[mcduck]

Well, after working on the install off and on over a week, my stereo has been upgraded. Overall, I would estimate install time (done at a leisurely, non-stressful pace) was around 7-8 hours.

My install included replacing the head unit, installing Satellite stereo receiver and antenna, mounting amp, replacing door speakers, and relocating speakers for the factory NAV system.

Here are a couple of pics of the finished product... sorry about the poor lighting. Factory NAV & DDX7015...

 

[mcduck]

... and here is were we located the Satellite antenna.

I've only been riding with this in for 4 days, but so far I have had zero issues with Satellite radio reception. Only loss of signal has been when the car is rolled in my garage with the garage door closed.

 

[nismokid]

WOW!!! That looks awesome since there are 2 screens (make it looks very clean). Did the face plate come with the HU or did you have it custom made? Thanks in advance.

 

[mcduck]

Install Notes...

Most of this has been covered in other thread so I will only include my new observations.

1 - Like any aftermarket stereo, the DDX7015 has a plethora of wires protruding from the back. And it is a pain to get it to slide into place because those wires take up space... it will fit with persistence and patience. BUT, I would highly recommend adding any wiring you anticipate you will need during install so you don't have to remove and remount the HU later. In my case, this meant running RCAs for Subs and video inputs and outputs even though I won't be adding them for a while.

2 - Get the Metra dash kit... matches the curve of the dash perfectly! Give the install a very "factory" look IMO.

3 - We installed the Satellite tuner and amp behind the driver seat in the compartment where the Sub would sit if I had a BOSE system. If you do this be careful how you route your wires and cables!!! There are two holes just behind the center console that lead into the area behind the seats. These are ideal for routing wire, but the console storage area rests right above them. If you run too many cables (remember all my RCAs for future additions?), the rear of the console will not sit flush as it does stock! We had to work with this a bit to get it to fit properly.

4 - Door speakers.. it is highly likely if you replace the 6.5" speakers in the door panel, you will need some spacers. Even with the Kenwood Excelon speaker I have (with a very small magnet), the speaker would hit the windows while they were rolled down. Other than that, no problems with speaker mounting.

Overall, the install was pretty easy... you just have to take your time. Especially when it comes to removing panels and such.

After I've had another week or two to feel it out, I'll post a review of the DDX7015 and system in general. I can tell already that I want more base. The upgrades sound good, but you can only get so much low frequency out of a 6.5" speaker.

 

[mcduck]

NismoKid... the face plate is from the Metra Dash kit (see Toykilla's pinned note in this section for the model number). It is a single DIN face plate, but it is easy to cut out and the plastic piece in the middle to make it double DIN.

And I too am digging the double screen. I like the fact that I can still view the NAV screen even if I have something else up on the Kenwood LCD. :thumbsup:

 

[INTENSE1]

Nice install I like the double screen look, did you hook up the voice for nav. I've been trying to find out if the nav can push an unamplified speaker loud enough to be heard while driving, Thanks

 

[bubble]

mcduck,

the metra dask kit you mention, is it the same as this one:

http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/NISSAN_3...KIT_p_1951.html

where do you buy yours?

 

[z-incognito]

Looks good my friend... im gettin mine installed this friday... along wit the the JL Stealthbox and Focal 165K2P Fronts... cant wait

 

[Perth 350z]

Very nice. No dount you will be another very happy DDX7015 owner

 

[cedusett]

Looks good

 

[mcduck]

Answers to first round of questions...

INTENSE1... Yes, the NAV output will be enough to run the voice speaker. BUT... you must be very careful about where you mount the speaker(s). We hooked up the original 1" tweeters (both of them) to the NAV speaker output. It was not extremely loud, but loud enough to be heard with the stereo muted. However, we then mounted those two speakers in the A-pillar... figured this would be pretty slick as it keeps them hid. Well, the volume is not enough to carry the voice through the A-pillar material. So, we're not looking to have a small speaker surface mounted up front somewhere or tucking a 4x6 up under the dash.

Bubble... The Metra Dash Kit you need is #99-7402. I do not know if that is the same one pictured in the link you posted, but it definitely looks the same. For the DDX7015, all you need is the faceplate. The stereo attaches to the factory mounts and bolts right in. My dash kit was comped to me as part of the bigger purchase. All components bought from Freeman's Car Stereo in Gastonia, NC. If you call them, ask for Rob Lamb and tell him Andy, the guy who just installed a DDX7015 in a 350Z sent you. He'll know who I am.

z-incognito... Let me know how the Focals sound... I'm a little disappointed with the Kenwood speakers. They're not bad, I just think they could be better. Hoping the addition of a sub will clean things up later.


On a quick review note... I'm very happy with the DDX7015. It has a vast array of functionality and is easy to manipulate once you are familiar with the screens. If you get one, definitely spend about an hour in your driveway playing with it and figuring out how to navigate using the touch screen. No need to try to figure out things while you drive and potentially have an accident.

Only real disappointment so far is that my local radio tuner does not pick up as well as the factory unit did. Hoping this is because the antenna wire came loose during the install or something. If not, it's not a terribly big deal since I have Sirius now. Just is nice for local traffic and news.

I'll keep an eye on this thread in case there are more questions. Sorry folks, I didn't think to take pics during the install. If I have to go back in for the antenna wire, I'll be sure to grab some pis then.

 

[TrackZ03]

The 7015 looks great man!

 

[stu46]

Looks sweet!

 

[INTENSE1]

Thanks for the info, I'll be installing a new hu and speakers this weekend. Now I just got to fiqure out where to put the nav speaker.

 

[z_trouble]

welcome to the club!

 

[mcduck]

UPDATE!

Well, after having the new stereo for almost 3 weeks, I pulled the trigger and finished it out with the addition of a sub. I'm now running another Kenwood Amp and a JL Audio 10" Subwoofer enclosure at 240 Watts bridged.

Picked the car up last night from the install shop and could not be happier with the sound! Bass is obviously much more prevalent, but to my liking it does not overpower the rest of the stereo. It won't win me any sound competitions, but I don't think I could have hoped for a more balance system. The best part is, if I decide I need a little more base, I have plenty of dial up on the amp still. Gain is set to its absolute minimum at the moment. Will make tweaks over the next week until I get everything just where I like it.

The enclosure was built into the spare tire area. Since I have aftermarket rims and my car has been dropped, the spare doesn't do me much good anyway. Everything is fashioned in such a way that I can throw the factory carpet over the top and you would never know anything is there (except for the booming bass note, of course!)

It's nothing extra fancy... just a nice clean install. Sorry no pics yet. Grabbed the car late last night. Will try to get a few pics over the weekend to post.

 

[KShep]

Nice work Andy...thanks for posting. Audio is next in my list and this setup is right up my alley. Does your new HU accept input from a backup camera type device?

 

[studybuddy]

Originally posted by z-incognito@Oct 28 2004, 01:25 AM
Looks good my friend... im gettin mine installed this friday... along wit the the JL Stealthbox and Focal 165K2P Fronts... cant wait

JL Stealthbox is very nice. Definitely worth the money. My first one came and the subs were crooked, so I sent it back about a month after having it. They gave me a brand new one with no cost. Sound is perfect. Very loud for 2 10's. They are perfect for the box and the car.

Sorry for the thread jack there.

That is the HU I hope to be going with soon. Thanks for the informative post mcduck. Looks awesome!

 

[mcduck]

Nice work Andy...thanks for posting. Audio is next in my list and this setup is right up my alley. Does your new HU accept input from a backup camera type device?

Yes, the DDX7015 has left/right/video inputs for another video source. My car is already wired with this as well as another RCA video out so I can expand with a 15" LCD monitor and PS2 sometime next year.

 

[studybuddy]

Where in he!! are you putting a 15" monitor?