Finally got the opportunity to install my Kenwood indash navigation/dvd/satellite radio. this has been in 3 of my vehicles. when i sold them i just removed it and put it my next car. i have a feeling though this is going to be staying for a while.
The install really wasn't as bad as what i thought it was going to be. i got the wiring harness from American International. they are currently working on a complete harness that retains the data bus system. no chimes really didn't bother me. i only had one problem with the harness, i had to reconfigure some of the wires in their respective sockets. not bad though. all in all, i got everything in, drilled no holes, and it all worked. I AM HAPPY. the only think left to do is to find a wire to tie my vehicle speed sensor in. anybody got a clue?
anyhow here are some pics, feel free to comment or question. and i know it blocks the a/c controls. not that big of a deal the screen moves. plus i never us the A/C.
Special thanks to "AztekzRpurty". you helped me with your wiring designations from your install. huge help.. i can't thank you enough..
Where did you get the plastic mount kit that fit the solstice?
It looks like your head unit sticks out maybe a centimeter or so... Is hole for the radio just not deep enough for it to fit flush, or is your radio special, and need to stick out a bit because of the moving screen?
since it is not angled towards you (or is it?) how does glare impact the screen....
not sure I would want to lose my A/C controls with it covered however.....but otherwise a great looking install!! congrats
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i know american international is working on a harness that retains everything including onstar and the factory amp. no release date yet.
as far as the ac controls, it's not an issue with me because this unit tilts in 8 different possitions all of which come forward of where it is now. also the whole screen comes out from the head unit about another 4 inches. so it tilts and extends.
the unit that i bought was from schosh i believe i think it was a 99-3302 i will have to double check.
if you wait a month or so. american international will have the harness available to keep onstar. i was just ansy and didn't mind loosing the chimes..
the pocket is very much welcomed into the cockpit. you don't realize how much you need it until you ad it and see how much you use it. your jealousy is acknowledged and appreciated. thanks for the compliments.
I have the same model head unit (LOVE IT) and just installed the older DVD-based navigation system onto it (sorry, still have the Celica - no wiring information). Question for you: in the Solstice, how deep is the mounting angle? In my Celica it's just shallow enough that the lowest angle makes the screen sit perfectly vertical. Can it do the same in the Sol, because it does look like it's a pretty steep mounting angle. Is there a possibility of modding the mounting bracket?
As far as the speed sensor wire, I would tap into the speedo wire in the back of the gauge cluster (it's likely much closer to your nav unit and it's much easier to access). I would go to your service department and say you're an installer for car audio and you're working on a Solstice, yet have no information on it...have them look up in the wiring diagram which wire to the gauge cluster is the speedo wire.
When I installed mine, I stopped at an install shop in a large electronics store (being vague on purpose) and asked them if they knew which one was the speedo wire and they told me.
I HIGHLY SUGGEST BUYING WIRE TAPS rather than splicing or soldering into the speedo wire. Wire taps are really easy to use and require no tools (no soldering, no electrical tape). I also stopped at an American TV and asked the installer if I could buy wire taps, so he gave me four (with the disconnects) for $1.
And once you find out which wire is the speedo wire, PLEASE let me know because I'll have to move all my stereo stuff over to the GXP once I get it.
Wire taps look like what's in the below image:
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#7981 (Arrived at dealer 11/30, pick up from dealer 12/7): Solstice GXP, manual, aggressive, darkside, ebony leather w/ red stitching, headliner, A/C, prefered package, premium package, and convenience package.
Just installed: 2-subwoofer full stereo system. Still waiting on pics.
Coming next: probably nothing unless my wife wants to get my a new exhaust (yeah right).
My wife really wants nav in her Sol but she needs one that she can put in several destinations and the GPS will route it for her - is that possible with your Nav system?
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#637 - 10/28/05 - "The Redhead" - Agressive w/black leather - all packages - standard radio - added Zyoxx 18" black and red rims, rocker panel graphics, dual racing stripe, windscreen graphics, painted engine covers, painted calipers with graphics, stubby antenna, kappashield, chromies, chrome wire loom, kappa floor mats (sometimes diamond plate mats), kappa racing pedals, and splash guards. OVER 80,000 MILES!
yes, the kenwood kvt815dvd does that. i know they have updated their systems too. they now have the kvt817, kvt717, and kvt 917 out as well as a 6069 or something like that but it is a double din size with a smaller 6.5" screen. i like mine because i can hide it and it is a 7" monitor. kenwood also has a new harddrive navigation out to the 4100 is what i have the new one is the 5100 or something i think. the stops that you are talking about are called "waypoints" that is something to look for when you go to buy something. as far as the fitment. i was a little worried for a bit thinking it wasn't going to fit. however there is a hole in the back of the pocket that the wires will fit into. everything is very snug in there. but i couldn't go any deaper.
let me know if you have any other questions. i'll be happy to help as much as possible.
i did use the wire taps for the ignition power wire. the monitor sits flush with the console line and can come forward 2 more steps. you just have to be careful not to let it go backwards into the ac controls. almost did that a couple of times. sometimes you just have to adjust it for glare. another reason i didn't get the double din unit for this car.
My wife really wants nav in her Sol but she needs one that she can put in several destinations and the GPS will route it for her - is that possible with your Nav system?
I also have the DV4100 (DVD-based) and you can store 5 way points per trip (6 total destinations). The map is actually very accurate. I've not traveled across country, so for example I don't know how to enter a CA address starting in NY, with a stop in IL. However, if she's going across the state or any more local than that, it'll calculate three different routes (quickest, shortest, or alternate, and you can set it to avoid certain areas, avoid/use toll roads, avoid/use ferries, avoid/use time-restricted roads, and avoid/use major roads).
The reason I went with the DVD-based is because of the additional points of interest. The rep said the difference between having more/fewer points of interest is that it'll list out more options. So if you're looking for Starbucks, having more POIs will likely list out all nearest Starbucks rather than the one or two major locations.
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#7981 (Arrived at dealer 11/30, pick up from dealer 12/7): Solstice GXP, manual, aggressive, darkside, ebony leather w/ red stitching, headliner, A/C, prefered package, premium package, and convenience package.
Just installed: 2-subwoofer full stereo system. Still waiting on pics.
Coming next: probably nothing unless my wife wants to get my a new exhaust (yeah right).
