I was happy with the Sony head unit I had in the car for a year or so but I wanted to have the ability to play MP3s and/or Sirius satellite radio. The Sony head unit didn't permit either function. Crutchfield had an offer I couldn't refuse (see below) so I went ahead and bought a bunch of stuff that I will install later this spring (2003) along with other things that I had been planning. Now I will be able to subscribe to Sirius radio, play MP3s from a disc, and hook up an iPod MP3 player to the receiver. What a wonderful world we live in!

The Wayland sub is absolutely amazing. He has done an extraordinary job.

Completed work

• Replace cassette/radio with a Kenwood KDC-MP819 CD/MP3 Receiver
• Replace door speakers with Polk EX series II 6.5" component speakers
  • installation guide
  • install guide II
  • Polk feature on the Insight
  • John Wayland's discussion of rear speakers
• Addition of KTC-SR901 Sirius Satellite Tuner
• Addition of Terk TRK-SR20S Sirius Satellite Roof Mount Antenna
• Run power cable (8 gauge) from battery to under passenger seat for amplifier with inline fuse
• JL Audio 8w3-v2 sub in the the John Wayland shoebox system [history] [Car Audio magazine article] in the unused space under cargo deck. I considered using a Boston Pro subwoofer but it will be underpowered so I steered toward the JL Audio instead. John's shoebox subwoofer box is specially designed for the JL and it ships with one in it.
• Eclipse amplifier for subwoofer and front stage speakers (model 36401)
  • John Wayland's discussion of amplifier power ratings
• Run power cable (10 or 12 gauge) from battery to rear compartment for Sirius receiver with inline fuse
• Fabricate amplifier mounting plate for under passenger seat out of aluminum
• Run speaker wire from amp to door speakers and subwoofer in rear compartment
• Run remote turn on lead for amplifier from head unit to amplifier
• Extend auxiliary input jacks on stereo
• Install B-Quiet Extreme in floorboards, on doors, and in rear compartment area. I purchased a 50 square foot roll.

Future work

• Install inline fuse for radar/safety detector
• Install Wal-Mart temperature gauge
• Fabricate and install 12V to 3V converter and power cable for GPS

Planning and installation ideas

• OfSoundMind.com

Crutchfield deal

• Kenwood KDC-MP819 CD/MP3 Receiver - Regularly $379.99 marked down to $279.99
• Kenwood KTC-SR901 Sirius Satellite Tuner - $159.99 but free with receiver purchase
• Terk TRK-SR20S Sirius Satellite Roof Mount Antenna - $79.99
• 5-way binding posts for the box I'm building
• Receiver Kit for 2003 Honda Civic Sedan (not my car but Kelly is considering buying one) - $15.00 but free with receiver purchase
• Receiver Harness for 2003 Honda Civic Sedan (not my car but useful wiring harness) - $7.00 but free with receiver purchase
• Crutchfield MasterSheet Instructions - $4.99 but free with receiver purchase
• Total value $649.97
• Amount paid after $20 Crutchfield Mastercard offer and $30 Terk rebate is $313.98