Kenwood DDX917WS (specifically for Toyotas) - Anyone get it?

[Johns06yota]

USB plugs are just extension cords that can be run anywhere from the back of the unit and ends in a female outputs I just have it hanging outside next to my driver side console.

The plugs that come from the harness is a direct plug for the head unit harness. From what I remember he JBL system in my 3rd gen uses the same plush at the amp (not directly at the back of the head unit). Mine didn’t have the JBL so I can’t attest if the 4th gen uses the same setup as the 3rd. I was able to plug the antenna in fine too.

Everything plugs in except the steering adaptor. I’m afraid I might just have to get a PAC adaptor or another aftermarket one to get the steering adaptor to work. I’ll grab more pictures later if needed. I got my unit from 12 volt usa on eBay. Less than a week shipped from Malaysia. This unit is available both in Asia and Australia. They have less expensive versions without the CarPlay feature too.

I don’t have the oem backup camera but I do intend on installing it. It also has a harness for the Kenwood forward dash cam too.

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This might be a dumb question but since this unit is only sold in Australia/Asia does it have the time zones for the US still? Also I saw something about different dvd zones in the world. Do dvd's play on this radio as well as CD's here in the US?

 

[pipspeak]

op2:

I am so ready for a capacitive-display unit with mirroring that actually fills that space in the dash without ugly spacers (currently have a JVC nav unit but am tired of the low-res resistive display). But why do they keep making them massively bulky DVD players, too? Does anyone actually watch DVDs in the front of their cars?

This might be a dumb question but since this unit is only sold in Australia/Asia does it have the time zones for the US still? Also I saw something about different dvd zones in the world. Do dvd's play on this radio as well as CD's here in the US?

Further to this, is there any issue with HD/FM radio reception in the US?

 

[Johns06yota]

op2:

I am so ready for a capacitive-display unit with mirroring that actually fills that space in the dash without ugly spacers (currently have a JVC nav unit but am tired of the low-res resistive display). But why do they keep making them massively bulky DVD players, too? Does anyone actually watch DVDs in the front of their cars?



Further to this, is there any issue with HD/FM radio reception in the US?

For me I just like to have the option to play DVD's or CD's. Even though CD's are basically obsolete I still listen to them from time to time. My current radio is Capacitive I've just had some issues with it but Kenwood wants me to cover shipping for repair and it would be gone for several weeks.

 

[tv4184]

I just discovered this link regarding the steering wheel connections so maybe there might be an easier fix.

Direct OEM Steering Remote Function | Navigation and AV Receivers | Car Electronics | KENWOOD Singapore

Looking at my old pic. The top left harness is the one that came with the unit which is a 28p harness and the factory is a 20p harness so maybe if I can find the right harness may be able to bypass the need for a maestro/pac link module.

Need to do more research later this week.

So I finally had some time to look more into this. I found two sites that have something that would work with the 20 pin harness to the Kenwood. The only reason I don't want to go Metra / PAC / Maestro because I may have read that the Kenwood has the Maestro functionality built into it. That's why it comes with just the harness --> 3mm adapter already, except its 26 pin.

Toyota Harness Adapter

This adapter would require the wiring to a 3mm which would not be bad. Wish I saw this before ordering my unit because they're the same people I got my unit from.

TOYOTA steering control plug

Now this is really what we'd need to make it work. The 20 pin female to 3.5 mm is perfect. I might just build my own if I can't figure how to source this without having to pay exorbitant shipping costs for it.

They talk about how to wire a 20 pin harness for the 2010 Hilux here which should be similar to the 20 pin on our 4th gens.

Kenwood OEM Steer Remote for '10 Hilux

Still digging around though. I'm gonna contact that Thai shop first to see if I can get their harness. The one through Fasmoto is only 16 usd shipped but 2-3 weeks to get here so that'll be option number 2.

 

[tv4184]

For me I just like to have the option to play DVD's or CD's. Even though CD's are basically obsolete I still listen to them from time to time. My current radio is Capacitive I've just had some issues with it but Kenwood wants me to cover shipping for repair and it would be gone for several weeks.

It at least plays CDs. DVDs will definitely be limited to region 3.

 

[Lowetony]

Does anyone think around $675 is expensive for this unit?

 

[fayewong]

Does anyone think around $675 is expensive for this unit?

I bought a kenwood unit few years ago for $750. Now it is worth only $300. To answer your question, no. It isn't worth buying this overpriced bs. You mind as well use the $675 towards a new phone and phone mount holder to do the job.

I still regret paying that much for a headunit to this day that doesn't work as it should.

 

[vonguido]

I bought a kenwood unit few years ago for $750. Now it is worth only $300. To answer your question, no. It isn't worth buying this overpriced bs. You mind as well use the $675 towards a new phone and phone mount holder to do the job.

I still regret paying that much for a headunit to this day that doesn't work as it should.

I would agree with this. Now granted I have never bought an super expensive head unit, but I feel buying a tablet and having it routed into the system would be a better option.

 

[tv4184]

It looks like I'll have some downtime this week to work on the harness for the steering wheel adapter. Unit still works great though. I like the carplay functionality and everyone that rides in the car wonders why my infotainment is better than their newer Toyotas.

I'm just updating the thread because they phased this unit out and the new one is the DDX918WS. If carplay / android auto isnt needed and you just want an updated touchscreen look overall then there is the DDX718WBT thats $300 less than the DDX918WS. Once we get into 2019 it'll be even less.

The cost of these units may not appeal to everyone on the forum but the discussion on this thread is here just so that anyone that is interested can be informed. That's pretty much why we're all here. Please try to keep this thread on topic.

 

[tv4184]

Just in case anyone was wondering but the radio works fine for US stations. I don't even have the Y adapter for both antennas connected yet. FM even pulls the station information if the station has any data to transmit to the radio.

AM works but the frequency adjustment for the Asian frequencies are not the same as for the US frequencies. For example below you'll see that Houston has stations for 740 and 610 but I have to tune to 738 and 612. Comes in fine and clear but won't pull the station info.

 

[rbpower]

I've been searching through the forums like the OP and noticed the 5th Gen threads do not have a very good Stereo guide. Is there a certain stereo that has general consensus? Still researching...

 

[tv4184]

They're now up to the DDX919WS which has HD screen tech and wireless carplay. I'll probably be getting the DDX921 or 922 whenever those come out. However, more pertinent to this thread, I did try to splice the steering wheel connections for the Kenwood but I think the plug that I had from metra did not work well. I ordered a better plug from overseas that has better connections just to be sure. I'll just show the solder work and diagram anyway for future reference.

There's even a video referencing how to do it...

How To Wire Built In Kenwood OEM Steering Wheel Controls - Toyota