How To: Upgrade Head Unit (Kenwood eXcelon DNX6960)

Most remarkable! Great docs. I wish I had those when I dismantled my central console and right vent. Well, my week-end is going to be busy garage clean up, heat up, car wash... and setup. I'll try to post a result picture when I'm done.

 

2 last details I cannot figure from your PDF.
- Do you connect the SWI_JACK red wire to the Best Kit red (+12V)?
- Where is a good spot for the GPS antenna? on top of the MFD inside the dash?
thanks in advance

 

Well, that's done, at least in a basic form. I've got the radio working (the sound is quite better already) and GPS too, not the wheel control, though it looked like it was correctly programmed: probably that 12V cable, though I'm not sure what you call the head harness; I haven't received the buttons yet either.

Here are a couple of picture during (looks pretty scary) and after. It all went pretty well thanks to the docs. I haven't any screws left, which is rather a good sign.



The first time I tried to close the dash board I noticed there was a rather large space above the JVC and not enough below, but when the double DIN module is shifted to the upmost position and tightly screw, everything seems to fall into place with almost no gaps. Nice. The mic cable runs along the passenger A pilar, and I then fished it under the dash board, probably quicker than to dismantle the whole thing.


As a side note I've been fishing a triple RCA to the central console, in order to output video to headrest monitors. I've installed a pair last summer for a cross USA/Canada trip, but I removed them because my priority was to improve the sound. I might reinstall them now, if I figure how to play a video while driving. So on top of that I'd like to use a bluetooth phone and maybe figure how to use a PMP to play and input audio/video in the system. Also I haven't connected any of the reverse (for backup camera?...) , parking brake (for video playback limitations?), or speed signals... maybe later.

 

Then I'll have to reconnect both red and black. It would be cleaner I guess. I'll try it later this week when I'll have a hour to spare.
By the way, do you have some feedback sound now when you change the climat setting on the MFD for instance? I lost that and the audio function of course, unless there is a way to use that unused button.

 

I have a bonus for you: 3 screens! I was using my Archos to play an audiobook via the front AUX this morning. Don't bother with the awful mileage, it was quite chilly this morning.

 

I promise I will, especially since it's currently always changing colors: the whole rainbow in 30s or less. Psychedelic

 

So I reopened my dash board this week end, added some navigation buttons, and reconnected all ground wires together + the parking brake (benefit: I can play videos for the kids now).
It looks like I can program the buttons but it still cannot control my radio; I hope the PAC support will be able to help.
In the same time I was trying to see how to plug the speed (for more precise navigation?) and reverse (needed for later backup camera?) cable but I couldn't figure any simple solution. Most existing examples don't apply to me (gen 2, no NAV). Have you plugged them and where?
In the Wiring Diagram and the AV-118 (is the speed signal in that brown wire connected to the 560 ohm, or do I totally misunderstand something?) for instance they are refering to the Combination Meter, but I think it requires to remove the whole dash... not practical.
One of the most practical idea was there: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-defeat-install-in-car-without-nav-phone.html ; however, I don't feel too confident with that.
Mixed result, hope it's not too confusing. Could you help me there?

 

Funny...I just looked at this unit on Amazon and it says it won't fit in my 2008 Prius.

 

Yes, it does work, and it's not too complicated to install, once you have the right steps.

 

Yes, I made myself one, it's much better this way.

In my case it's a JVC and it's set to #2. Should be OK.

Good idea, but I don't have much hope there, since I already programmed it partially before I got the NAV wheel controls. PAC support suggested that it might be due to a new tight jack input connector, but I just tested it and I think it's properly plugged (even tried an stereo extension). By the way I do have a proper feedback for each programmed button, as far as I can tell. I'm going to give it a try, just in case.

In my case it's pink, though I suspect that in the car, the cable should be violet (or brown?). Funny thing is that the backup light look like pink. Not too sure though.


Well, after some tests, it still doesn't work. Going to follow up with JVC and PAC...

 

Per seawolf I am posting my install here.

This is a Kenwood DNX-9960 with the same install kit seawolf used.