I traded my car in as well

 

The ML system uses a different wiring harness than the base system uses. Even though the plugs are the same the wiring is different. I've checked the wiring schmatics on this. The wiring harness goes from the dash to the trunk. Besides buying the ML components individually the entire interior, including the seats and dashboard, and the trunk would have to be removed to install the ML wiring harness. One or more of the car's management computers might also have to be replaced.

In other words, if you absolutely need ML, it is easier just to trade in your current IS and buy a new one with ML.

 

ahhh...i see.

thanks for the heads up cmusic! so would you suggest just going with the base nav, and getting a nav/dvd converter?

i was looking at getting an Acura TL before, and all of the owners use domsTvandNav2go. i'm going to see if their unit works with the 2IS.

thanks again!

 

the manufacturer of that piece of equipment has declared their unit incompatible with the 2IS....for now.

 

thanks for the info ken

lol, things just aren't going my way right now.

do you know of an alternative option(besides trade the car in)?

 

have u thought about getting a pioneer indash navigation unit?

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...632461,00.html

 

lexus's nav unit also controls the A/C, FM/AM radio, CD controls how would this pioneer do that

 

im sure it can be done. there is nothing in a non-nav IS that cant be wired or converted to nav. it maybe alot of work, but it can be done.

 

I think you are drastically underestimating the magnitude of work and money this swap will require.

Think about it. For parts alone, you'll need an entire new dashboard (for the nav display), steering wheel, Levenstein head unit, wiring harnesses, speakers, navigation components, antennas, etc. I'm guessing, but those parts could cost $5K by themselves. Add in the labor to install these components and you're looking easily at another $4k, if it can be done at all.

Just live with the car you have, or trade in your car for one with the features you want.

 

haha. .

 

yeah, i actually went into a place to check it out. i like the unit, but they said it can't be installed because of the dash setup. i guess the way the radio is at the bottom, and how the radio display and temp display are in the upper slot.

they were talking about doing a flip out screen at the bottom of the dash, but the radio display would just be a dead unit.

lol, getting frustrated

 

johnAboy,

Here's another tid bit about the 2IS audio system: Remove the factory deck and you loose all A/C functions (in the non-nav 2IS). However the Lexus engineers did leave enough slack in the wiring harness to relocate the factory deck to the glove box and run the wiring harness to it with no cutting of wires.

 

How about swapping a non-ML Nav for a ML Nav merely for the DVD Drive purpose? Would this be possible? PLUG/PLAY?

 

Did you read post #6 in this thread?

 

when you say the factory deck(F.D.), you're talking about this area under the radio display, right?

i'm not sure what the purpose of moving the deck into the glove box would be? if i did install a retractable screen in that area wouldn't i want to have the audio be controlled through the aftermarket unit?

sorry, i think i'm not getting what you're saying about the relocating. could you please explain more?