Kenwood DMX1057XR

Hi folks,
I'm new to the forum, although I've been reading it a bit.
Does anyone here have experience installing a Kenwood Excelon Reference DMX1057XR head unit in a 3rd Gen Tacoma? I've decided to ditch my Entune 2.0 non-JBL radio for something more updated and that will give me wireless Carplay and a larger, floating screen. This particular unit seems to get great reviews. I'm just trying to find other 3rd gen owners who have done this install to find out their experience. I'm planning on making the purchase at Crutchfield and I know I'll have to get the Maestro RR2 installation package. One question I still have: Will the USB cable connect to the existing USB/AUX port on the Tacoma (the one that has the flip up cover)? Or will it hang down loose? Crutchfield says it will hang, but it looks like it will just replace the connection on the back of the port.

Thanks for any info you can provide!
Mike

 

Your existing port may be compatible with the new HU.

It likely is a pass-thru port.

You'll be able to confirm during install.

It maybe possible to dig into Crutchfield's site to unearth the Installation Manual for that HU. Go through the pages, somewhere there will be details on the USB cable and install.

I've been looking at a Kenwood DNX577S. I think I can simply connect the HU's USB to a pass-thru connection. Specifically, planning to replace the cig lighter with the USB port. I'm not a fan of dangling wires.......they always manage to be wrapped around something or get pinch, cut......damaged in some fashion.

 

i installed a DMX905s i was able to use the stock USB connection port to play music but its rare that i do that since i routed an old Ipod to the glove box and have my whole library through it.

 

Thanks for your reply. I was able to look at the installation manual but it wasn't much help in determining the connection to the existing USB/AUX port. However, as part of the installation package Crutchfield provides with this HU, they include a Metra AX-TOYUSB USB port cable...

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120TOYUSB/Metra-AX-TOYUSB-USB-Port-Cable.html

I'm going to assume for now that that the white plastic end of that cable is what will connect into the existing port, either on the back of it or into the wire that connects to the OEM HU.

 

it will

 

Thanks!

 

Little by little I'm getting all my questions answered before diving into this purchase and doing the install. I'm trying to understand exactly what will be retained from the factory once I install the new head unit, Maestro RR2 module, etc. One question I still have is in regard to GPS. The HU I'm looking at does not have navigation (I don't use it on the OEM radio - I use Waze), but it does have a GPS port on the rear. It also comes with a GPS antenna. My question is whether or not I have to use that supplied antenna, or will the HU accommodate the onboard GPS. Someone at Crutchfield told me I'll lose GPS altogether and will have to rely on the phone for any GPS capability, but I don't think that's the case. She also told me I'd lose the ability to use the existing USB/AUX port, but that was also incorrect because I'll get a Metra

$16 AX-TOYUSB USB Adapter for Select Toyota & Lexus OEM USB Female 30CM

AX-TOYUSB USB Port Cable that takes care of that.
Anyone know about the GPS? Thanks!!

 

You can get an adapter for the Trucks GPS antenna, also if you get it from crutchfield, and have them connect the wires it'll basically be plug and play. You'll just have to program the Maestro with your computer.

 

Thanks. The wiring harness that comes with the Maestro accepts the vehicle's GPS cable, at least I think it does. Is that what you mean? I looked at a YouTube video Five Star Audio did on a Toyota and that seemed to be the case.

 

Also, i wish i had run the maestro connection cable to my glovebox so if i wanted to adjust the settings it could be easily done instead of pulling the unit.

Also wiring isnt that hard took me a few hours in front of the computer with soldering iron and heat gun. (im also color blind)

 

Didn't come with the Maestro unit, it's an add on. This one worked for mine
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Q5lHR...TjXAR_igKdtrBYoOXu1pdtrhoeYUCQShoCRv4QAvD_BwE

 

I'm actually looking forward to doing the install myself. It doesn't look all that difficult. I just want to make sure what I'm getting into before I dive in. I spend alot of time driving and the stock non-JBL unit is just not cutting it for me.
I hear you about the glovebox location - that would be nice! At least Toyota made it fairly easy to pull the HUs on the Tacoma.

 

There you go! Now we're talkin'..... Thanks!

 

No problem if you have your truck set up on there and add it to your car it should ask you if you want all the install equipment and tells you what everything does. Almost everything in there is useful

 

Great. I notice the description for that adapter says for use with navigation receivers. Mine wouldn't be, but it should still work, right? I would like not to have to stick the Kenwood antenna on my dash or windshield in order retain GPS.

 

you can stick it under the dash and it will still receive a signal. It works the compass feature on my unit and the signal is fine.

 

Good to know, thanks.

 

I went and added it to my cart it actually left out the adapter. But it looks like there is a spot for it in the back of the radio. It should work, it worked with my 4400nex and it's not a navigation unit

 

Well, I've ordered everything from Crutchfield but the head unit is on backorder. The HU has an HDMI port on the back that will enable me to run an HDMI cable for iPhone screen mirroring. I don't know that I'd use this, but my wife might want to for long trips. I also don't want to have to pull the HU out down the line. Might as well install the cable now. Rather than have the cable hang loose somewhere, I could get something like this:

https://catalog.pac-audio.com/catalog/radio-replacement/hdmi-usb-cbl

I don't want to remove the cigarette lighter and put that in its place. Is anyone aware of a similar adapter that would fit into one of the empty jack/port positions under the climate control panel? I'm not having any luck. I've got two empty ones I could use, but I can't seem to find a single HDMI cable (or even an HDMI/USB cable) like the PAC Audio version that is configured for one of the port openings. I've seen a photo or two, but can't find anything available to purchase that's of decent quality. Amazon has one, but it looks pretty crappy. The PAC audio cable also comes with an adapter that can stick on the underside of the dash somewhere, but I'm not keen on that either. I'm trying to keep this install as clean as possible. The other thing I could try is to get an appropriately sized rubber grommet and cut it to fit around the cable. I'd have to drill a hole into one of the empty switch covers, and then cut that to accept the grommet and cable assembly. I could then pull the cable out as needed and push it in when not needed. I'm afraid the switch cover plastic is a bit too rigid though, and won't flex enough to accept the grommet without snapping.

Thanks!!

 

There is this one (for $12) from a company in California. It's not black, but I could cut an opening in one of the port covers and snap it in. Hmmm...

https://www.ocp.com/product/61-00207hdmi-2-0-panel-mount-extension-female-to-male/