Stereo Shop Installation.....fair Price?

jasonsuch86 · March 23, 2010

Ok, the stereo shop I went to today has the head unit I've been wanting. It's the double din Keenwod DPX503 and they have it for $300.00 in the store. But this is what gets me, they want an extra 175.00 for installation. They say that covers most of the parts they need to put in there as well. Are they feeding me bull, or should I just take a 475.00 hit and let professionals install it. Or I can spend 359.98 on Crutchfield and install the stereo myself. What would you guys do?

stewy_05 · March 23, 2010

I had a shop put a $280 cd player in, new front and rear door speakers that were about $200. There was a thing I had to get installed too that controlled the onstar, door chime and such, that cost $120. If I didnt get this part I would of had to leave the factory unit hooked up and put it behind the back seat. I spent the $120 for that part. So with the $280 cd player, $200 for 4 speakers and $120 for part required = $600 just for parts and my final bill was $700 installed. So $100 for labor. Labor was $60 an hr for me.

Rattlesnake · March 23, 2010

If it was me, I would purchase the unit here, http://cgi.ebay.com/Kenwood-DPX503-Dash-CD...=item3efe103ce5

Then, I would install it myself...

NoLuck7 · March 24, 2010

I can't imagine paying someone that much to install a head unit. You could get a nice set of component speakers for $175! If you have any experience or are technically saavy at all, you can swap it out in no time. I guess it is up to you whether you feel confident in doing it or not. Good luck!

Cadrian · March 24, 2010

Dude thats crazy.... 175 bucks for something that is going to take them 30mins....

For 300 bucks You can get alot nicer headunit as well....

http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-DPX503-Dual-...l/dp/B001IBD9US or get it for 231 shipped.

as for a 300 dollar headunit why not go with something like this... http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-AVH-P3200DVD...0548&sr=1-1 ? free shipping no tax so its about the same.

Do some research and figure out what other parts you need.... It all depends on do you have Onstar or Bose stuff? Go to crutchfield fill in what you want and click on free stuff supplied or the installation process and then go look up the prices on ebay or Amazon.

even with the free stuff crutchfield is still way overprice.

You dont know anyone whos good at stuff like this? I usually find a friend or coworker or something and give them a 12 pack beer in exchange for labor

jdubya · March 24, 2010

Actually that is a fair price. Where I work they charge $50 for the labor to install a head unit. The Dash kit is like $20, and the wiring harness for our GMT900 trucks costs $150 (if you have Onstar), and then you need an antenna adapter which is $15. So if you were to come to my shop you would be looking at almost $240 for installation of that head unit.

If you don't like the price, buy the parts and do it yourself. It is not hard if you are handy. If you don't know which side of the screwdriver to use though, let the professionals handle it.

I don't know how they came up with only $175 for parts and labor, maybe they don't know that you need a special harness for that truck.

pistonslap · March 24, 2010

Ok, the stereo shop I went to today has the head unit I've been wanting. It's the double din Keenwod DPX503 and they have it for $300.00 in the store. But this is what gets me, they want an extra 175.00 for installation. They say that covers most of the parts they need to put in there as well. Are they feeding me bull, or should I just take a 475.00 hit and let professionals install it. Or I can spend 359.98 on Crutchfield and install the stereo myself. What would you guys do?

I don't know if this applies to the 2006 years,but I was just on another site and was reading about a group buy for a install kit for the 2000 years.They were talking a price of around $150.00 for the kit. I also just looked at the deck you where thinking of buying,and came across this line "(will not play Digital Rights-protected music files on disc)

Has anyone had any problems with this ?

jasonsuch86 · March 24, 2010

Thanks for the advice and help everybody! I've decided to do the install myself. I know my way around tools and how things work, I just thought about playing it safe and letting someone else do it. My truck is a basic W/T without the OnStar and Bose so I doubt I'll need any special harness. I'll keep you guys updated and let you know how this plays out. Thanks!