Hey folks... I am interested in getting a 2 way paging alarm, but don't want to spend $450+ bucks at Best Buy unless it is too big a pain in the **** to do myself...

I am pretty tech savy and mechanically inclined. I have done my own car audio installs in the past (but not in the last 5 years). I have a couple computer certifications, so I am not afraid. Just don't want to screw anything up.

I want something like the Viper 4202B (installed for $300 at Best Buy). I also want a 2 zone proximity sensor so I can be notified if someone is peeping in my car and it give a warning chirp, which is an extra $130 installed from them. Lastly, I also want truck release from the remote, which the installer said would require a relay for about $10. Total before taxes is $440 and due to liability reasons, they will not set up the remote start since I have a 5 speed.

I can find the same system on eBay for less than $170 plus $80 for the proximity sensor. The seller indicates they include detailed installation notes for my car (but who knows how accurate that means). I am figuring if I am able to install myself, I might be able to setup the remote start, however, I am not sure I would even want to. I am not trying to be cheap, just cost effective.

So, back to the original question... Has anyone here taken on this endeavor themselves? Any input is appreciated, including from any MECP certified installers...

Thanks,
Don

 

Most of your interfacing will be performed through the smart junction box and it really isn't that difficult, as long as you know what the pinouts are! The main problem comes if you have a factory alarm, like I do, because you need to do some additional wiring to arm and disarm it with your aftermarket alarm, provided you wish to do that.

If you PM me your email address, I will send you the documentation I have on wiring the alarm.

 

I have done many alarms as I installed for over 10 yrs. I did my first alarm after I was working professionally for almost a year and had hudreds of stereo installs under my belt and had a trained pro standing over my shoulder telling me what not to do. I Would not recomend security for anyone that did not have access to a pro to tell them what not to do on site during the install. Security can drive great installers nuts and a bad installer completely insane sometimes. you will need to have a good working knowledge of relays and multiple ways to wire them, understand how to correctly diagnose and tap into a 5 wire door lock(not fun), what positive and negative triggers are and how to test them.

The alarm will come so that it can be hooked up to any car and will first need to be prepped. This includes cutting the trigger wires that are not used, and getting all the wiring you need to the places you need it. This will mean you will have to know the wiring in the car and how everything integrates.

Now finally remember that this is an alarm. A great alarm with a bad install in the best case scenario will leave you stranded somewhere wondering why your car will not start/run or why the alarm will not shut of. The worst case scenario is that you are cutting into high current critical wiring so it is possible to burn something up or even catch fire for the worst case scenario...

In my years of installing I have seen many people try and the cost to fix what you have done before they then get to install the piece is much higher then $450. I would highly recomend you go to a shop and at that go to a shop that specialized in security. Ask them how they make their connections, crimp is acceptable, solder preffered and t-taps have no use in car audio and certianly no use in security. Ask if they take the time to hide the units and their wiring or if they just stick it anywhere? Not all shops are equal and take the time to do a proper alarm install so do not assume that they all do...

 

Thanks ttocs and oldsch00lf00l... Your feedback was very helpful... After thinking about this, I think I just may have to find a shop to do the install... The Best Buy installer said he is a Mustang guy too and would take his time to do it right... I will have to go back and ask about the types of connections they use, per ttocs advice. Thanks again guys..

Don

 

if you can find an installer that owns your car that is probably the guy you want to do it.... I know my mustangs wiring top to bottom and you would have been blessed to come into my shop with one similar, and they are all similar.

let them know that you have your head up under the dash from time to time and that you do not want to see extra wire and you should be ok. A perfectly installed alarms wiring will not look any different then the stock wiring and if done right just will not be seen at all. I recently redid my alarms on my truck and my stang so I could have both vehicles on one two-way remote and went with compustar as they also have a great system to put remote starts safely on manuals. A thief or another installer would have a hard time finding my wiring, and my modules......

 

I wish I could have went to you with my Mustang wherever you are