I am trying to put an audio system in my car and am wondering what I should use for a head unit. I know virtually nothing about sound systems. First of all what I am looking for is something for quality, not blowing your windows out cruising to the street meet. I also would like to install it either under dash or in my glovebox as I don't want to hack up the dash. As of now I have Infinity 6x9's in the rear, a replacement dual speaker set-up in the dash from Ground Up, also in my possession is a Jensen 2 channel 300w power amp and I just had a Pioneer 6 cd changer given to me that I removed from my inlaws Lincoln. I would like to stick with a name brand head unit, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc. and if possible make all these components work. Obviously I will need specific outputs and inputs on my head unit to make these components work, but I am not knowledgable enough to know what I am looking for. What do I need to look for as far as hook-ups ? I guess what I am looking for is the proper terminology so that if I do my shopping on the internet I know what I am looking for. Also I was wondering why my power amp directions suggests that I mount it to a 1/2" piece of plywood? Would that be a possible source of heat and potentially a fire hasard? Thanks for any input! Component Illiterate, Mike

I would first look at the changer and see exactly what model it is and if there is a small rectangular plug on it. This plug if it exists on the changer is to allow it to hook directly to most Pioneer radio's with the letter "P" in their model number. The "P" stands for P-bus system. The P-bus connector has 3 rows of 4 pins each.
If the changer is compadible with Pioneer P-bus radio's then buy one of those. The radio's will start about maybe $125.00 or so and go up to $1,000.00 or more. For a suggestion you may look at the DEH-P4800MP ($150.00 or so). It will control P-bus changers, allow for an Ipod input and control with the proper adaptor, has internal power to work with your 4 speakers and also has 3 pair of preamp outputs for later additions like amplifier's and subwoofer control. It also has a wireless remote WHICH bring us to the next point. With this control you can buy an IR (infrared) repeater to allow the radio to be put in the glove box and have the door shut AND now be able to use the remote that came with it to control volume up/down, source, track up/down, radio station tuning, and so on.
IR repeaters are $50.00 and up for parts.
Some amplifiers do need to be mounted on an insulator (wood, plastic, rubber bushings, etc.) for ground/noise isolation issues or it could be to limit damage or holes made into the vehicle. I have in some back cab walls of truck glued 1/2" wood to the wall with liquid nail and then use 1/2" or slightly shorter screws to mount the amp to the board. This way there are no holes piercing to the exterior of the vehicle. If it's a car you don't want to drill holes into, do like I do on truck and use liquid nail to attach the panel and then the amp and parts to it. Later you can chisel it off, remove and glue residue, respray the area and no one's the wiser.
Jim

If the changer hooks to the car's antenna wire, any radio will work, but for quality go with Clarion, Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine.

If the changer hooks to the back of the radio via the changer ports you'll need a radio with an accepting plug, probably a Pioneer since that's the brand.

Will your uncle let you have the head unit from the lincoln?

Are you wanting a cassette or CD head unit? A few companies still make the dual shaft radios for older cars.

Thanks guys, Jim, it sounds like you have everything covered that I had a question about.....Thank-you very much for the info:)...Mike