jakemt

Is it possible to install a Nakamichi radio in a '00 ls that has the oem pioneer unit? Is it it a simple swap in - swap out type of deal or more involved with a seperate amp and speakers with different wiring?

Kansas

The connectors are different at the amplifier under the passenger seat -- same number of total pins but a different number of connectors and a different pin configuration. I can't remember for certain about the head unit but I can check. I think the CD connector is the same for all three audio system, but I can't remember for sure. The connectors for all three audio systems (standard, Nakamichi, navigation) are illustrated in the two volume repair manual set for the 00 LS.

I found all this out the hard way when I bought a "mute lead" wire harness from Dashmount in the U.K. to use to interface my Nokia CARK-91 phone kit with the Nakamichi system in my 00 LS400. If the mute lead connectors had fit my Nakamichi's amp, my Nokia car kit would have been "plug and play" -- taken power and ground for the audio system, auto muted the radio during a call, and played the telephone call through the radio speakers.

But I found that the mute lead connectors fit only the standard Pioneer system and the navigation system amps.

I ended up powering my Nokia kit from the ignition switch, installing a separate speaker, and connecting its mute wire to the mute terminal in the OEM phone connector under the center console. BTW, there is a coax connection under your console for the phone antenna imprinted on the rear window of your car. You can activate this coax by connecting two coax cables in the right wheel wheel of the trunk.

Unless you have a free Nakamichi system to play with, I personally don't think the swap is worthwhile. The standard Pioneer system in the 98-00 sounds damned good although I think the Nak has a bit better bass. And I wish my Nak had the ASL of the standard system -- less fiddling with the volume control.