TiVo V8 Build

[Johns06yota]

I anticipated my stops along the way and had thing shipped to Amazon lockers in Richmond, VA and Asheville, VA, as well as my friend's house for a few items from ebay and Walmart.

Barely had the truck for 48 hours and already starting some simple mods.

This might be useful for others on the forum but Kenwood makes a 200 mm Toyota specific head unit overseas for the Australian / Asian market. The model I bought is the DDX917WS and it is a capacitive touchscreen instead of resistive touch. The unit also has built in hand gestures, which I haven't explored yet. I could have saved a couple hundred just getting the DDX717WBT, which has air mirroring and bluetooth but does not have the CarPlay and Android Auto. I wanted this feature specifically. I know that they released some new units at CES but since I already had bought the truck back in December, I've been wanting to get this unit so couldn't wait til May to get the 2018 model. Most of the research I did on the unit came from FT86Club.
Kenwood DDX917WS head unit -- any installed?
2017 BRZ Headunit (and Dash!) Replacement
Now to the install.

I actually had this on my luggage, just in case I wanted to install it in the parking lot in Richmond. Good thing I decided to wait.

I didn't have all my detailing supplies with me so most of the console will have to be taken apart again to do a deep cleaning once I got her back.

Also installed the smoker's kit I ordered off eBay. I found this almost last minute on a thread while at work. I figured if I couldn't install it then my friend could use it on his rig, since he also has an 08'. The only thing is that he's not into modding it like I am.

Nice thing is the unit already comes wired for Toyota so its just pretty much plug and play. Minus the steering harness, which I'll have to find an alternate way. I'll make a new post once I figure this part out.

Unit fits almost perfect. First time I actually misaligned it a bit. I might have to fiddle a bit more because it sits more towards the right than towards the left. I suspect it has to do with it being made for the RHD market instead of the LHD. Unfortunately they don't make a LHD version of this unit. Although I haven't had much issue reaching towards the right hand side to adjust the volume, which won't be an issue when using the remote or steering wheel controls.

If it we're for the Kenwood logo, it'd look pretty stock. I really considered the AppRadio 4 by Pioneer but at the end I spent the extra monies because I wanted it to fill in the whole space. I wanted the most seemless OEM look that I could get without it looking too aftermarket.

The only thing about the 2017 unit, is that CarPlay / Android Auto is wired USB connection and not wireless. A small concession, so if any one plans on it, know that the 2018 models are being advertised as wireless Android Auto ready and potentially a firmware upgrade away from being wireless CarPlay ready.

Only a graphic equalizer, not parametric, but it does the job pretty well.

All buttoned up. It pretty much goes with the theme I was going for, which how it could have come from the factory and being 2018, CarPlay / Android Auto are pretty big. I still have to install the GPS antenna (it helps the phone navigation software), front / rear cameras, and steering wheel adaptor.

I ordered the TRD Pro shift knob that they use on the Tundra / 4Runner.

It looks almost okay except it sits too low. I'll have to decide if I want to trim it or not to make it fit properly because right now I can only shift it as low as 4, it doesn't make it to 3 or below. Although I suspect this won't be as much of an issue in Houston since I only needed it for a small downhill section in Asheville.

Now that you have had this radio for some time now what are the pros and cons?

Does fm and am radio work properly?

Steering wheel controls still function?

 

[BlackCrow]

Now that you have had this radio for some time now what are the pros and cons?

Does fm and am radio work properly?

Steering wheel controls still function?

Also interested in this radio. Have searched for it, not available on Amazon or Crutchfield, found on ebay from China...pretty costly, not sure the spec diff between this and a US version of a kenwood?

 

[tv4184]

Now that you have had this radio for some time now what are the pros and cons?

Does fm and am radio work properly?

Steering wheel controls still function?

I rarely listen to the radio. I mostly use the carplay. I can test that function when I'm on the way home but I don't think it would work since its an Asian unit.

I'm still working on the steering controls. It comes with an adaptor that plugs right into the 2010+ Toyotas and ours uses a different shape plug with less pins. Theres a chart on the Kenwood global website that shows all the Toyota steering wheel harness plugs. I just need to take the 3.5 mm jack from the one that came with the Kenwood unit and mate it to the plug I got from Metra and make a plug that'll match the right pins for the steering wheel harness. I've just been busy with stuff so I haven't done the research into it yet.

Also interested in this radio. Have searched for it, not available on Amazon or Crutchfield, found on ebay from China...pretty costly, not sure the spec diff between this and a US version of a kenwood?

I bought mine from an eBay seller in Malaysia. It's only available in Asia and not the U.S. There are several key differences besides it being setup for RHD, thats why all the touch buttons are to the right side. If you saw in my post its designed specifically for Toyotas so it plugs right into the harness for our cars. No need for an after market harness plus soldering and extra wires to deal with. The unit is 200 mm wide so it fits the opening without the need for any plastic trim pieces to fill in the gaps. If you go back to my original post all the details are there. It's just a matter of my interpretation of how it should have come from the factory. There is a new 2018 unit now though, the new model is the DDX918WS.

There is also a thread where it was lightly discussed. I'll be updating it once I figure the steering wheel harness issue. Kenwood DDX917WS (specifically for Toyotas) - Anyone get it?

 

[Johns06yota]

I rarely listen to the radio. I mostly use the carplay. I can test that function when I'm on the way home but I don't think it would work since its an Asian unit.

I'm still working on the steering controls. It comes with an adaptor that plugs right into the 2010+ Toyotas and ours uses a different shape plug with less pins. Theres a chart on the Kenwood global website that shows all the Toyota steering wheel harness plugs. I just need to take the 3.5 mm jack from the one that came with the Kenwood unit and mate it to the plug I got from Metra and make a plug that'll match the right pins for the steering wheel harness. I've just been busy with stuff so I haven't done the research into it yet.



I bought mine from an eBay seller in Malaysia. It's only available in Asia and not the U.S. There are several key differences besides it being setup for RHD, thats why all the touch buttons are to the right side. If you saw in my post its designed specifically for Toyotas so it plugs right into the harness for our cars. No need for an after market harness plus soldering and extra wires to deal with. The unit is 200 mm wide so it fits the opening without the need for any plastic trim pieces to fill in the gaps. If you go back to my original post all the details are there. It's just a matter of my interpretation of how it should have come from the factory. There is a new 2018 unit now though, the new model is the DDX918WS.

There is also a thread where it was lightly discussed. I'll be updating it once I figure the steering wheel harness issue. Kenwood DDX917WS (specifically for Toyotas) - Anyone get it?

Okay thanks! I'll be interested to see if that works. The dvd thing isn't a deal breaker but I do listen to the radio relatively often so if that works I may be adding this to my list of to do items haha

 

[tv4184]

Ddx917ws

Okay thanks! I'll be interested to see if that works. The dvd thing isn't a deal breaker but I do listen to the radio relatively often so if that works I may be adding this to my list of to do items haha

Sorry for the late response but the radio works fine for me. I don't even have the Y adapter for both antennas 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.

 

[Johns06yota]

Sorry for the late response but the radio works fine for me. I don't even have the Y adapter for both antennas 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.

No problem! And thanks for doing that I really appreciate it. I just wanted to make sure it functioned because I do use the radio from time to time

 

[tv4184]

Finally got nice weather to wash the rig.

The ceramic pro coating on the calipers are holding up pretty well too. The BBK built up a good amount of dust too. Next time I’m going with racingbrake pads.

 

[tv4184]

11/22/18 - Old Exhaust Removal

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Decided to spend some downtime to install the Gibson exhaust that's been sitting in my garage for the past 6 weeks. Here's the old exhaust setup.

Turns out it was a Walker Quietflow SS setup. I'll probably end up posting this on the classifieds next week when I have a chance. At least this made removal easy as I didn't have to cut off the OEM exhaust.

The Lisle exhaust hanger tool made it easy to take the hangers off. Putting them back on was not as easy.

Turns out the light grinding noise I've been hearing for the past month turned out to be this exhaust shield falling off. The holes are rusted through so I'll have to figure out a way to either fix it or find a replacement. Shouldn't be too hard either way.

 

[tv4184]

11/22/18 - Gibson Exhaust Install

Now on to the rest of the install. Here's a side by side of the Walker Quietflow SS and the Gibson.

For some reason I received 2 A pipes and the part number referenced by the instructions turned out to be too long and did not match up with the hangers.

The mandrel bends are really nice. This is the first time I bought an exhaust and not just go to the local shop to get one made. The only thing is that I would think it should clear the frame but it doesn't and rests on it. I need to make sure that's not a mistake on my part.

The engraved Gibson on the tips is a pretty nice finishing touch. The edges were a bit scuffed but I'm sure worse will happen when I'm hitting the trails.

I do like the side exit much more than the old rear exit. Probably could have just done as well with a custom tip. I'll post a video once I've had a chance to drive around a bit.

 

[tv4184]

12/6/18 - CTR for Model 3

Not a real 4Runner update but today I traded in my CTR to Tesla for a new Model 3.

Between not having to make regular gas station stops for multiple cars and the enhanced auto pilot features, it was a better move to have this supplement my 4Runner as the daily. I figured having the IS300 / RX7 was enough to satisfy my tuner car / manual transmission needs. Eventually once I build the FD to daily driver-ish status then I might make that hard decision on whether I should keep the IS300 around. Feels that the IS300 would be too redundant, that the manual FD would be more fun and the sedan form would be fulfilled by the Model 3.

I got one last farewell group picture before bidding farewell to the Type R. It is arguably the best combination for daily driver / fun / practicality in one. If I was a normal person and didn't have multiple cars, that would be the one single car I would own. It's funny, my delivery advisor was like in awe that I would trade in the CTR for the Model 3. I'm sure they took it around the block for a spin. In the end, the safety features / accident avoidance was what sold me in my decision. Anyway, hopefully my next update will have something to do with the 4Runner.

 

[Toyojay]

Build looks great bro! Curious, I didn't see an update on the XB fogs? Maybe I missed it. How did the 5th gen lamps fit? Wanting to do the same to my 4th gen.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I've been secretly admiring your IS300. Wanting to pick one up myself, only an auto version (is yours a manual?). Daily driver for now until I can get the last few mods done to my truck, then GTE swap it w/single turbo when I can afford to, shooting for at least 400whp, sounds like a fun daily for me. Don't happen to have a build thread for yours?

 

[tv4184]

Build looks great bro! Curious, I didn't see an update on the XB fogs? Maybe I missed it. How did the 5th gen lamps fit? Wanting to do the same to my 4th gen.

I haven't gotten around to fitting them yet but they are about 1/4-1/2" too small. I'll have to fab up a different way of mounting them plus I had to get some adapters to make the harness fit up with ours because the 5th gen uses an H11 bulb while ours uses a 9006. If I have time to finish posting my 3rd gen on the market place, I'll start working on the fogs and a few other pending projects on the 4th gen. Good thing too because my passenger fog light bulb just went out too.

I've been secretly admiring your IS300. Wanting to pick one up myself, only an auto version (is yours a manual?). Daily driver for now until I can get the last few mods done to my truck, then GTE swap it w/single turbo when I can afford to, shooting for at least 400whp, sounds like a fun daily for me. Don't happen to have a build thread for yours?

Mine is a manual with factory LSD. I would want to mod it but it has only 60k and is fully stock. These cars are pretty hard to find stock now a days and in stock form it's already pretty fun IMO. I do plan on maybe doing poly bushings, a nice set of coilovers, and maybe upgrade the front sway bar for better handling. I would probably do an LS swap if I ever got a shell or a higher mileage one. I don't have a build thread for it mainly because I haven't done much to it. I might start one at some point though. I have a full cloth interior from a JDM one to swap into it and a set of recaros from my TSX that I want to fit in. The IS300 and the 4Runner are my main daily drivers and sometimes the CTR was when weather permitted it since it didn't have all seasons. I think now though the Model 3 will be the main daily.

Got a few things coming up for my actual rig this month. Still have to mess with the steering wheel harness. I dropped off my wheel to get powdercoated to match the other ones on my car. Then I gotta try to figure out the license plate relocation solution once I put on my rear tire carrier and the lighting / reverse camera setup. Nothing spectacular but it is something to look forward to maybe. Always have too many pending projects and not enough free time to work on them...

 

[Flash Runner]

Photo says it all.

 

[tv4184]

Photo says it all.

Says what? that I got too much time on my hands?? :lol:

 

[Flash Runner]

Says what? that I got too much time on my hands?? :lol:

Well maybe too much for the time you took to align them all like that to take it :jk:

No CTR is sad, everything I've seen backs up your claim as the perfect "all around" car if you only had one (besides the occasional hater comments). Though having the Model 3 must be nice, as I do love having the latest-greatest "tech toys" myself.

My mind changes everyday as I save/plan on what my tuner purchase will be. WRX Stink eye(hatch)/Evo Eye, S2000, CTR, etc.. by the time the purchase comes it'll prob be something different entirely. Kinda miss my old Speed3 though

 

[tv4184]

Well maybe too much for the time you took to align them all like that to take it :jk:

No CTR is sad, everything I've seen backs up your claim as the perfect "all around" car if you only had one (besides the occasional hater comments). Though having the Model 3 must be nice, as I do love having the latest-greatest "tech toys" myself.

My mind changes everyday as I save/plan on what my tuner purchase will be. WRX Stink eye(hatch)/Evo Eye, S2000, CTR, etc.. by the time the purchase comes it'll prob be something different entirely. Kinda miss my old Speed3 though

Yeah the CTR did get some hater comments when I posted it on the sale forum. People were like I can't believe a Civic costs this much or you must have buyers remorse for being the slowest thing on the road. For me, fun isn't all about HP and I don't really care to race between the lights or on the freeway.

The Model 3 is pretty awesome. Sometimes I wonder if I should have gone with the RWD instead of the AWD model. The AWD is faster but the RWD handles like a RWD plus sheds like 200 lbs. I figured at the time that I already had the FD and the IS300 as RWD cars so the faster model seemed to make more sense.

I'm just like you though, I was shopping around for the Focus RS, GT350, M2, BRZ, and even contemplated getting a Lotus (would go with all the Toyotas I have). I don't mind supporting a domestic manufacturer for once though.

In other news, I dropped by to see how the refinishing on my wheel went and to sum it up, it might be slightly off.

Back to the powder coat and refinishing it goes. Hopefully they get it right this time.

 

[rickashay]

Damn that head unit looks clean in there. I need to upgrade mine, tired of the old touchscreen tech (don't know the proper term) where you have to push so hard on the screen you think your going to damage it. lol

Exhaust looks great too, very fitting for the scheme of the whole build. And wow you have a nice car collection!

 

[tv4184]

Damn that head unit looks clean in there. I need to upgrade mine, tired of the old touchscreen tech (don't know the proper term) where you have to push so hard on the screen you think your going to damage it. lol

Exhaust looks great too, very fitting for the scheme of the whole build. And wow you have a nice car collection!

Thanks man. Your build inspired most of my build. Although I decided to go with Fox since I had Icons on my 3rd gen already. Just wanted something different this time around. I wish though I had waited and gotten a 4th gen with less miles and as clean as yours. What I really want is the Pelfrey front bumper...which is impossible now lol.

The headunit pretty much helped me solidify getting the 4th gen because I knew I wouldn't be able to upgrade the infotainment setup on the 5th gen plus the V8 and everything. I really like the capacative touchscreen on the Kenwood model I got vs the resistive touchscreen (I think that's the term you were looking for). I'm sure the newer 918ws model and probably next years 919ws model will be more responsive. Mine might be a 1-2 ms behind on touch responsiveness vs. my former CTR carplay unit. The Tesla touchscreen on the otherhand is on another level. It's at least as responsive or even more responsive than my iPhone X.

Still no updates for now. Might have one for Christmas maybe. I'm working straight until the 23rd so won't have much time except to ship out a few parts. Gotta put in some OT to get those parts for my FD build.

 

[tv4184]

1/4/19 - Wilco tiregate install - part 1

The wheel shop finally got the powder coat to match.

Installed the tiregate without any issue. Bout it 3 months ago off craigslist and never had a chance to test it.

Also using this lock pin I got from Autozone. I need to realign the tiregate so I can use it with the sleeve instead of without.

Test fitting the wheel to line up all the right lug holes.

It does stick out more than I prefer but it’s okay saved a lot vs getting a swing bumper. Budget doesn’t allow it atm. The hinge mech does wobble some so I need to see if that’s normal but so far I’m satisfied.