justcruzin

I've added an aftermarket system to my Lexus RX330 (see attached file). I chose the Pioneer AVIC-Z1 almost a year ago... and it looks great. Got the installation done at Circuty City. I didn't get a rearview camera at the time of installation but have been looking as of late to add that feature as well. The front runners are the the Pioneer ND-BC2 and the Eclipse BEC106. I'm going to do a little bit more research and then check with Best Buy and or Circuit City to learn the pro's and con's of both camera's.

This is the outcome of my aftermarket navigation system. I decided to go with the Pioneer AVIC-Z1. See attached photo. If you have any questions, please contact me. DW...

Sang: I actually stopped by another Circuit City prior to getting my AVIC-Z1 installed. The installer I talked had previously installed a unit and knew what type of harness I would need. I also read a couple posting at http://www.avic411.com that indicated I would need the Metra 70-8113 if I wanted to use a harness verse splicing and soldering the unit to the car's wiring system. DW...

The only problem that I have with the installation was the cutting of the wires and I do have engine noise when playing the radio. Regards, DW... I'm guessing the engine noise is coming from the factory amp. The tech guy wired your Avic-Z1 speakers output wires to your factory amp instead of wiring your Avic-Z1 pre-amp RCA outputs to the factory amp. I don't think the tech guy at Circuit City bypass your factory amps. There is a radio harness that have the RCA input for the factory amps. I'm installing a nav system in my 04 RX330 and need to know where is the VSS wire. May you locate it for me? A pictures will be perfect if possiable. Thanks, Sang P. Sang: I'm sure you're right... I was thinking something along those lines... that's why I purchased the wire harness; however, for some unknown reason the installer didn't use it. Unfortunately for me, it was some days later that I discovered the harness wasn't used. To alleviate dealing with the noise, I've converted to XM radio. As far as the VSS wire, I'm not sure where that is installed. To make matters worse, there's almost no slack on the wire connections. Thus it would be extremely hard to take a picture of the back of the AVIC-Z1. Another inconvience; albeit, a minor one that cause some serious heartache when I was installing the PAC Audio Steering Wheel Control Module. DW...

Outerlymitz: Just email the following vendor: soarer1975@yahoo.com. He's an eBay seller... that's who I purchased my faceplate from... I think he sales them for about $86 plus shipping and handling. This is a double din unit... at least the Lexus version is. As a matter of fact, search on the following eBay item number: 230026255111. You should get a hit from aristo25 (aka soare1975@yahoo.com). He has one curently up for auction with a "buy it now" price of $86.00. DW...

Outerlymitz: What part are you referencing (the Metra 70-8113 or the AVIC-Z1)?

Yes... that part is a: Metra 70-8113 (2000 Toyota / Lexus AMP System). You can find this part almost anyplace... I believe Circuit City and Best Buy carry the unit. Or you can look on the Internet as I did a save a few bucks (www.outpost.com).

Outerlymitz: Awesome logon id... by the way! Actually, I purchased a wire harness for this application. The installer at Circuity City just didn't use it for whatever reason. Unfortunately, you can't go back and use the harness once the installation is complete. I think it was a personal choice... that's the only reason I can think why the harness wasn't used; although, it been said the best installation is comprised of hard wiring a unit to a car. Further, I was told you get a lot of road noise when using a harness with the RX330? The steering wheel interface is fairly cheap and worth it if you want to retain your steering wheel controls. I actually installed that unit myself. I think Circuit City wanted $69.00 plus tax to install the device. Its extremely easy. You can download the instructions from the following URL: http://www.pac-audio.com/instructions/inst...mmSearch=SWI-PS Make sure you purchase a unit with the latest firmware: Latest Revision: 1.4.6 There's a lot of places that carry this unit but I purchased mine from: expertsoundetc@hotmail.com or eBay item: 140022490512. Good luck!

Sure... the eBay seller is: soarer1975@yahoo.com... you can send him an email inquiring as when he will more units in stock. At least, that's what I did to purchase mine. He's really good about answering emails as well. DW...

Unfortunatley, Circuit City technican cut the factory wires. I purchased a wire harness and requested they use it; however, I removed the headunit a few days later to install a SWI-PS (steering wheel interface module) to maintain usage of my steering wheel controls. That's when I discovered the technican had sliced and soldered the unit verse using the harness as requested. Let me ask you. Did they bypass the factory amp? Did you notice any improvement in your sound..... Let me tell you...your dash looks awesome now i'm sick ..i'm 99% that i will cut some wires..But before i start with any changes i will like to find what to expect from this upgrade... Thanks for your help so far. Initially, I was told that I might loose some sound quality because of the DSP and number of speakers that are installed in the vehicle. It was recommended that I install an amp to compensate for the lost channels (being the AVIC-Z1 is a four-channel system) verse the seven-channel supplied by the DSP. But I elected not to install the amp. I wanted to see how the system sound prior to spending any more cash on the installation. Actually, in all honesty, I think the system sounds better after the install of the AVIC-Z1 (from what I can tell, I think the technican reconnected all the speakers). I'm really amazed how great the system sounds. The only problem that I have with the installation was the cutting of the wires and I do have engine noise when playing the radio. I read that would happen in several of the AVIC-Z1 forums (http://avic411.com/). I'm sure there's a device that can be used to alleviate the noise, I just haven't checked into it. I decided to try XM radio instead. I installed a GEX-P920XM a few days ago and I'm testing out XM radio for the time being. Regards, DW...

I upgraded my tires and wheels as well; however, I did something a little bit non-traditional with my Lexus. See attached picture. I decided to install 20" rim instead of the traditional 16" or 18" factory wheels. I decided to put on the Greed Drama Type 211 20" Chrome Wheels and Hankook Ventus ST 275/40R20 XL 106W tires. Nice! DW...

Sure no problem... if you need any other details... please don't hesitate to ask. Did they install the radio cutting wires or direct plug thru harness? Because i have already the center adapter console for the double din just like yours. Unfortunatley, Circuit City technican cut the factory wires. I purchased a wire harness and requested they use it; however, I removed the headunit a few days later to install a SWI-PS (steering wheel interface module) to maintain usage of my steering wheel controls. That's when I discovered the technican had sliced and soldered the unit verse using the harness as requested.

jmako, I also purchased a RX-350 in May, and will be interested in your outcome. Have you seen this thread? http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...1&hl=sirius The instructions and photos may assist us both. Good luck, Tubby2 jmako; I'll be curious to see where you mount your antenna as well. I just ordered the Pioneer GEX-P920XM XM received to match the Pioneer AVIC-Z1 (In-Dash HDD Navigation and Multimedia AV Receiver with DVD) which was installed about a month ago. The trouble is, I have the AVIC-Z1 Navigation antenna resting in the right corner of the dash and I don't want a second antenna in the same location. I've asked Pioneer is there a way for both units to share the same antenna. Of course the answer is no. Now I'm forced to install a second antenna and I'm not sure where to put it. A friend of mine suggested the rear window which sounds like a good place (definitely will avoid any obstructions). The only drawback that I see to that is the route... that's a long way to ride a cable especially when you're trying to make the installation look professionally done. I'll let you know how it goes on Saturday.

Sure no problem... if you need any other details... please don't hesitate to ask.

I have a 2004 RX330 and I've replaced the factory headunit with a Pioneer AVIC-Z1 DVD Navigation System. I puchased the unit off the Internet (to save a little money) and had it installed at Circuit City. The install looks almost as it was done from the factory. Some of the features o fthe AVIC-Z1 are: bluetooth, traffic information, 30GIG hard drive, music library, DVD playback, iPod capable, learning capability and many other features not offered in previous units. I haven't done anything with the speakers as of yet. I'm comtemplating adding a subwoofer in the near-term. If you need pictures, I can post them for your viewing pleasure. I hope this helps. Regards DW...