Help: Install of Kenwood DNX1820 in '04 SR5 4Runner

[DRM4444]

Does anyone know how easy it is to install the Kenwood DNX1820 within the dash of my 2004 SR5 4Runner?

I am contemplating purchasing this unit and pulling the factory base AM/FM CD player unit and installing this new unit myself. I would also like to consider running the optional rear back-up monitor and possibly a rear back seat DVD Alpine (or something) for the kids behind me for road trips.

Is the installation in this car relatively easy or nightmare-ish?

How about getting the cable to the back to install the back-up monitor?

And ease of cabling to get the rear seat (overhead?) DVD player? Where would it attach given the courtesy light sits right there in the middle of the head area?

Any other thoughts? I am mostly after bluetooth and music, the DVD is of course useless when driving unless I run the rear DVD unit. The FM satellite feature is new to me so not sure if I will get this part up and running -- does anyone know if the Satellite FM is worth it?

Thanks in advance

 

[Fadiddy]

Does anyone know how easy it is to install the Kenwood DNX1820 within the dash of my 2004 SR5 4Runner?

I am contemplating purchasing this unit and pulling the factory base AM/FM CD player unit and installing this new unit myself. I would also like to consider running the optional rear back-up monitor and possibly a rear back seat DVD Alpine (or something) for the kids behind me for road trips.

Is the installation in this car relatively easy or nightmare-ish?

How about getting the cable to the back to install the back-up monitor?

And ease of cabling to get the rear seat (overhead?) DVD player? Where would it attach given the courtesy light sits right there in the middle of the head area?

Any other thoughts? I am mostly after bluetooth and music, the DVD is of course useless when driving unless I run the rear DVD unit. The FM satellite feature is new to me so not sure if I will get this part up and running -- does anyone know if the Satellite FM is worth it?

Thanks in advance

The install is very easy, unless you have the goofy RDS dash, then the install can be a bit tricky. Running the cables to the back for the camera is simple, just be sure not to get the wires caught in any rear window mechanisms, otherwise, it could be a problem. As far as DVD being useless when driving...that all depends on personal preference...and the bypass is extremely easy to do. Satellite radio is cool, but still not worth the money until they start adding video capabilities in the mix, then i could see myself paying $20 a month for service. Running cables to the headrest is tough, you actually may need to buy new headrests and have them shipped to a company that will wire it up for you. Hope this helps, let us know how your install goes.

 

[DRM4444]

Oops! Sorry, I was not clear on the DVD location. I was thinking of locating the DVD for the rear passengers someplace in the vicinity of the headliner where the rear seat courtesy light is located (if I install it at all). Maybe just to the frontside of the courtesy light between the front seat backrests so as to miss the courtesy light. Does this make sense?

Regarding the rear monitor, someone mentioned that there is a sort of raceway that already exists from the trunk headliner area by the rear window clear up to the front dash (maybe then down the passenger side door column to the dash/glovebox are ) and that you don't really even need to remove much in the way of side panels or head panels (plastic) to make the cable pull? Does this sound right?

 

[DRM4444]

Oh, also...are there directions online anyplace that would assist me in determining how best to remove the existing stereo, face/trim in that area to access the space for the Kenwood DNX1820...and to see specifically how to get cables from the dash to the rear seat headliner (for the rear seat DVD player) and from the dash to the rear 4runner cargo area and into the door for the back-up monitor?