I have one just like it in the C230 but its a 5435 Eclipse. Overall its a nice and stealthy setup including with the cut.

 

Questions about your install: So you took out the stock CD player, replaced it with the eclipse 5500. So I assumed that you have a harness to connect the factory speaker (or factory amp, if it uses one) directly to the eclipse, which means you use your eclipse to play your CD/DVD/Radio/MP3/etc and nothing plays out of the stock unit (of course, b/c you ripped it out). Now my questions are:

1) How were you able to connect the steering wheel remote to the eclipse unit to control the volume and CD controls? Did you have to get a special interface? Or does the eclipse have a built-in steering wheel control interface?

2) What happened to the LCD and radio control buttons that was meant for the stock unit? Is it dead and uselss now but still there?

Thanks

 

Also you can hack in and watch your DVDs without the screen going blue every ten seconds which gets pretty annoying. Its the same as our navi headunit hack.


Go to MENU
Press VOLUME
Hit the Top left and bottom right hand corner twice (UP DOWN UP DOWN)
Hold OVERIDE for 4 seconds and your done.

 

[QUOTE=gallantus;2361358]Does either Metra or Scorche have a website? I couldn't find any on google.

http://www.scosche.com/
You can email them about the dash kit on the IS250/350. They may have more info now that CES is over.

 

wow, very nice! Congrats on the install. Looks great!

I'm going to wait for the dash kit and then decide what i want to do... I personally like the look of the factory dash. I may just get one of those devices that 'fixes' oem decks audio output and replace everything else in the system (speakers, sub, amps). Aside from that, i'm glad we're starting to get some options for our cars

 

I'm glad to see this since I really regret not getting NAVI and ML. This is also MUCH cheaper than Navi and ML from the factory, and I assume it will have much better controls. I'm still confused by the layout of controls on my base unit. I've never had a stereo that was laid out so weird.

 

Are there any aftermarket dash kits available for the IS?

 

BTW, are you using the factory amp, amp within the head unit, or external aftermarket amps?

 

everythings factory except the headunit..

 

I read the thread, but I don't remember if you commented on the change in sound quality. Does it sound any better?

 

Johnny Boy good job! I was thinking to do the same thing however I can't find any dash kit to fit the double din unit like your setup... where did you get those side cover around your headunit? Also could you please give details for why are you keeping the mainunit and how relocate it? How about the sound? Any good? Compare to the factory mainunit? Thank you... Once again I think your setup is the best so far IMO

 

sound quality is great, same or better than factory
the shop i went to cut out a custom piece of wood and wrapped it with black leather, it was fitted to cover up the sides

i had to keep the main unit's board so that the ac controls/emergency lights still work, the board is inside the stock unit which was where the navi is. after taking out the board it was hidden behind the dash.

 

So do you have to keep the unit or just the board?

 

Looks good Johnnyboy!! I really like! You know I wonder if Toyota did that on purpose, they should've reversed the climate control & the CD player in the non navi version just to make it easier to do the aftermarket Navi...

 

they should have do that! But in fact they made it that way and we have to live with it...