There is no need to run new wires to install an after market head unit. And yes, You can use the stock amp to run the speakers. (the bestbuy "installer" who said you have to use a new amp is wrong, Or he gets a kickback for selling amps) The speakers in the door are 6 1/2 with a tweeter. The speakers behind the seats are 6 1/2 subs. The Crossfire stock system only uses one set of line level outputs from the head unit to the amp. The amp splits the signal and sends it to the correct speakers. If you do a search you will find all the info you need to hook up a stereo in your Crossfire. You will need to switch the red and yellow wires and the amp turn on (blue) wire is pink on most wiring harness for Crossfire/VW.

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...=stereo+wiring

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...=stereo+wiring

 

Don't be too hard on the guy, he might very well have been told that by the dealer. I own a stero shop and when I bought the wife's new ML the dealership told me all sorts of things like I had to buy thier CD changer if I did not want to harm the computer and the factory headunit was fiberoptic wired. He said I could not get a aftermarket system to work without making the engine run bad. I just smiled and said when I bring it back by it will have a new headunit for you to see. A lot of MB vehicles are indeed fiber optic and various manufactures tie all types of data bus systems through thier radios but I knew this one wasn't one of them. I took it by to show him a week later and explained a $10.99 harness was all it took. $170 max to install your components at our shop if you already had the electronics, cheaper if you had purchased here. $250 is really not out of line if it was done correctly and neatly.

 

No re-wire required. It wasn't easy finding a wire harness though. Ended up using the one specified for the VW Bug (identical).

 

I just sent Crutchfield a long email correcting them on their Crossfire after market install instructions...what they fail to tell you is that with the Scosche harness you "should" connect the pink wire to the Blue/white wire (remote control ) of the Pioneer harness...this supplies power to the factory amp in the Crossfire. Then everything works...amp...subwoofers...

Maybe you already found this out...hope so before you spent more $$.

 

Thanks for the input DS41. I'm glad to hear that I didn't get ripped. The second time I went back, the guy was very reasonable and professional. I just think there is a lot of confusion about our cars. It's no Chevy, that's for sure. I also think there is some bad info in some of the databases that shops use to look things up. So I don't blame him. He did a nice install - neat and professional. The only complaint I have about the install is that he mounted the GPS puck on top of my dash. I had asked him not to, but he said that would have taken a lot more doing and would have cost more. I wish he would have called me before hand. Once that sticky pad is stuck to my pristine dash, I didn't want to have him remove it and mess up the dash. Fortunately, he put it clear over by the passenger a pillar, so it's not in my direct line of sight when driving.

 

I was researching alternatives to the stock radio also. My main reason was because I had times that the CD would NOT eject .. or it made this clicking noise and stopped playing completely. I didn't even try to have Chrysler replace it. I ordered the JVC KD-HDR1 HD radio. I got mine through Crutchfield and read all the messages about rewiring or bypassing things and was leary but, ordered it anyway. I wired up the harness using the instructions that came with and noticed I had a couple extra wires. The Crutchfield instructions mentioned that I didn't need the PINK wire, so I didn't try to connect it .... well .. we NEED the pink wire. It supplies power to the amp. After trial and error, I got it hooked up correctly and am quite pleased. I took pictures and emailed them to Crutchfield to hopefully help them modify their instructions for our harnesses. The sound quality on HD is awesome, I can't believe the bass response difference between FM and HD. I realize the faceplate and lcd colors don't match the interior exactly, but I'm listening to it, no looking at it .

My next change is going to be installing the roadster antenna. I have never liked the window antennae and mine sucks to boot.

Just thought I'd add my 0.02US.
adoni

 

Which wires did you reverse?

 

I have Pink wire on VW harness. What do I hook this pink wire to? Ya know, I think if this doesn't work out, I am returning the new receiver to
Crutchfield, tell them what I really think, ask for refund and keep using stock receiver. Ain't worth it anymore