Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
#1
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.
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/1B581A00EC7D4FCAA813607B7B092BBD.jpg[/IMG]
Customizable colors!
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/8E299EC2D9074ABE9AC6EAB08835EDF2.jpg[/IMG]
Original installation, with the radio sticking out
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/4CC78FD611B1428D80F891E6A335B08D.jpg[/IMG]
My install, with the radio set back a little
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/58CCD87D05A44F27A9A4AB4787A89CF7.jpg[/IMG]
Final install
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/8FB542A149154E17A498DA10E6F71447.jpg[/IMG]
In the dash
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.
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/1B581A00EC7D4FCAA813607B7B092BBD.jpg[/IMG]
Customizable colors!
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/8E299EC2D9074ABE9AC6EAB08835EDF2.jpg[/IMG]
Original installation, with the radio sticking out
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/4CC78FD611B1428D80F891E6A335B08D.jpg[/IMG]
My install, with the radio set back a little
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/58CCD87D05A44F27A9A4AB4787A89CF7.jpg[/IMG]
Final install
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/8FB542A149154E17A498DA10E6F71447.jpg[/IMG]
In the dash
#2
RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
just a few more pictures...
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/2671E1188FA44A04AA80F2D7570F7B81.jpg[/IMG]
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.
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/CAFCE061A7874A91B3225D2A267C8DBC.jpg[/IMG]
The opening. the little tab sticking up w/ the hole I thought would have to come out, but I was wrong!
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/36C0B25EE1934A1D9E5B044C3F5607F7.jpg[/IMG]
everything all apart
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/2E07AE41135240108D80B029C33BD9A2.jpg[/IMG]
All back together
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/8C6E91B1F697424FA66467BAB7D2DB6D.jpg[/IMG]
The Garmin NAV screen. (You can still control the tuner/ipod/CD's from this screen - which is nice.
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/2671E1188FA44A04AA80F2D7570F7B81.jpg[/IMG]
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.
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/CAFCE061A7874A91B3225D2A267C8DBC.jpg[/IMG]
The opening. the little tab sticking up w/ the hole I thought would have to come out, but I was wrong!
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/36C0B25EE1934A1D9E5B044C3F5607F7.jpg[/IMG]
everything all apart
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/2E07AE41135240108D80B029C33BD9A2.jpg[/IMG]
All back together
[IMG]local://upfiles/9387/8C6E91B1F697424FA66467BAB7D2DB6D.jpg[/IMG]
The Garmin NAV screen. (You can still control the tuner/ipod/CD's from this screen - which is nice.
#3
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!
#4
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
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
#5
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!
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!
#6
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.
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.
#7
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!!
#8
RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
ORIGINAL: swartlkk
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!
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!
ORIGINAL: yukonmedic
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.
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.
ORIGINAL: thegr81
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!!
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!!
#9
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.
#10
RE: Kenwood DNX5120 Install in /04 Blazer
looks great bet that put a dent in your pocket