Installing a head unit today 2300NEX Pioneer

Hey TW,

I'm wanting to install my Pioneer AVH-2300NEX today and wondering if anyone has done this yet? I've got a all stock 2001 xtracab. the unit comes with all of the necessary wiring it seems, I'm just needing to know if I need a aftermarket mount to have it fit properly and sturdy.

 

You're liking going to have to figure out the wiring unless you got a wiring harness to go with it. Crutchfield has plug n play install kits that make is super easy.

As for mounting it, it is just like any other head unit. It should bolt to the factory bracket and probably even uses the same screws.

 

Follow your stereo's instructions; for our Japanese trucks, you'll most likely use the "ear" mounts vs the supplied cage.

Again, follow your stereo's instructions.

Replacing the stereo is a 5-minute job on these trucks fortunately.

 

I installed mine (a different receiver) over the summer.

Mine came with these mounts. A note about the mounts, I had to bend off the little tabs that are sticking out to get it to fit on my receiver.

I purchased an already wired up wire harness for my receiver through Crutchfield.

As a side note, I remember I had to tap a line onto my E brake wire. I think the wire color was a white and orange wire (I don't remember correctly). I called Crutchfield and the tech support was 10/10.

 

Op, definitely get the wire harness kit. It will make your life a LOT easier.

 

This is in my immediate future too. Is there a how-to for taking enough of the dash apart to replace the radio? I seem to recall seeing one but can’t find it. Been spoiled over the years and now I need a backup camera so I quit backing into crap.

 

Stupid easy.

Pull off climate control knobs, just slides off.

Pull off climate control bezel, just snaps off.

Remove the Phillips head screws that hold the black outer trim.

Use something pointy to push the center button on each of the body clips that hold the lower center trim; its the piece that houses your 12v outlets.

Remove the hidden Phillips head screw that also holds the black outer trim.

Pry black outer trim forward and let it dangle; you can undo the ashtray and 12v plug in harnesses if you really want to get it out of the way, otherwise not necessary.

Remove stereo held in by Phillips head screws.

5 minutes.

 

Like Kwikvette said exactly. I ended up getting the wiring harness and bypass kit for the parking brake so I don't have to stop to do simple things (GPS especially). I love this unit already and as of now strongly suggest it.

thanks for all of the help folks!!

 

Picture?? How's the glare?

 

I mounted a Pioneer AVIC-5201 NEX GPS/DVD head unit in my 2003 Tacoma DC a year or so ago. It was part of a much bigger project transferring the entire grey interior from my now sold 2001 to my new-to-me 2003 (which had an oak interior that went into the 2001).

The unit went in *very* easily using the stock brackets and the stuff from Crutchfield in the AVIC-5201 NEX kit. Running the other stuff -- XM antenna, GPS receiver, backup camera -- is trickier than the head unit.

Since I had everything out there was a ton of room to work with. The backup camera line is run to the back, but still waiting for me to fit a camera into my Pop'n'Lock latch.

I mounted the GPS puck on top of the duct for the center dash vent using the metal ground-plane plate that comes with the kit. It works perfectly there and gives a strong GPS signal. I mounted the handsfree microphone in the blanking panel in the upper dash, where it works OK but does pick up more background noise than it likely would with the visor mount I considered unsightly.

To be honest, the screen position isn't ideal. There's a bit of glare from the low-mount and consequent low-angle of view, and in addition the top part of the screen is right on the edge of being obscured. But that said, I'm delighted with it. Were I doing it again I might look for one of the tilting-screen in-dash GPS models.



With the instrument panel out -- a job I don't recommend to anyone unless they have a very good reason! -- the GPS antenna puck on top of the ductwork is easily visible.

 

not trying to start a stupid battle...but...looks like gen3s finally have bragging rights on at least this job over classic Gen 1s, on a gen 3 you pull the face plate by hand and undo the four head screws with a #10mm (naturally)
[now we laugh]

 

Others have already mentioned Crutchfield, but I'll offer another recommendation. There are few suppliers of *anything* as good as that company. They're simply the best at customer service I've ever done business with, bar none.

They offer installation instructions as part of one's purchase and pre-made adapter harnesses if you like to order one.

Note also the many online instructions about the parking brake bypass and "test" mode on the Pioneer head units. All of that stuff worked on mine, and although I don't do it, I could play a DVD while driving!

 

As I recall, if you ground the wire that is supposed to go to the emergency brake, that solves that. Just don't be watching DVD's going down the road.