2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Old Dog - New Tricks - 2 DIN Nav/Radio Installed

[DMather]

I finally decided to put a crowbar into the wallet and buy a 2 DIN Nav Radio.

Went with the Kenwood DNX9980HD 2 DIN HD radio, Ipod, Iphone, USB, CD, DVD, bluetooth, voice recognition, Garmin Navigation with ecoRoute, nose blower and lifetime traffic info.



I spent many hours staring at the hole in the dash with every known measuring device known to man deciding whether I could make it fit and work properly. Finally I just took the attitude of "I will make it fit one way or the other... even if I have to make a full dash". (Something else I'm investigating... retro fit a 2003 dash into the 2002... . )



Anyway... It fits beautifully and turned out to be failrly easy to install.



Had to cut away a LOT of plastic behind the facia. Took it out, the width of the radio, from just under the air vent. Made two mounting brackets that mount to the sides of the unit and use the original radio mound on the dash.



Took about 10 hours total but I think it was worth it. Works great. . already have about 400 miles on it.



Only down side was the 250 pages of manual were on a disk... which is damn hard to read in the "library" or sitting in the truck going through the features.



Here's a photo... still in the garage during "testing" (very loud testing :-laf )

 

[wlowe]

From all the devices I see mounted on and in your dash it is obvious that you are like me, a gadget lover. Nice install, very cool!

 

[AEdelheit]

Nice, I just did a Pioneer nav double din in my 2004. 5, there very nice to have!

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

I seen a ham radio in the picture!!!

73's to you!!!

 

[Nyoest]

Lookes like a pro install job.

How do you ever shift with all the doo dads?

 

[Grizzly]

Very nice installation job DMather, but why didn't you do what most of us do and get a Garmin and set in on top of the dash on a bean bag. It's much cheaper and does the same thing.

 

[DMather]

Ran with a GPS on the top of the dash for years... .

It wasn't the GPS... . I was tired of having only the choice of AM, FM or CD for entertainment on the road.

This unit updated my radio to give me the additional capabilities plus the Nav was build tin. (also XM... so another unit disappeared off the dash)

 

[LVJUNIOR]

I have been wanting do this for a long time. PLease tell me you havemore install pics

 

[Grizzly]

Ran with a GPS on the top of the dash for years... .



It wasn't the GPS... . I was tired of having only the choice of AM, FM or CD for entertainment on the road.



This unit updated my radio to give me the additional capabilities plus the Nav was build tin. (also XM... so another unit disappeared off the dash)

My hats off to you on an excellent job, however I'm happy with my Garmin on the dash and my ipod for listing entertainment while traveling.



I've had XM with two new vehicle and don't care to pay the fee. I know, it's your money and that's okay.

 

[DMather]

I have been wanting do this for a long time. PLease tell me you havemore install pics

I'm never remembering to do photos, so no, I don't.



But... . I have to pull it out one more time to reroute the mic. (Found a place that works better... ) I'll make a point of taking some pics of the modifications and brackets. (you'll laugh at how simple it turned out to be. )

 

[NavyDoc]

Very nice installation. Be happy to hear how you like the unit after some time with it. Been thinking of upgrading my stock CD player, but can't seem to give up the nice little volume and track control buttons on the back of the wheel yet... ... .



Time well spent on your rig.

 

[AEdelheit]

Very nice installation. Be happy to hear how you like the unit after some time with it. Been thinking of upgrading my stock CD player, but can't seem to give up the nice little volume and track control buttons on the back of the wheel yet... ... .



Time well spent on your rig.

With the new stereos you can still use them, I put a pioneer nav in my 2004. 5 and all the factory steering wheel controls work

 

[streetglide]

whats the guage that has 4 of the same numbers on it tire pressure monitor

 

[DMather]

whats the guage that has 4 of the same numbers on it tire pressure monitor

yes. Normally it would show the pressure and the temperature in green. Unfortunately it has an high pressure limit of 60psi and so it thinks that I have an overpressure condition and has turned red, stops showing the temp and has an annoying little beeper that goes off every second.



Since this wasn't disclosed before installation and the cost of installing the senders and removing them totaled half the cost of the unit they refunded my money and let me keep it.



A soldering iron took car of the beeping and I leave it show the pressure in red rather than just toss the unit out.

 

[DRAG DIESEL]

I seen a ham radio in the picture!!!

or two... :-laf

 

[DMather]

yup.

Never bored on the road.....

 

[FFL8N]

I have almost the same radio. I have the DNX 9960 though. I also have all the extra hookups ie usb, ipod, sirus, ext... .

 

[EForbes]

Very, very nice install, i think you did a great job, i like it, but it looks very pricey, i want one. Good work!