If you’re going to take on installing a system yourself — or at least parts of it — you need certain tools. You may already have some on hand — such as screwdrivers, a drill, and Allen wrenches — whereas others are designed for car audio-specific tasks. What follows is a list of some of the specialized tools, along with an explanation of what each does:
Panel tool: This device comes in one of several different configurations and helps you pry off factory panels to install components and run wires.
Wire stripper and crimping tool: This tool is used for stripping the insulation from wires and making wire connections, such as with factory wiring harness adaptors when installing head units and speakers.
Test light or digital multimeter: A test light has a small needle that is placed against wires, or even inserted through a wire’s insulation to contact the center conductor, and a light that turns on to show if the wire is hot or carries current. But with today’s sophisticated electronics onboard a vehicle, using a test light to penetrate a wire can sometimes be problematic. For example, probing the wrong wire could cause an airbag to blow. That’s why a multimeter, an electronic measuring instrument that combines several functions in one unit and doesn’t need to penetrate a wire’s insulation to get an accurate reading, is preferable.
Window and door clip remover: Window and door handles are usually held on by special clips that can be difficult to remove, except with this particular tool.
Many of these tools are available individually, or you can buy several of them in a kit (see Figure 19-9). Car audio accessories suppliers such as Scosche and lnstaller.com sell them to the car audio industry, and Crutchfield sells a version of Scosche’s DIY Installer tool kit.
Figure 19-9:
A DIY tool kit from Scosche.
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