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Hey,
Sorry if this belongs more in audio/electronics, or if it's been posted to death, but I couldn't find what I was looking for after a quick search.
I have an '04 Civic DX that I want to fully modernize. Dash cam, backup cam, maybe 360 cam if it's not that much more work, and the thing I'm having the most trouble figuring out: an android auto head unit to replace the aging CD player I've got currently.
I'm at 260K KM and the damn thing runs great still so I don't wanna waste money buying a new car, but I want some of the new features. I'm probably going to take the time to repaint my trunk as well since it's got a rust spot I need to sand down. Just trying to breathe some life into this thing. Any suggestions? I've found a few head units that I think might do the job but this is my first time doing it myself and I want to make sure I buy not only the right product, but basically the best one available with all the features I need. Currently considering the Sony XAV-AX6000.
Thanks in advance.

 
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I can't help you on the head unit, I replaced mine but purposely choose a non-smart platform. Reason I am replying is just to say if you don't already have them grab a set of the panel&trim plastic prying tools. They make the job a whole lot easier. Good luck on your project, I did add a basic rear facing camera to my 2002 EM2, pretty handy (I think it is a great upgrade for any&all vehicles).

 
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I put this head unit in my housemate's 2008 Civic. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer...?skuId=6401086
Really straightforward install. I mounted the mic for bluetooth calls on the upper steering wheel trim. It does have 2 camera inputs (but we never hooked up any backup camera to it). I know installed it on a 2008 civic, but the install would be much easier on a 2004 (I have a metric crap ton of experience modding 7thgens)

She still has the Civic, but got a CRV for ease of crotch goblin transport, and she's contemplating whether or not she wants me to swap that head unit into her CRV.

Dash cam, I'm personally rocking a Vantrue N1 and it's "hardwired" without cutting any wires. Fusetaps are life savers there. It is front facing only, but install of a rear-facing camera wouldn't be too hard. Routing the wiring cleanly will just involve you taking a bunch of panels and possibly rear seats out (not a hard job). Take a look at my "10thgen DIYs" link in my sig. There's one for hardwiring a dash cam. The process will be very, very similar on a 7thgen


edit: figured I'd throw you a bone for some things you'll need to install stuff

• You'll need a dash kit to fit a double DIN head unit into your car. Metra part number 95-7899 is what you're gonna want: http://www.metraonline.com/part/95-7899
• You'll also need a wiring harness so you don't have to cut your factory radio harness. Metra to the rescue again, with part number 70-1721: http://www.metraonline.com/part/70-1721.
  • You'll have to solder this to the head unit's harness, and it'll plug right into your factory radio harness. DO NOT hook up the orange dimmer wire. Loop and tape it off. There's a long standing history of people hooking up that orange dimmer wire and frying their instrument cluster.
• For wiring up electronics without slicing up your factory under-dash harness, these add-a-fuse fusetaps are the move. You'll just have to find some circuit that's live when you want said accessory to be powered:
  Amazon
  Amazon
  • If you want the dash cam powered when the key is in ACC mode or on, I'd use fuse 18 (it's a 15A accessory fuse for the cigarette lighter adapter socket). If you want that thing to be powered on at all times, I'd forego the fusetap and run a fused line from the battery. You're liable to drain your battery with that route though.
• Here's a similar dash cam hardwire power supply to the one I used. I'm kinda salty they started including fusetaps with the kit. This one is specifically for micro-USB powered dash cams (which mine is):
  Amazon
  Amazon
  • Red wire to the fusetap, any bolt that's touching bare metal will work for the black wire with the ring terminal

 
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thanks for the tip! i'll be sure to pick some up.

 
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this is perfect! thanks for all of the suggestions, i'll take a look at the dashcam diy link when i start the project.
really good to know about the orange dimmer wire frying the cluster, all the tips are much appreciated

 
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Def update this thread along your journey of modernizing your car. I'll try to keep an eye on this thread if you get stuck along the way

I was originally going to keep the OEM head unit in my 2018 Civic, but figured I'd give Android Auto a shot to see how useful it was. It's definitely a game changer. I didn't go aftermarket though. I found someone offloading an OEM 2021 head unit for hella cheap ($200 shipped is what I paid), so I fitted that into my car to keep up that OEM+ upgrade appearance

 
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For sure. I'll at the very least post some before and after pics if everything just goes smoothly.