Wayne Blaine

While it’s helpful to watch youtube videos on head unit installations, there are some details that aren’t covered, which would take some of the guess work out. Generally documentation is lacking

Ready to install

What I installed

Fairly easy

Easy

Hard to push in and pull

Easy

I used a small screwdriver to pry and pull. Hard to see this without a flashlight

This is horizontal and very hard to pinch and pull.
on what is exactly being installed. Disconnecting the six console connectors on my 2012 was easy once I figured out how the connectors disconnected. The wiring usually looks a total mess, with a note that it can all be shoved to the right of the unit. I’m not saying Kenwood is the best, but I can say the wiring followed the instructions, and it totaled worked. No mention in the instructions about the three factory connectors that will not be used. The Kenwood includes the chime (sounds terrible), GPS, and mic. There are two USB cables that for me, ended up in the glove box. You lose the USB at the rear of the console. I’m sure there’s a way to reconnect it to one of the two USB’s provided. The backup camera, which is a Kenwood, plugs directly into the head unit. No cutting into the backup lights for power. Only the two large connectors from the GM11 plug into the existing factory cables. Yes, the steering wheel controls work fine. Bluetooth to the Iphone, no problem. Apple Car Play perfect. Backup camera too.

gdmoore01

Thanks Wayne, helpful when folks share this kind of information so others learn from others experience. Gotta ask...is the sledge hammer used when the frustration mounts and no resolution is apparent? How often did you need to resort to that tool? LOL

Again thanks for sharing.

GD

dmyers

I wish this was out here when I did mine. I ended up having to buy a replacement Active Handling button.

NYC6

Useful info, you should also post this in the audio section if you haven’t already.

Wayne Blaine

The hammer didn’t come out this time. I was prepared for a battle and took it pretty slow. Spent 3.5 hours on the install. Still have to mount the mic, and GPS.

Wayne Blaine

Yes. That connector is a bear. I almost had to stand on my head using a flashlight to see how that connector came off.

Wayne Blaine

I was looking for a place to post this, but didn’t see the audio section. Thanks, I’ll try to post this there.

Wayne Blaine

I have had so much help from this forum. I try to pay back when I can. Not much frustration on this one. Just took my time, and was very careful with the connections.

madsonp

The chime is actually part of the RP5-GM11 and not the Kenwood. If you had the stock navigation system and GPS antenna, you can reuse the stock GPS antenna, as it uses the same type of connecter as the Kenwood does, and plugs right into it, this'll save you from having to mount the GPS antenna that came with the Kenwood. And here's a link to the Audio/Electronics section of this forum. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lectronics-20/

puterami

When I installed my DMX907S, I replaced the cigarette lighter with one of the below. The DMX907S has two USB ports and two cables - one specifically for Apple, the other for Android.

Great pictures!

TXSTICK

If the chime is too loud for you, stick a small piece of electrical tape over the little hole, makes it much better.

Wayne Blaine

I noticed that the chime has a volume control switch on it too. The volume is ok, just the tone sucks. Not as nice as the factory.

Wayne Blaine

Absolutely right about the chime being part of the GM11. I wish I knew about the GPS antenna being the same connection to the Kenwood. That’s another detail I never saw on install videos, or the connection instructions from Crutchfield. Thanks for you input.

drewz06

for gps and mic i mounted them right at the rear view mirror.....

you can pull the a pillar cover no problem, and i just used my fingers to stuff the two wires into the headliner.....

if you want to go so far, grab a torx and remove the panel under the steering wheel.... and you can just pop out the gauge cluster surround with a trim tool (screwidriver wrapped with tape)....

the first time doing it sucks, but its super easy once you get the hang of where the trim pieces pop in....

glad to see people giving back to the community!!!

TXSTICK

Mine is an older unit, no adjustment on the chime that I saw. I bought it used a few years ago.

Wayne Blaine

Thanks for the suggestion on the mic and GPS. I was going to run the mic cable up to the mirror. Now I’ll run both of them up there. I want the GPS to get a good signal.

drewz06

running the lines for my gauges under the dash....

blownbayou

Just removed (unplugged) it from the module..... Way too obnoxious for me.

unkled20

I've been in that same position more than once! I should have had my daughter take a picture of it! I was very happy to have a vert to have more head (leg) room while doing it! I'm 6'2" and needed the space.