Well my Kenwood ddX419 (new for 2012) came in yesterday and I installed it..I ordered from Crutchfield and got everything needed for the install.

Well the wiring was self explanatory for the connecting the Kenwood harness to the chrysler pac harness. Once I got that put together is when the fun really began. I knew that I'd have to do some modifications to get the radio to fit since most aftermarket double dins are bigger than the stock radios. I'll take pictures of the radio installed tomorrow (I have to pull it back out to install the Mic for bluetooth since I couldn't find it and thought it didn't come but I found it now...my bad )

Well I first had to trim some plastic on the sub dash on the bottom side of the radio and then I had to pull out the dremel and grind some metal away from the inner bracket. I originally tried to bend the metal bracket but just not enough room. So I cut part of the metal bracket and ground it down a little bit. I put a little bend in the top part of the bracket, the radio then fit in. Still a little snug but it fits in good-n-tight. I wasn't expecting to have to cut that much metal, but all in all wasn't to bad, just make sure you buy tons of cut off wheels using a dremel. I wasn't able to use my big cut off wheel/grinder due to the limitation of space.

I'll snap a pic tomorrow (if the weather holds up) of the bracket I had to cut when I pull it out.

The radio so far works great and it's really easy to use w/ a lot of options.

Just a couple things w/ this radio and most aftermarket radios..
- You will lose U-Connect but the radio has bluetooth and comes w/ a mic.
- You can get satellite radio but you can no longer use the stock antenna (I was pretty bent about that, but Crutchfield said it won't work).


Untitled by Mikeyyy816, on Flickr

 

I ordered a new head unit but it hasn't arrived yet. I was told you could remove the plastic connector from the stock antenna to expose a metal connector that could then be connected to the scc1, is this not the case?

 

waiting on pics.....

 

Well the original person I spoke w/ said it wouldn't work...after you told me about the scc1 I called back and said it would work if I pulled the plastic off plus I'd need to buy another Kenwood module for $60, so I said screw it and put it up today using the secondary antenna. Works great and it's not that noticeable.

Uploading to flickr right now ....so should be up shortly.

 

Pics as promised! It was cold out but manned up and got er done.


As you can see I had to chop/cut some of the plastic away to get the radio to even slide in before it hit the metal bracket that needed to be cut. Plastic had to be cut bc it has a raised lip. This is done on the subdash or inner dash not visible once put back together.

Untitled by Mikeyyy816, on Flickr

Next two pictures you will see the bottom of the metal bracket. It had a lip that went inwards and slanted up. I originally tried bending it but still not enough clearance so out came the dremel. Make sure you grind down the sharp edges so you don't cut a wire when pushing the harness in or pulling back out.

**when cutting/grinding make sure you put a old t-shirt or cloth down inside so the sparks don't land on any wires in there and burn through**


Untitled by Mikeyyy816, on Flickr

Untitled by Mikeyyy816, on Flickr
I didn't cut the top bracket just bent the part that goes inward up to make clearance.

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In place...

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SiriusXM module, mounted inside the glove box w/ double sided tape and the USB looking wire is where the blue tooth chip plugs into for the radio.

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Microphone for the bluetooth...chose this location since it's nice and kinda hidden.

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Installed w/ everything put back together...Yes Ted Nugent!

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Hope someone finds this handy....

 

Nice pics. THX

 

Nice install...They sure don't keep aftermarket decks in mind when they are building these things eh? It seems integration was pretty good, is that an electronic module you needed to go from the deck to the factory plug? I have heard lots about the "adapter" you need because the deck stores some vehicle information that the truck needs to run...Not sure tho cause I don't plan on doing an install...

Was trying to look up specs on your new unit but kenwood does not list a 419, just a 418. New model?

I had a DNX 6960 installed in my 07 laramie, and I must say that I really do miss the aftermarket capabilities...I think Kenwood does a pretty good job, glad to see they are still keeping the volume "****" instead of touch slide controls...

 

I ordered my aftermarket unit last week should be here Monday. A guy on another forum works in a stereo shop and said the yellow sirius connector from the factory radio can be pulled off and plugged directly into the universal tuner. I hope that is the case but if it isn't where did you place your antenna? How long did it take you to complete the install with all the cutting and what not? Thanks for the pics

 

Nate,

Here's right off Crutchfields website for the module from the radio to the factory harness...

PAC's C2R-CHY4 radio replacement interface lets you replace the factory radio in select 2004-up Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles, without losing the accessory output and other signals. It also allows the new receiver to turn on the factory amplifier, if present.

Another plus -— once you've connected the appropriate PAC steering wheel audio control adapter for your new car stereo, the C2R-CHY4 adapter eliminates the need for the second PAC interface (SWI-CAN or SWI-CAN2) that's usually required for your vehicle, saving you some cash. Warranty: 1 year.


Also here's a link for the specs on the radio, I read somewhere the radio wasn't supposed to be released until March 2012 but Crutchfield Tech pointed me in this direction, and WOW this unit woke up my Infiniti Reference Speakers.....NIGHT and DAY difference. I am extremely happy w/ this unit so far. Like you said I prefer the volume **** instead of the volume slide control.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DDX4...=T#details-tab

 

The install took roughly 3.5 hours and a couple cold beers. I hate wiring so connecting the new harness together took me a bit. The cutting is a pita, make sure you have plenty of cut off wheels for the dremel (if you use one). I couldn't fit my full size cut off wheel in there and using the dremel I needed a bunch of blades.

As for the antenna I just mounted it right above the windshield and ran the wire underneath the weather stripping and down by the door and behind the trim and fed it into the glove box where I mounted the sirius/xm adapter as you can see in the sixth picture in my earlier post.

Here is a pic of where I mounted it.

Untitled by Mikeyyy816, on Flickr