torezcolem

Tee, thanks for the find, looks very professional,I spoke to the guy, they want $2,500 which is a deal in comparison to what the dealership wants just to wire the navigation up to work. My concerns were one that they had to reconfigure the wiring, as far as trading in or insurance values goes aftermarket brings the value of a car down. So that's an issue because I wouldn't be able to reinstall the factory head unit when the necessary time comes. The audio guy did say that they could figure out a way that I could do such for around a thousand more. Issue number two for me would be the waiting time, because they customized using fiberglass and sent it off to get wood grain on it,I think he said that took a week or two alone. Overall they had the guys vehicle for about 6 weeks, that's just a little too long for me especially being that I gotta drive about 4 to 5 hours just to reach the destination.

Shibumi1

Sounds about right...I'd figure another 1k for a rush job...we have our own hydrodip facility onsite so turn around would be faster. .but fl is alot farther away..
UNLESS u wanna come down for a brief holiday. ..

torezcolem

Shibumi1 yea Florida is definitely a drive I honestly feel like I can find a harness that'll work for the car, so I'm going to experiment and try my arm. On their job they cut the top of the dash assembly off,I don't think I'm going to take it to that extreme, I'm going to just remove the bottom radio attachment and attempt to place an aftermarket unit in its position, and if I'm successful I'll have some one more handy than I am to put matching wood grain to look some what similar to what they did.

lieup

I think it will work if you get the complete navi/tv unit and the bottom dvd changer unit. But, you probably will not have Navigation map due to another computer unit is mounted in back of trunk. But, for sure you will get a DVD changer display. If you can take a pic of your rear standard unit show all the harnesses then I can provide more info. Below is the items you need to buy.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-08-09-LEXUS-LS460-PLAYER-NAVIGATION-UNIT-86431-50090-/371086140985?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item5666752639&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEXUS-LS460-LS600H-MARK-LEVINSON-6-CD-DVD-CHNAGER-AM-FM-RADIO-FOR-NAVIGATION-MP3-/251428200017?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item3a8a49de51&vxp=mtr

RodT

thats a clean install , ive never seen anything like that in a LS before

Shibumi1

The few problems I foresee with this solution are, 1st no gps antenna. .2nd the non gps/screen radio will only have basic audio outputs and totally different pin configurations than the amplified systems. Added to which there will be no VSS (vehicle speed sense) so the gps wouldnt work with an ant connected..
heck the a/c controls may not even match up....there's a laundry list of reasons why this is a bad expensive experiment to try...

but the idea remove the cd player section at the bottom is the most cost effective way I can see to get nav w/a decent size screen into the LS..

Shibumi1

As to matching the woodgrain. . Look for a high grade vinyl wrap.. then u can wrap the entire unit top to bottom. An when you're ready to go back to stock peel it off an reattach the oem cd player. .no muss no fuss.. if u cant find vinyl wrap.. disassemble the the face of the top mount it to the new bottom fascia then plastidip them in black before have it hydrodipped in a woodgrain pattern so when your ready to go back to stock... that too can be peeled off.....

torezcolem

Shibumi your skills are far past my expertise, i dont think im that handy lol,like im good with electronics but when it comes to upholstering and decorative like things i suckkkkkkkkk. But i figure i can do the electronic parts myself and end up spending about a thousand all together,for gps and a rear view camera. When im finally done experimenting ill be sure to post