tropez

This thread is here to track my progress replacing my factory (non-mark levinson) sound system in my 2005 Lexus ES330.

Parts ordered so far:

1 x Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS (Amazon.com, $362.02 shipped)
1 x Metra TYTO-01 (Amazon.com, $50.92 shipped)
1 x Metra ASWC-1 (Amazon.com $49.00 shipped)
1 x Metra 99-8158G (buy.com, $25.99 shipped)

Details to follow.

tropez

Okay an update...

Here are a few things I learned...

I needed a longer arm on my socket wrench to reach the top two screws in the head unit. This was a delay as I had to run to the hardware store. I needed about a 6 inch extension to get up in there.

I needed what's called a MicroBypass to get video to work while driving. I'm not paying this kind of money to be told when I can or can't have video on my screen. I'm an adult and can make adult choices. Anywho, this 2013 model radio will not work if you simply ground the green parking brake cable, it won't work with a relay setup either (as is suggested in many videos/forums), you must use a MicroBypass or some other trick.

There are two wiring harnesses on the back of the radio (at least, maybe a small 3rd if I recall). The TYTO-01 plugs into one harness, but the steering wheel controls use the OTHER smaller harness that only has 3 (or so) cables in it. This had me confused for a day or so until I called Metra and they told me cable colors for my vehicle and upon inspection I found them on the second harness.

The Metra dash kit uses many of the parts from the factory dash kit. Vents, clips, silver side bumpers, etc. I lost one of the clips behind the dash pulling the Metra kit off, I had to go pick up one from Toyota for $1 (they only had 1 in stock) to fix this. I haven't put the dash kit back on yet until I'm done with a bit more wiring.

The head unit and factory mid/highs are great, but the bass they produce sucks a bit. I have the high pass set at 100hz and the 80hz and 200hz EQ settings are down a few notches each. This allows for very loud, very clean sound out of the fronts/back speakers. Oh, the TYTO-01 potentiometer needed adjusted, everything was too low out of the gate (I set the radio to 30, max is 40, then did some audio tests).

I still need to install the MicroBypass and my amp kit. Yes, I decided to install and amp and sub, I'm missing too many low frequency sounds.

1 x Kicker CX600.1 (600W RMS @ 2 Ohm) URL
1 x JL Audio CP112G-W1v2 (I've had this for years) URL

That's all for now!

tropez

Okay, install almost complete, amp gets here Monday!

Here's the head unit installed.


Here's my amp kit wiring under the hood.


Here's the amp wiring exiting into the trunk.

DamianYung

Nice work man, been wanting to do something similar..any more progress?

tropez

All done. The system is great. The only thing I added was a kicker Amp where the last picture is at. I think the system sounds great. The factory highs and the sub are a good combo.

DamianYung

Nice, great post man!! I have the Mark Levinson package in my 2005 ES 330, however I would like to improve the lows as well. Did you upgrade the stock free air sub-woofer or did you add boxed subs to the trunk? I would prefer changing my free air 8" ML sub rather than adding a box, to preserve the factory look. Haven't found a thread of anyone doing it, besides this one.

tropez

I left the stock sub alone. I had to set the crossover on my head unit a bit higher than normal to keep that stock sub from bottoming out. The thing is powered off the same amp that the other factory speakers are powered off of so I didn't want to mess with that setup at all. So it in essence is working as a mid right now, or a cross between a sub and a mid, nice filler.

I had two different subs in my garage that I ended up using. A ported JL Branded 12" JL Stealthbox and a Image Dynamics sealed 10", I just swap them out when the mood hits me or I need the trunk space. Usually I keep the 12" in there but that does eat up a ton of trunk space.

CampbellDC

How do you go about removing the existing dash panel ? Do you have to remove the HVAC controls first, or does the existing dash panel Pop out? I have my parts on the way in now, and want to make sure I don't mess anything up. Also, does removing the radio have any effect on the Theft system?

I have all the parts ordered, harnesses and install kit, JVC KW-AV61 BT, Iphone Adapter cord for JVC which connects to the USB and RCA's on the back of the unit.

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated..

tropez

This should get you started:

Uncilro

Okay, so I have the Pioneer AVH-P4400BH. I installed it myself about 2 years back. Now my question is, does the Metra ASWC-1 Steering Wheel adapter work in your car, and how well?

tropez

Works perfectly.

vbhalla24

Here is my link of video to install new double din head unit on 2004 Lexus ES330.