need some advice on what brand of 5x7 speakers front and rear and also if anyone knows how to wire up the steering wheel controls to an after market head unit (coz ive grown to like em)

Pioneer are aight (2-way, 40W RMS). My mate put Candence in his, and they were pretty good. Some others have gone for JBL 5x7s.

Personally i'd go for splits up front for a much better sound. You won't regret it.

There was an adapter around some where... I'll try and find the link and post it.