Folks,

I am testing the waters for doing a self install of AVIC-D3 on my 06 (without JBL).

I talked to local installers and they all wanted upwards of $300 for a full install of HU, Bluetooth, SPKR, AMP. If I can do the HU install, I can save 50% of the costs. I plan to let the pro's do the speaker and AMP install.

The only experience that I have of head units is removal of the stock and installing Scion HU on my 06.

Here are the questions:
- Given my experience, is the D3 install straight forward?
- How hard is the Bluetooth install?
- I want to use the steering wheel controls, what is the part number of the harness?
- Is there any other part that I need to install the D3?

Since cost of D3 is coming down, I am hopeful others are thinking of the same upgrade and this info would be useful.

Thanks

Hello,

I just upgraded from my DEH-9800BT to the AVIC-D3, well worth it, the touch screen is soo nice!

I would not waste money paying someone to do it, if your comfortable with the changing radios you did before, you'll be fine.

To answer your questions:

-- install is pretty straight forward. The only thing that threw me for a loop is that you have to access 3 wires in the harness in the fuse area ofthe dash of the car. A little tedious, but not horrible. (not worth $300) :-) They wires are the parking break sensor wire, car speed wire and...forget the last one. The unit needs the speed for hte Nav and the parking break they have set up so you can't fool with to much nav while driving and watch movies without hte break engaged. there are some ways around this, but not worth the Nav possibly not being as accurate.

- the steering wheel controls you need to buy a special unit to interface with your new radio: like this:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-6qlBYc8...ols&i=127SWIPS

as far as i know that is the only way to do this.

- i had blue tooth with my older unit, didn't buy with this one, but was easy to run the mic accross the dash and brought it up hte left front pillar of hte windshield and put the mic on my visor. My data phone no longer works with it, so decided against it this time.

I have always used crutchfield and they are superb in helping with the install, free shipping and no tax! They were able to tell me which wires to splice into the for hte nav funtions, for example look at the 12 pin plug for the white wire with blue stripe. priceless in my opinion, there are alot of wires :-)

I did sirius, amp, custom sub in the back, and replaced all speakers with Infiniti's if you need any more help hit me up. HOpe this helps ya.

Chris

Crutchfield is great for the DIYer ....

But consider this when buying anywhere online....

If you have a product go bad... ie speaker blows, radio doesn't work, etc... You have to pull the product out and send it back, then wait for them to send it to you.

Buying in a store you are more than likely going to be swapped out the same day. Our store swaps defective products within a 90 day time frame.

Having a product installed by a shop means they pull it out... so you don't have to go tearing your car apart again for something that isn't your fault.

Install prices can be a bit high, but you do have to consider that warranty and replacement labor is also built into the price. I charge $65 for an amp install... I'll do it for $45 if you never bring it back regardless of the problem. $300 for all the stuff you wanted put in is a good price.

Thanks for the comments.

A Question... where do you install the GPS sensor? I heard it is within the dashboard, but do I need to take more of the dashboard off to install it? I am hoping that I can install the D3+ GPS by simply taking off the parts which allow me access to remove the OEM stereo and swap with D3.

Yes, I do have the harness (metra) and the metra dashboard kit.

thanks.

I am not sure about putting the GPS antenna under the dash, i put mine on the back roof panel.

I ran it out under the steering area, and then up the pillar by the drivers face to the roof line, then ran it back under that trim area to the rear hatch and placed it on the corner of the back left hand roof.

I want to place it in the middle as I did with my sirus, but learned the hard way that the antenna cable length is to short :-(


Good luck.