Modernize your work van with new A/V tech
Car A/V gear isn't just for entertainment — it can make the job better, too
Updating older work vehicles with new A/V gear can add a great deal of convenience while you’re on the job. New radios, cameras, and speakers make your day easier and more enjoyable.
Crutchfield’s hard-working facilities staff uses a pair of mid-2000s Chevrolet Express vans on the job, but the vans weren’t delivering modern conveniences like Bluetooth® connectivity for phone calls, backup cameras, or clear audio.
We decided to outfit them with new gear to help the guys do their jobs more efficiently. And if you have an older work vehicle that could benefit from an upgrade to bring the latest tech aboard, read along to see how our project turned out!
Vans ripe for upgrades
Crutchfield’s facilities team consists of Pippin, Allen, and Chris. They keep things running smoothly at a number of locations around Charlottesville, so they spend a fair amount of time in these Chevy Express vans. The vans run fine, but they lacked any semblance of modern technology.
J.R., our training manager, suggested outfitting the vans with new gear to help the crew do their jobs more efficiently and safely. The project would also be great experience for our newest class of Advisors-in-training.
Chappy shows off the stock Chevy Express radio, which will be replaced with the Kenwood Excelon DMX809S digital multimedia stereo.
New gear for the vans
J.R. says, “The Advisors and I talked with Pippin (the facilities supervisor) about what he wanted and needed for the vans. We settled on radios with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, new speakers, and backup cams.” This discussion led to the three following choices for the upgrade:
- Kenwood Excelon DMX809S digital multimedia receiver — Wireless phone integration and built-in Bluetooth® help our staff when they get important phone calls while driving between job sites, or if they just want to enjoy tunes on the road.
- Hertz DCX 170.3 6-3/4" 2-way car speakers — New speakers can enhance any listening environment, and Hertz's Dieci lineup boasts high-efficiency power handling for clear sound that won't require an external amplifier. These make a huge difference for hearing callers and enjoying music.
- BrandMotion 9002-7601 universal backup camera — Getting a large van with limited visibility in and out of tight spots can always use an added layer of safety. This camera's 150-degree viewing angle delivers a clear picture of everything behind the vans.
J.R. gets things started on one of the work vans by tackling the license plate area on the rear door.
Installation time
The Advisors — Chappy, Ethan, Blue, Trip, and Cliff — dove right in, and were able to outfit both vans in just a few hours. All of our Advisors go through extensive hands-on training, including installations, before they take calls.
They even beat an unexpected challenge: the Brandmotion's camera wires didn’t quite reach all the way to the back doors. But with the help of short video cable extensions and RCA couplers, they were in business.
Note: the BrandMotion's camera cables measure 20 feet in length, which should work fine in most cars, pickups, and SUVs. However, extra-long vehicles may require the assistance of couplers and additional video cabling — your Advisor can help you figure out exactly what you might need.
With the help of our MasterSheet™ instructions and excellent guidance from J.R., our trainees, including Ethan and Trip (above), made short work of dash and door disassembly to install the new gear.
Blue puts the final touches on getting the new backup cam aimed properly. The clear view behind them will help our guys back into some of the tighter spots we have here at our headquarters.
Van-tastic results
Before the project, Pippin mentioned how annoying it was to have to pull over to take calls for maintenance while he was out and about. That’s not an issue now, with the hands-free calling! The backup cams prevent oopsies (which the guys would have to fix), and having good-sounding music is a nice bonus.
The view from the BrandMotion backup camera is crystal clear.
Putting feature-packed stereos like these in work vans makes a major difference for our crew, helping them work happier and better. We recommend similar upgrades for any work van (or work fleet, for that matter).
We're here to help
Do you have an older vehicle that can benefit from a tech upgrade? Get in touch with one of our Advisors.
Our expert Advisors know the gear inside and out. Your Advisor can send specific Crutchfield pages to your screen, saving you a lot of browsing time. You'll get a shopping cart loaded up with everything you need for your car, truck, SUV, or whatever you drive.
Meanwhile, check out our full selections of multimedia receivers, car speakers, and backup cameras.
And when you buy your new A/V gear, we can help if you have any questions about installing it. Free lifetime tech support is included with your Crutchfield purchase, so you can contact our friendly tech support gurus to help with installation and set up.
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