Well, I finally have everything installed. Since this is my second Armada and I learned what and what not to do from my 04, the install was very easy. Actual install time was only a few hours and wiring up the harness took longer it seemed then the actual installalation.

Tips and Notes:

1. If you run GPS antenna wires to back like I did, make sure you use every inch of the wire and leave no slack. Atleast on the Pioneer antennas, you have no extra wire and will need to take the shortest route to the front of your Armada.

2. Do not get the metra kit, it sucks and I am hoping the Scosche kit is better when I get it.

3. Use the Metra 70-7551 Wiring Harness. The standard harness works, but your volume on the bose sytem is way to loud. My experience is by 10 on the volume your system is very very loud. I have ordered the 70-7551 and hopefully it works and fixes the volume problem.

4. I tried installing all components in a place that I could easily get to them incase of problems. Try not to bury everything in your car, like my XM and Bluetooth module, other compents are under the dash, so why not few more. Not like anybody is looking under your dash.

5. Take your time, I know it is exciting to have new toys, but on my first Armada I did stupid things and ended up either breaking pieces or droping them and scratching parts. I had a perfect install this time around since I took my time.

Pictures:
1 - GPS/XM NavTraffic Antennas
2 - Alpine MRD-M605 Sub Amp
3 - Alpine Type-R in Alpine Factory Box
4 - XM NavTraffic Box
5 - Bluetooth Module for AVIC-Z2
6 - Dash Shot
7 - Crappy Metra Kit not molded correctly along top
8 - Z2 in action
9 - Parking brake wire switch. Since you cannot bypass the Z2 yet, this is the only way to get all functions when stopped without actually using eBrake.
10 - Just showing the cabin shot that no wires or boxes are visable.

See next post for pictures 6-10

Let me know what you guys think. Have a great day.

Addl Pics.

It looks good. A nice and neat install!! :thumbup:

Jealous here!! Great JOB!!!!

Super Job...Well Done,,,,

Damn good.. Nice clean install. Nice sub box too. Not all intrusive.

...
Let me know what you guys think. Have a great day.

I think I need to get cracking on this! Looks great!

I love the way your install looks. I especially like the sub box how it only takes up the 40% of the rear fold down seat allowing the fold down of the other side. If possible, could you answer some questions?

1) How much was the Z2? Is it worth the money over the Z1 since from what I understand the only improvement is a new algorithm?

2) Are you able to defeat the safety features on the Z2 as the Z1?

3) What type of sub and box is that?

4) How much was the setup?

Thanks!

I think I need to get cracking on this! Looks great!

If possible, could you answer some questions?



1) I wouldn't say its not worth the money, but I really wanted a warranty and updated maps so I bought it from an online store I use.
2)Not as of now, but I am watching www.avic411.com for updates. Looks like it may be a software update to get a true bypass.
3)Alpine SWR-1042D is the sub and the box is Alpine. The part number for the package is SBR-S102V. It is twice as loud compared to the Q Logic box that I originally tried.
4) AVIC-Z2 $1650.00 from www.jjielectronics.com
GEX-P10XMT $160.00 from www.jjielectronics.com
ND-BT1 $110.00 from www.jjielectronics.com
SWI-PS $70.00 from www.crutchfield.com
MRD-M605 $210.00 from ebay. I buy from www.hookedontronics.com via ebay.
SBR-S102V $150.00 from brother.
Monster Cable wiring $100.00, check out the RCA cable in amp picture. $20.00 Brand new for 6M. $170.00 retail.

Also, since all of you have helped me out on my questions, feel free if you have questions on install or anything. How to take panels off, etc. I will help if I can.

well done.

1) I wouldn't say its not worth the money, but I really wanted a warranty and updated maps so I bought it from an online store I use.
2)Not as of now, but I am watching www.avic411.com for updates. Looks like it may be a software update to get a true bypass.
3)Alpine SWR-1042D is the sub and the box is Alpine. The part number for the package is SBR-S102V. It is twice as loud compared to the Q Logic box that I originally tried.
4) AVIC-Z2 $1650.00 from www.jjielectronics.com
GEX-P10XMT $160.00 from www.jjielectronics.com
ND-BT1 $110.00 from www.jjielectronics.com
SWI-PS $70.00 from www.crutchfield.com
MRD-M605 $210.00 from ebay. I buy from www.hookedontronics.com via ebay.
SBR-S102V $150.00 from brother.
Monster Cable wiring $100.00, check out the RCA cable in amp picture. $20.00 Brand new for 6M. $170.00 retail.

Thanks for the info and the links - I will check them out as well. I noticed that sick RCA cable before you mentioned it :)

nice install.....Ive been stalking avic411 as well for the bypass..... there is a local guy here who SWEARS he did a sucessful bypass just a few days ago...but he is also the guy who gave me such a hard time when I was asking questions about getting the Avic installed so I dont think Im gonna bother with him.... The person who did my install is on the case as well and hopefully we all will have the bypass soon

nice-looks really good.

Well, I finally have everything installed. Since this is my second Armada and I learned what and what not to do from my 04, the install was very easy. Actual install time was only a few hours and wiring up the harness took longer it seemed then the actual installalation.

Tips and Notes:

1. If you run GPS antenna wires to back like I did, make sure you use every inch of the wire and leave no slack. Atleast on the Pioneer antennas, you have no extra wire and will need to take the shortest route to the front of your Armada.

2. Do not get the metra kit, it sucks and I am hoping the Scosche kit is better when I get it.

3. Use the Metra 70-7551 Wiring Harness. The standard harness works, but your volume on the bose sytem is way to loud. My experience is by 10 on the volume your system is very very loud. I have ordered the 70-7551 and hopefully it works and fixes the volume problem.

4. I tried installing all components in a place that I could easily get to them incase of problems. Try not to bury everything in your car, like my XM and Bluetooth module, other compents are under the dash, so why not few more. Not like anybody is looking under your dash.

5. Take your time, I know it is exciting to have new toys, but on my first Armada I did stupid things and ended up either breaking pieces or droping them and scratching parts. I had a perfect install this time around since I took my time.

Pictures:
1 - GPS/XM NavTraffic Antennas
2 - Alpine MRD-M605 Sub Amp
3 - Alpine Type-R in Alpine Factory Box
4 - XM NavTraffic Box
5 - Bluetooth Module for AVIC-Z2
6 - Dash Shot
7 - Crappy Metra Kit not molded correctly along top
8 - Z2 in action
9 - Parking brake wire switch. Since you cannot bypass the Z2 yet, this is the only way to get all functions when stopped without actually using eBrake.
10 - Just showing the cabin shot that no wires or boxes are visable.

See next post for pictures 6-10

Let me know what you guys think. Have a great day.Hey man that looks good.Just a ? Did you use the factory Bose speakers? Did you use the factory plugs and how?

Hey man that looks good.Just a ? Did you use the factory Bose speakers? Did you use the factory plugs and how?
Sorry, I missed your post. Yes, I kept all Bose speakers and sub. I originally bought the 80-7550 Metra harness with the speaker wires on it, but is was way too loud since I was sending an amplified signal to the bose amp from the aftermarket deck. Now I have the 70-7551 Amp integration harness and it is way to quite. So I either need a speaker level gain adjustment for the 80-7550 or I need the RCA signal booster for the 70-7551 depending on which harness I decide to use. Anyone have suggestions on which is the better setup (I am thinking the RCA setup for better sound). PAC makes the RCA booster.