replace stock head unit with double din–Wiring question

[Bluesky 07]

No problem
If you get it, keep us posted. I've been looking at it for awhile, but just can't pull the trigger.

I'm sure you read them, but the reviews on that unit are few and decidedly mixed. I get wanting the convenience of plug'n'play but what good is that if you have to Dremel the dash and bend the mounting bracket to get it installed? That's what an '06 4Runner owner said and also added that the sound quality doesn't compare to a low-end Alpine. Plus, who makes that brand? Way too many questions and uncertainties for me to lay out $250.

I got an open-box Kenwood DDX373BT for $270 from Crutchfield (sells new for $299.99). The harness I needed and an adaptor to keep my AUX input function added less than $20. That was everything, including what you need to keep the steering wheel controls. You wire the Crux harness to the HU harness, then plug the 3 plugs into the factory harnesses in the dash and the one plug into the HU. Tap your parking brake wire (or bypass it as some do) and you're good to go. They provide free installation advice by phone, outstanding tech support for the life of your HU, and give you the dash kit and mounting bracket that make it looks stock.

I posted a thread listing the harnesses I bought and info on tapping the brake and reverse wires (for a backup cam) and feel free to fire away with any questions you have about the install. I'd be happy to help.

It's your money and your truck but you will see and hear whatever you install every day for the time you own your vehicle. It's worth a few more bucks and a little more effort on the install IMHO.

 

[Mojav]

Hi

I installed a pioneer Avh x4500. And I used the crux swirty-61s with an extra pioneer harness and the wired bypass.

My trim was a pioneer piece that was pricey but I liked it better over the Metra

Mojav

 

[Ausumm]

No problem
If you get it, keep us posted. I've been looking at it for awhile, but just can't pull the trigger.

TRIGGER PULLED!
It should arrive next week.
Now, I have to find a weekend where I don't have other plans.
Or, should I say, my wife doesn't have other plans FOR me.
-

 

[Ausumm]

TRIGGER PULLED!
It should arrive next week.
Now, I have to find a weekend where I don't have other plans.
Or, should I say, my wife doesn't have other plans FOR me.
-

Great day! My new HU arrived the same day as the mitre saw I ordered from Home Depot.
(BTW...the saw is for home improvements and NOT to install the new stereo)
So now I have a new CB radio and a new head unit...
And so, it begins!

 

[Ausumm]

WOW!
This was truly plug-and-play!
It took me almost an hour to dismantle the dash and trim...
but swapping the radio, was just a matter of removing the 3 plugs and plugging them in the new head unit. No cutting, drilling or wiring.
It sounds great, and I love using a thumb drive or my phone for music!
(never had Bluetooth, so I am anxious to try it for making calls)
Total installation time with cleanup...less than 2 hours.
-

 

[theglove]

WOW!
This was truly plug-and-play!
It took me almost an hour to dismantle the dash and trim...
but swapping the radio, was just a matter of removing the 3 plugs and plugging them in the new head unit. No cutting, drilling or wiring.
It sounds great, and I love using a thumb drive or my phone for music!
(never had Bluetooth, so I am anxious to try it for making calls)
Total installation time with cleanup...less than 2 hours.
-

Where did you put the nav antenna?

 

[Ausumm]

Where did you put the nav antenna?

Ran it under the panel below the steering wheel,
up the left hand edge of the windshield,
across the top and stuck it just above the rear-view mirror mount.

 

[theglove]

Ran it under the panel below the steering wheel,
up the left hand edge of the windshield,
across the top and stuck it just above the rear-view mirror mount.

Sorry to keep bugging you, but do you have the aux port in the center console? If so, does it still work?

 

[Ausumm]

Sorry to keep bugging you, but do you have the aux port in the center console? If so, does it still work?

The only AUX input (on the head unit) is the attached USB plug.
Right now it is hidden in the little compartment just below the heater controls,
but I have a flush-mount plug on order
and I plan to mount it on the side of that compartment.

(Hope that is what you were talking about)
-

 

[Bluesky 07]

Sorry to keep bugging you, but do you have the aux port in the center console? If so, does it still work?

See my post above.

 

[theglove]

Looks like it's been about a year since you got the radio. How's it holding up, any issues?

 

[Ant]

Looks like it's been about a year since you got the radio. How's it holding up, any issues?

Everything is working great. I have not had any issues.

 

[averagedawg]

I do not have steering wheel controls on my steering wheel. Basic steering wheel without audio buttons.

feeling confident.after watching a youtube install of a new stereo install.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WDQcwDixDs
All wen't great! EXCEPT for the wiring.

I purchased the pumpkin android stereo.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So, i purchased everything the video mentioned except the crux harness - since i don't have steering controls. I purchased the power harness (thinking that was enough). Obviously this wasn't enough as I couldn't connect to the red circled wiring harness that connects to our factory stereo.
I have this harness that connects to 2 of the wiring harness coming out of the dash.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So, when i opened up the dash, there was a 3rd harness (circled in red) that I couldn't connect to... Is this the steering wheel controls? Can i just leave it disconnected?
Do you know how to solve for this? Where could I get this harness, or how would I connect to this harness? Do i need to connect to the circled harness coming out of my dash? What is that part used for?

Secondly, my new unit only has a few harness wires, bit the main one is for radio functions I( there are extra ones for GPS, blue tooth mic etc) wouldve to splice from the power harness? (and new harness I will have to buy for the stereo) to the harness that comes from Pumpkin (assuming I just match colors?). See picture with green arrow.

I attached pictures. Red is the part that I can't connect to. I don't know where / how to connect to that harness today.

Any help would be appreciated... kind of stuck.
Attached Images