Stereo Opinion

So I dropped about 500 bucks at Circuit City and had a new Pioneer stereo installed in my Riv. It has the whole Sirius radio hookup and the iPod connecter. It's pretty badass and it sounds great. So here's the deal. The guys at Circuit City did the install and the main dash face panel doesn't entirely fit flush on the dash like it used to.

It bows out a little bit at the bottom where the vents are. The dude said it's because there are so many wires in the back of the stereo. He said there is nothing they can do about it. The gap is large enough for me to get my fingertips under it.

I think I'm going to take it back, but I wanted to hear from you guys first. I don't really know anything about installing car stereos, but I think their explanation is a little weak. I already had to take it back once because the dash rattled. Have any of you ever had this kind of problem before when you've had a stereo installed in your Riv? I just want to make sure this isn't something that most Riv owners have to deal with because of the layout or something.

I've had plenty of sound systems put in cars, and this is a first for me.

Here's what I got:

Pioneer DEHP4900IB
Pioneer iPod adapter
Sirius Tuner
Dash Kit
Pioneer Harness
GM Harness
Antenna Adapter

Any pictures? I got one installed at circuit city and the kit fits perfectly inside the dash. But my dash does rattle, do you know how they fixed that?

Why not do it yourself and save $500, install it correctly, with no rattles?

I spent $500 on the system. I think they put it in free since I spent so much. I don't really have the dexterity or patience to do an install myself. I'll get some pics to show you what I'm talking about.

How did they fix your rattle SpaceBar? I know there are all kinds of felt strips you can use to stop it.

Orca wrote:

I spent $500 on the system. I think they put it in free since I spent so much. I don't really have the dexterity or patience to do an install myself. I'll get some pics to show you what I'm talking about.

How did they fix your rattle SpaceBar? I know there are all kinds of felt strips you can use to stop it.

They didn't fix it it still rattles They install any head unit for free if you spend $99 or over.

the space in the back does have to be takin care of due to the fact the factory head units face dont detatch they end up makin aftermarket stereos an 1 or more deeper . My boy used to own a custom audio shop and we did it to my 02 monte carlo and i took apart the dash of the riv to see the same thing atleast it isnt the heating vent back there like the monte's

I encountered this issue immediately when i put my system in and fixed it by dremeling out the back plastic wall behind the deck cub. that gives you about another inch or two of deck clearance and a lot more wiring manuverability. And I did it myself and have no vibration or anything so I couldn't tell you how to make yours stop.

Take it back and tell Circuit City to do it right!!

I had the same problem when my Alpine unit was installed. I took it back to the installers who gave me the same story. I ended up taking it to Best Buy and they fixed it. They told me that they had to "fish the wires around the back part of the dash" but it looks like it should now. I did not doubt that this was a lot of work since I had the power cable, 3 pairs of RCA outputs, steering wheel control cable and iPod cable. I even ended up with more iPod cable to work with.

They also replaced the plastic pocket that had been installed under the head unit. The original unit had the top portion bowed down. The replacement unit apparently just fit exactly.