Double DIN conversion

[ironrice]

My question is do I have to get the JDM Climate control buttons if I get the JDM double DIN conversion kit? Also, if I change out my stereo to a Eclipse AVN5435, http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mboT8HV...ipse+ AVN5435, can I still keep the OEM amp for the rear speakers?

[jl9618]

I believe you do have to get the climate control buttons when you do your double din conversion. Grubbs has a kit that you can look into on thier website.

As for the factory amp I believe you cannot use it due to the ohm rating difference. For what it's worth, you *need* to amp your fronts if anything. A lot of people run the rears directly off the head unit as they are used primarily for filler sound. If you are doing some high powered system then I would recommend a 4 channel amp to run all the speakers or go with a 2 channel up front and a 2 channel in the rear.

Don't you love the factory bose system

[ironrice]

I got a JL 300/2 amp and some CDT CL-62 components for the front so I'm covered there. Well, good I can rip out the factory piece of shit system.

[jl9618]

good luck

[shdowflare]

Hey guys,

I just read this post and I bought the AVN5435 head unit this week. I thought I'd be able to use it with the stock amp. Has anyone verified that there are problems with this setup?

Thanks
Brian

[zeroscythe]

The stock bose speakers did not work for me when i changed out the head unit. Plus if your going to spend all that money on a head unit, might as well get the speakers and amps to go with it. Second off, dont go with Crutchfield they rip u off, your better off going to a good shop (i took mine to Al and Eds) and having them hook u up on both the equipment and install, because either way u look at it they're still going to charge u up the ying yang for install, especially on a head unit like that and even more so if u dont buy it from them. Also by the way if you have an 05 or 06 the climate control bottons (A/C controller) offered on grubbs doesnt work. That controller seems to be 03-04 specific. Also be sure that ever where u happen to take it for the install that they know what they're doing. Unfortunately our cars are very difficult to work on, removing the oem headunit alone requires removal of the entire center console, arm rest, and passanger side glove box (well 05 at least).

[shdowflare]

So it looks like I'll need to spend more money then. I really only bought the AVN5435 for the navigation and DVD capability; I was happy with the stock audio. But if I need to replace the amplifier to make the stock audio work, does anyone have any good suggestions for one that will work fine with the stock speakers?

Also, what are the technical specs on the stock speakers/amp? Where can I get this info?

Thanks again,
Brian

[iTzRayRay]

hi i just got the AVN 5495 installed at a nice shop all my speakers are functional i dont know what they did but yeah i love my unit! u should have gotten the hdd unit like me i can swap from navi to video or navi to MP3 with out any disc swapping because all my maps are on hdd its worth the money. and yeah i had to get a/c controller double din face panel and bracket totalof like ... 400 or so dollars

[shdowflare]

Hey Ray,

I'm glad you like your setup! I chose the AVN5435 because I want satellite radio and it supports Sirius. The HDD model doesn't though...either way this is one awesome navi!

Good luck,
Brian

[ZErO LIM iTz]

i wouldve gotten the stock navigation system instead of this if you guys mainly got it for the gps

[shdowflare]

I think the stock looks nice, but there were several reasons why I opted to run with the Eclipse over the stock unit. I figured I'd share them with the group for what it's worth:

1. Cost - from what I've read the list cost of the Infiniti stock navi system is $2000, not including any kits, harnesses, or other hardware necessary to install it. When all is said and done, you'll end up paying $2500 or probably more. I found one stock navi used on eBay and it sold for $1500, with a large scratch on the front of it - see http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/INFIN... 3326948QQrdZ1.
That's how much I ended up paying for my AVN5435 and double DIN kit combined (both of which I also bought used, however, in near-mint condition with no visual blemishes).

2. Availability - The stock navigation system can't be purchased from Infiniti, according to what I've read in the forums. They'll direct you to an aftermarket brand. The other option is finding someone who wants to take theirs out of their G35 - that doesn't happen very often since most who have it won't want to remove it. That said, I did find someone on eBay (as stated above) who was selling theirs. However, that's the only one I've ever found and it seemed like it would be a real challenge to ever locate one again.

3. Features - I've heard tons of complaints from other forum members stating that the stock unit is a pain because you can't adjust the GPS locations without the e-brake engaged. No DVD playing or A/V inputs on the stock system either. The Eclipse doesn't have these restrictions, and I can put the PS2 in the car for long trips to keep my passengers entertained. I also plan to get the Sirius tuner installed, but since the stock Bose system supports that as well it's a moot point to discuss here.

4. Appearance - I agree that the stock navigation system looks great, especially how it slides out of its hiding spot to present its screen. It was very important for me to preserve that attractive "stock" look of the car's interior. I didn't want to ruin the Infiniti interior engineers' hard work! Here's a link to some photos of the AVN5435 installed - http://g35driver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79162. As you can see, it looks stock and doesn't clash with the design of the interior at all.

Bottom line is that the stock navi looks awesome and I wish I had gotten my G with it installed. But weighing the options has led to me the conclusion that an aftermarket solution makes more sense in the areas of cost, functionality, and general availability.