Since this is my first post, let me say hi. I'm the proud new owner of a Slate Blue 2008 Pathfinder LE V8. It has almost everything. Navigation, hard drive, CF reader, backup camera. What it lacked was rear entertainment. Hence, a/v install weekend.
I installed a Alpine PKG-RSE2 from Crutchfield. Along with the Alpine, I purchased a navigation to dvd converter for the factory navigation screen. And, as an added bonus, I bought and ran a straight wire for my Passport radar. Oh yeah, I tinted all the windows and added an exhaust tip.
Let's start with the easy stuff... the nav bypass, bought from ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0265200440
was very easy to install. For those who don't know about it, it allows you to use your factory dash screen as a dvd video screen or any other input including backup camera. You plug the unit in-line between the screen and the radio. When you flick a switch, the unit cuts the radio video signal and plays your other video source. The unit has two inputs, the second being dedicated to a backup camera with trigger. It comes with a wire which is supposed to be connected to your hand/foot brake for safety reasons. It basically needs a ground signal, in case you can't "find" your brake cable. I had to read the instructions a few times and do some rewiring before I got all the connections correct. The easiest part was the screen connection which is vehicle specific..
The bypass was easy, the Alpine was a P.I.A. Since I ran all the wires before mounting the screen, I had a nice suprise. Nissan's antenna connection is proprietary. That was news to me. Since I didn't know and Crutchfield didn't tell me, I didn't have an adapter for the FM modulator. But one phone call and a little complaining took care of that. The adapter should be here next weekend, all free of charge. That was #1, #2 was that the screws that Alpine decided to give to mount the screen to the bracket was about 1/2 an inch too short. I'll give details so that anyone who encounters the same issue will know what to do. GO TO HOME DEPOT. The screw is 4mm. I had to buy a 1" version to fit properly, along with flat and lock washers.
Long story short, after a day and a few hours, the screen is in, I'm able to watch movies both in back and in front, I don't have to disconnect my radar every time I leave the car in a not so good part of town, people can't easily see me, and, the tail looks a little more muscular.
I'm an avid reader of the forum, but I don't post often. Any comments or questions would be appreciated. Pictures to be added soon.