My 2005 X5 Aftermarket Radio Install Thread

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Nice navigator... better than an alligator..

No doubt

They are so numerous in my yard I don't even notice them anymore. When I work on my corvette any they all come out and watch. I need to get some pics of it happening. I mean like 50 lizards all at different spots on things in the yard around where I am working just watching what I am doing.

When I walk around the yard some follow me. Several run ahead of where ever I am going. Its pretty wild.

They get 10 to 12 inches long including the tail. Most are about 6 or 7 inches long.

I looked them up on the net and they are called fence lizards around here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_fence_lizard

[Crowz]

Ok looking at the wiring again here is my plan of attack so far.

6 is my ibus

2 will be ground

The switched 12v positive is the tricky part.

I show 7 and 11 both have 12 volts but I cant tell if they are key switched or not.

They look to be hot all the time. So I will have to fine a spot to pull a key switch power source from. I guess the fuse box is where I will have to pull from which I am dreading. I kill ripped open and bleeding every time I reach my arm into that dash.

I would pull off the radio's amp or antenna switching but I don't know how much power this interface pulls and I am already powering the reverse camera off those.

[blakamin]

Originally Posted by wpoll

I skink he is hungry....

+1 innernets for you!

Originally Posted by Crowz

The switched 12v positive is the tricky part.

I show 7 and 11 both have 12 volts but I cant tell if they are key switched or not.

Good luck with that... I have a BT AUX plug and spent ages trying to find an ACC switched 12v that is actually constant, and doesn't just randomly turn off.

Be interested in what you end up with so I can get the POS running.

[Crowz]

Well I went to do the ibus install and I don't have anymore wire that isn't 2 gauge or something (for my solar stuff on the house). So I ordered a spool of 18 gauge wire and amazon says it will be here oct 16th so Monday. Cant wire it up without wire to get to the fuse box

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Crowz

Well I went to do the ibus install and I don't have anymore wire that isn't 2 gauge or something (for my solar stuff on the house). So I ordered a spool of 18 gauge wire and amazon says it will be here oct 16th so Monday. Cant wire it up without wire to get to the fuse box

Let me know next time, I design and build racing wire harnesses for a living so I have as much tefzel wire you will ever need in all gauges, 2 - 26 ga in all colors and striping.

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Let me know next time, I design and build racing wire harnesses for a living so I have as much tefzel wire you will ever need in all gauges, 2 - 26 ga in all colors and striping.

Cool will do !

I don't do much light gauge stuff anymore so I never think to keep it around. Most of what I've been wiring across the summer has been for the solar setup on my house which basically has been welding cables.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Crowz

Well I went to do the ibus install and I don't have anymore wire that isn't 2 gauge or something (for my solar stuff on the house). So I ordered a spool of 18 gauge wire and amazon says it will be here oct 16th so Monday. Cant wire it up without wire to get to the fuse box

The cigarette lighter is not switched?

Glad to hear you received the Ibus interface. Still waiting to see how your completed project turns out before I completely gut my 4.8 to do a setup. Going to take forever... will be doing sub/amp setup at the same time.

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

The cigarette lighter is not switched?

Glad to hear you received the Ibus interface. Still waiting to see how your completed project turns out before I completely gut my 4.8 to do a setup. Going to take forever... will be doing sub/amp setup at the same time.

The lighter isn't key switched. I think it goes to sleep eventually but its live after turning the key off for awhile at least.

I'm going to use some of those fuse taps I bought earlier to hook to a fuse in the glove box fuse box.

I will eventually go the full amp and speaker redo eventually but I am so impressed with how the factory speakers sound right now with the new radio that I just want to add a jl audio stealth box sub and amp at first.

I will probably put the sub in around Christmas time I guess with so many other projects still to do.

[crystalworks]

There was a marked improvement in audio quality when doing my Avin install as well. That truck did not have DSP though and this one does so the install will involve a lot more work/effort. Probably some sort of aftermarket DSP processor as well.

What the hell... it's only money right.

BTW: Mind if I hit you up in the future regarding some solar questions? I am looking to do a small (maybe 100w panels x3) array to power some attic fans and after doing some reading it can get a bit confusing.

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

There was a marked improvement in audio quality when doing my Avin install as well. That truck did not have DSP though and this one does so the install will involve a lot more work/effort. Probably some sort of aftermarket DSP processor as well.

What the hell... it's only money right.

BTW: Mind if I hit you up in the future regarding some solar questions? I am looking to do a small (maybe 100w panels x3) array to power some attic fans and after doing some reading it can get a bit confusing.

No prob at all. I love messing with my solar setup. It started out as a way to keep all my vehicles charged. Keeping 20 cars charged all the time by just cranking them up and letting them run is impossible so I built a solar setup to do it for me. That grew into building a setup for the house.

Power bill went from 300 to 400 a month to 100 a month or less. Well worth it.

Attic fan setup should be pretty cheap. When you get ready to do it let me know and I will be glad to help.