Clarion CX501 Installed

creellimit · 08-25-2011, 07:12 PM

bigaudiofanat has it right. I did not add an amp, and used the stock speakers. Sound quality is noticeablly better than the oem head unit.
I bought a wiring harness adapter from Crutchfield. I soldered it together with the Clarion harness on a workbench. The metra sterring wheel controls connect to 3 wires in the factory harness. I crimped those connections because I didn't want to solder inside the car. The response from the metra is very quick and with manual programming I retained all steering wheel controls. You will have to program it manually though, so don't button it all back up until programming is complete. You have to see the led on the metra to program it.
If you are looking for a good low end unit without touchscreen, I would recommend it.

The unit looks like it was meant for the car. More OEM than the OEM if you get my drift, especially at night.

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08-25-2011, 07:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
creellimit Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SC Posts: 19 Drives: 09 370Z MB 6MT Rep Power: 16	bigaudiofanat has it right. I did not add an amp, and used the stock speakers. Sound quality is noticeablly better than the oem head unit. I bought a wiring harness adapter from Crutchfield. I soldered it together with the Clarion harness on a workbench. The metra sterring wheel controls connect to 3 wires in the factory harness. I crimped those connections because I didn't want to solder inside the car. The response from the metra is very quick and with manual programming I retained all steering wheel controls. You will have to program it manually though, so don't button it all back up until programming is complete. You have to see the led on the metra to program it. If you are looking for a good low end unit without touchscreen, I would recommend it. The unit looks like it was meant for the car. More OEM than the OEM if you get my drift, especially at night.