Identifying stock stereo and aftermarket harness ('04 SR5)

[garthb]

Hey Folks,

I've bought an aftermarket head unit (hasn't arrived yet), and I'm doing my installation homework before it arrives. Part of this is trying to figure out the appropriate harness for my '04 Sequoia, but I'm getting a ton of conflicting messages from this and other boards as to what does or doesn't work. The head unit is the Kenwood DNX5140. Double din, nav, dvd, etc..

I'm pretty sure I have the JBL Premium stereo in the car... The radio says JBL, I believe there are 10 speakers around the interior (3 in each front door, and then 4 in the back), so I assume this is the one that also has the separate amp (or two). I wasn't planning on replacing the amp(s), or circumventing them. I'm expecting to continue using them (although if the new HU bypasses them somehow, that's fine too).

Here's a pic:




When going through various retailers (like Crutchfield, and Metra), they all ask whether the car has the JBL system, I always say yes, and I always get back the Metra 70-8113 as the right harness to use.

Here's a pic:


Now, this is where things get a little funky for me. The back of the JBL stereo in the car look likes this:



Once I disconnect those two plugs, I imagine I'm going to have to re-connect them to corresponding plugs on the aftermarket harness. The Metra harness only shows one white plug. Do I need something else (or something in addition to this)? The back of the DNX5140 looks like this (I stole this picture from a Subie forum, so ignore the red text):



I'm assuming the RCA jacks on the Metra harness will go to the red 'n' white RCAs on the HU, so I'm also assuming those are pre-amp outs. I do a lot of assuming here.

Something isn't quite right here, or I'm not understanding how this all pieces together. I've installed few single DIN radios in my lifetime, and the procedure is generally pretty simple. Of course, none of these other cars (all Hondas) had separate amps, which I guess is making things more involved.

Can anyone offer any advice as to what I'm looking for? While the harness is only about $12, I don't want to needlessly waste that cash if the 70-8113 is the wrong thing. It also seems as though there are differing opinions on this and other boards as to whether this is the right harness, or whether a true plug 'n' play 3rd party harness exists at all. What initially looked like a simple install, apparently might become a bit trickier.

Here are a few more pictures of what I think might be one of the amps:





Here's the model number of the stereo. I didn't find much that pertained to this specific model, but perhaps it would be useful for someone else (and more pictures are always better if someone else has a similar question).


Thanks a ton for any advice or pointers anyone can provide!

Garth

[garthb]

Now looking at the Metra 70-176, it shows two plugs which look like they'd fit into the factory plugs, but that's for the Sequoia without the JBL audio system (according to Crutchfield).

...which sends me back to the question of whether I even have the JBL premium stereo with the separate amp(s)?

[garthb]

This is quite the conversation I'm having with myself :happy:

I just finished speaking online to a Crutchfield "advisor", and he said that if I have a JBL stereo then the 70-8113 is the right harness, and that one of those white plugs going into the back of the factory radio simply wouldn't be used (since the metra harness plugs into the pre-amp outs on the Kenwood HU).

Can anyone with any experience confirm or deny this?

Thank you!

[Greggcellent]

I'm wondering if the plug on the left is for the rear audio controls which I'm asssuming you have . If this is the case your new unit will not be able to utilize those features I'm guessing . So you might just need the one plug on right for the new Kenwood . Im only guessing here though . I suppose if you pulled the left plug and your rear audio controls stop working then you know . Sry I can't be more knowledgeable for you .

What are you going to do with the old radio ??? I might be looking for one . I bought my 04 used a few months ago and it came with an aftermarket Pioneer single din . I can't use the rear audio controls or the steering wheel controls with the Pioneer I have .

Nice job on the pics by the way ,,,,good info .