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Whoa...I got Z to comment on my stuff! Thanks! Gorgeous car yourself btw, always looks fantastic!
Anyway, it's the Kenwood DDX9702S head unit with the Maestro RR module and MUS-1 dash overlay kit. It works perfectly well with sync and was relatively easy to install. The old stuff comes out pretty easily and the new radio, RR unit, and dash overlay are mostly plug and play. I used quick tap connectors (the ones that snap shut over 2 wires) to tap into the Sync line and the OBD wires but everything else used plugs so I didn't really have to cut anything. You do have to cut the Sync wire on the Sync module side once you're tapped into it or the system has some weird feedback where the steering wheel controls don't work quite right. The Maestro RR unit basically emulates the Sync's capabilities so it was like having 2 Syncs trying to run at the same time. When you flash the module, some of the radio control buttons on the steering wheel have to stay the way they are but you can customize the other ones (not cruise control side) and the buttons on the dash trim itself where I have fan+/-, climate, and defrosters. It comes with different buttons to match what you program it to as well. The final product was great and I don't work with electronics and wiring too much but with a little prep and patience I did it in an afternoon without having to redo anything. I like the look a lot better than the stock radio.
http://maestro.idatalink.com/product...product_id/102 - Navigating this page allows you to see compatible radios with their products. There are some other options available like the Scosch and Metra which both have separate climate controls. I thought the MUS-1 had the cleanest look. I believe Kenwood, and Alpine radio models are compatible and Pioneer as well but pioneer does not support gauges, climate, or OBD info.
lol... thanks for the info, man. Yeah I like the clean tablet look on most cars these days. We almost bought a 2016 Volvo XC90 and I really liked the main (large) tablet/ipad-like interface it had. For Marilyn, I'd consider the swap, but I just don't even use the radio. I'm too busy listening to the intake, engine, blower, and exhaust sounds... I don't want anything interfering with that sound I can honestly count on one hand how many times I've used the sound system over the past going on 5 years.
lol... thanks for the info, man. Yeah I like the clean tablet look on most cars these days. We almost bought a 2016 Volvo XC90 and I really liked the main (large) tablet/ipad-like interface it had. For Marilyn, I'd consider the swap, but I just don't even use the radio. I'm too busy listening to the intake, engine, blower, and exhaust sounds... I don't want anything interfering with that sound I can honestly count on one hand how many times I've used the sound system over the past going on 5 years.
Yea I listen to the radio a lot and the wife likes the radio too and she's in the car most days with me. It's an expensive mod to do in the first place, especially if you don't really use the radio anyway. I only did it because I had some help getting some of the parts as Christmas gifts from various people. There's other things I'd rather spend the money on for the car. I really want some matte black stripes painted on the car but my buddy got gloss white stripes on his car and it cost him $2100 bucks! That seems insane to me but I can't bring myself to do vinyl.
Yea I listen to the radio a lot and the wife likes the radio too and she's in the car most days with me. It's an expensive mod to do in the first place, especially if you don't really use the radio anyway. I only did it because I had some help getting some of the parts as Christmas gifts from various people. There's other things I'd rather spend the money on for the car. I really want some matte black stripes painted on the car but my buddy got gloss white stripes on his car and it cost him $2100 bucks! That seems insane to me but I can't bring myself to do vinyl.
...your buddy got a good deal on his stripes. Mine cost $2500 and the guy who did it said he lost money and would never do it again for that price! He did a beautiful job. Cleared over the hood, top and rear deck lid plus did the rocker stripes and hood vents. To do it right the front and rear plastic covers need to come off. I stopped in frequently when he was working on it. It looked like a heck a big job to me!
I like the carbon fiber look wrap you added to your interior panels. Nice job!
Yea, lookin pretty slick there Darren! I gotta polish mine as well but I've never done it before so not sure what I'd want to use or how to even do it correctly. It's be nice to have that better-than-new car wet look to it though
Yea, lookin pretty slick there Darren! I gotta polish mine as well but I've never done it before so not sure what I'd want to use or how to even do it correctly. It's be nice to have that better-than-new car wet look to it though
Don't be afraid of the polisher. just start with a paint correction polish, new pads, a clean surface and high speed. polishes need higher speed (4-6) to create heat. waxes not so much. stay away from anything not shiny too, like black molding around windows etc. tons of videos out there. keep separate pads for different polishes/waxes etc and use really good microfiber cloths with no edges or tags. don't be afraid to use a ton of them in one job lol!
Don't be afraid of the polisher. just start with a paint correction polish, new pads, a clean surface and high speed. polishes need higher speed (4-6) to create heat. waxes not so much. stay away from anything not shiny too, like black molding around windows etc. tons of videos out there. keep separate pads for different polishes/waxes etc and use really good microfiber cloths with no edges or tags. don't be afraid to use a ton of them in one job lol!
This is good advice, particularly what Darren stated about microfiber. You can never have too many in your detailing arsenal. The very best polishing techniques can be quickly undone by poor quality or dirty cloths.
Two additional steps I include, probably because I'm ****, is to lay down blue painter' tape on the edges of my vinyl stripes approx 1/8" overlap onto the painted surface to avoid compound/polish/wax build up on the tape edges. It can be a real pain cleaning up residue from a sharp edge. The other is to block off the heat extractors from underneath to avoid polishing dust from coating the engine bay.
I can honestly count on one hand how many times I've used the sound system over the past going on 5 years.
rockin the 'wet look'.
