Pictures Thread Kenwood DNX 8120 pre-install..lots of pics inside

[alottolearn]

Seeing that I have time to kill waiting to get my short block replaced in my '08 Crewmax (78 days and counting), I thought I'd post some pictures of what you get when you open the box, and also some accessories you may want to purchase to get the most out of this head unit.

Since there are quite a few threads on various tundra forums about how to pull out your old stereo (How to Install Stereo 2007 2008 Toyota Tundra for example. Mods remove link if not allowed) and re-install this particular unit, I'll forgo that and just stick to the un-boxing and pre-installation process.

Before we get started, I'd like to say this my first ever stereo install. I gained a lot of knowledge from the other tundra forums..what did we ever do before the internet??

Ok, so here we have the box and the goodies inside:





You can see the head unit to the left, the crappy Kenwood dash kit, various cables, bluetooth mic (in blue bag), remote control, instruction manual (with magnet for GPS antenna) and GPS antenna (next to install manual). Knife not included..forgot to take it out of the area!





back of the HU. Everything is labeled clearly for an easy install.

Accessories:



First thing you are going to need is a vehicle-specific wiring harness. Your install is going nowhere without this. Since I have the non-JBL stereo, I went with the Scosche TA02B which i purchased from ebay for about 8-10 bucks.



Here is the Kenwood wiring harness (on the left with the black connector) and the Scosche wiring harness in the upper middle. Notice the wiring Scosche harness comes in 2 pieces; this is because there are 2 separate connections you need to make with the Toyota factory wiring harness.

I am using a channel lock wire stripper/crimper. Having this tool will make the install a lot easier. Also see the pack of blue butt connectors there? After you strip the wires, they squeeze together to give you a solid connection.

Soldering would be best, but I've never soldered wire before, so I took the easy way out!







Now the first thing most of us want to do is to ground out the parking wire so that all the features of the DNX 8120 are unlocked while the vehicle is in motion (watch DVDs, use GPS, etc etc). If you don't do this bypass, you can only watch movies while the vehicle is parked with the parking brake on...just so you know.

All you need to do is to take the light green PRK SW wire and the black ground wire from the Kenwood harness and use a butt connector to attach it to the black ground wire from the Scoshe harness.

NOTE: I have heard of people getting pulled over and ticketed for having a video player on while the vehicle is in motion. Do this bypass at your own risk only and keep an eye out for the 5-0! If any of our fine police officers are reading this, please disregard and continue reading as if nothing happened.



After that's done, all you need to do is match the colors from the Kenwood harness to the Scosche harness..its a simple as that. I used another type of squeeze connector to join the harnesses, but the butt connectors would have worked fine as well.

This looks like a mess, but its not as bad as you think. Unless you're colorblind, you'll have no problem doing all these connections (i think its around 12 connections in all).

Next up, I definitely did not want to use the crummy "dash kit" that comes with the stereo. After scouring a few different tundra forums, the consensus seemed to be that the Metra Dash Kit had the best fit and finish, so I ordered one from ebay for about 40-50 bucks.



make sure you order the 99-8220 HG (high gloss); (HG being the key designation) as this is a bang-on match for our trucks.





here's whats included in the kit. Since the 8120 is a double din, I don't need the items to the left (the shelf and the single din face plate) and the single din mounting brackets (in the middle below the faceplate)



Notice a bar that runs across the middle of the face plate; this again is for single din installations, and since we're doing a double din, its gotta go!



i'll use the dremel tool to cut it out...be VERY careful the dremel doesn't slip! You are cutting pretty close to the face of the dash kit, one misstep and you'll scratch your brand new dash kit. This will piss you off every time you hop in your truck and have to look at it when turn on your stereo. So take your time!!



here we are with the middle section cut out. Took me about 7-10 minutes as I was taking my time and being careful not to mess it up



now all you need to do is slide the mounting brackets on the dash kit...presto!







Getting ready to attach the head unit to the dash kit with the supplied mounting screws. I believe there are only enough for 3 screws per side.







Looks great, and the piano finish will match the dash perfectly.


Satellite Radio:

The DNX 8120 is XM/Sirius ready. I went with Sirius, so here's what you need to gain that functionality:



SIRIUS SCC1 SIRIUS Connect Universal Tuner Kit. This contains the magnetic satellite antenna, cable that connects to the CA-SR20V cable (see below), mounting screws (i'm using double sided 3M tape instead), an alcohol swab (for cleaning roof before mounting magnetic antenna), and a rubber tail that protects the satellite antenna cable until it runs inside the cab.

You need 3 inches of metal on either side of this antenna, so the tail is a good guide for that. If you have the length of the rubber tail of metal all around, then you're all set for clear reception.



Sirius/Kenwood CA-SR20V cable. It plugs into the Universal tuner cable on one end and then plugs into a port in the back of the HU that is designed for this purpose.

After the stereo is installed you then need to run the magnetic satellite radio antenna somewhere outside the truck on the roof. I think I am going to run mine through the 3rd brake light.


Ipod functionality:

I haven't listened to a CD in years; all my music is contained on my trusty 2.5 year old 80gb Ipod. With the 8120 you can control your Ipod from the touch screen..how cool is that? All you need is the Kenwood KCA-IP300V cable.







One end has a USB connection, and two 3.5mm headphone jack connectors (for audio and video output) and the other end just has the 30 pin standard Ipod charger connection.
As long as your Ipod is connected to this, its charging; so no more aux cable and separate cigarette adapter charger. I'm going to be drilling a hole in my upper glove box so the cables and the Ipod are out of sight all together.

I think you can get generic brand Ipod adapters, but I went with the Kenwood brand. I wouldn't want to take any chances with another brand of cable. Its designed by Kenwood, for Kenwood stereos. Enough said.

Note: Ipod Touch cannot play video externally; it's some function they have built in (i guess for copyright issues or whatever). Not sure about the other current generation ipod classics/nanos.
If anyone is using a new generation Ipod (non-touch) model that can play video through a video out cable, let me know. I'd like to know for certain that when my Ipod finally s@%#s the bed, that I can buy a new one and still be able to watch videos on my head unit.


Uh Oh!!



After putting it all together, I noticed one of the tabs had broken off the dash kit. It must have been broken when I got the kit, because I was being very anal about the whole process..I did not want to mess anything up!

So what did I do? Well I used what I have been using for years: the almighty PL Premium Urethane Construction Adhesive





I just dabbed some on to a Q-Tip and stuck that sucker back on.



Now when I try to bend it, its like it never even snapped off (let it dry a couple of days). This tab will probably be the last of any of the tabs to break off now! This stuff is amazing, I've used it to glue stoneware, concrete, wood, ceramic tile, my work boots etc....this is hands down the best adhesive on earth!!


Well, that's about it. I did add one little "mod" to my stereo. If you have seen pictures of the 8120 in action, you will notice a bright red upside down triangle that supposed to be a theft deterrent. Yeah right..nothing says "hey come tear me out of the dash" like a bright red light; especially at night.



So I did this:



I took some painter's tape and masked off an area around the light







Dabbed two coats of paint on with a paint marker. I allowed a couple of minutes for the first coat to dry before I dabbed on the second coat.



I Waited another couple of minutes and then removed the tape. You can hardly even notice its there.

If anyone has any questions, would like to see more pictures or anything else..let me know. I hope this helps anyone who might be attempting this install themselves!

[scottnmos]

The only thing I would add is to solder the connections and heat shrink them instead of using butt connectors. Good write-up!

[alottolearn]

Originally Posted by scottnmos

The only thing I would add is to solder the connections and heat shrink them instead of using butt connectors. Good write-up!

Thanks! yeah I figure soldering would make a better connection, but I've never soldered before and didn't want to mess it up! Next time I do any electrical I'll be trying out soldering it for sure

edit:

Scott I added in your suggestion to solder the connections..thanks for the input!

[Jumbo Jet]

Good write up, it brings back good memories of when I put mine in. You probably answered tons of questions for people and the pics are a huge help.

Dont sweat over not soldering, those crimps are fine if you dont know how to solder.

For mounting up your new 8120, you can also remove the factory metal brackets off the Tundra radio and use that to mount up your 8120. Its fits right on and is more of a solid fit than the cheap plastic mounts that came with the Metra.

My 80g iPod plays video on my 8120 just fine, as well as my new Nano. My iPhone works just fine with it as well. When you first plug in an iPhone to the 8120 it will say something about not being compatible with it, but just hit "close" and it recognizes it. Unlike the iPod, the iPhone still allows you control from the phone when connected, not just the 8120. I can use all my apps and they play thru the 8120. I listen to Pandora and AOL Radio all the time. Internet radio in the car is pretty cool.

Again, nice report.

[tun dra]

Very good write up and pics help a lot.

[alottolearn]

Originally Posted by Jumbo Jet

For mounting up your new 8120, you can also remove the factory metal brackets off the Tundra radio and use that to mount up your 8120. Its fits right on and is more of a solid fit than the cheap plastic mounts that came with the Metra.

hmmm i remember reading about that somewhere...i think i may try that tomorrow when i do my install. Thanks Jumbo, I've referenced a lot of info that I gathered from your threads/posts in here. Thanks!

[Jumbo Jet]

Originally Posted by alottolearn

hmmm i remember reading about that somewhere...i think i may try that tomorrow when i do my install. Thanks Jumbo, I've referenced a lot of info that I gathered from your threads/posts in here. Thanks!

Youre welcome, glad they helped you.

I tried the plastic mounts first but the 8120 just felt flimsy once mounted in the dash. The heavy metal brackets make it feel like its welded in there.

[hotdog69]

nice thread, that system looks awesome.....thanks again for a great post...i am ready to put a new one in mine now.....all the pics will help alot

[Marky_Mark]

Awesome write up. I have the 7120, and it is awesome!

[alottolearn]

hey guys...here are some pics (especially for those who are planning to install this unit). I also installed OEM back up camera/flip down monitor (from sparks) and Homelink rear view mirror.

As a note to those planning to do this install..this is my first ever stereo install and it went smooooooooth a silk. I owe 100% of my successful installs to posters such as Jumbo Jet and Pedro66 for their advice and detailed write ups; these forums are such a valuable resource.

I also did a full de-badge yesterday...man those 5.7 badges are on there with some sort of super adhesive! Passenger side came off pretty easy, the driver's side was much harder. Both left a lot of adhesive behind that I had to scrub off with a full bottle of goo gone and a ton of elbow grease..man that was hard work.

Its still kinda noticeable where the 5.7 badges and "Toyota Tundra" (on tailgate) were, I hope this will fade away over time.

On to the pics!



you can see the satellite antenna on the roof















newly installed homelink mirror and flip down monitor for back up camera







Kenwood DNX8120 head unit installed with Metra dash kit. Everything went in like a charm and works great. The dash kit is a perfect match, but it seems to raised a little on the right hand side. Maybe someday I'll fuss with it.



Routed the iPod control cable and the extra USB cable in through the upper glove box. Great location and keeps everything neatly stowed

The next mod i wanna do is get the color matched grille surround, the black sequoia door handles and fog lights.

Right now the door handles are just painted chrome that the dealership managed to chip up during the almost 80 days they had it.

oh anyone has a question or wants to see more pics, ask away!

[matrix77]

very nice!... My 8120 still in the box... few months now... need to figure out time to install it.

[alottolearn]

Originally Posted by matrix77

very nice!... My 8120 still in the box... few months now... need to figure out time to install it.

i'm telling you man, its easy! this is my first time EVER installing a stereo. The only real work is matching the colors on the wiring harness (a breeze) and routing the wires for the satellite radio (not a major deal). Everything works as it should..surprisingly.

if you have any questions, ask away, PM whatever!

[Jumbo Jet]

Looks great..... nice work.

My Metra poked out a little on that upper right side at first also. I had to file down the plastic a little bit on the mounts and then it slid in nice and even. At the time I never thought to take a picture of it, but it was the lower right side bracket that had to be filed down.

[Adamoda14]

Excellent.
It looks like I'm getting the 6140, is there a thread with anyone taking us through the actual install of a Kenwood double din unit? I'm concerned about running everything for the bluetooth. And man, I've got to get this done before my summer road trip!

Thanks