SirCharlo

Hey guys !
I was glad to find this website, as i have a brand new 1996 Civic and will probably have a few questions in the years to come.

Right now, I'm planning a radio mod duh.

How does one go about changing the antenna on these babies ? I broke it while backing into my Tempo

Also, do you recommend any radios in particular ?
I'm looking for a not too expensive (under 200$) model with either (in order of preference) Bluetooth, iPod port or auxiliary jack, as my iPod touch can stream music with any of these ways.

Thank you !

OCDjG

Shouldn't be too hard to replace that antenna. From what I gather you just have to un-screw the old one, un-snake the wire from inside the cabin and redo the process with a new one. I'd double check that though.

As for a radio option that has bluetooth, an aux. input for your ipod, and that is priced at or below $200, I'd say look at the Alpine CDE-103BT.

SirCharlo

Hey OCDjG !
Thanks for the quick reply.

I will look into what you said about the antenna...

Thx for the suggestion about the radio...

I think i might scrap Bluetooth, as i really don't need it for my phone, it would be primarily for my iPod touch, and the model you specified does not support A2DP (or something like that - basically means wireless music streaming from mobile device).

All I'd want is a radio to play MP3 CDs and my iPod (be wired or wireless).
The model you specified does not come with the necessary iPod cables, anyway

More ideas ?

OCDjG

At $200 not really but with an aux. jack all you need is a $5 cable from radio shack to connect your itouch to the radio. The only down sides of this option is the fact that you cannot control the ipod through the radio like other HU's with integrated ipod control features, and it won't charge your battery either. If those issues are not a problem for you then this HU is probably your best bet. Otherwise you would need to consider going second hand or increasing your limit.

sheepdog

search crutchfield. it lets you narrow down chices for mp3/iPod/BT... Alpine is a good option. Some HU's allow a digital signal to be sent from the iPod to the HU (theoretically offering better sound quality). If that isn't an issue, then any aux jack w/ a radio shack cable will work (as stated above)

SirCharlo

Hey guys !

Situation update: I've locked on to this model: Sony MEX-BT3700U

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

The sales rep told me that i didn't need an adapter to make the radio fit in with the dash... Not sure i believe this guy though. What are your thoughts?

Also, where would i find a snap-on wire harness, as described here:
http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs...PDF/466013.pdf

And finally, the n00best question of all, how do i go about connecting the wires from the new radio and from the wiring harness together ?
(And please don't post saying that "if you don't know, then you shouldn't try"... I'm a DIYer who learns as he goes. Thank you.)

Thanks for your time!

6thgencivic908

its real easy it will take you probably all of 30 mins to properly connect the harness.first off all the harness has all labeled wires, such as fl fr rr rl and antenna ect. also the radio itself should have a book telling you what the wires are or they also will be marked.


the most difficult part of the whole installation is takings all the interior panels off and making shure you dont damage any of the other factory installed wiring harness clips.

now if you are thinking of ever putting subwoofers in it wiuld be advisable to hook up the rca cables now and tuck them somewhere for the time being. also note that the REM wire for sub which is crutial for the amp to turn on should be spliced and or just cannected to the antennna wire. this is so your amp is not drawing current except for when your radio is on.

also make shure you have a good 3hrs in a garage that you can devote to this project just in case something goes wrong, and if a panel is not coming off make sure all screws are out. it may seem like i am insulting your intelligence but there are a few hidden screws thst you dont wanna bust off unless you waant your car to look like a P.O.S


* you can get the wiring harness almost anywhere that sells head units. even most walmarts will have a schosce harness

SirCharlo

Thank you, 6thgen !

I'll keep you posted on the progress.

SirCharlo

Hey all ! I bought the radio mentionned above, 169.99 on sale at FutureShop, sale ends today [edit: sale extended until the tenth of december]

Will install soon...

SirCharlo

Oh yeah.

The radio is in. And it works.

Damn, it resurrected my factory speakers !

If anyone else is interested, I'd definitely recommend that radio to anyone.
Bluetooth works great, with my phone and iPod touch.

Only 'but': Bluetooth sometimes stops for a second (not even) during audio playback; however I think this is a problem with my iPod, since i tried it in a friend's car (Ford F150 Platinum wtih integrated Bluetooth) and it did the same thing.

So, great radio, at a great price.

Pics coming soon !

SirCharlo

Here you go !