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I want to get a LS460 and I am looking at the future, wiring isn't my concerned I can get around the harnesses. can someone experienced that owns a LS take the radio console out and give me the dimensions. Height, width, and depth. If I like what I hear I am going to make the attempt installing a radio once I purchase the vehicle. I found a picture online of course for clarification for the part or area I need for the measurements.
You might want to think twice about messing with anything in the center console - they are all interlinked. The head unit and amp are designed to work with each other and the electronics are equalized and the speakers tuned to the LS460 interior. Proceed at your peril!
Actually its easier than u think..... all you'd lose is cd/dvd/hard drive function. If your swapping the hu you'd get new amps too.... a standard double din will fit easily. Then get a video interface like an ml+ an feed video from the hu to the oem screen.... i have brainstormed this to the nth degree... the ONLY redeeming factor is the ML's 7.1dts...that's it!!! so dont be surprised if in the next 12mths you dont see a build from me on this...
As long as u trust the installer to make an oem or super clean finish trim panel i say go for it.. an post plenty of pics... feel free to pm me if need be..
ML is the best "factory" stereo available imho..unfortunately where oem ends the aftermarket begins.
By the way i unplugged the dvd changer-tuner from the nav screen today... an ALL functions still worked except audio.. (nav, a/c, b/u cam, info)... so i say go for it..
Thanks Shibumi1 I guess I have to make the car purchase first, so I should get one with the high end audio. Glad you said that. I would have thought low end. Glad to know that all the other functions works with out the factory radio. I do custom radios in most vehicles I get. I had a m45 and went custom on that also. I can't wait till the summer time to come back here with the pics, and you right the hard part would be the custom kit or fascia I need to make.
Thanks Shibumi1 I guess I have to make the car purchase first, so I should get one with the high end audio. Glad you said that. I would have thought low end. Glad to know that all the other functions works with out the factory radio. I do custom radios in most vehicles I get. I had a m45 and went custom on that also. I can't wait till the summer time to come back here with the pics, and you right the hard part would be the custom kit or fascia I need to make.
You can get the low end unit if u prefer...but then u have to add a b/u cam an do alot more fab work to the dash...if u get the basic nav pkg u get to use the oem screen as well as the dbl din headunit.. chk the vaistech an prestigious society sites to see compatibility options.. but the radio u showed in the pic is ML. That would be a waste of $$$$ if u plan on removing it anyway. .
You can get the low end unit if u prefer...but then u have to add a b/u cam an do alot more fab work to the dash...if u get the basic nav pkg u get to use the oem screen as well as the dbl din headunit.. chk the vaistech an prestigious society sites to see compatibility options.. but the radio u showed in the pic is ML. That would be a waste of $$$$ if u plan on removing it anyway. .
And I still think that JBL MS-8 + sub will be pretty solid. If you're going competition, you can use the factory mount points to replace the drivers with higher-end stuff like http://www.focal.com/en/46-utopia-be...erspeaker-kits.
Biggest weakness is that the factory Lexus setup only supports MP3s / CDs / analog audio.
The best factory setup right now from the HU standpoint is the current-gen BMW. It'll play high-resolution FLAC off NTFS usb drives =)
And I still think that JBL MS-8 + sub will be pretty solid. If you're going competition, you can use the factory mount points to replace the drivers with higher-end stuff like http://www.focal.com/en/46-utopia-be...erspeaker-kits.
Biggest weakness is that the factory Lexus setup only supports MP3s / CDs / analog audio.
The best factory setup right now from the HU standpoint is the current-gen BMW. It'll play high-resolution FLAC off NTFS usb drives =)
The MS 8 is more trouble than its worth.. but i wish u luck
I would try and tap into the hardware so I can get a digital stream if it is possible and then have an external DAC do the rest including the digital crossovers/equalization. This would then be fed into a five Macintosh Amps where I would have them bi-amped. Last but not least I would get it tuned and only then it will be a worthy upgrade to the ML.
If a digital stream was not possible then I would start from scratch and go Alpine F1 or Soundstream.
A vaistech ML+ will do the trick...but it's been discontinued in leu of the ivic junk ( junk bcuz i dont have self parking an cant use it... hint hint vaistech) i recently bought a media player an I'm in line at BB now hard drive in hand..