I am planning an in-dash motorized monitor install, and have been contemplating various locations. I think I've decided to go with the aftermarket gauge location (where the stock clock is located). Before I look any further into this I would like to get someone's experienced opinion on how hard or easy of a task this is. Do I have to take the dashboard off? Are there directions for the gauge installation that might be applicable to illustrate the steps involved? What do I do with the stock clock wiring?

 

I just sent you A PM about this

 

can you send it to me too? or much better post it because this is an interesting topic.. tks bro

 

You are going to get lots of opinions on this one...

I chose the in-dash method (where the stock HU normally goes). I considered many options as you...

1. Flip out Unit
2. Unit mounted on Dash where the clock is
3. In-Dash (MattJK from NASIOC and Ebay $350)

Flip out units typically end up having mechanical problems with the flip out mechanism...too many moving parts...plus, unless you mount it low, the screen will actually block the AC vents and create condensation in the screen...

Units mounted on the dash...not that you are ever suppose to play and watch movies from the front area of your vehicle, are sure cop attractors...I wouldn't be caught with your screen on up front...heavy fines.

The best choice for me is the in-dash 7" screen...pretty incognito...unless you look really close...it just looks like a void in your dash...it sits pretty low so you can actually be playing a video without being seen through your back window...I also installed a 7" Alpine Flip Down unit for the rear passengers...

Here is the part that gets some people on this forum...I mounted my Alpine DVD player in the stock Gauge housing where the clock is...to me, it's fine...to others, not...oh well...to each his own...It's pretty convenient for me, easily within reach and the Alpine DVD HU with the Orange and Blue Display looks awesome and compliments my Silver STI...

Just some ideas to think about...

I posted some pics of my car a while back with the install...click on the link below

https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...ighlight=brent

 

A couple of things that I forgot to mention and concerns that I have:

1. My car is a 2004 2.5 RS

2. I installed the under the seat subwoofer that is available from subaru. Is there any way to hook it up to my new head unit? It came with a 14 pin to plug the factory 14 pin into, which then connected to the head unit. The only other thing that needed to be hooked up was the ground for the sub.

3. (more of a concern) The 14 pin that I bought from the local sound shop has 13 wires coming out of it. Are there only 13 wires going into the 14 pin on the factory head unit attachment?

4. Does my car have a power booster for the antenna? Is the only attachment to the head unit at the other plug in (actual antenna plug in), or does the antenna need some sort of power supply?

 

Thought I'd share my set-up.... AVIC-N1 in factory gauge location.... http://www.cardomain.com/id/sagelwwawrx

 

is there a "pod" on the market for mounting the radio up top? or is it the normal gauge pod that you modified to work?

 

its the OEM gauge pod

 

how much is an oem gauge pod. where do you get'm?