This is my first ever stereo install and I read many helpful messages on this forum. I'm adding some more photos and info to help someone else with install.
I used the following:
When prying the front fascia there are tabs both on the top bottom and sides. The vents slide out like funnels and maybe a little downward motion helped. There is only one connector to the module where the emergency light switch is.
Connecting the wiring interface was fairly straightforward. Mostly it is matching the wire colors from the Kenwood stereo harness to the PAC interface. There were some 3.5mm plugs that I did not end up using and a white/red wire. I taped/tucked those away.
The PAC interface maintains steering wheel controls just fine, although you have to be in the Audio menu on the dash to fast forward / go back on songs. Once this is installed, you will not see any audio input info on the small screen in the dash behind the steering wheels. The same goes for navigation (which is fine by me, since the Kenwood screen is big enough, and so is the Carplay navigation.
There is a 3-way switch on the PAC interface to force the backup camera on. It kind of works, but really doesn't. At least not on my vehicle with the tail lift gate. The thing is the camera goes on, but I think it is still tucked inside the casing. So the camera view turns on, but it's completely black. It may work fine on the barn door version. Not a big issue for me, since putting the reverse gear on will trigger the camera to reveal itself and the video is pretty good.
I also had to find good positions for the stereo GPS antenna, and placed it next to the factory GPS antenna up front in the dash below the parking assistance module. I cut the metal sticky plate a little smaller to fit and help with electrical interference. I didn't want to remove any factory wiring because I wasn't sure if I ever wanted to go back.
I also guided the dash cam wire up the A pillar passenger side to the headliner and rearview mirror plastic encasing. To get the wire to be cleanly wired I made the plastic grid a little bigger to fit the cable. At the same time I pulled the aftermarket stereo microphone up there and made a tiny modification to the plastic so the microphone could sit nicely (attached with double-sided tape on the inside). To get a better angle for the microphone pointing more downwards, I heated the plastic slightly and bent it into better position.
All in all I'm very happy with this setup. It entirely changes this vehicle's feeling. I was day dreaming about the Volvo's Bowers & Wilkins Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra setup, but in a way, this system is so nice. I like the display better than the ipad layout in the Volvo. I have not changed any of the speakers yet, and not sure I will.
The dash cam is probably not the best quality but I really like the integration. The assistive features of the dash cam are not dependable (although I read somebody upgraded the firmware with Japanese firmware - and that improved it).
Speaking of firmware. I did download Kenwood's firmware upgrader (once I pulled out my old PC) and made sure to update the PAC interface with the latest firmware. That was pretty easy.
I decided to go with the DMX1057XR and not the more expensive integrated navigation unit because I felt like Carplay was going to do good enough of a job with navigation, and finding that maps like Here allows offline maps sealed the deal.
I'm going to attach photos of my install so that it may help someone else. Good luck with your builds and let me know if you have any questions.
I used the following:
- Metra 99-6512 Single DIN / Double DIN Installation Kit
- Metra 40-EU55 Antenna Adapter (as many have pointed out it needs to be a powered antenna)
- PAC RP4.2-MB11 Wiring Interface
- Kenwood DMX1057XR stereo
- DRV-N520 Dash Cam
- Tesa 51036 fabric tape
- Soldering iron and some heat shrink
When prying the front fascia there are tabs both on the top bottom and sides. The vents slide out like funnels and maybe a little downward motion helped. There is only one connector to the module where the emergency light switch is.
Connecting the wiring interface was fairly straightforward. Mostly it is matching the wire colors from the Kenwood stereo harness to the PAC interface. There were some 3.5mm plugs that I did not end up using and a white/red wire. I taped/tucked those away.
The PAC interface maintains steering wheel controls just fine, although you have to be in the Audio menu on the dash to fast forward / go back on songs. Once this is installed, you will not see any audio input info on the small screen in the dash behind the steering wheels. The same goes for navigation (which is fine by me, since the Kenwood screen is big enough, and so is the Carplay navigation.
There is a 3-way switch on the PAC interface to force the backup camera on. It kind of works, but really doesn't. At least not on my vehicle with the tail lift gate. The thing is the camera goes on, but I think it is still tucked inside the casing. So the camera view turns on, but it's completely black. It may work fine on the barn door version. Not a big issue for me, since putting the reverse gear on will trigger the camera to reveal itself and the video is pretty good.
I also had to find good positions for the stereo GPS antenna, and placed it next to the factory GPS antenna up front in the dash below the parking assistance module. I cut the metal sticky plate a little smaller to fit and help with electrical interference. I didn't want to remove any factory wiring because I wasn't sure if I ever wanted to go back.
I also guided the dash cam wire up the A pillar passenger side to the headliner and rearview mirror plastic encasing. To get the wire to be cleanly wired I made the plastic grid a little bigger to fit the cable. At the same time I pulled the aftermarket stereo microphone up there and made a tiny modification to the plastic so the microphone could sit nicely (attached with double-sided tape on the inside). To get a better angle for the microphone pointing more downwards, I heated the plastic slightly and bent it into better position.
All in all I'm very happy with this setup. It entirely changes this vehicle's feeling. I was day dreaming about the Volvo's Bowers & Wilkins Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra setup, but in a way, this system is so nice. I like the display better than the ipad layout in the Volvo. I have not changed any of the speakers yet, and not sure I will.
The dash cam is probably not the best quality but I really like the integration. The assistive features of the dash cam are not dependable (although I read somebody upgraded the firmware with Japanese firmware - and that improved it).
Speaking of firmware. I did download Kenwood's firmware upgrader (once I pulled out my old PC) and made sure to update the PAC interface with the latest firmware. That was pretty easy.
I decided to go with the DMX1057XR and not the more expensive integrated navigation unit because I felt like Carplay was going to do good enough of a job with navigation, and finding that maps like Here allows offline maps sealed the deal.
I'm going to attach photos of my install so that it may help someone else. Good luck with your builds and let me know if you have any questions.