RCA Cable Length to trunk from Head Unit

[IHateUserNames]

I am ordering parts to install a new head unit and speakers, currently the stock premium audio. It is my intention to run the speakers off of the decks amp for now. However, as I am running new wires to the rear speaker location, I was thinking about running a rca and a remote wire to trunk in prep for an amp install at a later date (btw, if anyone has plans for a box that matches up well to fire through the ski pass through that would be great). I was wondering what length cable i would need to run from the head unit to the trunk, down the center, or alternativly down the siderails.

It is also possible that I might actualy do tihs again in the future, and do it right with the whole 3 amps thing, but I am concerned that I will overload the alternator, as I am also installing a power inverter to run my laptop off of (my car is also the a mobil office for work) As inverter will also be mounted in the trunk, with power cables running forward to mount on the passenger side dash well, as well as the rear stock ashtray location, my understanding is that the power lines should be kept as far away from the audio lines as possible.

Should I run all wires at once in anticipation of upgrades that may not happen for a few months, can this be done w/o pulling out the front seats? Is pulling out the seats and the interior as much of a PITA as I anticipate, or should I just suck it up?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[whakiewes]

I am using 10ft JL and Memphis cables ran through the tunnel under the carpet. I have quite a bit of length left, but 6ft would be too short IMO.

Wes

[StereoInstaller1]

i AM WAY TOO DAMN LAZY TO (SHUT THE FUCKINGcaps lock off) run RCA's up the center, and there is no significant power on the left side, so I run there. I just did an E30 using 17'. If you are doing amps on the back of the box, that would be about right. I recommend running 3 pair, PLUS whatever speaker wires you may need for the future...those trim strips just SUCK!

Luke

[whakiewes]

Haha I would have never done it except I already had to carpet out switching over to tan, so it worked out well. I did use about 12-15ft of speaker cable from the amps in the rear to the front speakers, so 17ft should easily be enough.

Wes

[IHateUserNames]

Almost finalized my install plan.

It would seem that the smart move would be to run the stereo stuff down the left side, and the power inverter stuff down the right. I havn't decided on locations for the amps, so I am going to run the three RCAs as well as front left and right wires, and the remote wire for later use.

As I am on a budget, I am going with the Clarion DXZ675USB as a head unit, with a USB powered hard drive mounted in the glove box. I think that will look better than the Blaupunkt St. Louis, cost $50 less and it uses standard USB instead of a wacky proprietary USB connection like the Blaupunkt does. In the future if I choose to mount the hard drive in the trunk (less heat than the glove box) I can get a standard USB cable that is long enough.

For the front my intention is to get the MB Quart Reference RUA213 as they are on special from Crutchfield. I have read some very mixed feelings about MB Quart on here, so I am not sold on them, but the price is right.

I have no idea what I am going to replace the rear speakers with, my understanding is that they aren't as important as the front speakers. Coaxials are less expensive, and if they fit under the stock premium speaker grills, that could work, or I could install some component woofers, w/o the tweeters, and use the stock tweeters, or well, I don't know.

I have limited my product search to Crutchfield at this point because they seem to have good prices, tech support, and the number of choices aren't overwhelming. If there are suggestions on a better place to shop, I am open to them, or on equivlantly priced gear that is better, that would be awesome.

Thank you,

Harry

[netcsk]

Have a look at my install of the Kenwood USB unit. I would expect the Clarion to need external power for the hard drive like mine did. Don't worry about heat as the drive wont get hot only reading music.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=79816

[Addissimo]

It would seem that the smart move would be to run the stereo stuff down the left side, and the power inverter stuff down the right. I havn't decided on locations for the amps, so I am going to run the three RCAs as well as front left and right wires, and the remote wire for later use.

As I am on a budget, I am going with the Clarion DXZ675USB as a head unit, with a USB powered hard drive mounted in the glove box. I think that will look better than the Blaupunkt St. Louis, cost $50 less and it uses standard USB instead of a wacky proprietary USB connection like the Blaupunkt does. In the future if I choose to mount the hard drive in the trunk (less heat than the glove box) I can get a standard USB cable that is long enough.

For the front my intention is to get the MB Quart Reference RUA213 as they are on special from Crutchfield. I have read some very mixed feelings about MB Quart on here, so I am not sold on them, but the price is right.

I have no idea what I am going to replace the rear speakers with, my understanding is that they aren't as important as the front speakers. Coaxials are less expensive, and if they fit under the stock premium speaker grills, that could work, or I could install some component woofers, w/o the tweeters, and use the stock tweeters, or well, I don't know.

I have limited my product search to Crutchfield at this point because they seem to have good prices, tech support, and the number of choices aren't overwhelming. If there are suggestions on a better place to shop, I am open to them, or on equivlantly priced gear that is better, that would be awesome.

Thank you,

Harry

If I were you, I'd buy the dxz775usb off ebay for about $200... You'll love the way you can change the RGB values to match your dash perfectly. My old clarion did the same thing the 775 does, and I loved it.

-Addis

[Mless5]

Would I be able to get away with 13ft for a coupe? I'm going to run along the dash to the door sill and back.

Thanks!

[erik325i]

i AM WAY TOO DAMN LAZY TO run RCA's up the center.

Luke

Really? I think running the RCAs down the center is easier than dealing with those side trim strips.
I ran all three pair of RCAs down the center of my car (under the center console, and then under the carpet). I didn't think it was very difficult at all.

-Erik

[T.Dot_E30]

Really? I think running the RCAs down the center is easier than dealing with those side trim strips.
I ran all three pair of RCAs down the center of my car (under the center console, and then under the carpet). I didn't think it was very difficult at all.

-Erik

Where you able to get it under the carpet without removing alot of stuff to get under the carpet?

[erik325i]

Where you able to get it under the carpet without removing alot of stuff to get under the carpet?

yeah, there is only about six inches or so of carpet between the e-brake console and the rear seat. I think I used a coat hanger to fish the wires though that section of carpet after I pulled the rear seat and consoles out.

-Erik