The industry of twelve-volt electronics has dramatically changed since the early days of radio and speaker swaps. Integration of advanced aftermarket gear with your vehicle data diagnostic/entertainment systems, allows a multitude of information to display on your new in-dash screen. Accomplishing this is by no means a simple task for the enthusiast let alone the beginner. With present day electrical systems, professional installation is not only a good idea; but it is also truly a requirement if you want your equipment (both aftermarket, and factory installed) to function the way they are intended.
What is required to perform basic installations?
Automotive installation requires a broad range of tools and general knowledge. Non-marring panel removal tools, seat covers, and interior protectant tapes are needed to ensure your painted/soft touch interior panels remain in a like new condition. Most of these types of installations need a full set of mechanic's tools to perform proper disassembly and reassembly. Ratchets, screwdrivers, security bits, and torque wrenches among other hand tools are a few of the minimum requirements. Electrical test equipment is also a must, oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, and phase guides ensure that all of your gear can work the way the manufacturer intended.
Aside from the things you might find in our tool boxes, we also possess a vast array of general working knowledge, all of our technicians are MECP Certified to ensure that your installations are getting done right the first time and that you won't have to see us again unless you want to perform upgrades. Nobody likes wasting time fixing or troubleshooting issues that should have been addressed the first time around. We pride ourselves on our craft and ability to get the job done right the first time!
What does an average install consist of?
First and foremost, some simple yet elegant precautions must be taken to ensure the task at hand can be completed in a satisfactory manner. We must check the functionality of all onboard systems to ensure that we understand what the vehicle provides to you, this ensures that the changes we are making will not only integrate with your current equipment, they will improve upon them.
Next, we lay down a few protective items to ensure that we don't cause damage to the delicate interior components where we will be performing the installation. From there we proceed to disassemble the dash components and carefully set them aside. At this point, we identify and isolate the discrete components, circuits, and data lines with which we will be integrating. Next, we perform a full functionality test to confirm full operation of the in-dash unit (OE USB integration, reverse camera, factory subwoofer, steering wheel controls, Bluetooth calling, aux, satellite radio, etc.) and we reassemble the dash to a factory fit and finish.
After testing the electrical functionality of the vehicle being serviced and tuning of all installed equipment, we provide a full demonstration to ensure you can fully utilize every aspect of the newly installed gear!