I ordered a Alpine CDA 9856 from Crutchfield. I wanted this unit primarily for its IPod interface. I also ordered the Alpine "Full Speed" cable to attach the IPod to the HU. Crutchfield threw in the correct Toyota wiring harness adapters, the FJ Cruiser-specific DIN adapter, and instructions for everything.
I wired up the Alpine to Crutchfield's wiring harness adapters first. This allows a easy, no-cut, "plug and play" installation. This took me roughly 45 minutes, taking my time.
After getting home from work, I began to remove the stock HU. By the time I had the Alpine installed and running, 20 minutes passed. I have installed car audio in the past, but needless to say, I was really impressed by the ease of installation that Crutchfield offers.
After the installation was complete, I began to tweak the sound to my liking.
The IPod interface worked well, and I was able to control everything through the HU. I stowed the IPod in the glovebox and forgot about it.
The sound was great, even with all the stock speakers in place. Everything was cleaner and more powerful sounding. I think I can put off the speaker upgrade a little while longer.
For anyone on the fence about upgrading your HU, do yourself a favor and consider buying from Crutchfield. A new HU makes a big difference in overall sound quality vs the FJammer, and this is with stock speakers. Should sound even better with quallity aftermarket speakers in there.
Just thought I'd share...
__________________
Steve
2007 TRD FJ, AT5
Aloha FJ Cruisers Member
i might be getting rid of my alpine cde-9852 with ipod cable. i was going to put in my fj, but i want a d/din to fill the gap better. Do you like controlling the ipod through the head?
__________________
'01Jetta turbo. loaded,sold x-mas eve. More mod money!!
'03chev 2500hd 4x4 crewcab,33s xterrains,locked leveled, 4.10s' traded for below, and it had heated mirrors. i miss em'
'07 FJ, bfg's, avs,t10001bd, 2-10in/w6-v2s, 4 farad cap, 0ga wire, more soon. acquired 10/7/06 lovin it
Everything I learned in life, I learned from watchin' P@rn... And while drinkin'.
oh, and no, i don't like to capitalise, unless i'm bored. so take it like the bicth u are
i might be getting rid of my alpine cde-9852 with ipod cable. i was going to put in my fj, but i want a d/din to fill the gap better. Do you like controlling the ipod through the head?
I'm slowly getting used to it. I used to use the controls on the IPod before, now, I can stow the IPod out of sight and use the deck to control everything.
IMO, the din adapter that Crutchfield supplies with the order works well in the FJ. There's a small pocket under the deck that can be used to store small items. Overall, the installation looks clean, almost factory.
The Alpine I have is rated at 18w/channel X4, but it sounds much louder than that. I guess I'm used to the FJammer, which I heard is not all that powerful in the amplification department.
I'm happy overall. Nice improvement in sound for around $200. Speakers are next, but I may wait a bit on those.
__________________
Steve
2007 TRD FJ, AT5
Aloha FJ Cruisers Member
Corey - you can buy the PAC controller unit. $50-60. I don't have it in mine (it is a future project), but know someone that does, and it works very well with Alpine. You lose a few functions because you've only got 5 buttons on steering wheel, but it controls as much as it does on the fjammer. Does take some time to install (maybe 1/2 hour to wire, 1/2 to program), so be patient. I expect everything to just be 'plug and play' these days, so the PAC was a bit unexpected.
Fixxer - same exact set up I started with. The alpine deck takes some getting used to...controls aren't as intuitive as other brands I've used, but I like it. Looks good at night. Subtle illumination. You'll appreciate the BBE and bass controls, as well as 3 sets of outputs, if you ever expand. I'd suggest you look to upgrading your speakers...the deck really puts the fjammer sound behind you once you get the new speaks.
If you are having problems with the ipod control because it takes a while to scroll to find the artist you want, consider this - make playlists on your itunes in alphabetical groupings (i.e. A-E, F-L, M-P, etc.) and put the artists in those playlists. Since the ipod interface first starts with playlists before it gets to artists, you'll save yourself a lot of scrolling, particularly for those artists that are in the middle of the alphabet.
Yeah, it takes a little getting used to. I like the BBE and Bass Engine features. As far as upgrading the speakers, that will come soon. I'd like to upgrade the door and dash speakers as my $$$ allows. I'm almost positive I'll be done after that. It don't take much to make me happy.
As far as lighting goes, I wish there was a way to change colors so it would match the rest of the FJs lighting. I'm not saying it's bad, I just wish that it would blend in a little more.
All in all, I'm 100% satisfied with the Alpine and Crutchfield.
__________________
Steve
2007 TRD FJ, AT5
Aloha FJ Cruisers Member
Yeah, it takes a little getting used to. I like the BBE and Bass Engine features. As far as upgrading the speakers, that will come soon. I'd like to upgrade the door and dash speakers as my $$$ allows. I'm almost positive I'll be done after that. It don't take much to make me happy.
As far as lighting goes, I wish there was a way to change colors so it would match the rest of the FJs lighting. I'm not saying it's bad, I just wish that it would blend in a little more.
All in all, I'm 100% satisfied with the Alpine and Crutchfield.
I wouldn't sweat the lighting...the FJ has mix and match interior light colors as it is (white display, orange leds, etc.).
so take it like the bicth u are 
Linear Mode
