Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
 

Well, on Wednesday I got my radio installed and today I fixed it :) (and added the iPod adapter).. There's some pictures below.

What I had to fix was that the original install had the HU sticking out about 1/4" past the dash - when I pulled the unit I adjusted the mounting bracket so that it was a little more flush... You can see the difference in the pictures. (I had a guy at BB do the initial install, when I found out that I'd have to run my own power line (since the harness didn't have one), I didn't want to take any chances - he did it for $50 (I'd already had the harness, dash kit, antenna adapter) so the $50 was worth it to me - he did a much cleaner job with all of the wires than I would have been able to!)

The radio itself is great, but does have a few issues - most notably, it doesn't like to play MP3's off CDs or DVD's. I've spoken to Kenwood about this and its a known issue (I found someone on another forum w/ the same issue and he's also working w/ Kenwood). It plays CD's (store bought or copies) and DVD movies fine - it just has issues with MP3's. I'm also still waiting for Kenwood to reease the XM adapter because none of the current adapters will work.

Aside from that i LOVE this unit. I'm a BIG fan of Garmin and that was the selling point for me, being able to replace my StreetPilot 2820 with an all-in-one.


A few comments on the pictures, as you can see in the first pic - you can customize the color of the buttons/dial - the Aqua Blue is very close to the Blazer lights and what I'm using - you can fine tune them and get even closer than the default colors.

one some of the pictures you might see the larger bezel around the radio, I was going to use that for the flush-mount but when I went to but the dash back together I found out that it was too large for the radio opening. The Kenwood came with a flat, trimmable mount also which is what I used. (Unfortunately I put the dash back together so quick I forgot to take a picture of how it looked outside the dash).

I was expecting to have to remove the upper support behind the radio (where the factory radio mounts), but it wasn't necessary. No physical modifications were made to the Blazer.




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Customizable colors!

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Original installation, with the radio sticking out

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My install, with the radio set back a little

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Final install

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In the dash

RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
 

just a few more pictures...



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In the dash, the cable on the right is the iPod cable, the whole cable length is about 6 ft, but I have it wrapped up behind the glove box and I keep the iPod in there.

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The opening. the little tab sticking up w/ the hole I thought would have to come out, but I was wrong!

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everything all apart

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All back together

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The Garmin NAV screen. (You can still control the tuner/ipod/CD's from this screen - which is nice.

RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
 

looks good bro. I have always liked the Kenwood Video units, but I have been far less impressed with the sound control features. But you seem to like it, so sweet!

RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
 

I'm not picky with the sound - I still have the stock speakers in there.. It sounds good enough to me. My whole reason for getting it was because before I had the stock radio, the Garmin and an XM unit (Both were sitting in the open/console under the dash) - it was very cluttered and not all that easy to see while driving.. I just wanted the convenience of an all-in-one.

There are alot of audio options and settings for the crossover, blah blah blah built in, but I don't know enough to use them - I stick with the presets :)

RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
 

Looks good!

On a side note, if you have more than 5 photos you would like to share, please use any one of the free online photo hosts to upload the pictures to. Posting twice in a row just to include more pictures isn't the way to go about things. Thanks!

RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
 

thats a great looking setup!

i was actually just looking at that one and the dnx7120...do you know if that mp3 issue is just a unit-by-unit issue, or across the whole product line? i'd like to pick one up, but if quite a few of them are affected then i may not.

RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
 

Looks good!! I am not to big of a fan of the double din units but it looks sweet and are starting to grow on me a little more!!;)

RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
 

Sorry about that.. I won't do it again! If you want to pull some of the pics down, I understand - I don't mean to kill all of the space/bandwidth.

I've only spoken to one other person w/ the 5120 and his MP3 issues are identical to mine. He had been in touch with Kenwood before I was and from what he's said it sounds like they are aware of the issue and its something that'll be fixable via a firmware upgrade - I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Its still a new unit, it just hit the shelves this month so I'd guess that most (if not all) would have the same problem. It doesn't bother me since I have the iPod adapter hooked up now and everything is playable through that, but if you'll be playing MP3's then it might be best to wait it out a few days.

I never really liked the Double DIN's either - I thought they'd be too bright and distracting at night, but its really not. It really fits in and looks good in there!

RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
 

pretty nice radio. I wish i would have spent alittle more money when i got mine and got a pop out screen.

RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
 

looks great bet that put a dent in your pocket