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Wiring Kenwood DNX 8120

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by blacksandtaco, Feb 23, 2009.

  1. Feb 23, 2009 at 5:41 PM
    #1
    blacksandtaco

    blacksandtaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Looking at buying the DNX8120 and trying to get myself set up with harnesses and know how. Already got the Schoshe 2DIN mounting kit on its way and the seller claims to be shipping the wiring harnesses that plug directly into the factory plugs. I know there will be some work to do with the navigation antenna and the bluetooth. I'm not concerned with that as I'm pretty sure I can string wires where they need to go. My concern is matching up the power, ground, speaker and dimmer wires to the harnesses. Does anyone have any idea where to find a diagram or color distinction of the factory wires? Didn't see the traditional white, gray, green and purple wires for the factory speakers behind the cd player.

    While I'm here... Looking at trying to put 6-3/4" speakers in the access door. Has anyone had success with fitting a speaker this size back there? Crutchfield says the opening will support 6-1/2 speakers and the kenwoods that I'm looking at provide a 6-1/2" mounting trim plate. I've listed the speakers below. Thanks!

    Front Door - Kenwood KFC-X692 3-Way 6'' x 9''
    Access Door - Kenwood KFC-X172 2-Way 6-3/4"
     
  2. Feb 24, 2009 at 1:31 PM
    #2
    Mingy

    Mingy Well-Known Member

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    Milton, Ontario
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    Lear cap.
    The Kenwood comes with a bunch of cables which are all color coded, stripped, and generic for every car (pretty much). You buy a Toyota cable kit set which most dealers (even Best Buy) stock. It has color coded and stripped wires and works with all radios. You take the Kenwood orange wire and connect it to the Toyota cable kit orange wire, blue to blue, etc.. If you want to check, the Toyota cable kit has the color code listed, and the Kenwood manual has the color code listed. You'll see they match up. If I recall, there are a few difference if you want to not use the factory speakers, but I don't remember the specifics now.

    Solder them like for like and wrap the joints with electrical tape, or better yet heat shrink tube. Don't confuse Blue-Red with Red-Blue, etc.. Be careful and double check.

    Now you have a cable set with Kenwood on one end and Toyota on the other. You plug Toyota into the car harness and Kenwood into the head unit. There are a few wires which don't correspond, like the brake wire, etc.. which you have to deal with as specials.

    The unit does not come with an iPod interface cable and my dealer wanted $$$ for the Kenwood version. I went to Best Buy and picked up an iPod USB + audio cable and spliced one up. You need a real steady hand to do that.
     
  3. Feb 24, 2009 at 2:51 PM
    #3
    blacksandtaco

    blacksandtaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Mingy! I'm anxious to dive in and get things connected.
     
  4. Mar 16, 2009 at 5:21 AM
    #4
    kcossabo

    kcossabo Kevin Cossaboon

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    Round Hill, VA
    Vehicle:
    2009 4dr 4x4 Tacoma
    Firestone Destination A/V, Kenwood DX8120, ScanGauge, Second Back Up Camera, Aris Bull Bar, KC Driving Lights, Weston Nerf Bars, Tonneau Cover, Bed Extender, Dynamat in doors and floor, Kenwood KSC-SW10 150W Compact Powered Subwoofer, Kenwood KFC-1362 5-1/4" 3-Way Speaker (Rear), Kenwood KFC-1682ie 6-1/2"/6-3/4" 3-way Speakers (front), Heated Signal Muth Mirror System, ScanGauge II, Viper 5701 Alarm with Tilt, Proximity, 4 window remote up/down, and remote start.
    Mingy,

    thanks for the answer, I have been asking the same question as blacksandtaco.

    looks like Amazon has a "SCOSCHE TA02B Wiring Harness" that will do what you mentioned.

    Would this include the non-audio wires, like "Reverse sensor wire (Purple/White)" or just the 'normal' audio ones?


    Thanks again,
     
  5. Mar 16, 2009 at 1:40 PM
    #5
    Mingy

    Mingy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Milton, Ontario
    Vehicle:
    V6 uble Cab TRX/Towing
    Lear cap.
    That looks like what I got - you'll find a similar set in the Kenwood box, except those connect to the head unit. If I recall, Kenwood give you a whole bunch of harnesses which connect various gadgets to the unit (mostly video related), USB, etc.. I believe the 'non-standard' wires are on the main Kenwood harness (that you solder the above to) but they give you, like, an extra yard of wire and its clearly labled as such. The two I remember are the 'reverse sensor wire' which comes from the camera control unit (optional) and is basically the backup light) and the 'parking brake on' wire. Things like the reversing camera either plug directly into the head unit or one of their harnesses.

    The only cable I noted as missing was the iPod interface cable, which I basically made out of an iPod AV cable I bought from Best Buy.

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8551097&st=ipod+cable&type=product&id=1188561003671

    The audio connectors were wrong, so I soldered the rights ones on. I since found a cheapy adapter which does the same thing, at lower risk.

    http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103225
     

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