How To: Upgrade Head Unit (Kenwood eXcelon DNX6960)

I installed the DNX6990HD without significant difficulty and it works. Wiring was exactly the same as described in your excellent guide. Crutchfield included a Boyo backup cam which went in with 1/2" of spare cable and also works fine. Startup time for the 6990 is about 20 seconds, although the camera is available immediately which I hadn't expected.

The bluetooth system is not what I expected; I removed a 6 year old Parrot system as part of the install which downloaded my phonebook and had a bunch of features. The Parrot bluetooth in the 6990 has a fairly limited list of phones that get all the features, and mine is not one of them. So no phonebook download and few features. I miss getting caller id names for people in my phonebook, but don't use the phone much anyway so it is not a huge issue. Good sound quality though.

The only real disappointment is the Scosche kit. The side trim pieces don't really come close to the finish on the stock parts, and like others have mentioned make up for that by not fitting well. The lower compartment screw holes were slightly out of alignment which turned out not to matter since I couldn't get the little door to close over it anyway. I gave up and went back to the stock compartment which works fine. So I ended up with a wiring harness and a couple of trim pieces for which $17 seemed a bit steep. But the trim is not particularly noticeable and the harness worked once I did the resistor mod, so my annoyance level stayed fairly low.

The 6990 has a "security" feature which, if I read the manual correctly, flashes a red light on the front panel. There is no anti-theft system; just a flashing red light. Since I assume that every radio thief in the world knows that a flashing red light on a Kenwood radio means nothing I can only assume that it flashes to lull me into thinking that my radio is safe if I didn't bother to read the manual. I had a little laugh about this and turned the light off. Maybe I'm wrong here about either the radio or radio thieves and somebody will correct me.

 

USB first of all I would like to say thank you for this thread and everything you have done to help me and others out for installing audio enhancements to the prius.

I am about to install a Pioneer 8400 into my 2008 +JBL +NAV prius and am curious to know what you know about installing that unit into my car. I think i am just about ready to do the install. I just want to make sure on a few more things.

Are these the correct harnesses for the install (what more will i need, if amy)? 1. Metra 71-8113 (this is the main one i am unsure about)
2. Metra TYTO-01 for the amp
3. Metra ASWC for steering wheel controls.

Its obvious that this is not a simple plug n play install. I believe there are 3 plugs in the back of the JBL 6 disc HU, as of now it seems 1 will be plugged into the METRA TYTO and another plug will be plugged into the 71-8113 (for this one, it looks like both plugs are female though, so if this is true, that can't really work.) PLEASE HELP!

any input you have will be greatly appreciated. thank you

 

I'm sorry for the confusion! oops, it is the double din Pioneer AVH-8400BH:

AVH-P8400BH - <b>NEW!</b> - 2-DIN Multimedia DVD Receiver with 7" Widescreen Touch Panel Display, Advanced App Mode, Built-In Bluetooth®, and HD Radio™ Tuner | Pioneer Electronics USA

That diagram definitely clears a few things up. The diagram implies that those 3 harnesses (TYTO, ASWC, SCOSCHE TA2103B) will be exactly what i need? Originally, I didn't realize the SCOSCHE kit came with harnesses, I thought it was just the dash kit. Correct? I believe that was my confusion and you cleared that up for me. Thank you again! And please respond with your thoughts on this and any other advice you may have!

I haven't got to open up the dash of my prius yet, but when i do, I just want to have the necessary harnesses to complete the job the first time!


(ps question - The navigation does not have anything to do with these wires or this install correct?)

 

Just signed up and intrigued by the discussion in this thread. I have a 2005 with JBL Navigation. The radio performance is horrible. Hoping to replace with a double DIN aftermarket stereo. I would like to know if the attempt to hook up sound from the MFD to the Head unit was successful. I would really appreciate any input on that subject.

Also, I am not able to get to the http://www.selidori.com/tech/prius/DOC - any suggestions or other locations to download docs from?

I have a Pioneer double DIN with Ipod interface but does not have the navigation. It would greatly help if the hookup between MFD and HU works out.

Thanks so much and looking forward to a good response.

Regards - Chiru

 

Hi usbseawolf2000, Can you please find some time to respond? I would really appreciate your effort and help me.
Thanks - Chiru

 

Thanks so much, I will look thru the details and post back.

 

How do i wire Scosche TA2103B. The 3 open wires?

 

What kit did you buy? Did you have to make cuts to the dash kit? I been to a lot of places and they say either fiberglass Install or that they have to cut out the dash kit for the Prius?

 

Hello all:
First off, a bunch of thanks to both usbseawolf and F8L, without whose immense help many priuschat members would not have benefited.

I have successfully completed the project and just detailing the things that were slightly different, which may help someone else.

I could not find much specific information on the Prius 2005 with JBL and NAV.

I used the following items:
Kenwood DNX-6960 (favored by USB!)
Scosche double din TA2103B
Metra TYTO—01
Metra ASWC
Metra 70-8114 (to be used with ASWC)

The instructions from 70-8114 were crap, I have included the instructions I got from one of their tech reps >> “The 70-8114 has 2 plugs. 1 plugs into the ASWC, the other plugs into the car. Give it power and ground from the TYTO and plug the 3.5mm jack into the female 3.5mm jack that comes with the ASWC and connect the brown wire to the Kenwood’s blue/yellow SWC input wire. After all connections are made and everything is plugged in, turn on the key and the ASWC will program itself to both the vehicle and the car. When the LED on the ASWC lights up solid, it is finished“

I made all the connections as described and opened up the dash, which was not too difficult given Chris Dragon guide.

I had only 2 connectors from the vehicle and 3 contenders – One connector with two contenders was >> one from the 70-8114 and another from the Scosche kit (6096B cable for AC retention). So finally ended up mating the 70-8114 wires to the Scosche. After that everything went pretty fast. No issues with the ASWC – worked like a charm – automatic recognition and all controls were working just fine.

The plastic panels from Scosche suck but can’t manage without them.

Thanks everyone,
Durga
Next project: add a simple sub

 

No, unfortunately I could not find a way to do that. If its any consolation to me, I have two NAV screens now.
Thanks - Chiru

 

I have two issues with my setup. When I connect the IPOD, it is recognized and plays the playlists etc. But there is no sound at all. When I connect a USB stick with MP3 on it, those play well - audio is good. Audio is an issue only when I connect the IPOD (an older one with video).
How do I control the AUX Input in the front. When I connect a device there, which source do I select to be able to play it?
Thanks,
Chiru

 

Hi USB, thanks for the prompt reply. I was able to finally make the AUX work.
Still have issues with the IPOD/iPhone 3GS. I am connecting the IPOD to the USB cable via the standard IPOD cable to USB (The ones we use to connect to computer for iTunes). The IPOD is recognized and it plays the songs etc. But there is no sound - no audio at all. I tried a lot of options, to no avail.

But your input on the cable is interesting. May be we need one to use the IPOD.

I had a Pioneer set before (AVH-P3200DVD) and that had a front USB port that takes an IPOD to USB cable and plays it just fine.

Your thoughts please,

Chiru

 

Hi USB, You are absolutely right. Called Kenwood support and they said that the cable you mentioned is required.
I will have to pull out the unit once again to install the cable. I am not looking forward to that.

When I do that, I am planning to make hole in the Scoscheside tabs (on the left) and install the microphone there. That way I don't have to route the cable.

Thanks again,
Chiru

 

Sorry to bring up an older thread (should be a sticky imo). But I saw somewhere in the audio forum that there is a harness with the resistor already soldered in? Anyone know which one it was? Otherwise, to install the double din with having all factory settings work (steering and MFD working properly with AC) I just need the following:

BestKits BHA1761
PAC SWI-JACK Steering Wheel Remote Interface
Scosche TA2103B

This would essentially make everything plug and play correct? (minus the soldering of the resistor)

the vehicle is a 2005 Prius w/o JLB & w/o navi

Also does the audio button on the MFD just become useless?