[Indolent]

I soldered in practically all my green interior LEDs to white ones, but I messed up two factory non-Nav radios so I upgraded to a Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX which has wireless Apple CarPlay, back up camera, etc. I’ll update/edit this thread as it’s not completely wired up (steering wheel controls, back up camera, and probably some other things I don’t know about yet).

The problem with our CTs is that no company really makes a dash kit to appropriately fit the standard sizing of most aftermarket units within our center console. Most aftermarket units tend to not sit well or sit far right into the Nuluxe trim panel. I didn’t want the other talked about flush mounted android unit so I decided to make a custom mount.

Essentially, I made a rectangular bracket using thin-ish sheet metal surrounding the new head unit. Drilled mounting holes. Cut/trim the old radio bezel to size to fit the new unit. Riveted Folded parts of the new radio bracket along the old radio bezel. Then filled the gaps with epoxy/bondo. Block sanded to shape. Prime & paint.

GPS antenna was placed under the dash/cluster bezel. Wire was fished through the start button wiring.

The microphone i replaced it with the stock one/location. Then fished it through the headliner > along the A-Pillar > through the dashboard speaker > along the cluster then fished through the wiring by the start button.

I used a Metra 70-1761 harness to connect pioneer radio plug. I had extra terminal pins from a previous project so I crimped terminals onto the pioneer pigtail, de-pinned the Metra connector, pinned pioneer wiring into the Metra connector.

I still need to wire up the steering controls, backup camera, and some other things but definitely love the upgrade. I’ll be updating this thread as I make more progress.

 

[Indolent]

New head unit install complete (Non-Navi CT). I cheated/had my friend finish some up of the wiring at his work for my S/W controls, splice the camera to the head unit, etc. The camera was spliced to the camera wires by the driver A-pillar so both the rear view mirror AND the head unit are both on at the same time.

Never thought I'd be one to get an audio system of some sort, but he hooked me up with everything listed below. I installed spacers + speakers, mounted the SiriusXM & GPS antenna under the dashboard/cluster panel, new microphone placed in the stock location. I'm still learning how to use all the functions, but very happy with the Apple CarPlay and overall audio improvement.
Note I had to make a custom bracket that I riveted, epoxy, bond/molded into the old radio trim. Lots of trimming involved. (refer to other post or feel free to hit me up). This and most units will not sit flush besides the android units talked on here before. The center console is quite off set compared to the position of the standard double din/factory mounts. Most end up trimming into the right interior Nuluxe Trim piece which I have yet to see one to my liking. We spliced/tapped into the camera wiring so it displays on both the rear view + head unit.

Pioneer Radio Head unit 6.8" DMH-W4660NEX
JBL GX9638 6"x9" 3-Way Front Door Speakers
JBL GX628 6.5" 2-Way Rear Door Speakers
SiriusXM Satellite Tuner - SXV300V1
Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness
Metra 82-TY1 Rear Speaker Mounting plate with adapter harness
Metra 82-8146 Front Speaker Mounting Plate
Metra 72-8104 Speaker Harness Pair (Front)
Metra 40-LX11 Antenna Adapter
Axxess AXSWCH-T28 Steering Wheel Control harness, however my friend made a spare AX-TOY28SWC work on mine.

I should’ve took more pics, but I added sound deadening (80mil) throughout the roof, doors, hatch. I mainly did it for road noise, having better audio with most of the panels off was a perfect excuse.

 

[joey]

I like how you used the stock mic location. Very clean.

 

[Osuwari]

Do you feel that the OEM speaker wiring is adequate for the power?

 

[Haha_jizzjizz]

Major surgery on the bracket

 

[Indolent]

Do you feel that the OEM speaker wiring is adequate for the power?

I 'think' it's adequate for me, but compared to my factory system anything is better. I asked my friend if I should replace the two dashboard speakers, but he said anything else I do/upgrade I may need an amplifier.

Major surgery on the bracket

Definitely reconstructed the factory radio bezel panel/trim quite a bit. Didn't even use the old factory mounting brackets cause they were not only way offset, but also too far back.

 

[[email protected]]

Wow! This is amazing. I’ve been looking for a CarPlay solution but wanted something clean like this. Wondering what challenges I may run into as mine has Nav?

Any insight would be appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Indolent]

Wow! This is amazing. I’ve been looking for a CarPlay solution but wanted something clean like this. Wondering what challenges I may run into as mine has Nav?

Any insight would be appreciated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, honestly I'm not sure what people have done for a Navi CT. First thing that comes to mind is this video I stumbled across

but I don't know all the options out there for that.

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks, honestly I'm not sure what people have done for a Navi CT. First thing that comes to mind is this video I stumbled across

but I don't know all the options out there for that.

Looks like it’s not compatible with my model. I have a 2013


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mattism78]

There’s a Chinese unit that fits in the stock location for the 13. I am just suspect of quality and longevity.

 

[[email protected]]

There’s a Chinese unit that fits in the stock location for the 13. I am just suspect of quality and longevity.

Same here. I’d rather get something of quality like the head unit shown here.

I’ve been looking for a solution like the one showcased here but trying to figure out roadblocks as mine has nav. I’m not opposed to exploring going this route and not using the stock Navi anymore but Ideally I’d like to retain use of the steering wheel controls with the new head unit


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Vester72]

I'm actually having a local shop look at putting in a Sony or Kenwood with Car Play and backup camera on my 2012. They will need to do some mods to get something to fit, meaning it's costing more than I wanted, but they seem to think they can make something work well. I'll find out soon enough.

I'll post some pictures when (if) they can get something done, that stock head unit is terrible, and I need the backup camera for the kid to use (and me too).

I was going to use the Android unit and do it myself, but figured a better head unit would be worth it in the long run, and since my ct will become a car for a kid I wanted something that won't have any bugs or issues.

 

[Mattism78]

I ordered everything and am going attempt to install it like the OP

 

[Mattism78]

Just want to say hats off to OP. I got all my gear in and took it all apart. It took them a lot of creativity And know how to come up with this.

 

[[email protected]]

Just want to say hats off to OP. I got all my gear in and took it all apart. It took them a lot of creativity And know how to come up with this.

Can you share photos of your install?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mattism78]

Can you share photos of your install?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah I think I took some during the process. I will say that it was MUCH more involved than I initially thought. A lot more custom fabrication than I expected.

I took a slightly different approach as I made a whole new metal cage/bracket to hold the head unit so that I can remove and replace if needed.

 

[[email protected]]

Yeah I think I took some during the process. I will say that it was MUCH more involved than I initially thought. A lot more custom fabrication than I expected.

I took a slightly different approach as I made a whole new metal cage/bracket to hold the head unit so that I can remove and replace if needed.

I can imagine! Can’t wait to see it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SecretWeaponCommuter]

This has to be the cleanest install of an aftermarket head unit into the CT200h that I've ever seen! Great job, and thanks for taking the time to document the process!