need help with head unit for 98 crown vic

[thumpin07]

i have a 1998 crown vic. im going to put a head unit in it this tax time but am clueless as to what im supposed to consider. i like alpine, kenwood, denon, and eclipse, are there any other good head units available i just want to be able to play cds and burnt discs, but a dvd unit would be nice for the kids, and also how pricey is it to install video monitors in the back of my seats, so the kids can watch dvds while on the road?

[stereo_luver]

Welcome Tyler. I looked long and hard for my new head unit. Took me almost a year to decide on a unit to install. I compared all the major players and recently made my decision. I decided on the Pioneer Premier DEH-P880PRS. This unit is a serious music producer. No bluetooth, no color display to watch while driving and features I wanted. The unit has an excellent crossover network built-in. You can switch from normal stereo operation to complex network with the flick of a switch. Just something to consider in your search.

[thumpin07]

thanks for your input i do appreciate it if any one else has any good ideas please tell me.

[1996blackmax]

Denons would be very hard to find....the Denfords (RF HU's made by Denon) decks pop up every now and then, but still hard to find as well.

I've had many HU's over the years and prefer what Eclipse has to offer in their top range. What other features, functions are you after in a HU (x-overs, time alignment, EQ)? Also what is your price range?

[thumpin07]

well blackmax i dont know much about crossovers or time alignment or eqs, But i was probably going to get a external crossover from arc audio. um price range id say up to 450 dollers. but i want the capability for future expansion into a full blown system one day, but i need to start with a good head unit. I have heard great things about eclipse though. But i have also always liked alpine, and kenwood too. I would really love a head unit that will display navagation, and play dvds as well, so i can get monitors installed in the back of my seats for the kids so they can watch movies while we go on trips, any ideas on that?

[1996blackmax]

There are many units out there that have x-overs built in. This is a nice feature as you do not need to wire up a seperate component.

It looks as if you want to go with a DVD/Navigation unit....many units out there, some have some good processing capabilities as well. Look into the Eclipse AVN units. You can purchase monitors for the back and connect them to your HU and let the little ones enjoy a movie.

[thumpin07]

any idea on how much that will cost.

[1996blackmax]

An Eclipse AVN5500, here is one that is priced very nicely.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ttBkUmXXE7q/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=eclipse+avn&i=099AVN5500

[thumpin07]

damn that sure aint cheap i didnt know they were that expensive?

[thumpin07]

it doesnt even list the avn 55o as a fit for my car it says the 7000 will fit but modified fit

[1996blackmax]

I did not even look at that.....I am used to having double din units in my cars. You will probably have to get a single din with a slide out monitor then.

By the way, the price for that unit is pretty darn cheap :). You get alot for that amount of money.

[thumpin07]

well thats probably true well see what it said was slide out displays wouldnt work with my car because of how the dash is laid out but im sure i can find something that will work. And do you know of any good monitors to hook up for the rear, also will the rear monitors play while the car is driving down the road?

[killerb]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ce80fQlVRuA/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&tab=detailed_info&i=113KDCX991#Tab

i really like my kenwood excelon. check it out.

[thumpin07]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ce80fQlVRuA/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&tab=detailed_info&i=113KDCX991#Tab

i really like my kenwood excelon. check it out.

nice unit but not the features i want

[1996blackmax]

well thats probably true well see what it said was slide out displays wouldnt work with my car because of how the dash is laid out but im sure i can find something that will work. And do you know of any good monitors to hook up for the rear, also will the rear monitors play while the car is driving down the road?


The rear monitors will work while the car is in drive. The only ones that won't do this, are the indash units. As for which monitors to use in the back, there are many. I am not up to date on the current models as I have not looked into them in a while. I have Alpine monitors in one of my cars, these sit on on headrests and are not inside them. I've had them for many years, and have had no issues with them.

I think any of these listed here would be fine.

http://www.cardomain.com/shoptype/LCD+Monitors

[thumpin07]

well yeah they all looked nice i know nothing about monitors at all but id say anyone of them would work

[thumpin07]

ok which would be better monitors that go in the seats or one flip down monitor thats about 17in

[1996blackmax]

I personally would prefer something less intrusive that would not block my rear view mirror. So I would go with headrest monitors.

[thumpin07]

yeah i didnt think bout that you have a very good point.

[thumpin07]

how complicated and about how much work goes into putting monitors in the seats of your car?

[1996blackmax]

It is not really very difficult, just will take some time.

[Installer4life]

you should be able to do a double din unit if you want. MIght have to remove some plastic back in the das to make room for wires. As far as headrest monitors you can get monitors already mounted in new headrest that will fit your car. Simply take out the old headrest, put in the new headrest with monitors, run wire and connect. Whats nice about this is you can remove the new monitors and put back in tthe old headrest if you want to sell the car.

[thumpin07]

that is nifty i didn't even know they had it that way thats awesome