New Tundra Owner (hi!) Looking for advice on replacing Entune JBL Premium HU

I just picked up my new (to me) 2017 Limited. Introduction post here.

If I buy a Kenwood DMX9706S and an iDatalink Maestro RR Interface Module, will everything work with the remaining JBL components? Or if I replace the factory HU do I need to replace other compents (amp, etc?).

I want to improve sound quality as well as add Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Thanks!

 

I just put in dmx906s into 2018 platinum with jbl system and did not change amp and speakers. Sounds way better

 

Perfect. Did you do the maestro thing to retain factory nonsense?

 

Yes the maestro rr. I ordered thru crutchfield and selected everything I needed and also purchased the ready harness to make it easier connection wise.

 

Did you end up installing it yourself? The last car audio work I did was in college, when I put a new HU, amp, and sub in the 1986 Chevy s-10 blazer I was driving! hah!!

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Yes installed myself. Crutchfield offers lifetime tech support if you have any questions on connections.

 

Interesting. I know very little about car audio. I may need to pick your brain on this.

 

Man... what a confusing process. I plan on calling crutchfield today for clarification, but as someone who works in technical sales, I assume they're just going to try and up-sell me on as many add-ons/kits/etc.

These are just HU questions...

Still looking at the Kenwood DMX9706S
Still looking at using the iDatalink Maestro RR

According to iDatalink website, more adapters are needed in addition to the Maestro:

Ok... so at a minimum, I'll ALSO need

iDatalink HRN-RR-TO2

Additional questions...

1) I'm guessing I'll need a dash kit? Crutchfield only lists this one for a 2017 Tundra: Metra
2) Is the Crutchfield ReadyHarness service worth it?

 

Also here to pick some peoples brains. About to pull the trigger on an amp i found on OU. Its a JL RD900/5 with a LC7. The guy only wants $225 for the combo. Too good to be true? How would you go about bench testing it?

 

@JayCO
Yes, you'll need a dash kit and I'd definitely go with the maestro if you go with an aftermarket HU. That's the route I plan to take someday. Probably will do the DSR1 for now.

As for the add-ons, I dont think many people get the st02 because they elect not to use Sat radio or GPS (use phone). Cant remember if the GPS antenna on the truck would work with a GPS program built into the HU.. I want to say yes.
Wouldnt bother with USB2 either. Just get a new USB/AUX plug to replace the current USB/AUX in your dash and run the cables from that to the back of your headunit. Takes out USB and AUX issue.
TO2 is necessary.
UTO2 is not needed. See other USB response.
Shop around for the dash kit. There are a few different manufacturers and some are better than others.
Everyone swears by the readyharness. Cheap money and worth it.

 

ST02 adapter is necessary for wireless CarPlay.

 

I went with the Scosche dash kit and think it looks great. I’ve read the silver and black Metra kit does not match as well but people are happy with the black Metra kit.

 

Just curious which Kenwood you went with? And any issues? I assume you use wireless carplay. Any connectivity issues?

 

DMX906S

 

No real issues. Sounds 1000x better. There is one intersection in town that I get interference with CarPlay causing music to skip. As soon as I get away from the intersection all is good. It does this in both wired and wireless CarPlay. If I’m on a source other than CarPlay, everything is fine.
CarPlay navigation is great, I use Google Maps. Love that CarPlay accesses info on my calendar to populate and offer directions. I don’t regret ditching the Entune.

 

Great info... thanks.

 

That dash kit looks really good. Thanks for posting!

 

I would of never guessed eclipse was doing OEM work for Toyota. That's pretty interesting.

 

Just installing a new head unit shouldn’t affect anything downstream except for making it sound better because you will have a built in EQ and tons more sound adjustment. The maestro will also work regardless of adding any aftermarket amps/speakers

 

Perfect... thanks. Allows me to upgrade in phases.

 

that was my plan as well but wasn’t satisfied until I ended up replacing everything and adding subs pretty much all at once lol

 

Well the crutchfield order came in today. Holy moly... I wanted the Scosche dash kit, but the crutchfield guy talked me into getting their "kit" since it discounts all the various connectors and ends up "saving me" $50. I think it was all a bunch of nonsense, but I wanted their ReadyHarness service since I'm no pro at this stuff.

First, let me say this...

<venting>

The Crutchfield "Masterlist Instructions" are a total disappointment. I thought they were going to be tailored to the products I purchased and my vehicle. That’s how they were described at least. What I got was a generic “how to remove the radio and speakers in a Toyota Tundra” document... I didn’t even buy speakers, not to mention there are dozens of better write-ups and videos on-line. This is not what I was expecting from the “custom” services and support crutchfield touts. In fact, I convinced myself to buy from Crutchfield and pay more for the parts (and for parts I didn’t want or possibly need in the $50 kit) because I put value in the “Master Sheet” install instructions. So far that seems to have been a big mistake.

I hope the ReadyHarness I purchased isn't equally a disappointment.
</venting>

Ok, that said... dang... lots of stuff in the box (which I knew was the case when I ordered... but when you see it all, it's a bit intimidating. So here's what I got:

- Kenwood DMX9706S HU
- idatalink Maestro RR
- idatalink HRN-RR-TO2 Factory Integration Adapter **which seems to be completely integrated into the ReadyHarness??**
- a 6' USB dash mount cable - I guess this is for adding another USB port to enable plugged Apple Carplay or Android Auto (factory USB does not pass that info/data)
- 3.5mm Male to 2 female RCAs - for what?
- Metra AX-TOYUSB - I guess to connect factory USB port to HU?

There's a few cables in the HU box as well including a GPS receiver antenna (which I won't be using)

Definitely hope this is mostly plug-n-play. I'll be reading manuals for the HU and Maestro tonight.

Any help/insight will be appreciated!

 

Step 1, flashed my Maestro... I believe I did it correctly. First step done.

 

I am installing my 906S later this week. I didn’t go with the Crutchfield but was originally thinking I should have for the ready harness. I’m a little concerned how the install will go. I Went with Amazon and saved a good chunk of money, and based on your comment I guess I might have made an okay decision. Hope it all goes smoothly for you. Keep posting your status and if there was any issues you found that might help me in a couple days. Good luck!

 

The diagram that comes with Maestro is good and also if you have any questions contact crutchfield they are more than happy to help.

 

did you finish installing? I am stuck on the wiring.

1) I can’t figure out where to connect steering control wire (blue and yellow) from aftermarket HU harness into maestro TO2 harness. Any thoughts?

2) if using factory amp, do I need to connect gray and white speaker wires on aftermarket HU harness?

3) if using factory amp, do I need to connect purple and green speaker wires on aftermarket harness to this on TO2 harness?

4) if making a bypass connection so passenger can use various radio features, I heard I can ground light green aftermarket HU harness. Is that accurate? If so, What could I do with the light green wire for the parking brake on the TO2 harness?

Any insight would be very helpful? I thought this would be easier but apparently with all the additional tech, I was wrong! Haha

 

1 this is covered in the Maestro instructions. Take another look.
2 yes, I clipped the RCAs off and connected these wires. My understanding is these are necessary to power the dash speakers which do not run off your amp.
3 no, you shouldn’t need to wire these to the HU harness.
4 I’m not sure what you mean on this one.

 

oh man, I haven’t started yet. Was going to try and tackle this weekend. I pulled everything out of the boxes last night, and got the unit mounted in the dash kit.

I laid out the crutchfield readyharness and stared at the various wiring diagrams. I have to admit, I was already pretty confused. I’m hoping things become more obvious when I get the factory radio out.

the crutchfield harness seems to complete incorporate the TO2 but it was in some need of more tape and organization. So had some cloth automotive harness tape delivered from Amazon yesterday and cleaned it up a bit.

There are still plugs on the harness that I have no idea what they are are where they are meant to go. I’ll take pictures of it and post it up so you can see what I’m working with. It may help you as well.