Car Toys install = mixed results...

[PHO2GR4]

But there are definitely COOL things about this stereo upgrade, too:

Let's start off with a shout-out to my homies:

Shawn (Psychos2) made me a subwoofer enclosure for my 10" CDT Audio sub. It fits like a GLOVE (a really, really tight glove!) in the spare tire hatch. And it sounds FREAKIN' AWESOME now. I actually had to bring down the bass a bit from the installer's level, because at mid- to high-volumes, that sub pretty much blows out the windows.

As long as I never, ever get a flat tire, this rear-door sub enclosure is an extremely worthwhile mod. If any of you are 'on the fence' about it, just do it: contact Psychos2 and get him to build an enclosure for you.

Greg (Orion) hooked me up with a mint-condition Ford Taurus cup-holder/coin tray insert. It's now residing in the lower single-DIN CD changer space. It also fits like a glove, and it looks completely stock. I can confirm that standard Wild Cherry Pepsi cans fit in there...but nothing larger than a regular soda can!

I'm still testing the rest of the system, but it rocks like a mo fo. The rear camera WORKS, even if I don't like the camera mount job. The Kenwood DVD/stereo/GPS Navigation/Sirius Radio/iPod adapter all work perfectly, as far as I can tell. The retractable 7" monitor looks pretty damn close to a stock system, if the VX had come with one! It's a perfect height and size, and it is BRIGHT and sharp. (At night it automatically dims.)

So. Good stuff. Thanks again to Shawn and Greg for the assists!

PS: YES, photos are coming. It's dark and raining outside right now, plus I'd rather wait until the rear-camera tumor has been excised.

[cyronman]

You're not being picky.
They clearly were dumbasses when it came to passing along the install info.
They could have even called you before they touched it if there was a misunderstanding.

Does the cup holder get in the way of the gear shifter at all?

[biju]

i agree... you're not being picky at all...

I've heard their work is dubious at best - NATIONWIDE... and read several online reviews to the same tune...

when you take it back - hover over them like white on rice... shoot, if you have to go so far as to project manage them through the camera install - do it.

Or, there's always my favorite solution... Stand in the corner of the install bay and wield a knife crazily until the job's done right.

(...that visual always cracks me up... haha... adopted from Happy Time Harry of ATHF.)

-biju.

[PHO2GR4]

Thanks guys...I didn't THINK I was being picky, and considering what the whole package cost, I hope they'll agree that the camera should be installed differently.

Cyronman, the cup holder fits perfectly and doesn't get in the way of the gear shift at all. Again, I promise to add photos to my gallery when the fixes are made!

Any ideas on why the ignition is shocking me now?!?

[MZ-N10]

can we take pictures of the botched install job?

[nfpgasmask]

This is why I am afraid to anything other than my own work. No matter what, NO ONE cares as much as YOU.

Bart

[PHO2GR4]

But...but...they seemed to care BEFORE I'd given them any money!!!


I've been cruising around a bit today, and the new system sounds very, very nice. I am definitely impressed. It amazes me how much better the VX can sound with some simple changes!

Adding a good subwoofer with a decent amp, and then routing all of the low-end to it, seems to free up the stock speakers to do a better job handling the mids and highs.

The extra power makes the music clearer...not just louder...although the loudness is a fringe benefit!

Bottom line, I'm very happy with the new stereo. And if they fix the rear-camera mount, I'll be even happier.

PS: SNOW in Seattle today.

[CrnCnn]

PS: YES, photos are coming. It's dark and raining outside right now, plus I'd rather wait until the rear-camera tumor has been excised.

I like progress pics. See were its been, were its going and were it is...

To quote another thread you said you were waiting for the skidplate

To quote Rons email to me "If you get the impression that my products take a while, it's because they may be big parts (skidplates especially) which require agonizing attention to detail and I do ALL of the fabricating when I can spare the time. My spare time IS limited and when I do have it, I work on finishing other peoples orders as quickly as humanly possible without compromising the quality that I would expect in any part."

[PHO2GR4]

I like progress pics. See were its been, were its going and were it is...

To quote another thread you said you were waiting for the skidplate

To quote Rons email to me "If you get the impression that my products take a while, it's because they may be big parts (skidplates especially) which require agonizing attention to detail and I do ALL of the fabricating when I can spare the time. My spare time IS limited and when I do have it, I work on finishing other peoples orders as quickly as humanly possible without compromising the quality that I would expect in any part."

Okay, I'll get off my Duff Beer and take some interim photos.

I'm glad that Ron sent an email to you! It would be nice if he sent one to ME, but I don't want to bug him because I would rather have him finishing the skid plate than composing emails, if his time is so tight.