3rd Gen Kenwood Install

Just wanted to post this for anyone wanting to get rid of the factory radio.
I was on the fence about changing it to be honest and wish I did it the first week after buying my truck. Huge difference in quality of sound and adjustment preferences.
I installed it myself and have to say it wasn't very hard honestly. You do have to run the mic supplied with the stereo as the factory on doesn't hook up. The new mic is way better quality anyway. You will have to program the Maestro RR on your computer ( Not very hard )
I have tried Android and Apple. The Car Play is way better and works wirelessly with no issues so far.

Here is the shopping list.
Kenwood
https://www.kenwood.com/usa/car/excelon/dmx906s/

Trim Kit
http://www.metraonline.com/part/99-8251B

Maestro RR
https://maestro.idatalink.com/product/product/product_id/102

Toyota cables T02
https://maestro.idatalink.com/accessories/category/product_id/446

GPS/Satellite Cable ST02
https://maestro.idatalink.com/accessories/category/product_id/490

Satellite Tuner SXV300
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.xm...onnect-vehicle-tuner-for-aftermarket-stereos/

2 - 3' USB Extension cables
https://www.staples.com/Monoprice-3-USB-2-0-Male-to-Female-Extension-Cable-Black/product_1253935

 

yeah I tossed the factory unit that came with my SR...I ditched all the speakers too...Then I installed a 300 watt Alpine amplifier. Now she thumps

 

Have you gotten the mirroring function to work?

 

I have but only works with Android not Apple

 

TTIWWOP!

 

So with the maestro kit does it give you all of the controllability that the factory system has. Anything missing?

 

Luckily I'm Android. Will you tell me how you did this?

 

so which aftermarket unit did you get ?

 

Might be personal preference or a bit of OCD but I'm not going from a factory 8" screen to a tiny 6.95" screen with a huge plastic bezel around it no matter how much better it performs than stock.

Let me find an aftermarket unit with an 8" or better flush mount screen and full functionality and I'd be a buyer. Alpine Halo9 won't work either, it's a horrible design that looks like somebody glued a tablet to the dash and I'm sure it would rattle like hell when running off road.

 

AVH1440NEX

 

AusRunner you should actually measure the visual space on the factory unit. The edges are only the volume buttons scan etc not visual.
Like you said it's a personal preference!

 

Derynle download Miracast from the play store open it and look for the Kenwood model you have and you should see it pop up on the screen. Let me know if you get it.

 

Crionchip are you using Apple or Android?
Apple most everything works accept the phone switching but maybe I did something stop with programming. Honestly if you ask Siri to do the calling and texting it works very well.
Android well let's just say I want a fan of it at all. I am a huge Android fan and haven't tried again since the first couple days of frustration.
I will get back at the Android again now since I seem to have alot of time on my hands now.

 

TacoTruck what are you looking for the finished product?

 

Thanks for posting the pic. I wanted to see how your aftermarket unit looks in the existing location.

 

No problem it looks real clean as you can see. If you didn't know what was there before it really looks like a factory unit!
I am glad I pulled out the factory unit and installed this one.

 

It does look really clean. If replacing the unit though, would be nice to find one that is larger then the OEM that fits in the existing hole. Looks like there is still tons of room for a bigger HU.

 

I agree it would have been nice to have bigger viewing area. I did look around and asked at the supplier if they had or could get something with a better viewing area. He said I could venture out and try my luck with something from China. I did look but didn't find anything I was comfortable with even trying. Maybe someone will come out with something larger someday but for now this is perfect for me anyways.

 

AVH1440NEX