Not that it hasn't been documented before, but I doubt anyone has done their head unit install (specifically, the harness) this way so I thought I'd share some pics.

Disassembled the Metra wiring harness.


Wiring harness soldered, shrink tubed, and now with expandable sleeve.


Alpine CDA-9815 head unit installed in Metra dash kit.


iPod cable, routed to top part of armrest. Check out the grommet.


Another view of the iPod cable end, just because I was so proud of it hehe


Alpine KCA-420i iPod adapter brain, fits nicely atop the SRS module.


Harness connected, everything works!


Voilą!


I dig it so far, though I have to admit I'm finding this car pretty difficult to tune with an aftermarket head unit and stock speakers. I'm guessing the stock speakers were well matched to the Pioneer head unit, but trying to equalize everything has not been easy... and is still not complete. Amp install will have to wait until I can sell my old stuff and buy some new ones. I'm also awaiting the arrival of my Optima Yellow Top before I bother with redoing my battery terminals and routing RCA's and power cables.

Finally, the iPod integration is... well... usable. It's not great, it's pretty slow when used with this head unit which is 2+ years old. I have been told that it's MUCH better with the new CDA-9853 and CDA-9855 Alpine head units, so one of those may be in the future for me...

Enjoy

 

wow.. nice writeup and pics! (not to mention pretty clean)

 

thanks. I'm still making tons of playlists on my ipod but I'll have to go for another head unit eventually.

 

nice install. I love it when people do clean wire work

 

yeah so I never posted the finished product of my ipod install... hehe

 

real good job

 

i 2nd that.. VERY nice job.. very clean and stealthy.. not to mention looks as good as factory!

that's what I like to see a nice clean install, very professional, and yeah I like the grommet too!

 

thanks. I take a lot of pride in my installs, so taking my time was the key. :D

 

can you describe where the wires go when they go out of the small arm rest hole & grommet ?

do they go down into the bigger arm rest area ?

 

They actually go behind it. I dremelled out where the hinge is, and it just rests behind it. You'll need to be careful though, because the sharp plastic can puncture the jacket on the wires. I covered mine in electrical tape, just as a backup. I had to disassemble the whole armrest assembly to do this, but it's pretty easy to figure out. I probably should have taken a few more pics of where I dremel'd, maybe I can do that this week sometime.

 

hey...where did u purchase ur headunti from? and where did u get the harness from too?

 

Hey man, great job. I'm gonna have to show this to a buddy of mine looking to get a tC. Keep up the good work.

 

Oh I bought the head unit a few years back, from ebay. The harness I bought from Best Buy, but I modified it myself and fixed it all up with the expandable sleeve tubing.