Wireless Carplay with the Kenwood DMX906S in a SR Loooooooooooooong bed

Hey guys... I've finally upgraded my tunes and thought I'd share some insight.

From Crutchfield I picked up the Kenwood DMX906S



I also got the Kenwood dashcam that integrates nicely with this unit - Kenwood DRV-N520 Drive Recorder

A camera for the front - Audiovox ACA801

A powered sub - Sound Ordnance B-8PTD

and some accessories

• $12 Metra 40-LX11 Antenna Adaptor Cable for Select Lexus/Toyota
  Metra 40-LX11 Antenna Adapter
• $30 Metra 99-8252 Multi Installation Kit for Toyota Tundra 2014 and Up,Silver
  Metra 99-8252 Dash Kit - Silver/Black
• Metra
  $9 AX-TOYUSB - USB-Auxilliary Retention Harness - USB adaptor to retain the OE USB in select Toyota vehicles
  AX-TOYUSB USB Port Cable
• Crutchfield ReadyHarness™ Service
• iDatalink
  $170 Maestro ADS-MRR Universal Radio Replacement and Steering Wheel Interface
  Maestro ADS-MRR Interface Module
• iDatalink HRN-RR-TO2 Factory Integration Adapter

Only on day 2 of ownership, so I'm getting to know all the screens, processes, connections, etc.

So far Apple CarPlay is working great in wireless mode. Cameras are awesome. Playback of a dashcam video on the head unit is very cool and it sounds so much better. I'm also getting engine info and tire pressure readings.

The main thing is that Waze is working great!

More to come, but for now here are some pics:

 

I just got this same head unit and really like it. Only thing is, my fuel gauge is blank, where I see yours is populated. I didn't install mine, so wondering if some wire got missed..

I use Android Auto and it's really fast. Screen mirroring works, but videos don't play, also trying to research that..

Also, were you able to set up down on the steering wheel to change presets? Mine go to the gauges, wonder if I should have them reflash or not possible to do presets..

 

Yeah its a cool unit. Woke up my speakers! But if I hit Mirror it won't pick up iPhone, then locks you out of Carplay and has to reconnect.

I need to dial in the wheel button settings with a reflash too. I set mine to the gauges. I saw another thread somewhere about Maestro and wheel presets.

Not sure why I'd use the Kenwood app either.

 

Does Waze work without needing Kenwood app? Like I think yours was apple car play but I havent got confirmation on any if their head units that you can use waze with android auto. I have a kenwood dmx6605 and waze only works with kenwood app that blows donkey balls and rarely connects.

 

Well I had to install that app to get everything to sync up... not sure it'll still work if I uninstall it. Prob not. I also had to enable Siri to have Carplay working. Hate her listening to everything.

 

where did you mount the mic? I'm surprise the screen isn't tilted to match..

 

I have a kenwood with maestro and I also cant figure out how to make the fuel gauge on the screen to work @token2k6

 

Not sure why mine is working and your's not...

Mic is mounted just above the handle on the door pillar.

 

I installed Waze yesterday and when you're in wired Android Auto and hit the map icon, you get to choose b/t Google Maps and Waze, it's pretty cool! And notice I said 'wired', I have no clue how to get wireless Android Auto to work, tried everything, read and watched everything, it never happens.

I also wanted to say that I've had this thing reboot on me twice while using Android Auto. I suspect it's more of the phones fault than the HU, at least I hope! I cleared memory for the app on my phone, hoping it wouldn't repeat, but it did.

 

Don't forget that there are only a handful of phones that are AA Wireless compatible and they're mostly the Google Nexus/Pixel phones.

 

I have the Kenwood DDX9705s. I love it also! Solid set up. However my fuel gauge doesn't work either. I wonder if it has anything to do with the model year?? Idk everything else works great and I use the Appleplay a ton and its great. Not a huge fan of the kenwood app so I have not been using that. Going to add that camera soon.

 

Ah! Good to know, guess my OnePlus 6T isn't up to snuff

Also, I just called iDataLink about the fuel gauge, they said if most gauges are working, wiring is fine, just not getting data for that one gauge. Maybe Fuel Gauge is only good on higher end models (Limited, 1794, etc). I just have a base 2017 SR5.

 

Actually,

I have to correct myself because I just looked it up to verify; but as of right now ONLY Google Nexus/Pixel phones are currently AA Wireless compatible. I thought the new Samsungs had been added, but I guess not.

 

Have you updated the firmware? I know the most recent ones have improved maestro compatibility.

 

What did that set up cost you out the door?

 

About $1300 for the hardware and then there's installation costs...got that for about $400. Could have installed it myself and saved some cash but it worked out with some other work I needed done from the pros.

Anyone know if you need to cut power to the Maestro unit if you want to reflash it?

 

I did update it last week. So far no change.

 

I just bought this camera and plan to install on Tuesday. Can you give me a little more info on how you ran the wiring for the camera? I want to keep it clean as possible on the windshield.

 

Hey... I had someone install it but looks like it's tucked in along the A pillar on the driver's side, along the top of the windshield and then down out of the mirror housing. Those flat plastic tuck tools can work wonders wedging the wiring under trim.

 

I have the Metra trim kit too. I hate how brushed it looks. Debating going back to the straight black.

 

Thanks for the insight. I can tuck it in the headliner, and remove the a pillar to run the cable.

I was just curious how they got it in that same housing as the rear view mirror.

If you happen to snap a picture of that wiring, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

Looks even more simple than I realized... just wire straight out of the headliner. Don't even mess with the mirror housing.

 

sub...this is what I want.

The thing under the mirror, what is that?

 

That’s a huge help! Thank you!

 

If you use a Kenwood head unit, they also make a dash cam that integrates very nicely.

https://www.kenwood.com/usa/car/dashboard_camera/drv-n520/

 

Where did you mount the microphone?
I just got this same unit.

 

My installer put it just above the driver's side a-pillar grab handle. Not my first choice for a mic, but seems to work great there.

 

I installed mine by the steering wheel in one of the blank switches....going to move it though, people telling me I sound far away...

 

I dont see how/why they cant build an adapter for the OEM one to be usable...

 

Anyone that’s mounted it into the steering wheel column have pics? I’ll be installing mine tomorrow.