ChrisGT
Nice Shirt Bilkins
Finally finished up the install of a Pioneer Appradio 2 and a '12 GT500 steering wheel in my 2007 GT with a Shaker 1000. What a giant pain in the ass.
I was going to hold out for the AppRadio 3, but I was goofing around in Best Buy one day and saw they had the AR2 marked down to $279. Pretty much irresistible. The only 2 they had left was an open box in perfect condition. They were going to sell it to me for $225, but I talked the manager down to $179
That initiated a spending spree. I went home and ordered the wheel from Levittown Ford. They have it for $167ish before shipping. Then I proceded to buy all the harnesses for the wheel, radio, dash kit, backup cam and such for around $170.
Parts I used:
Pioneer AppRadio 2
2012 GT500 Steering Wheel
Metra 99-5807 Dash Kit
Metra 70-5521 Radio Wiring Harness
5v Voltage Regulator from Radio Shack
Two-position Switch from Radio Shack
FM antenna adapter that I got from a local car audio shop.
HDE Backup Cam
PAC SWI-RC Steering Wheel Control Interface
2 Motorcraft WPT 440 Connectors (Hugely Overpriced)
Lots and lots of wire, solder, and heat shrink.
One of the things I have loved most is the new-found audio adjustability. The EQ in the stock Shaker 1000 couldn't get any worse. Adjusting the EQ, loudness, bass boost, etc in the AppRadio makes the Shaker 1000 sound unbelievable. I can't believe they are stock speakers.. also the subs in the trunk hit way harder than ever before. It's night and day. It is so nice to be able to control the music from the steering wheel now. Also, dat alcantara. I've put 78k miles on this car, but I swear it feels brand new again.
Anyway... hope you like photos, because here's a bunch. I had intended to take progress pictures and do a full write up, but I ended up getting far too stressed out during the installs.
Note the e-brake bypass switch. Works great!
You can do things like browse the internet... because that is a necessity in an automobile...
Check the radar, to dodge those pesky hail storms.
You can even explore the most advanced FM radio technology.
...and listen to FM radio in more desirable areas.
Of course, ipod. I was streaming Rdio here, but the info from Rdio shows up glitchily in the ipod app.
Also has a dedicated Pandora app.
Bluetooth fawn.
Mic hidden at the very top of the windshield. People tell me it sounds better than if I'm talking on the phone. Even with Borlas and 4.10's.
$14.99 backup cam from Amazon. Gives me enough pixels to make sure I don't back over any streetwalkers. It looks nice in the daytime.
Car is filthy from all the rain, but I hid the camera in the keyhole.
During & After
I would be happy to answer any questions about the install, seriously. PM me if you want. I feel bad for not doing a write-up and just whoring around a bunch of finished pictures.
I was going to hold out for the AppRadio 3, but I was goofing around in Best Buy one day and saw they had the AR2 marked down to $279. Pretty much irresistible. The only 2 they had left was an open box in perfect condition. They were going to sell it to me for $225, but I talked the manager down to $179
That initiated a spending spree. I went home and ordered the wheel from Levittown Ford. They have it for $167ish before shipping. Then I proceded to buy all the harnesses for the wheel, radio, dash kit, backup cam and such for around $170.
Parts I used:
Pioneer AppRadio 2
2012 GT500 Steering Wheel
Metra 99-5807 Dash Kit
Metra 70-5521 Radio Wiring Harness
5v Voltage Regulator from Radio Shack
Two-position Switch from Radio Shack
FM antenna adapter that I got from a local car audio shop.
HDE Backup Cam
PAC SWI-RC Steering Wheel Control Interface
2 Motorcraft WPT 440 Connectors (Hugely Overpriced)
Lots and lots of wire, solder, and heat shrink.
One of the things I have loved most is the new-found audio adjustability. The EQ in the stock Shaker 1000 couldn't get any worse. Adjusting the EQ, loudness, bass boost, etc in the AppRadio makes the Shaker 1000 sound unbelievable. I can't believe they are stock speakers.. also the subs in the trunk hit way harder than ever before. It's night and day. It is so nice to be able to control the music from the steering wheel now. Also, dat alcantara. I've put 78k miles on this car, but I swear it feels brand new again.
Anyway... hope you like photos, because here's a bunch. I had intended to take progress pictures and do a full write up, but I ended up getting far too stressed out during the installs.
Note the e-brake bypass switch. Works great!
You can do things like browse the internet... because that is a necessity in an automobile...
Check the radar, to dodge those pesky hail storms.
You can even explore the most advanced FM radio technology.
...and listen to FM radio in more desirable areas.
Of course, ipod. I was streaming Rdio here, but the info from Rdio shows up glitchily in the ipod app.
Also has a dedicated Pandora app.
Bluetooth fawn.
Mic hidden at the very top of the windshield. People tell me it sounds better than if I'm talking on the phone. Even with Borlas and 4.10's.
$14.99 backup cam from Amazon. Gives me enough pixels to make sure I don't back over any streetwalkers. It looks nice in the daytime.
Car is filthy from all the rain, but I hid the camera in the keyhole.
During & After
I would be happy to answer any questions about the install, seriously. PM me if you want. I feel bad for not doing a write-up and just whoring around a bunch of finished pictures.
I go to school and work all over HSV though. You'll probably see me around.
