Pioneer FH-X720BT - 2-DIN upgrade?

[jeremyc74]

Guide on How to Combine Both Front & Rear Antennas into One on an Aftermarket Stereo - YotaTech Forums
Interesting. I was just reading at the end of this thread where someone got poor AM reception with that adapter on the aftermarket HU. What you were saying might explain that. I always listen to FM so it has helped me.

Yeah, I ran into this when I was trying to source the parts to combine the antennae locally. Every installer I talked to would say the same thing:

"That's just for the AM Diversity tuner. You don't need it."

Which may be true for a lot of vehicles, but with the 4Runner it definitely helps with the FM reception. I'm not sure if that's because we have a substandard fender mounted antenna up front, or something else.

 

[ThorInc]

Its not a AM or FM specific antenna. Just an antenna for any type of reception. Also I was thinking about your idea of bridging C and +. This might work in theory. I just err on the side of caution when messing with my vehicle and I know the way I told you earlier works. You have a picture of the switch you are using?

Here is a link to the switch that I purchased on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00PANOP5I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

I will install the antenna combiner tomorrow along with the switch (with the bridge between C and + and ground the - to the bracket that held the Yota amp that I removed. I will report back if it works as I think it might.

 

[ThorInc]

So, I just got the leads ready for the antenna toggle switch and I tested the setup with a 12 volt source and these are my findings (the actual install will be tomorrow), NOTE, +ve is bridged to C on the toggle:
NO1(open?) gives 12+ volts only when the button is fully depressed (on); I will wire the blue to C & blue/white on the Kenwood harness to NO1 & find a good chassis ground for the toggle -ve. Will update tomorrow once I am done, thank you for all the feedback and direction!

 

[TheDurk]

Its not a AM or FM specific antenna. Just an antenna for any type of reception. Also I was thinking about your idea of bridging C and +. This might work in theory. I just err on the side of caution when messing with my vehicle and I know the way I told you earlier works. You have a picture of the switch you are using?

I see no issue in taking the power for the led off the blue wire (bridging C and +). In fact, I'd much rather tap that than mess with the power lead to the HU. Both will work. I'd prefer to tap a chassis ground for the (-) than the HU, just to cut any risk of noise or static in the audio system.

 

[ThorInc]

Update

Y antenna and antenna switch installed as described above. I put the switch on the tan part off the centre console driver's side as I did not want to have to disconnect leads if I pulled the console again; it's on the curved part towards front but in line with the OBDII port and just above. Switch lights up when the HU is powered on and antenna will deploy when the switch is depressed. Power antenna goes down if toggle is released or when the HU is powered off. Thanks to all that helped me think this through and with both antennas combined and working, reception is much better. AS Bump N Run noted, the reception is "almost"just as good with the power antenna down so I definitely won't use it in the winter months or off road.

 

[ugamurph]

I recently installed a new Pioneer DEH-X8700BS to replace a messed up JVC DVD player. I didn't realize the Pioneer wouldn't lower the antenna when using CD & Bluetooth. But, it wouldn't have been a deal breaker. Yesterday I installed a simple SPST rocker switch inline with the blue antenna/amp power wire. I wanted to use a location for the switch that wouldn't take away from the mostly OEM look of my dash. (Plus, I had a white switch left over from something else and didn't want it sticking out like a sore thumb.) So, I installed it in the top of the small cubby beside the 12V power outlets. Works great and is easily accessible.