Slammer1

Okay, here are the install pics that I have thus far........

First is a pic of the bezel trim after I painted with the same paint that I used for the faceplate that I made.
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00827.jpg

Next two pics are of my Memphis 12" M3 subwoofer and Hertz 5 channel amp. The woofer is in a box tuned to 35hz, and sounds amazing. I really like the amp, but it is only giving the sub 250w rms, and it is rated at 500w rms. Got to get another amp, but what I want would cost a mint.....
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00832.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00833.jpg

A quick "before" pic before I start the install.....
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00834.jpg

After removing the console.....
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00836.jpg

This is a pic of the HU after pulling it from the car.
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00838.jpg

Pic of the custom faceplate that I made, along with the trim from the junkyard unit, which I painted to match.
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00839.jpg

A couple of pics of the car with the HU and console removed.....
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00840.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00841.jpg

Four pics of the HU and faceplate assembly ready to go in. The only difference is the missing of the word "SECURITY" below the flasing red LED light, since there was no way I could stencil it back on..... Oh well.
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00844.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00849.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00851.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00853.jpg

A couple pics of the HU assembly with the Kenwood in it....
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00854.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00855.jpg


Quick picture of the trunk after pulling the box, amp and the processor that I was using...
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00856.jpg

My Memphis 12 and box........
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00857.jpg


A quick test fit of the assembly to see if it would fit with the junkyard cd changer mhttp://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x400/MYIS350/DSC00859.jpgounted to the back of the display.


Had to wire the amp all over again after pulling the processor out....
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00860.jpg


Amp now mounted on top of the box in the trunk. Side note.... I am currently working on a template for an MDF board which will serve as a wall for the box. It will be a panel which covers the box and hides everything except for the sub and the vent.
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00861.jpg


If you don't have access to wiring schematics, I can't imagin how you could possibly attempt any sort of modification, especially on a car like this.....
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00862.jpg


Picture of the three pigtails that plug into the factory cd changer. I wire tapped the green and orange wires which are in the harness on the left. One for accessory power, and the other for constant power (memory).
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00863.jpg


Picture of that harness after using wire taps.
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00866.jpg


Quick pic of the assembly "hanging" while I dealt with the fuse issue. I am happy to report that I have all of the wiring squared away and that the Kenwood works great. Going to finish the install in the morning!
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00867.jpg

As of this writing, I do have the HU assembly back in the dash, and have decided to route the USB cable out the side of the console rather than drill or cut a hole in the bottom of it. In the morning, I will have to move a few wires around, and then start bolting everything back together. Thanks again, for everyone's encouragement with this project!

Slammer1

Looks like the test fit pic's link didn't past properly........ Trying again.

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00834.jpg

Slammer1

FAIL! That was the "before" pic.Damn!


http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00859.jpg

There we go.........

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

WOW, Very OEM!!!!!

Slammer1

Thanks bro. the biggest difference (other than the Kenwood at the bottom) is that the word security is missing below the flashing red light. That and the up/down buttons for the climate control are just a slightly different shade than the faceplate. However, this only looks like it was OE, because they look pretty cool that way. Will be back out in the garage in a bit to try and get his project wrapped up.

Jetfire

iTrader: (3)

the fit looks very nice.

Slammer1

Okay. Got it finished, finally! Today did not go smoothly and took way longer than I expected. When I went out this morning, I turned hit the start button, and noticed that the factory cd changer (tucked behind the display panel) was cycling. It would run for about 5 seconds, as if it was trying to load a cd. I DID notice that there were two cds in it. When I turned the car off, I noticed that it would cycle again before powering down. Deciding it was not something I could live with, I pulled the unit back out and removed the changer assembly. I worked for 30 minutes and finally got the cds out. I plugged it back in and hit the start button, but it cycled again. I then took my old changer and it did the same thing. The last time, I noticed that I no longer had power to the Kenwood again. The fuse checked good this time, and I found out that the problem was the wire tap I had installed for the power wire. I was already worried that it would work on such a tiny wire, and it ended up being an issue. I used a small piece of wire to extend it (super friggin short where it comes out of the harness), and secured it with a crimp cap.
The next few times I powered the system up and down, the changer did not make the cycling noise that it had made earlier. I was in full panic mode upto then. Deciding that it was okay, I placed the changer back where it was and began putting it back together. That whole process took a couple hours, as I had to do a lot of moving around and tweaking to get it right. I dropped one of the lower HU mount bolts way down in the bottom of the console and had a tough time getting it back out. Other than that, it went fairly smooth. All pieces went back correctly and I managed to not break any of the clips. Going to post up a couple more pics in just a bit. I think it looks good, and it sounds even better. Well worth the weeks of preparation and the day and a half it took to get it in!

Slammer1

Final install pics.

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00871.jpg

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00872.jpg

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00874.jpg

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00875.jpg

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00876.jpg

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DSC00877.jpg

I hope everyone likes it. I know some will, and others will hate. Not too worried about them. I did it for me, and I really like it. There are certain aspects of the finish and fitment that could be better, but overall I am pleased. I have done lots of stereo installs, but never anything this complicated. Not to mention that was my first time dealing with fabricating a panel using fiberglass.......

OPTiK

Wow that looks awesome, you should fabricate that mold and sell it!

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

Get the mold done, include directions for wiring up without losing AC controls and such, you'd sell a decent # of em I suspect

lamar411

Not to bad, good work

Slammer1

To be honest, I am just glad that I got the damn thing in and that it works properly and looks decent. I knew going in that it was going to be an easy install, but it was much more difficult than I thought it would be. I had posted that it would likely take me all day, and it took a day and a half. My left bicep and ribcage are sore from laying in the floor and routing the cables, my fingertips are cut up from twisting wires........! Jeez! It was indeed a labor of love. I have been off for the last two day, and am more tired than I was when I left work on Friday. Oh well, it was worth it. I have spent the last hour or so downloading a bunch of SQ stuff on Itunes and am stoked over listening to it tomorrow. It really does sound soooooooo much better than it did before. I am running the same speakers and amp as before, so the difference is the Kenwood HU compared to the factory HU and amp. Anyone who sits in a new car and thinks that the OE sound system is great is a chump. Anyone into SQ would second this for sure! Huge difference! I have been playing a ton of different stuff, ranging from alternative, to rap, to jazz, and it really sounds amazing.

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

good stuff bro....what interior speakers you running? stock?

Slammer1

Lord no! I pulled the factory speakers 6 months ago and put in two set of Hertz HSK 165 components (front and back). It was then that I knew that I should have much better sound quality than I did, and started to look into the idea of getting an aftermarket HU installed. The factory HU is set up with an EQ that compensates for what Lexus believes the general public wants to hear, and compensates for weakenesses in the system that they intend to install. After upgrading the speakers, and having very disappointing results, I knew that the OE HU and amp had to go. I have been working with car audio systems for a number of years and knew that I should have had much better sound quality out of a pair of component speakers that reatail for around $400 each. Let me tell you, the difference in the sound quality, the volume level and the the clarity is like night and day. The only difference is the elimination of the factory HU and amp. Factory audio (even in a high end car like a Lexus) is garbage.

suka4thong

iTrader: (9)

wow!
good job!