How to keep Original Sub when adding a New Head Unit
#16
Whenever a comprehensive how-to is compiled it HAS to be put into the faq.. This is one of the most asked questions with one of the most complicated and misunderstood "solutions" if that's what you can call it.
#17
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
a good start is here:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...em-diagram.pdf
this thread, though it's still vague as to what was done to make it work since you had it sent out to get wired by another party, and the installer wasn't completely right (since he installed the illum wire which killed the sub function).
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...onversion.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...em-diagram.pdf
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...onversion.html
#21
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Thanks PD. Kinda answered my own question last night when I pulled up the seat and saw all the wires coming off the amp. Luckily, Yamae and aptoslexus provided me with wiring schematics on my OP so I'm gonna have a go at it. Funny, when I first bought this LS I thought it was "really cool" that it had the factory Navi - not considering how difficult it would be to upgrade the system later on. My biggest fear at this point is cutting off OE connectors...once you do that there's no turning back, right?
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...got-to-go.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...got-to-go.html
Last edited by Hiroshi12; 08-17-15 at 07:42 AM.
#23
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
The bundle of wires from the aftermarket Kenwood head unit were plugged into the OEM connector leading to the Nakamichi amp under the front passenger seat. The Best Buy installer installed a pin adapter on each wire from the Kenwood and inserted the pins into the appropriate slots in the OEM connector to led to the Nak amp. No "module boxes" or other magic boxes were used although a friend guessed that the pin adapters contained resisters. It looked like a tedious process and the installer wore the kind of lighted magnifying glasses that dentists use. I watched the pin adapters being installed on the workbench from the customer waiting area so I did not get a good look at them.
I popped the Kenwood out of the dash part way after the install so I could extend the USB and aux-in cables to the upper console tray but I did not unwrap the tape that was hiding the connections - didn't want to mess up a good thing since everything including the subwoofer was working perfectly.
Since no wires were cut, the original Nakamichi head unit could have been reinstalled quickly. If fact, that was part of the price - removing the Kenwood and reinstalling the Nak head unit in case I wanted to move the Kenwood to a different vehicle.
I have assumed that the pin adapters are a standard part that Best Buy installers use but I can't guarantee that. As I said in my thread about the Kenwood install, the Best Buy installer was a "mature" (40 something?) Lexus owner who talked about the aftermarket audio/video system he had installed in his LS430 and who seemed especially interested in taking on my project.
I popped the Kenwood out of the dash part way after the install so I could extend the USB and aux-in cables to the upper console tray but I did not unwrap the tape that was hiding the connections - didn't want to mess up a good thing since everything including the subwoofer was working perfectly.
Since no wires were cut, the original Nakamichi head unit could have been reinstalled quickly. If fact, that was part of the price - removing the Kenwood and reinstalling the Nak head unit in case I wanted to move the Kenwood to a different vehicle.
I have assumed that the pin adapters are a standard part that Best Buy installers use but I can't guarantee that. As I said in my thread about the Kenwood install, the Best Buy installer was a "mature" (40 something?) Lexus owner who talked about the aftermarket audio/video system he had installed in his LS430 and who seemed especially interested in taking on my project.
#24
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Seems as though an aftermarket amp(s) can be installed in the middle of the in/out speaker and sub wires, no? You'd just have to ID the wires by color combo.
Or, is that too simple a solution?
There are some nice compact amps which are powerful and clean - used on bikes and sportscars with limited room...
Or, is that too simple a solution?
There are some nice compact amps which are powerful and clean - used on bikes and sportscars with limited room...
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