My Pioneer AVH-X3500BHS Head Unit Installation

[Andrew_Morrow]

I have completed the installation of the Pioneer AVH-X3500BHS head unit in my 4Runner. I want to thanks all the people in this community who posted the information and responded to my questions. I couldn't have done this without your helps.

My installations:

• Pioneer AVH-X3500BHS
• Axxess Metra ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface with New Micro B Connector
• Metra 95-8202 Toyota DDIN Multi Dash Kit
• Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up
• MicroBypass Parking Brake Override Bypass
• USB/3.5mm AUX Extension Cable

After trying 3 different head units, I decided to go with the Pioneer AVH-X3500BHS. Other units considered were:

• Kenwood DDX470 – the reason I like this head unit was because it has the knot volume control rather than pressing +/- buttons. That makes much easier to control while driving. The sound is also good, about the same as the OEM. FM radio is good but not the best. I'll explain later. But the biggest reason I decided against this is the graphic display. It's so basic. The touch screen is full of rectangular buttons rather then pictures. This head unit is also lacked a remote control; something very useful when the kids are watching videos from the back seats.
• Pioneer AVH-X4500BT – I like this unit for it larger screen size (the largest of all three). The buttons are in the bottom rather then the side. This make it a little easier to handle since you can rest your hand on the dash while control the buttons. The graphic is much better looking than the Kenwood. The tilt screen seems to be nice but not work well for 4Runner. When installed on the 4Runner, the screen is already tilted up a little. This unit only allows the screen to tilt up. I don't see a need for tilting further up but tilting down would be better. Again, the FM radio is good but not the best.

I finally decided with the Pioneer AVH-X3500BHS. The thing that makes this unit standouts from the other 2 was the Digital Radio. With digital radio, you get the CD quality from FM. I can tell the big different in the sound quality by switch between analog and digital. The station also passes over the song information and even album art (see attached picture). The volume button is a little difficult to press while driving but that's solved by installing the Steering wheel control. I installed the USB/3.5mm AUX Extension Cable to the center storage area, the same area the original AUX input was installed. This way, I can have my handheld equipment hide away. For the microphone, I posted a question to get input from this community. I ended up installed it under the rear view mirror. I want to install somewhere in the middle so that the passenger seat can engages to the conversation. My original spot was to drill a hole in the reading lights/sunroof switch and hide all the microphone wire away. However, that unit was molded together and I'm not able to drill a hole through it.

Some issues I had were the FM reception and the bypass switch. At first, I installed the bypass switch and it works nicely. Per instructions, I connect the black wire to the black on the harness, the blue to the blue/white, and the green to parking break wire on the head unit. Then I was having issue with the radio reception. After posting question here, I found that the 4Runner has an antenna booster and it needs to power up by connection the blue wire from the harness (power antenna wire) to the blue/white wire from the head unit. I left this out at first thinking there is not power antenna in this model of 4Runner. So the reception issue was fixed and I'm getting all the stations I got before. I few days later when my kids play a DVD, the bypass switch stops working. It turns out that by adding the antenna booster wire to the blue/white wire, the bypass quits working. I work around this by switching the antenna booster wire to the yellow wire from the harness (the ACC switch wire).

Is your toyota have the jbl system in it? i am thinking of putting that radio in my 4runner

 

[dgwood12]

Is there a writeup in the forum on how to replace the stock stereo? I am interested in getting a similar unit and never have done a head unit install before. I am pretty good at figuring things out but was wondering if you used a write up when installing yours. Looks great by the way.

 

[makristal]

I installed the 5600BHS last night. Almost everything worked (my fault)

I forgot to order an antenna adapter :bash: ..so I'll have to take it apart in a couple of days.

One question. My pandora "app" on the homescreen is greyed out. Any ideas? I'm connected via bluetooth to an iPhone. It has Pandora installed. Works over bluetooth but will not let me select the Pandora option on the head unit.


EDIT: After some reading, I may just plug in the fender antenna and splice the antenna power into the pioneer harness. Seems to be an alternate option.

For Pandora, I end up just using the Bluetooth audio, then running the app natively on my phone (HTC One). So instead of running DoubleTwist or any other music app, Pandora streams from the phone (haven't downloaded the Pioneer App Radio stuff so this is my work-around).

 

[Qtip]

Crutchfield provides everything you need to do this instillation with pictures and all. I was concerned about the wiring harnesses but after reading I was able to get it done without issue.

 

[dgwood12]

I installed the 5600BHS last night. Almost everything worked (my fault)

I forgot to order an antenna adapter :bash: ..so I'll have to take it apart in a couple of days.


EDIT: After some reading, I may just plug in the fender antenna and splice the antenna power into the pioneer harness. Seems to be an alternate option.

This is the same unit I will be getting. Did you end up purchasing an antenna adapter? If so, where did you get it? Or did you do the alternative of splicing?

 

[makristal]

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo my problems are probably simple ones, but I thought I would run them past any who.

1) Where did you guys end up grounding your camera? Is one of the wires to the tail light housing the Ground? If so, which, may I ask, is it?!?!?

2) When you set your camera Polarity, did you set it to Ground or Battery?

3) When setting your Camera Sittings, is it NAT, PAL-M, PAL-N, Auto or the other 5th one which I can't remember?

4) Has anyone else experienced this yet? I have done EVERYTHING except for tapping into my Reverse and leading to my Head Unit. Now when I turn on my car with the camera set up, it locks the screen onto a blank screen that has the CATION THINGS MAY BE FLIPPED message and I cannot get out of this screen. Will this all go away when I bride the connection between the HU and Reverse?

I was so excited to get it done today! And then I realized I chose the WRONG left :'( (Left when you're looking at the liftgate from the outside) which is no problem because you can sneak the cable into the liftgate through a grommet. However, I couldn't find an elegant way to avoid the glass with my wires, so I bundled them all up and made sure they were long enough to go DIRECTLY to the bottom of the open space (meaning, they're dangling to the very bottom of the metal, woot).

UGH, a day of trying to DIY and it ends in defeat :'(

 

[ravis217]

This is the same unit I will be getting. Did you end up purchasing an antenna adapter? If so, where did you get it? Or did you do the alternative of splicing?

I did it the lazy way, just plugged in the top antenna. Works fine around town.

 

[Brutalguyracing]

So i am thinking if picking up an PIONEER avh-x4500bhs for my 2003
It has a jbl radio in it now
Does anyone know what i need to install it wire and cable wise

CRUTCHFIELD WEBSITE CALLING FOR'

1....Axxess ASWC-1
Steering wheel control interface — connects your car's steering wheel audio controls to an aftermarket stereo
$80

2.....Metra 70-8117 Factory Integration Adapter
Connect a new car stereo and bypass the factory amplifier in select 2003-07 Toyota vehicles
$25

3.........Metra 95-8210 In-dash Receiver Kit
Fits select 2003-09 Toyota 4Runner models — double-DIN radios
$FREE

4.....Axxess AX-ADBOX1 Factory Integration Adapter
Connect a new car stereo and retain many factory functions in select 2000-up vehicles
$100

5.....PAC TATO Factory Integration Adapter
Install a new car stereo and retain your JBL amp, balance and fade controls, and Synthesis® surround systems (2003-up Toyota and Lexus vehicles)
$38

WHAT ELSE WOULD I NEED THINGS ARE ADDING UP QUICK......

 

[earthrealm]

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo my problems are probably simple ones, but I thought I would run them past any who.

1) Where did you guys end up grounding your camera? Is one of the wires to the tail light housing the Ground? If so, which, may I ask, is it?!?!?

2) When you set your camera Polarity, did you set it to Ground or Battery?

3) When setting your Camera Sittings, is it NAT, PAL-M, PAL-N, Auto or the other 5th one which I can't remember?

4) Has anyone else experienced this yet? I have done EVERYTHING except for tapping into my Reverse and leading to my Head Unit. Now when I turn on my car with the camera set up, it locks the screen onto a blank screen that has the CATION THINGS MAY BE FLIPPED message and I cannot get out of this screen. Will this all go away when I bride the connection between the HU and Reverse?

I was so excited to get it done today! And then I realized I chose the WRONG left :'( (Left when you're looking at the liftgate from the outside) which is no problem because you can sneak the cable into the liftgate through a grommet. However, I couldn't find an elegant way to avoid the glass with my wires, so I bundled them all up and made sure they were long enough to go DIRECTLY to the bottom of the open space (meaning, they're dangling to the very bottom of the metal, woot).

UGH, a day of trying to DIY and it ends in defeat :'(

lol..had the same problem on my pioneer 4400bh hu...go to the menu turn off the reverse cam...the message shud go away...the cam will turn on when u throw the truck into reverse [ie assuming u tapped power from the reverse lights]

 

[dgwood12]

Deleted

 

[wake_rider]

Mildly on topic

For the OP and anyone else with the AVH-X3500BHS, have you found a way to silence the annoying "beep" made with every button push? This is driving me nuts! I installed mine just 3 or 4 days ago and I love the unit, but reading through the manual and toying with the unit has not led me to finding out how to get rid of that selection beep. I can't stand it.

Every aftermarket HU I've ever owned has allowed that selection sound to be shut off, but I'm just not finding that as an option on this unit. It has to be there and I'm just missing something obvious.

 

[Brutalguyracing]

quick question do i need a braking brake bypass with my pioneer 4500 series unit?

 

[jeffreykb]

Awesome! That "Pandora connection mode = wired/bluetooth" is the setting I was talking about before that I couldn't remember where to tell you it was.
So, did that fix all your issues with the Pandora options being unavailable to you?

Yes...thanks again.

 

[Brutalguyracing]

Wish i could have installed mine
Looks like i need to go pay someone to install it and get correct parts
Errrr
Story of my life

Even the dash kit don't fit correctly

Don't have any plug that fits this center wire
Errr

This part is extra ? Idk

Oh well i knew i should have just bought a radio from say pc richards with the free install.....
Oh well live And learn
Now i drive around like this

 

[jeffreykb]

Even the dash kit don't fit correctly

Check out the following thread for a replacment of a Pioneer avh-p3300 to Pioneer AVH-P4400 head unit installation with photos of the head units in the dash with a Metra 8210 dash kit. I had to use a different Metra dash kit since my stock head unit was not a JBL/audio amplifier system.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/115716-new-head-unit-coming-pioneer-avh-4400-a.html

The Pioneer owner manuals for the AVH-X4500BT, AVH-P4400BH, and AVH-P3300BT list the same width and height dimensions for the nose of the head unit. The depth is the same for the AVH-X4500BT and AVH-P4400BH.

AVH-X4500BT Nose Dimensions 171 mm x 97 mm x 18 mm
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/Manuals/Car/AVH-X4500BT_OwnersManual010213.pdf

AVH-P4400BH Nose Dimensions 171 mm x 97 mm x 18 mm
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/Manuals/Car/AVH-P4400BH_OwnersManual051712.pdf

AVH-P3300BT Nose Dimensions 171 mm x 97 mm x 7 mm
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/Manuals/Car/AVH-P3300BT_OwnersManual121510.pdf

You might try measuring the head unit and dash kit to verify that dash kit is the approximately the dimensions stated in the head unit owner's manual. Metra may have put the incorrect dash kit in the packaging.

Don't have any plug that fits this center wire
Errr

I do not recall if I do not use one of the wiring harnesses in my 4Runner for the head unit (installed August 2013). However, you can verify that you connected all of the needed cables (ACC power, Battery power (for clock), speaker wiress, power antenna amplifier, etc.) However, I do not know the method used to bypass the audio ampilifer. Hopefully someone that installed a head unit with a stock audio amplifier can help here.

This part is extra ? Idk

Did this part come with the Metra 70-8117 Factory Integration Adapter? If so, you might try calling Metra to ask them. Based on your description ("bypass the factory amplifier"), it might plug into the audio amplifier for the bypass. Again, I used a different wiring harness part.

 

[Code2]

If i recall the black plug isnt used anymore i assume that is what your talking about

 

[Code2]

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo my problems are probably simple ones, but I thought I would run them past any who.

1) Where did you guys end up grounding your camera? Is one of the wires to the tail light housing the Ground? If so, which, may I ask, is it?!?!?

2) When you set your camera Polarity, did you set it to Ground or Battery?

3) When setting your Camera Sittings, is it NAT, PAL-M, PAL-N, Auto or the other 5th one which I can't remember?

4) Has anyone else experienced this yet? I have done EVERYTHING except for tapping into my Reverse and leading to my Head Unit. Now when I turn on my car with the camera set up, it locks the screen onto a blank screen that has the CATION THINGS MAY BE FLIPPED message and I cannot get out of this screen. Will this all go away when I bride the connection between the HU and Reverse?

I was so excited to get it done today! And then I realized I chose the WRONG left :'( (Left when you're looking at the liftgate from the outside) which is no problem because you can sneak the cable into the liftgate through a grommet. However, I couldn't find an elegant way to avoid the glass with my wires, so I bundled them all up and made sure they were long enough to go DIRECTLY to the bottom of the open space (meaning, they're dangling to the very bottom of the metal, woot).

UGH, a day of trying to DIY and it ends in defeat :'(

1. I tapped a ground by the head unit. Power was tapped in the wiring harness on the drivers side floor panel next to seat.Red wire with yellow stripe

2. ground

3.ntfs

4. I had same issue turned out i had the setting camera on if i remember correctly. i think you hit the corner of the screen or hold the menu button down
dont quote me tho

Also did you get a mirrored image camera? sounds like you got a cam from ebay and pioneer used a mirrored image camera thus a regular one flips the image right is left and vice versa

See here tells and shows you exactly how to route the came in the tail gate where to tap etc etc

Trust me you will appreciate this video
part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBzoD97BcHQ

Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4owoUL8UDo

 

[Brutalguyracing]

should i just use a audio rca cable and cut the end off and reinstall the rca plug back on when i am done routing the video wire for the backup camera?

 

[Code2]

should i just use a audio rca cable and cut the end off and reinstall the rca plug back on when i am done routing the video wire for the backup camera?

why cut anything? I assume you mean cut it for the purpose of running the cable in a one tight area in the tailgate section? aka the long rubber grommet

ky is your friend

 

[makristal]

1. I tapped a ground by the head unit. Power was tapped in the wiring harness on the drivers side floor panel next to seat.Red wire with yellow stripe

2. ground

3.ntfs

4. I had same issue turned out i had the setting camera on if i remember correctly. i think you hit the corner of the screen or hold the menu button down
dont quote me tho

Also did you get a mirrored image camera? sounds like you got a cam from ebay and pioneer used a mirrored image camera thus a regular one flips the image right is left and vice versa

See here tells and shows you exactly how to route the came in the tail gate where to tap etc etc

Trust me you will appreciate this video
part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBzoD97BcHQ

Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4owoUL8UDo

Thanks for the update! The image is not mirrored, at least, it is no different than any other rear view camera I have used in the past on stock vehicles. Got mostly everything sorted out, the only thing I haven't done yet is wire in the ground, I don't want to rip apart everything again to lead the ground wire all the way up to the drivers side...Will get to it soon, just havne't yet.