My AVIC Navi install

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by rrolff, Apr 23, 2010.

  1. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    Just finished my navi install, and thought i'd post some notes...

    Installed Pioneer Z110BT ($680 Amazon/6th Av with $200 rebate), GEX-P20XM sat radio, Infinity ref component speakers.

    As usual, everything pops apart - which is nice when working installs...

    I put in the HU last week (used Scosche wiring adapter) - surprised no one makes an actual Pioneer radio - Toyota cable. You take the Scosche, and connect the wires to the Pioneer harness(s). Added the PAC-SWI PS steering thingy. In all, the HU went in in around 15 minutes. There are 4 10mm bolts holding the HU in. After replacing the HU, I always just hand tighten the bolts back in (since it seems you need to pull it occasionally).

    Since I forgot to program the PAC, and needed to install the XM, I pulled it out yesterday, put in the XM (fits nicely behind the HU), and programmed the PAC. Everything seemed fine, XM sounded good, so I buttoned it all up.

    On my first drive, I noticed the XM fizzing out. Lesson is locate the antennas in a good spot. I decided to go with the front squaker location (put the antennas under grill in the front right of the car).

    So I tore everything back out, and went at the antenna.

    Pulled the A pillar (they're easy to unsnap - but there is a plastic latch that needs to be twisted 90 degrees once you pull the plastic loose). Then you grab the speaker grill, and yank up and back - it pops out.

    Since I was already at this point, I decided to put in my Infinity Reference Components (6.5" + tweeter) - cause the tweeter would be mounted in the A pillar. I pulled the squaker (Toyota tweeter) - 2 10mm bolts.

    Its connected by 4 wires - looks like it's because they have built in passive crossover - so my theory was 2 wires from the HU, 2 wires then go to the doors. I found the R+ and R- form the HU (note they are different colors). Pins 1 and 2 are the same (R-), 3 is from the HU (R+), and 4 is the crossover output. I took the squaker, and physically broke the connector, and cut the wires. This allowed me to re-use it as a 'plug in'. I then took the Infinity crossover, and wired this 'connector' to it. You need to remove the squaker capacitor, and solder a lead to pin 3 - put it makes for a very nice easy install later. I did the same on the left side.

    Tweeter housings were sanded to match the contour of the A pillar, then screwed in, and wire run from them to the crossover. You then plug in the crossover to the 'existing car plug', and slide the thing into the squaker hole - it fits fine.

    I then made a platform to sit on top in the hole to put in GPS and XM antennas - note - you need to fish the antenna wires to the HU.

    Everything went back fine.

    Took off the door panels (2 screws, and then they unsnap - then remove electric cables), drilled out the existing 6x9 speakers (they weigh like 4 ounces each!), then like the squakers, I broke off the connector to re-use it. I left the wires to the speaker cone attached to the connector - this allowed me to solder that connector to the speakers, and makes it modular... Had bought some 6x9 adapters - mounted them, then the 6.5" speakers, and put it back together...

    I put the USB into the top glove box (it pulls out) - but found this a bad iPhone place - so it was moved to run down the 'bridge', and comes out beside the driver seat.

    The sound very much blows me away... I've done many installs, but between the Pioneer HU, and Infinity speakers, it is really wild...

    I still have a 4 channel amp (but now think that is crazy overkill) - and an under seat subwoofer to put in. I would've done it - but a large lead 12V power seemed too much a hassle. I also have a 1500w inverter to put in...

    Edit: The speakers were Infinity Reference Component 6030CS. The 6x9 adapter was Scosche (unknown P/N)

    Some pics are here - forgot to do the door ones...
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Thanks for sharing this. Your speaker installation looks very professional. Nice work!!

    I assume you used the Infinity crossovers, right? And, when you installed them in the doors, you just use the grills built into the doors? Did you use anything else, in addition to the Scosche rings? Did you use the stock speaker wire?

    Did you keep the stock speakers in the rear doors?
     
  3. dogllama

    dogllama New Member

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    looks great! how do you like the pioneer HU?
     
  4. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    I only needed the stock Scosche (or Metra - I think any 6x9 to 6.5" adapter would be fine) adapter kit. If you do an install, I recommend using the stock connectors (though there is some soldering) - it just makes things easy.

    Back speakers are still stock...

    The Infinity crossovers were mated with the 'squaker' modified connector. This makes the whole front install easy. After you connect the things (Toyota modified connector, wires, front tweeter) - the Infinity crossover slides into the opening - then you plug in the Toyota wire plug, then slide it further down. On the left side, you have to twist it a bit, but it slides in fine...

    Sound is amazing - but now I am thinking it is almost too much treble on *certain* applications (some FM channels that I have listened to - but mostly everything is great).

    AM, DVD movies amazing - some FM, XM seems to much detail on the high.

    I've had many very very highend systems for home - and this is just different from normal car stuff - which may be part of the listening experience. Imaging and sound in general on DVDs is amazing (but that is Dolby encoded). AM sounds great (but that has a limited bandwidth). XM seems very very good on average. FM seems to be bright with too much treble (on some stations/music - I have not run any kind of real analysis - this is my feel).

    To get a nice good soundstage in front of you is nice. I still have not moved any settings - so who knows what that might do. I do know that this is as close to nice highend (home) as I have heard to date. That on certain tracks, and certain sources.

    I also know it sounds harsh on certain tracks/sources.

    My thoughts move towards break-in (which does exist on some speakers) - or just moving the settings from flat to (???). The speakers cost almost nothing relatively speaking ($110 current) - but install is a massive pain - I took little notes - so whoever does it must use an ohmmeter, and have some basic soldering skills - along with an assortment of: random sized wire nuts, crimping kit, good strippers, nice drill set etc.

    The other thing I did not mention - ohming out your connection - when you check it, the difference between side one and side two is 3 ohms. So if you have a cheap DVM, make sure you really look at what the connection is.

    If someone has the base Prius electrics, I'd be happy to lend a kind ear :) This forced me to play around a lot, and waste way too much cerebral energy last night..

    Edit: I used 100% stock wiring - even re-used the wires from the 6x9 connector that went to the speaker cones (copper) - I just cut it off at the speaker - that gives enough play that you can solder its end to the Infinity. Then after mounting, just plug into the Toyota wire harness.... I did slather much electrical tape to keep everything insulated at the connections...
     
  5. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I think I understand... you're saying that there's a connector on the stock speaker wires, and by soldering the wire to the speaker, you keep the connector, so you can easily disconnect the speakers in the future. Makes sense.

    This sounds like a good speaker setup. I really like how you attached the tweeters, that is very impressive, but it doesn't look too hard. I also saw that Infinity has a set with a 6x8" speaker, which might be better with the 6x9 opening? What do you think?
     
  6. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    I saw those 6x8s - but it seems from a real audio standpoint, there's a reason a $5K+ home speaker does not have oblong components....

    Also, the straight 6.5" is widely reviewed and a known commodity...

    Edit: I would add that it is funny - I believe the front 2.5" "squaker" weighs the same as the 6x9 speaker (including its plastic mount).

    I think (from other posts) you must use the existing wires due to size (or lack thereof) - you can't run new wires to the doors. Tearing apart the speakers you are replacing makes sense from this perspective...
     
  7. mrjeff

    mrjeff Junior Member

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    rrolff,

    Did you connect the antenna amp as Fairfieldwizard had suggested or did you just connect the blue wires? I'm still not convinced that connecting the blue wires together is the correct way to go on our Prius .. Also, how is the IPOD implementation on the unit? TIA
     
  8. Rainingblood

    Rainingblood Junior Member

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  9. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    Antenna: I just connected the blue wire - I'm not sure how else you'd connect it...

    For wiring, I used the 2A

    Haven't played much with the iPhone - but it does all plug and play - when you plug in, it downloads stuff to the HU. Then the menus allow you to go to playlists etc... As a nice feature, it does charge the iPhone too (Chinese thing didn't).
     
  10. mrjeff

    mrjeff Junior Member

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    There is apparently a non-blue wire that actually powers the antenna amp.


     
  11. MJ225

    MJ225 New Member

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    Thinking about putting in a Pioneer avh-p42000 unit. I don't have the skills of some of the people here so I'm looking to get it professionally installed. I got quoted $240, no parts, just labor for the install. I have no frame of reference to determine whether that's a fair price or not. Anyone have any ideas what would be considered a reasonable price for this?
     
  12. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    If you're paying for an install, you have to account for what it includes: The gps antenna, Bluetooth mic, xm antenna, backup camera, speakers, amplifier?

    For the head unit alone, I think $240 plus parts is a huge ripoff.
     
  13. scottcocoabeach

    scottcocoabeach Junior Member

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    I am putting in my Avic Z110BT later this week, it should be arriving some time tomorrow. I wasn't planning on changing the speakers right now - but is there an easy way just to drop some better speakers in the front without any major mods?

    If I just need the adapter kit and the speakers and can use existing wires I may go ahead and make the change while I've got everything apart.

    Do you have a model / part number for the Infinity speakers? Should it just be a matter of getting the speakers and schosche adapters?

    Does this look like the right part for the adapters?

    Car Audio Accessories Accessories Speaker Adapters 03 TYTA 6X9 SPKR ADPTR

    Thanks!
     
  14. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    I was quoted $200 for nav installation. It was fairly easy to do myself though. I think a non-nav head unit was $150.

    That's the right adapter.
    I still have not changed my speakers. It sounds pretty good with just the head unit and subwoofer. According to pioneer you should put in a separate amp if the speakers are not 4 ohm (those infinity are 2 ohm). I thought the infinity reference have tweeters that are a little bright, but playing with the equalizer may be able make them sound right.

    Rrolf are you running those through an amp and did you get the treble dialed in right?
     
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  15. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    They are running from the Pioneer - and there is more than enough power for them. I have a 4 channel amp, but think it is crazy to add - the amplification on the Pioneer is more than fine - keep in mind the Infinity Ref are very efficient.

    They are slightly bright on FM, but as a more critical listener, I may say they are FAR more accurate. The brightness does not exist anywhere else (XM, DVD, iPod etc).

    Haven't played with the EQ - and won't until I've logged some good time and like what's there - I did add the under-passengers-chair powered subwoofer (Boss 8" form memory). Not sure what that does yet... It is an easy 15 minute install :rolleyes:...

    The speakers were a very large upgrade in themselves. More so than head unit in terms of sound (no duhh)...
     
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  16. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    Pioneer may have been paranoid about the impedance. Sounds like they work fine.


    The speakers you have aren't efficient at 50hz and bellow. So a sub should fill in the vibration side of things. If you go to the audio settings you can turn the sub on and off. I'm not sure if the boss is big enough to do the job. On the stock speakers the bass is muddy, so my sub may be doing a lot more work.

    I will change them soon. The mods so far sound good enough that there isn't a rush. I did already buy the speaker adapters. I am a little stuck on the squawker idea, that is to have a low crossover frequency so that I don't have localization issues between the mid-woofers in the doors and tweeters in the dash. How long did your speaker install take? How did you decide to mount the tweeters in the pillar instead of the stock location in the dash. Thanks for your help.
     
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  17. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I read a little about this unit. As for installing, it is a pretty simple do-it-yourself depending on how many options you choose. There are a LOT of add-ons for this unit:

    GPS
    Satellite Radio
    iPod Interface
    Bluetooth
    Amplifiers
    Speakers
    Rear-view camera

    The thing is, installing this is really simple. You buy two things: A "dash kit" with the plastic, and a wire harness. You match the colors of the wires in the wire harness with the wire harness that comes with the pioneer unit. This gives you a bunch of wires joined together with modular plugs on each end. Here are the steps to installing the unit:

    1. Crimp or solder together the matching-colored wires on the two modular harnesses. (You do this on a workbench, not in the car.)
    2. Attach the "faceplate" to the Pioneer unit. Takes four bolts. Very simple. Also done on a workbench or table.
    3. Remove the plastic face plates, as described in the sticky post in this thread. This requires no tools.
    4. Remove the old radio. This requires a wrench with a deep socket to loosen four bolts. Very easy if you have the correct tool.
    5. Attach your new harness to the connector that was attached to the old radio. Attach the other end of the harness to the Pioneer. It just presses on.
    6. Attach the antenna wire to the Pioneer. It just presses on.
    7. Slide the new radio into place, then screw down the four bolts that you removed in Step 4.
    8. Replace the plastic coverings you removed in Step 1. You're done!
    That's all there is to a basic installation. If you want additional accessories, you need to run wires to various places. With the exception of the rear view camera, these are very easy to do. I've installed radios in my other cars, and the Prius is definitely the easiest, because the plastic parts all remove very easily, and when they're removed, you have a LOT of room to work with. For example, the glove boxes both come out without any tools at all, and the center console is also very easy to take out if you want to snake cables up there.

    Take another look at the install guide in the sticky post. He did a lot of extra things -- he used a fancy dash kit, and he used a little blue box that lets the steering wheel buttons control the unit. If you skip that, and just use the standard kit from Scoshe, you won't have to cut or grind anything. You can always go back later if you decide to buy the steering wheel control.

    Think it over, and let us know if you have any questions. If you plan it out, it becomes a very simple project.
     
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  18. scottcocoabeach

    scottcocoabeach Junior Member

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    Rebound,

    Great info as I am picking up my unit today and installing either today or tomorrow. I am adding a few items which you might want to consider. Steering wheel audio controls for sure, the PAC-SWI I believe is what you want, it's outlined in the sticky for the HU replacement and looks to be very simple to add. Also, did you do the bypass? Also very simple - just google "Avic Forum" and go to the Z110BT forum and bypass instructions are stickied.

    I'm also adding a rearview camera to mine. I got the Boyo VTL300 from Amazon. It's a LIC plate version. I'll let you all know how that works out. I'm also putting in a self dimming mirror - Gentek for around $80 and hardwiring my radar detector while I've got everything apart.
     
  19. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    Just FYI - the key to the bypass is to get the connector out, and move it. There is a pic on AVIC411 that shows the side of the connector - by the pin - you push in a spot, and it looks like a square hole will emerge - that allows the pin to come out easily. Once out, try to bend the 'catch' out so when it is pushed into the next hole, it sticks.

    Looking at the pic helped me alot... For PAC steering instructions, don't use what is sent with the unit - instead go to the site, enter your car - and use those.
     
  20. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    The problem is, when you put everything together all at once, it seems overwhelming. So I wanted to just lay out the basic things you do.

    I bought & installed a Kenwood head unit with the Scosche face plate. I ran wires for the GPS antenna and the Bluetooth microphone. I've had it that way for about three weeks, and I'll add more as time allows.

    The only problem I had was with removing the A-arm pillar. When you do this, you just pull at the top and a plug unsnaps. Then, about halfway down, there's a small black strip of plastic that loosely holds the A-arm. I tried and tried to get it to come loose. I finally figured it out... you simply reach in with your fingers or a pair of needle-nose pliers, and you rotate the little black retaining strip towards you 90 degrees. It's so simple! No force or tricks required at all, you just need to know that you reach in and rotate it 90 degrees.

    For myself, I still have a few to-do's on this project:

    1. Solder the backup light pin to the ground pin, so it will play DVD's.
    2. Install the PAC unit (came free with my Kenwood, but I haven't installed it yet)
    3. Run the USB cable somewhere useful, like inside the center console.
    4. Run the backup wire (I know where it has to go, I just have to do it).
    5. Install the backup camera.
    6. Install the new Toyota face plate I bought to replace the Scosche.
    7. Buy & install the Infinity speakers that RRolFF bought.
    Besides the backup camera, these are all really easy things to do. In fact, the backup camera is pretty easy too, it just takes time. I'm not in a big hurry. I live a busy life.
     
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