOT have the model numbers handy. I'll check my invoice, but for some reason I'm not sure the model numbers are on there (probably because they charged waay over retail). They charge a lot for installation at Custom Car, but I think they're also subsidizing their installation with expensive component costs. Anyway... One of the amps is 4 channel to drive the main speakers, and the other is mono to drive the sub. There is only one sub. (I really wanted only one sub - 8"). It seems like to a lot of people, more bass = better, but I find it can just get 'boomy'. The handbrake 'bypass' mod was done, so I can enter Nav info while driving. I chose the Pioneer for a few reasons: -XM Nav Traffic -High Speed iPod bus (The Eclipse may have those features) -change color of illumination. (Really did NOT want bright blue lights or something dumb). -Rotary volume knob (huge feature for me) -I kind of like the fixed screen and disc slot. Seems more 'factory' to me. There is the issue of only being able to use EITHER a nav disc or a CD, but I decided that between the iPod and XM, it wouldn't come up much.