Kenwood DNX893S in the XLR

[Flynn Audio]

Success from Madison, WI

At the request of my client I thought I’d share my experience with this.

2004 XLR-BOSE, Nav, 6CD, no XM

Parts list-
Kenwood DNX-574S
Metra 99-6511 –Dodge/Jeep kit shaved to fit.
Metra GMOS-06
Metra ASWC-1
Metra 40-GM10
Sirius 300v1 tuner
ADAS ACA800 Camera

The jumper information was hands down the most important part from this post. Be aware the CD changer plugs are separate from the radio plugs.
https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadi...5-kenwood-dnx893s-in-the-xlr-2.html#post71278


Misc wires
The extra wires from the GMOS-06 like ILL, Rev, etc did not work. Oh well.
-For ILL I grabbed the parking light positive which is a brown wire in the loom going to the rear of the vehicle in the passenger kick.
-I grabbed the Reverse light power from the BCM in the passenger footwell. Red plug with 7mm bolt securing it. Light green wires (2, same pin. BCM in passenger footwell, red 41 pin plug (C3), pin D9) You could grab reverse power at the reverse lights in the trunk lid BUT that passage down the lift mechanism is super tight and there isn’t much room for extra wires. I ran up along the right side of the trunk and then cut up and under the center console.
I was also able to squeeze a USB/AUX power beside the 12V power in the center console.

Nav/XM
Factory Nav plug is the same as Kenwood, so that just plugs in. For the XM I put the antenna near the nav antenna under the top of the dash which comes off pretty easily with one screw on each end of the dash, one above the start button, and one sideways next to the center right air vent.

Steering Wheel Controls
The plug that comes on the GMOS-06 for the ASWC-1 will not work for the XLR. You can snip it and use the power and ground it supplies. Isolate that pink wire, it’s data! Use the harness that comes with the ASWC-1. Follow the directions Metra provides using the CD changer plug. I don’t think it auto-sensed the vehicle but you can follow the manual programming procedure and all the buttons will program.
https://metradealer.com/files/aswc/ASWC-1_INST_321.pdf
Connect the Black wire of the ASWC-1 to chassis ground.
Connect the Red wire of the ASWC-1 to a switched 12 volt accessory wire.
Connect the Yellow/Green wire of the ASWC-1 to the wire in Pin 11(Blue) of the vehicle’s radio harness.
Connect 12v accessory power the wire in Pin 10(Purple) of the vehicle’s radio harness.

Final result- Sound is great, OnStar works, Kit fills the gaps.

Here’s a before and after- 2018 Installs - Google Photos

 

[James Landi]

If one were to bring his xlr to your shop, what is the turn around time and $$$ out the door? You;re clearly very knowledgeable--- is this kind of conversion one that you'd leave to any shop, or do you feel you're preparation and experience made the conversion both successful and efficient? James

 

[Flynn Audio]

Hello,

We did this car in one day, I had it for 2 overall.

We did a backup camera, the deck, and sat radio. Parts and labor were in the $1800 range. I'm happy to do more of these for anyone in the area.

Edit- I think any reputable shop should be able to do this, especially with the help on this thread, but I might not suggest a cheap shop or do it yourselfer to try it.

 

[James Landi]

FLYNN audio

Thanks so much Flynn audio for your commentary and additional narrative. If I were not in Maine, I'd be making a reservation to have you do this work. The upgrade adds so much to the XLR experience. Gratefully, James

 

[rexster314]

Except for the crossover wiring, it's all pretty much a standard install. Any good, established stereo shop should be able to complete the work when given the wiring diagrams.
Most shops don't want to touch the job because all they do is look in a parts manual for the kit and there is none listed for an XLR.
The shop I used had never done an XLR before, but they weren't scared, and it was completed in about 7 hours or so if I recall correctly. I waited in the a/c shop office while they worked on it.
And I believe there's a couple of owners on here who did the work themselves, taking their time and doing it right

 

[ChicagoDave]

At the request of my client I thought I’d share my experience with this.

2004 XLR-BOSE, Nav, 6CD, no XM

Parts list-
Kenwood DNX-574S
Metra 99-6511 –Dodge/Jeep kit shaved to fit.
Metra GMOS-06
Metra ASWC-1
Metra 40-GM10
Sirius 300v1 tuner
ADAS ACA800 Camera

Here’s a before and after- 2018 Installs - Google Photos

Thanks for the information - this is great! I'm just south of WI, in IL. I might be wanting to take a trip up to Madison, WI in 2019 for this upgrade. This upgrade really updates the XLR, in my opinion. I have a 2007 XLR-V. I'll keep you in mind, when I am ready to pull the trigger.

 

[James Landi]

Your encouragement is much appreciated. I am somewhat of a skilled DIY person... thank you. James
'

 

[Fireduck69]

Just saw this install kit on ebay

 

[David_B]

HA! I had to order one. Wonder if I can modify it to put a tablet in vertically instead?

[QUOT


E=Fireduck69;77649]

Just saw this install kit on ebay[/QUOTE]

 

[Flynn Audio]

Metra

Yes Metra just came out with this piece about a week before I did my install but I think for most of the models I have seen pictures of they have some sort of interesting print or design on that part that matches other dash parts....

You could get it dipped or just painted a solid color, it's a nice small piece and wouldn't cost much I'm sure. That large of a piece in just black would be pretty ugly in a nice car like this. Wrangler or 99 Silverado? Yes. XLR- Please don't!

 

[David_B]

I got this in, and here's what I found.

It has that rubbery coating on it, the one that Ferrari owners hate because it gets shiney and degrades with time on parts that they no longer can get. (good thing there's at least one company that will refurbish them!)

The stereo opening is standard 2DIN. You don't need any side adapters, it will just fit. It includes a 1DIN pocket if you want to put a single DIN radio in.

The opening is 1 inch lower than the top of the old stereo opening, that way there isn't going to be a huge empty space where the CD slot was on the original one. The included mounting plates for the sides probably allows the head unit to be lowered. I wonder if this new lower position lets you use deeper head units?

The AC panel area has 2 adapters for the different year XLRs, one for the all metal face and one for the later Wood faced ones. This is needed because the control module is actually different between them.

The other question I have is could you enlarge the opening and put an 8 inch stereo? As I said, with the brackets lowering it an inch, maybe there's enough space for it.

The quality of the plastic seems good, It's not as solid as the stock metal covered one though..

The black might not look completely horrible in a dark interior, but in the lighter interior, yeah, it's probably going to stick out like a sore thumb.

I'm not sure you could glue anything to it, or if paint would stick very well. It probably would be a good place to start if you were going to make a custom Tablet install though, you would probably have to remove the rubber coating.

 

[randyoliver01]

What do you mean by don't use wire taps on steering wheel ? I'm going to attempt install ,same radio and connectors. Did you use the jumper info onC1 and C2 connectors from previous post. Could you give me parts list, jumpers and any other necessary info, thanks

 

[rexster314]

What do you mean by don't use wire taps on steering wheel ? I'm going to attempt install ,same radio and connectors. Did you use the jumper info onC1 and C2 connectors from previous post. Could you give me parts list, jumpers and any other necessary info, thanks

Who is this addressed to?

 

[randyoliver01]

I am installing the kenwood dnx893s in my xlr, What dash mount kit did you use. I see other people are using the end filler pieces, but looks like yours has a complete trim piece all around the radio. I live in Houston. Thanks

 

[rexster314]

I am installing the kenwood dnx893s in my xlr, What dash mount kit did you use. I see other people are using the end filler pieces, but looks like yours has a complete trim piece all around the radio. I live in Houston. Thanks

It only has filler plates on each end. If I can find the part # I'll post it, but not sure if I can.

 

[randyoliver01]

Ok thanks

 

[GRatch]

Rexter,

Greetings...putting in a new stereo system in my 2006 Star Black (Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX) ...looking for that Wiring diagram you mentioned that was in the app Radio thread, doesn't seem to be live anymore? Do you still have that wiring diagram, I think my guy will figure it out, he is a real specialist...but thought I would get him any support I could? Now that technology has advanced I am using a wireless Apple Car-play so I can use the phones nav app directly on the screen and it is wireless now so no cords needed. I will let everyone know how the installation goes, thanks.

 

[randyoliver01]

Look in thread Kenwood dnx893s, it has jumper wiring info.

 

[GRatch]

Thanks finally found it...lots of fragmented threads there, or is that frayed threads? lol

 

[long Tall Sally]

the search engine on this site does not work as well as most others. Quickest way to find anything here is to open a google key word search and then type forum and you will go directly to the posting .You can find way more and much quicker than typing anything on the search here.