No more Ram

disneyjoe7

Looks are everything

brettw22

MacLeod wrote:

If Im not mistaken Brett, the pre 2003 Accords had a smaller, 2.3 SOHC engine with 135 hp with a 25/31 mileage rating. Mine is a bigger 2.4 liter DOHC making 166 hp and rated at 26/34.

My engine is a 4-Cyl. 2.3L ULEV that's 150hp. I think in the Dx and the LX it was a smaller engine, but I don't remember.

When I'm driving on the freeway, I'm usually doing 80, and those 4cyls just burn more to do that speed vs a 6 cuz it has to work harder to keep itself going........

I'd love to get 30mpg on a regular basis, but it's only happened once, so oh well.

On the head unit thing, how does it work to have only one radio functional over the other? If the AC and Radio are tied into the same unit basically, is it likely that it's one harness or would they split it up? If they have it as just one, how do you tie into that and would that kill the factory display (also your AC display) so you can run the Alpine as your primary?

exalted512

if the speaker wires going to the factory radio are cut...well, you should get the picture
-Cody

MacLeod

brettw22 wrote:

My engine is a 4-Cyl. 2.3L ULEV that's 150hp. I think in the Dx and the LX it was a smaller engine, but I don't remember.

When I'm driving on the freeway, I'm usually doing 80, and those 4cyls just burn more to do that speed vs a 6 cuz it has to work harder to keep itself going........

I'd love to get 30mpg on a regular basis, but it's only happened once, so oh well.

Ah, now I see! I rarely drive over 75 and usually stay under 70. I had not gotten a speeding ticket in 13 years - then I get a CDL and start driving for a living and I get 3 in 3 years!!! Luckily since one was under 75 mph (70 in a 55) on the freeway, it doesnt show up on my record. However, those were enough to scare me into driving the speed limit cause tickets can not only cost me my current job but they can assure my of not getting another driving job for 3 years! And plus, Ill drive this the same way I did my Ram - like its made out of glass. I spent many years in clunker cars and now that Im able to drive nice cars, I have a respect for them and treat them very delicately.

On the head unit thing, how does it work to have only one radio functional over the other? If the AC and Radio are tied into the same unit basically, is it likely that it's one harness or would they split it up? If they have it as just one, how do you tie into that and would that kill the factory display (also your AC display) so you can run the Alpine as your primary?

Like Cody said, the stock HU is powering the speakers. Disconnect those wires and the radio wont be powering anything.

I think Im going with the pocket mount. I read the reviews on Crutchfield's website and they generally said the HVAC controls were half assed and didnt always work all the time or properly. From the picture you can tell it doesnt look all that well made either. One review even said he used if for 3 days and because of the trouble, went back to the stock HU!

Plus, I do kinda like being able to close the pocket and being able to keep the stock appearance. Plus, its only $30. So if I dont like it, Im not out that much.

disneyjoe7

I find it interesting that you now drive a small car, with the fact you drive a large commercial truck. When you drive the large truck do you think I could run over that little **** of car and not feel it?

Not that I feel Honda is a **** car mind you but you get the idea.

MacLeod

LOL! That is the weirdest feeling. Driving down the freeway next to all these big pickups and 18 wheelers feeling like they could squish you if they werent paying attention. But thats why you carry a gun with you. A few bullet holes fired thru a back windshield tends to get attention.

disneyjoe7

MacLeod wrote:

LOL! That is the weirdest feeling. Driving down the freeway next to all these big pickups and 18 wheelers feeling like they could squish you if they werent paying attention. But thats why you carry a gun with you. A few bullet holes fired thru a back windshield tends to get attention.

Well what can I say weird :rolleyes:

BTW I have a CDL license myself Class B so most truck people don't like little cars. Well that was my feeling anyway.

MacLeod

I think Im going to try using the stock HU first. Walmart has a Scoshe LLC for like $10 and the factory speaker wires for the back deck speakers are right there so it wouldnt be a problem and if there is too much noise I can always go with the Metra kit and Id only be out $10 for the LLC.

I just really like the idea of having the 100% stock look for some reason.

Thom

exalted512 wrote:

According to the act that Thom listed, thats illegal. I guess my g/f must have been mistaken that she had to get it done to keep the warranty, that or they told her she had to because shes a dumb blonde...who knows
-Cody

They probably tell everyone the same thing, girl or not. Some sales guys don't know, and the ones that do are just being team players by trying to scare everyone into getting service done at that dealer.

Jstas

disneyjoe7 wrote:

Well what can I say weird :rolleyes:

BTW I have a CDL license myself Class B so most truck people don't like little cars. Well that was my feeling anyway.

We have a trash truck driver that drives 4 axle Mack trucks all day and his daily driver is a hot-rodded mid-90's Honda Civic CRX.

MacLeod

The first time I was over the road as a truck driver I was out for over 3 weeks. For 3 weeks I lived in an 18 wheeler and drove nothing else. I came into town finally and parked the truck and me mum came and picked me up in here tiny little Nissan Sentra. It was the most insane feeling Ive ever had driving that Sentra!

I felt like I was in a little go-cart or something and that Id have to pick my feet up everytime we'd go over a speedbump.

While we were driving on the freeway she asked why I was driving so slow. I was doing like 45! When youre 8 feet up in the air, 70 mph doesnt look very fast but whenyoure 8 inches off it does so I was going 45 mph thinking I was hauling ****!

Plus I kept killing the engine because I kept trying to take off without giving it gas like you do in a big rig and kept trying to float the gears (changing them without the clutch) so I was grinding the hell out of them.

MacLeod

I think Im going to go with the JL Audio Clean Sweep.

Ive been reading a ton of forums today and swapped a few emails with Manville Smith (VP Marketing of JL) and I think its the best solution.

It takes the OEM speaker level inputs and thru DSP, EQ's them to as flat a response as possible. JL guarantees it will get +/- 1 db from 25 to 20,000 Hz.

Then it throws it thru an 8 volt line driver and out to my processor. Another very cool feature is it doesnt require a remote lead. It has a current sensing feature thatll turn the unit on when it sense current thru the OEM speaker leads and best of all, it has a remote out that can be used to turn on my amps! That means the only wires I have to run up the lenght of the car is 1 power wire and 4 speaker wires. Nice.

I just think it looks more smooth and professional NOT to have an aftermarket HU crammed into a storage compartment. Plus I just think it would be very cool if I could do really well in competition with an OEM CD player!

brettw22

The one thing I hate that i lost when I removed the factory deck was the 6 disc in dash changer..........loved that thing............

audiobliss

You really are lost, aren't you? More JL equipment?? *shakes head*

Why do you lik ethe CleanSweep more than RF's stuff?

MacLeod

Spare me the "JL sucks bandwagon" lines. JL Audio has been setting benchmarks in car audio for over a decade. Next to Polk, theyre my favorite audio brand.

The 360.1 is a nice piece but it only has 5 volt outputs as opposed to the JL's 8 volt and thats a BIG deal. When converting from high to low level inputs youre gonna have hiss which can kill you in SQ judging. Boosting the output signal as much as possible can overcome this.

The 360.1 also doesnt have current sensing for a turn on nor does it offer an output for remote turn on for my amps. That means a lot less hassle with the install.

And the JL does a damn good job of flattening factory EQ curves.

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_cleansweep_pages.php?page_id=90

And considering they both cost $300, the JL is the better piece.

Now if I wanted a user adjustable EQ and didnt have a processor, then Id go with the RF.

[Deleted User]

BTW I never showed mine done. Well at least the outside...FBTC!

MacLeod

Looks good. Kinda like an SRT Ram!

Still the best looking rigs on the road. I miss mine.

So what plans do you have for this one? Anything on the drawing board yet?

audiobliss

MacLeod wrote:

Spare me the "JL sucks bandwagon" lines. JL Audio has been setting benchmarks in car audio for over a decade. Next to Polk, theyre my favorite audio brand.

Don't get all up in the air, now. You should know I'm just poking fun at you.

audiobliss

Josh wrote:

BTW I never showed mine done. Well at least the outside...FBTC!

Wow, a flat-black paint job! That's sweet! Only the second car I've ever seen that on.

joeaudio26

MacLeod wrote:

LOL! That is the weirdest feeling. Driving down the freeway next to all these big pickups and 18 wheelers feeling like they could squish you if they werent paying attention. But thats why you carry a gun with you. A few bullet holes fired thru a back windshield tends to get attention.

At least in a small car if the crash is bad enough, you that have high medical bills, cause you cease to exist ....

I drive a small Nissan hatchback, 38 MPG love the gas savings, but i'm so damn low to ground. I won't hit someones bumper, I slide under their Frame...LOL

Joelsbass

Josh wrote:

BTW I never showed mine done. Well at least the outside...FBTC!

Love the shaved handle on the tailgate, shoulda done it on the rest though still looks great!

[Deleted User]

Yeah, I kinda drive it everyday. I don't want to break out a window every other week because my door poppers fail.

exalted512

I understand door poppers, those can be a pain in the ****. And having a release cord is just another way to have someone break in, but why not the antenna? Looks good though, how about some pictures of the inside???
-Cody

Jstas

Josh wrote:

BTW I never showed mine done. Well at least the outside...FBTC!

Lotsa work there, looks good!

It's still a Dodge though!

So what's wrong with the inside? Still got the "Interior by Samsonite" look going on?

Oh and fix that exhaust pipe. It looks silly sticking out the side like that! Get yourself a nice Borla deal with the dual side outlet.

[Deleted User]

Jstas wrote:

Oh and fix that exhaust pipe. It looks silly sticking out the side like that! Get yourself a nice Borla deal with the dual side outlet.

Your mom looks silly.

MacLeod

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!

Gold Jerry! Gold!

MacLeod

Finally ran out my first tank of gas. Got 400 miles off of 13.5 gallons for a grand total of 29.6 mpg. And thats with 75% stop and go traffic.

Yeah, this may not be a big deal to everybody but when youre used to getting 14.5 mpg and paying $200+ a month in gas, this is very cool!

audiobliss

Hey, 14.5mpg ain't too shabby. I get between 13 and 17mpg in my Jeep...though admittedly my average is about 16.

But congrats on the ~30! That's sweet!

black magic

sure i'm a little late, but i just wanted to say good choice on the car. Can't go wrong with Honda. Now you'll never need any major maintenance/repair for at least 10 years

MacLeod

I sure hope not!

I got a pretty good deal on it and managed to get the extra 5 year / 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty too. Hopefully I wont need it!