VT FIJI

Getting close to starting this project on our ES300. Novice question - where did you get your ground loop isolators?

You can get them at pretty much any store with an auto section or car audio specialty stores. I got mine at Walmart for $14 each. They're by Scosche, so probably not the best quality ground loop isolators.

Get a pry tool and pry out the middle vents, and trim below the AC/Heater Control. This should reveal 4 bolts (10mm, I think). Once that's done, you can pull out the bracket holding the head unit.

The amp is located behind the passenger side glove compartment. Remove the 3 screws on top and another on the bottom. You will have to pull back the side sill by the door to reveal a bolt right by the hinge of the door. Once done, it's fairly simple to pull the whole glove box out. Amp is rectangular box on the right.

I'm wondering if any of these units can be used with the factory changer? (98-01 generation for me)?

I was looking at Avic-D3 today, and I was told it's impossible to use it with the stock changer.

It is possible since it's a Pioneer changer. However, you have to get the circuit board modified to have the IP-Bus interface. There's a member on these boards that can modify it for you for $50.

Check out this thread:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=30845

You just need the right wire harness for your car.

Thanks for the harness info, so I think that my shopping list (along with the D3) is:

- Scosche double DIN ES300 install kit P/N LS2081B

- Scosche P/N TA02B / TA03B integration wiring harness

(or Metra 70-8113 ES300 intragation wiring harness)

We have a '00 ES300 and I didn't see an ebay kit.

Remaining questions...

- Is the VSS wire integrated into the harness - and where is it located?

- other wires that need to be tapped into?

- GPS sensor location - back deck or front dash? tips for routing the wire for this?

- I'll check AVIC411 again, but I thought I saw that you had an issue with engine noise - resolved yet? you just left the antenna unhooked?

Thanks for any additional help!

Scosche doesn't make a harness for it.. at least not when I called them.

I can't confirm whether the audio system in the '00 ES300 is the same as my '99. I used this wire harness:

http://cgi.ebay.com/92-99-LEXUS-ES300-TOYO...1QQcmdZViewItem

I didn't completely get rid of the problem. I installed ground loop isolators, which got rid of the 90% of the noise. It's fine for now until I have time to work on it after finals are over.

GPS Antenna:

There's a magnet on my GPS Antenna, which I have attached to a metal cross beam behind the dash.

VSS Wire:

purple/white cruise control module

Notes: The cruise control module is under the driver side dash.

Reverse Wire:

red/black in the driver side harness to the rear

(Not necessary unless you plan on installing a backup cam)

There was a guy who did the same with the OEM nav system for his ES.

Also you may be able to use your factory changer with the new head unit if you wanted.

Yea. PIONEERSUBY, a member on this forum, can change the factory changer to work with the newer IP-Bus interface. Unfortunately, it costs $50 to get it done. Since I use my iPod the majority of the time, it's hard to justify the cost.

Here's the link: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=30845

Pretty soon, I think I'm going to take out the changer and put a PS2 in it's place

Installation looks great!

This gives me some inspiration to continue looking into upgrading my wife's '00 ES300.

Do you have any more specific info on how you were able to integrate into the stock system - did you use any wiring adapters or did you have to cut into the factory harness? One retailer told me that they do not install the Pioneers in ES300's without a complete rewire/speaker install/amp install and now I know for sure that is not necessary with the D3. thanks for any extra info...!

For the wire harness, you can search on eBay for "ES300 wire harness." Just get the the one for your year and make sure it has RCA connectors. These will plug into the pre-amp outputs on your head unit. I didn't have to rewire anything or splice into the factory harness.

The people at Best Buy and Circuit City are useless. I asked them the same question and they said I had to rewire the speakers and get a new amp and sub.

Hello, I am new to the club and I just wanted to say that you did a marvelous job on the installation. I have the same year car and wanted to know how long did it take to complete and how difficult was it. Thanks

Thanks. I was bored over spring break, so this was a lil project I decided to do. Considering I knew nothing about car audio before this, I would say the difficulty of this project isn't too bad. It took me a couple days (doing a little here and there while waiting for parts to deliver), but should only take a couple hours if you have everything.

I recently installed an AVIC-D3 in my ES. It's a well rounded all in one unit, and the iPod integration is excellent.

Well.. I'd like to say thanks for all the help.. but there wasn't any!! Anyway, I'm posting this to hopefully help other n00bs like me.

First off... I don't know why so many people say you can't hook up an aftermarket head unit to the stock system. I have the stock Lexus Premium Sound system and have everything working with my D3.

Install pics:

Pioneer AVIC-D3. Lovin' it!

Custom loading screen

iPod cable ran to center console

On-screen iPod interface

iPod controls hidden, Lexus background

I'm going to be installing my first head unit/navi and have a few questions before I tackle this project. I apologize as I'm a n00b when it to car audio, but I love to learn and have no problem tearing apart the dash. This is all for a '99 ES300.

Here's my parts list so far:

• Pioneer AVIC-D3
  Installation Instructions
  
• Pioneer CD-I200 (for iPod)
  
  
• Scosche LS2081B (Double-DIN dash kit)
  
• some wire harness
  

QUESTIONS:

1. I want to retain all the stock speakers, sub, amp if possible. How can I do this? I've been doing a lot of research and I've read that it can't be done and I've read that it can be done w/ a line level(?) or something like that. I would really appreciate some clarification here.
   
2. Where can I locate the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS)?
   
3. The wire harness I see for my car on eBay looks different than the one that Crutchfield recommends. Does it matter?
   
4. What else do I need?
   

Thanks in advance for any help. I wanna get this done ASAP and will post pics as soon as it's done!

Nevermind. Found answer here: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...845&hl=avic

I'm pretty sure the stock cd changer in my '99 ES300 is made by Pioneer, right?

I plan on ordering the Pioneer AVIC-D3 pretty soon and want to know if I will lose my cd changer. If anyone can let me know what the cable or plug for the cd changer looks like that would be a big help!

FINALLY FOUND A DOUBLE-DIN DASH KIT FOR MY GEN ES!

http://www.scosche.com/press_room.aspx?id=125&year=2007

It just pops right out. Start from the bottom near the cup holder and use a wrapped flathead screwdriver to pry it up a little bit. It comes off pretty easily.

I drove around and stopped by 3 more places today. So here are my options:

OPTION 1: Store A using Globe film w/ lifetime warranty - $220

OPTION 2: Store B using Madico Onyx or Charcool film w/ lifetime warranty - $239

OPTION 3: Store C using Johnson's High Performance film w/ lifetime warranty - $249

OPTION 4: Store D using Madico film w/ 1 year warranty - $195

OPTION 5: Store D using 3M Color-Stable film w/ lifetime warranty - $295

What do you guys think? Store D seems pretty good since they have stores at 6 different locations in NJ. They're the only place that offers 3M film, but charge significantly more than the others. Looking for some input. :D

OK. I'll keep looking around. Please let me know if anyone knows of any good tint shops in the NJ area, preferably central.

I just got my car inspected and want to get my car tinted as soon as I can. I went to a shop referred by a friend. He got his RSX tinted by them and it looks pretty good.. no bubbles, fading, one-piece back, etc.

I've done my research on these forums and learned that 3M or Llumar is the way to go. However, this shop wants to use a brand called Globe. I've tried researching this company on Google and these forums with no luck. Has anyone ever heard of them? The shop only uses that brand and offers the standard lifetime warranty against fading, peeling, and bubbles. It would cost me $220 for a brand I've never heard of before.

Worth it or try to take my business somewhere else?

Thanks!

What trim/bezel are you using to go around the nav? I've never seen a '99 w/ a 2002 nav.

Do you have any pics or guides of a complete install?

I also have a '99 ES and I'm really interested in this. How are you mounting the nav? Also, does it have any rca inputs if you wanted to hook up a mp3 player to it?

This sucks. There's no great way to hook up an iPod to the '97-01 ES's. The only thing that's keeping me away from a headunit is that the plastic mounting kit doesn't match the stock, black plastic.

Am I the only one that thinks the mounting kits on eBay are ugly?

I have '99 ES300 and I'm trying to find the easiest way to hook up my iPod. This seems pretty reasonable. How do you select it as the source w/ the stock system? I'm assuming it takes the place of my 6-cd changer? or am I wrong?

Also, what's a cd stacker? Sorry, I'm a noob with this stuff.

I completely forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me. It was a pain with self serve when I was @ school in Virginia. But I'm back in Jersey now, with only full service.

I'll give my local Lex Dealers a ring and see if they have them. Thanks for the help again.

The metal clip that pops open my gas cover broke. It's a two-person job now to open it. Someone has to hold down the button while the other guy opens the cover. Anyway, I went to Pep Boys and they don't carry it.

Anyone know where I can get a replacement?

I have had a desktop computer in my ES 300 for over a year now.  i use it on my 45 min drive to work ever day with no problems. 

I also have on in my Ford Ranger for over 4 years not with no problems also.

I have lost of pictures of the projects as it went into my lexus and my ranger please take a look.

lexus computer

ford ranger computer

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Do you have your projects or pics uploaded anywhere else? Those links don't seem to work anymore. I have a '99 ES and I'm really interested in a carputer.

Nevermind. I figured it out. I ended up using the 12v line from the cigarette lighter inside the arm rest. But if anyone ever wanted to know how to get to the other cig lighter, just pop out the trim around the shifter, remove the 2 screws on the bottom and you can pop out the front trash/cig lighter assembly.