https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IYTCG6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They went up a few bucks but these things are awesome. Saves me so much time from stripping by hand, and you can get really accurate lengths so you don't have to cut off extra wire. These are totally worth investing in!

I'll answer what I can:

2. I like to use an automatic wire stripper like the one here. It's a lot faster and more accurate. For connections, I'd use banana plugs if your receiver and/or speakers can use them. I've heard that compression type (rather than crimp) will hold on better. Something like this

3. Static at loud volume when nothing is playing is normal.

6. Most people agree that speaker wire quality makes little to no difference. Just get the right guage for the length of wire you need to run. To be safe you can use 12 guage which should be enough for most home installations, EG. this one from Monoprice is commonly recommended.

Get on Crutchfield, they'll sell you what you need all in one package for a competitive price.

As for wiring the harness, sorry to say but it's very rare to find a pre-made double ended harness. Blaupunkt used to offer those for "select cars" a decade ago, but stopped because not enough takers.

If you're not comfortable with soldering and hate crimp connectors, you have two other options that are pretty good:

First there's these things...
https://www.amazon.com/Ginsco-Connector-Waterproof-10White-5Yellow/dp/B01GRKAMI6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1486599367&sr=8-4&keywords=solder+heat+shrink

They kick a lot of ass, literally solder and heat shrink in one step with a cig lighter or heat gun. I wouldn't use them under the hood (too hot under there) but in the dash? Awesome!

Other option is these things:

https://www.amazon.com/Posi-Lock-Connectors-14-16-gauge-601/dp/B00HTA8O9S/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1486599506&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=posi+lock+butt+connectors

Those things will join wires with no tools at all, apart from strippers of course.


These are fantastic btw, if you think you'll ever strip another wire in your life later https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-01924A-Ultimate-Self-Adjusting-Stripper/dp/B000IYTCG6/ref=sr_1_9?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1486599547&sr=1-9&keywords=wire+stripper

For anyone interested, it's 17 dollars.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-01924A-Ultimate-Self-Adjusting-Stripper/dp/B000IYTCG6

Without pricing the entire thing out I can make some observations:

1. Self-gauging wire cutters are far superior to the hand-held kind in that kit. They're faster, ergonomic, and they avoid that jerky motion of having to yank on a wire which may-or-may-not be attached so something that ought not be inadvertently yanked. You'll want some, whether you get the kit or not.
   
   
2. Flush-cuts (which they have in that kit) are perfect for circuit boards. Standard wire cutters will do the job, but flush cuts are much tidier. So if you pass on the kit, pick up a pair of those for sure.
   
   
3. A good, brand-name multimeter usually costs $70-150 on it's own. That said, a cheap multimeter is better than no meter at. That one in the kit offers the most important features. A fancy one would be self-ranging (which is super convenient if you're using it all day long), and also offer duty cycle % and frequency measurement, which you might not need right off the bat(?).
   
   
4. It includes a 5v power supply, get a 3.3v regulator for it. Also get a 12v supply and a 9v regulator. This will cover the most common voltage requirements of circuits you're going to be working with.

Sub - BIC F12 or save some money and go with this Dayton sub 1200

Amp- If you want a mini amp go with this SMSL SA50 or get a stereo reciever like this Sony STRDH130. I like the receiver because of the integrated tuner, remote and tone controls. If you have room for it it's the way to go.

Wire- You'll need some speaker wire and a stripping tool. Either get some electrical pliers or an automatic stripper. I would go with the pliers as you can strip but also crimp on connectors ect. However, if you're not going to do more electrical work just go for the auto strippers.

Not that expensive either.

Neiko 01924A Ultimate Self-Adjusting Wire and Cable Stripper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IYTCG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3zWaBbEC6DNE6

I've seen these. They seem counterintuitive to me.

Most of my wiring is done in tiny shitty spaces retrofitting and replacing wires. One of our mechanics has these
Neiko 01924A Wire and Cable Stripper with Self-Adjusting Jaws 10-26AWG https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000IYTCG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dPzZzbMJ3FCZ2

But just another brand, and they work awesome.

This is a wonderful project, mainly because you've done every step that I've been planning and I'm deeply gratified that it appears I can make it work.

Can you provide details about your wire cutter? Make? Model? I'll track one down on Amazon. Maybe this one: Neiko 01924A Wire and Cable Stripper with Self-Adjusting Jaws 10-26AWG

This one is from Amazon.ca

Here's one from Amazon.com for cheaper.