Mike S's 2006 Ford Mustang
Items installed:
- Pioneer AVIC-Z3 navigation stereo
- Pioneer CD-IB100ii iPod adapter
- Pioneer CD-BTB200 Bluetooth adapter
- Optima Yellow top battery
- Battery isolator
- Two 9" TFT monitors
- Digital TV tuner
- Whelen competitor series plus strobe kit
- JBL 600-watt amp
- JBL GTO1004D 10" subwoofer & sealed enclosure
- Hypertech Hyperpac touch screen engine managment computer
- Diablosport predator tuner
- Pioneer speakers (Premier TS-802p) in the rear deck
Installation Description
I wanted to have a cool Nav system, got the AVIC-Z3 and then upgraded gradually from there. I frequent local car shows and do very well. This system is far better than the Shaker 500 that came with the car. I am still using the stock 500-watt amp from the Shaker system to power the door subs and the JBL 600-watt amp to power the JBL 10" sub in the trunk.
Because of the 6-hour car shows {they ususally run from 10a-4p}, I upgraded the power supply to the Stock Motorcraft battery under the hood and an Optima Yellow top Deep Cycle battery in the trunk. I also have a battery isolator installed in case I need to charge both batteries on the road or I can use the on-board Battery Minder to charge them.
Q&A Section
Why did you decide to upgrade your A/V system?
Love great sound and cool products
What's the first thing you show people about your installation?
The trunk
Why did you choose these products?
always have beenn reliable
What was the most difficult part of the installation?
money
What plans, if any, do you have for future upgrades?
Nitrous
Vehicles in the Customer Car Showroom are submitted by customers and fans, and edited by Crutchfield writing staff. You can find more of these articles on the Showroom main page.
Meet Robert Ferency-Viars
Eating up the highway with clarity and volume.
During my first few years at Crutchfield, I served as one of our Advisors, helping our customers choose new audio components for their homes and cars. That helped me learn what's really important to our customers. Eventually, I moved to the writing team and spent a decade researching new products and getting even more hands-on with car audio gear.
As the editor of Crutchfield's car audio web articles, I couldn't ask for a cooler job. We listen to music and play with car audio gear every day!
Like most of us here, I've always been into music and the electronics we use to listen to it. I installed my first car stereo system before the family car was even mine. In college, I helped friends and roommates install their car stereos and set up the sound systems in their apartments. I was a volunteer DJ for the local community radio station for a few years (playing late night metal and Sunday morning bluegrass & alt-country). That's where I also first learned a little bit about sound mixers.
I love playing role-playing games, board games (there were nearly 200 board and card games in our house at last count), spending time with my family, and watching horror movies when they aren't around.
More about Robert
More from Robert Ferency-Viars
Single-DIN vs Double-DIN car stereos
How to build a subwoofer box
What do IP waterproof ratings mean?
Video: Discounted car stereo installation gear
Hands-on with two Pioneer dash cams
How to choose a radar detector