tradosauru

I thought it would be beneficial for those thinking about upgrading their OEM audio units to be able to browse one thread of pictures of audio upgrades with prices.

I will start.

Original audio: Standard (not Mark Levinson)
Reciever: Sony Model WXGT90BT
Specs: CD - Built-in Bluetooth - AppleŽ iPodŽ- and Satellite Radio-Ready - In-Dash Receiver
Cost: $185
Installation/Material cost: $465
Installer: Best Buy

Looking at the receipt I have the following labor and material charges:
1) Standard indash install - $65
2) 2 channel/mono amp install - $100
3) Factory amp bypass/integration - $50
4) 300 W Class D subwoofer - $100
5) TC5Kit-10 AWG Complete amp kit - $35
6) MC918-20, 20 ft speed wire - $32
7) Sirius XM Connect Vehicle Tuner - $40
8) Standard integration parts (Metra 44-EC204, Metra 40-LX10, Metra 95-8160G) - $50

whooodat

iTrader: (4)

Looks great! Congrats!!!

The only thing to do now....ENJOY IT!

I did my own install- ripped out ML system and installed all new speakers, amp, and 12" sub. It took along time but was worth every second.

tradosauru

Pics or it didn't happen.

whooodat

iTrader: (4)

BOOM................GOES........................THE DYNAMITE!










-aftermarket headunit latest and greatest double-din / beatsonic kit- $622
- (1) 4 channel amps- $194
-aftermarket components- (2) 6.5 two way $155
-aftermarket antenna $25
-aftermarket powered/loaded 12" subwoofer with slim box.- $175
-4 Gauge power wire and 8 gauge ground & power wire- going to the distribution blocks, JL Audio 16 gauge speaker wire (72 feet of it), RCA's, Bass controller, (2) distribution blocks= $355

TOTAL= $1,526 parts only
LABOR= $0.00 did it myself

If wanted to keep the stock wiring untouched and no tapping into the harnesses (just in case I ever sell the car the person can go back to the ML system. The toughest part of this project was running the speaker wire throughout the car, fishing it through the rubber booties of the all the doors, and customizing the speaker brackets (Dremel).

Bassking11

How did u keep climate controls/navi working with aftermarket

tallcaguy

Pretty cool! You still have backup cam and HVAC controls. Is the CD player a single disc? On mine, am redoing ML speakers (sub woof, front doors). Dealer installed ML amp done just before I bought the car. Hope it sounds better than it does now!!!

toantran99

Car with with ML audio and Nav.












This install took forever but it was worth it.
Added in new tweeters, 2 set of components speakers, Momo, and Polk db651 series, old Kicker amp 4 channels ZX650 I think, newer model JL audio 1000 watts, JL W7 sub, Pioneer Avh-x7700bt. added front camera, backup camera, nav, and hvac still works.

OsideTurbo

I think this thread is a great idea since so many amps and CD players have failed and are failing as these cars get older. However, I think it is important for those posting to state at the top whether they began with standard audio or a Mark Levinson system and probably mention whether they have navigation as well. The systems are so different and the Mark Levinson amp and high ohm speakers add so many wrinkles that future viewers of this thread reading for ideas and advice need to know what type of system they are looking at because those who own cars without Mark Levinson have a lot more options for aftermarket brands and will likely have much less expense. It would be frustrating to read through a bunch of stereo builds only to realize later that most of them are not applicable to your car. The first thing an owner needs to know is whether the post is about standard or ML because they are not compatible.

Please state at the top of your post whether your LS430 came with standard audio or Mark Levinson.

LS430cb

It would be nice if we could do an aftermarket system and be able to control it through the nav screen without having two screens. That's why for now all I've done is the Isty571 and Pac LP3-4.

whooodat

iTrader: (4)

Tallcaguy-
-CD/DVD is a single disc with a power/usb connection in the glovebox. Head-unit you can shutoff the subwoofer from the sound menu which is nice.
-Amp is hidden in the left quarter panel behind the toolkit

Bassking11-
I bought the Beatsonic kit that lets you control the climate controls/navi working with aftermarket head-unit.

joemamma19

joemamma19

Just got my Pioneer AVH4000NEX installed. As you can see, mine is 2002 non-navi LS430. Just started driving this and had to have BT. Unit has 256gb sdcard full of mp4 movies, 2 usb inputs(one for CarPlay with my iPhone) and another for 1 TB hard drive with more movies and 18000+ songs in mp3 and or FLAC lossless format. The unit also has hdmi input for AppRadio, or mirroring my phone or other hdmi devices. There are also 2 more auxiliary inputs, i use 1 for Digital TV Tuner. This unit can be used with Pioneer's Navigation module, but I have not decided to install it because of the navigation on the iPhone. It also has sirius/xm radio. Really brings the 02 into the digital era.
Next project is installing my Sub and amp. The factory sub is shot and i am going to check all the other speakers in the doors.

Romanova

Great thread bump! This is on my short list as I have a non-ML car. Just trying to figure out what HU I want...

bloomwcjkl

I put in the USA Spec BT45-TOY.

Install took about 30 minutes. BlueTooth, Aux and charging cord capabilities. Calling features. Pretty slick for $137 with free shipping from eBay.

stopdrpnro

Just had the crappy ml amp go out on me. I know the amp has to stay put for things to work. Any way to use an aftermarket 5channel amp to power the system? seems like a better use of $ than paying 350 to repair the factory amp