I have a couple questions as I prepare to install my KENWOOD DNX996XR.

1. Do I need to use the GPS antenna and Microphone that’s included with the head unit or will the stock Antenna & mic work?

2. Where is the best place to put the microphone?

3. If I have to use the KENWOOD GPS Antenna, it is mounted inside on the dash. Is there a clean way to run the wire?

Thanks in advance!


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not sure about Kenwood but Alpine and Pioneer has Idatalink Maestro adapter for GPS, You have to use an aftermarket radio mic I put mine next to the rearview mirror and it works great some have them on the left side pillar

iDatalink - Maestro - STO2

i would use all the new components which came with the kenwood. reason being, the oem toyota mic and gps antenna may not be compatible. also you may need to get a kenwood compatible back-up camera as well.

when i installed an alpine in my 4runner, i used all the new items as the oem toyota items didnt work.

You'll need an adapter to use the OEM GPS antenna, FM antenna and USB. You cannot use the OEM mic though. I used the iDatalink interface for everything else and it worked perfectly. That includes the steering wheel controls and backup camera.

My GPS antennae is attached to the top of the head unit under the dash.

My microphone is between the cluster and steering wheel.

All works well.

This iDatalink adapter worked for me to connect a pioneer head unit to factory gps antenna iDatalink ACC-SAT-TO2 Satellite radio and GPS antenna adapters for select Toyota vehicles at Crutchfield.com

How bad was the programming of the iDatalink?

It's not that bad. The main thing that was the most challenging was just downloading/installing the damn software. I had to use the desktop version as the web plugin would not install for me using IE or Chrome.

I put the microphone down between the steering wheel cover and the dash where the rubber boot type material is. There is an opening to the right for running the wire out and over to the head unit. It sounds a little quiet when my wife calls me but that may be fixable with settings, I'm not sure. I did not want it showing but may move it if the gain cannot be turned up somehow.

The only issue I had was finding the correct code to use so that it communicates with my headunit. Other than that, programming was easy and the wiring is easy because it's all color coded. Tell it what headunit you have and it will do the rest. The other "hard" part is deciding what button functions you want it to do. Also if the wiring diagram doesn't call for the remote control input harness, don't use it. I did thinking it was needed and it wasn't working properly so I disconnected it and the controls work.

I installed a Kenwood Excelon unit in my 2013 SR5 a couple of years ago. It's a non-nav unit, so I don't know about the GPS connection. I used the OEM backup camera, and just plugged it in to one of the Kenwood's connections. You'll need a USB adapter if you want to use the OEM USB port and a satellite radio adapter if you want to use the OEM sharkfin antenna on the roof. Instructions and part numbers for all the connections are in various posts on this forum but it requires some digging to find all the information.

I just got this head unit as well and was wondering the same thing. crutchfield said that the factory gps antenna and the factory mic aren't compatible with the new headunit and to use the kenwood ones. i wasnt sure where to run the gps antenna though; ive heard of people mounting them to the bottom of the windshield at the front of the dash and slipping the wire down but i'll have to do some hunting to see if i can actually do that. they said the antenna needs to be up against glass. I'm just happy to get rid of the factory entune setup and use android auto. Crutchfield also said that even with the USB adapter from the factory port that if youre going to use carplay or android auto run a dedicated USB (black for apple; grey for android) because sometimes the factory one through the adapter mucks up and wont work properly. Also if anyone has any reference on how long an install like this takes that would be great, I cant imagine itll take more than a couple hours but i don't want it to turn into a 6hr job. I've never installed a stereo in a vehicle this new

You didn't have to put the antenna on glass somewhere for it to work properly?

It does not need to be up on the glass. 2014 and up the OEM one is on a metal shelf directly behind the radio under the dash. Just put the new one in the same spot.

Negative. On really cloudy days it takes an extra second or on start up but that about it.

So I just did the head unit install today. I used the scosche dash kit that I had a local auto-body shop paint match to the rest of the interior. Cost $160 but I'm terrible with a rattle can and honestly its money well spent. The trim looks factory. The rest of the install was an absolute breeze. I ran the new mic to the top of the steering column before the dash cluster, then called my brother with A/C on and off to make sure the noise wasn't awful. I ran the GPS antenna to the top of the windshield near the rear view mirror. I ran the wire through the headliner-> down the driver side pillar-> next to the speaker-> under the dash-> over to the head unit. I already have my EZ Pass and remote start there so it doesn't look out of place; its on the dotted part of the glass so you don't notice it from the outside. I used the USB adapter from iDatalink to the factory USB and android auto works from the factory port. The other USB I ran out under the dash to the driver side and tucked it up behind the panel above my right leg approximately. There's a spare port there that I may adapt to a secondary USB port at some point. Overall the install was pretty easy; let me know if anyone has any questions.