New HU as well built as OEM??

I was all over getting a Pioneer double Din HU with the parts to add the BT steering controls. It was a slam dunk, all I did was go to Best Buy to see if I can change the display colors. I would placed an Amazon.com order today.

When I checked the unit out, all the pioneer HU's really, I noticed how cheaply built thye all semmed whenhcompared to the OEM 6-disk stereo. Still wish I had more options or could add the JBL to the truck. But haven't seen or found a single post about anone adding a JBL system to a non JBL truck.

Is there anything out there that offers the modern features in a new HU with the build quality of the OEM stereo. I may be out of line on this but the Pioneer built quality just seemd flimsy to me in the store.

 

I have an older pioneer double din, I wouldn't say that it's cheaply built at all..

 

Nakamichi or McIntosh

 

audiophile

 

I had a Pioneer Avic-D3 in my previous vehicle and that wasn't cheap at all. Neither is the single din Kenwood I have now.

And it would be a total waste of money to add the JBL system. Much better to go with aftermarket.

I hated my stock radio in the Tacoma. Volume sucked, Toyota's XM receiver sucks. Was glad to finally get an aftermarket unit in.

 

Nakamichi MB-100 for $375 + shipping on ebay

 

I didn't mean to affend any pioneer fans. I am know they probably sound a lot better. Just don't seem as rugged as the OEM one. I probably just need to look for some pictures of the aftermarket HU in the dash.

The nakamichi looks interesting, and a good buy, but as some one posted once I'd have to make sure the steering wheel controls still worked, I wouldn't want to have a bunch of buttons I can't use staring me in the face every time I drive.

 

Once you get it installed in the dash with the fit kit and turn it on you will be amazed how much better the sound is over the stock stereo regardless of how beefy it looks.

I bought an inexpensive Kenwood w/ fit kit & harness from crutchfield for under $110 to replace my non-JBL. It by far is the best improvement ever. I kept asking myself why I waited so long. The stocker was awful. I can't imagine if I added an amp and better speakers. Some of the systems on here are amazingly light years ahead of the stock stuff. All I wanted was to hear my radio. The volume had to be pegged. FWIW I used the stock metal mounting brackets to make it more solid in the dash.

 

Kenwood dnx9960... by far the finest head unit I have ever seen or used. Still need to get the right side steering wheel buttons to answer the phone but that's A SWI JACK programming issue. The GPS is excellent and I have off road topographic maps on SD card.

Slide touch touchscreen
Voice control (mediocre)
multiview reverse camera
3d building Garmin GPS with lane view and traffic
DVD With 5.1 digital Dolby
Parrot Bluetooth
Ipod control
Electronic adjustable crossover for front rear and sub
Seperate equal for each channel set 13 bands each
time allignment
Etc

 

i didn't realize the stock unit was so good. my display went out after a year. my alpine just passed two years and still going strong.

actually, there ahve been lots of complaints about teh stock hu.

 

Last suggestion (b/c this is what I'm asking for @ Christmas): Kenwood Excelon KDC-X794

For me, the most important features are:
1. 4v preamp outputs --> this has 3 sets (I'd prefer 5v, but for the $, I'll accept 4v)
2. Pause --> seriously, it sucks to be w/o it
3. Expandability and auxiliary inputs --> see link (too lazy to type)
4. Minimalist appearance --> I don't like a lot of lights, buttons, etc.

Looked @ Crutchfield and other sites...going w/Crutchfield b/c they throw in the harness (I think).

Good luck with whatever you choose, OP!




BTW/FWIW: The KDC-X994 adds Bluetooth and variable color display for $100.

 

I like the looks of the Kenwood, nice and simple.

Does the Kenwood support the steering wheel controls and the right hand OEM BT steering wheels controls if I add them?

Those damm steering wheel controls make things complicated, I probably have to agree with what someone else said, don't want to have any buttons in the truck that don't do anything

 

^I doubt it. A call to Crutchfield should provide answers to any questions.

 

I had the non JBL system with no right side buttons on the wheel... added them and used the SWI JACK to control the Kenwood DNX9960 head unit. Left side works propperly. Right side makes the volume go up and down instead of answering the phone. Still need to get that worked out but it WILL work. The voice button does not do voice but you can custom program it to do whatever you want. I have the dedicated Kenwood voice activation button on the left of my shift console, along with the button to change camera views on the CMOS300 right next to it.

I bought my unit for $1300 and I just got an Email from Kenwood my $150 rebate is en route to me after approval. So it cost me $1150. The SWI JACK is for any Kenwood unit and costs $40 for steering wheel control.

Oh yeah, the 9960 also has the 5V preouts, seperate controls to simultaniously place video and sound for video to the rear while playing musc up front seperately and all kinds of sick options.

IF YOU HAVE THE MEANS I HIGHLY RECCOMEND IT!

 

Oh, forgot to add... you must have the latest SWI JACK to control the right side steering wheel controls for answering the phone, otherwise you have to use them for non phone functions.

 

JBL system is garbage. first off its OEM. you can do way better and second off have you seen any new pioneer or sony double dins? theyre sweet.

 

I have the Pioneer AV110BT upgraded to the 120BT and the minute I turned it on I could hear the difference over the stock HU, with the stock speakers. In my experience I have found after market is usually better than OEM. Just my opinion.