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Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
I’ve always been interested in building a moderate SQ system ever since I heard a competition vehicle back in the 90’s, but never got around to dedicating the time/money to do so. Recent years have been dedicated to home improvements/repairs and I still have some more, uh, a lot more of that to do… actually I know now that will never end with owning a house. So I decided that I just have to do it. I sold my classic motorcycle to fund the project… it’s safer, and I’m safer, with it sitting in the private museum it resides at now anyway.
This is my first true full on car audio build. I’ve installed a few “deck ‘n four” in previous vehicles but never got past that. So if any of you see me doing something that doesn’t make sense or you feel there would be an easier way to accomplish it, please feel free to comment / criticize. It will take me awhile to complete (if it ever gets completed!) but I’ll update this thread as I make headway.
When it was time to buy a new vehicle; the ability to replace the head-unit without much hassle was toward the top of the list of “needs”. I know a lot of people have some great sounding systems using the stock unit but I wanted to have the option. I ended up with a 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6. A dealer down in NC made me an offer I could not refuse which sealed the deal.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...w/100_0179.JPG
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
The stock Entune Premium Audio w/ Navigation really leaves a lot to be desired. I can not hear a difference between playing 128k WMA file and the same track on the CD player. I can clearly tell the difference on my home system playing the same tracks. It’s almost like the DAC down converts the CD audio. Even the FM radio seams to introduce all sorts of digital artifacts to the signal that I never hear on the stock system in the wife’s car (2011 CR-V). And after reading about, and confirming it for myself, the noise floor issue people are having with the same vehicle when using the factory Toyota head units as a source to feed aftermarket equipment, I decided I would rather just start fresh with a clean source.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S...w/100_0146.JPG
Since the XLE V6 comes standard with Navigation, many vehicle options are controlled through the stereo, and it displays information on an aux screen in the gauge cluster; I had to choose an aftermarket Nav with Idatalink Maestro support. I spent many months reading & researching the differences between the Big Three’s offerings (Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine). Luckily a shop about an hour from me (Sounds Incredible Mobile Audio in Brookfield, CT) had each of the flagship ddin models on thier sound board. I spent several hours getting familiar with each one. I finally decided on the Alpine unit for the following reasons: I could care less about carplay or android auto, to me the UI is more intuitive than the others, it has more of a stock look and feel, the hard buttons are larger and feel more substantial, 9 band parametric eq AND bass/treble controls, and it comes in an 8” screen version that I will try to make fit.
Here’s a photo of all the equipment I plan to install minus the subs which I haven’t decided on yet.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J...w/100_0264.JPG
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Some nice gear on that table......looking forward to what you build!
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Unfortunately, Alpine does not make a perfect fit kit for the 2015+ Camry like they do for the 2012-2014 model years. That leaves me no choice but to get a dash install kit and modify it so the 8” Screen will fit. There are two companies that make a dash kit: Metra and American International (AMPP also sold under the BEST name). Sounds Incredible ordered both kits so that I could inspect them and see which one would be more suitable to fit an 8” screen in it. I chose the Metra kit in this case. Overall it felt much more substantial, using thicker plastic and the shape of the face provided for a flat surface to work with unlike the AMPP kit which would require cutting into compound curves.
I disassembled the dash kits main piece and masked it up for protection.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2...w/100_0272.JPG
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Then I cut a piece of ⅛” hdpe sheet the exact size of the face bezel on the Alpine. I used this piece to center and trace out the hole that will need be cut out.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c...w/100_0275.JPG
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
A scroll saw was used for the rough cut
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...w/100_0284.JPG
Then the cuts were refined with a combination of a tile cutting bit on a rotary tool, a file, and an mdf board covered in 120 grit sandpaper.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...w/100_0286.JPG
I found the bracket alignment tabs had to be removed also
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s...w/100_0287.JPG
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Nice evening on the deck connecting the Alpine’s harnesses to the Maestro and TO2 Harnesses.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...w/100_0278.JPG
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Used Tesa OEM fleece harnessing tape to clean it all up. Notice the GPS antennae adapter in the upper right corner - Idatalink just released this adapter in Sept ‘16 and as far as I know is the only one that offers it for Toyotas. It plugs directly into the back of the Alpine and then into the Toyota GPS antennae connector in the dash. No need for an additional aftermarket antennae on the top of the car.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q...w/100_0283.JPG
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Very nice! You did an excellent job on the harness and fitting the Alpine into that bezel!
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Thanks for the comments / encouragement... I hope to get the head unit replaced this weekend...
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Just a quick update: I successfully installed the Alpine - I was really afraid I wouldn't be satisfied with how it looked / fit / felt. But I can say now that the fear was unwarranted as I'm very pleased with the results.
Right now it's powering the stock speakers with it's internal amp and there is quite an improvement in clarity, detail, dynamics, and stereo seperation that I immediately could detect over the stock head unit. I'm hearing instruments/details that I could not hear with the stock head unit no matter how I fiddled with it. I'm hearing sounds coming from only one side or the other that were just kind of all muddled together with the stock head unit.
When I get time, I will update this thread on all the steps I had to take in order to get it to fit right and on the Maestro's functionality.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/z9...25-h1641-rw-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Xe...25-h1641-rw-no
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Now that looks sweet! VERY nice job
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Haven't really made any headway but would like to share some things about the Maestro.
Here is a video showing the vehicle status & gauge screens. Notice the vehicle status screen TPMS shows both pressure and temperature. It also displays battery voltage, if any doors or the trunk is open, and display CEL codes if your vehicle is producing any. I believe the gauges can be set to show as analog but I haven't messed with it to find out.
https://youtu.be/YkfhibXjefA
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
I made of list of features that were lost from this upgrade (Alpine X008U / Maestro RR):
1. Voice Commands:
The stock Entune Premium w/ Nav could be controlled by voice commands which is not supported by the Alpine. You would press the button on the steering wheel and say what you wanted to happen. Below is the list of things one could accomplish with voice commands:
Turn on/off or change audio source
Choose radio station/preset, artist/album/song
Navigation: Set destination, find a point of interest, etc.
Call someone (though this can still be accomplished through Siri/Andriod with compatible phone)
I'm sure there is more but I just never really used this feature much to find out.
2. GraceNote information:
The stock Entune Premium w/Nav had GraceNote which recognized nearly any song/artist/album and displayed that information regardless of the source
3. Sirius XM:
The Alpine does not have built in XM tuner but is XM ready with additional module. I could care less because I rarely listened to XM & refuse to pay for the poor sound quality it provides at least in my area. HD radio sounds better to me and is free.
4. No Standby
Not really a feature but an annoyance. The stock Entune audio could be turned off but the display was always on and the back up camera would work anytime the shifter was in reverse. The Alpine has to remain on at all times in order for the back up camera to display. This means that the current audio source is always playing. I just keep the unit on all the time and turn the volume to zero if I do not want to listen.
5. Maintenance Records
The stock Entune Premium w/Nav gave you the ability to manually enter in records of service that was performed and manually set reminders for service in the future. This was completely separate from the maintenance required light and display in the cluster. Never used it as I keep a spreadsheet for all service performed.
6. Navigation promps/compass/current street & speed limit displaying on the auxillary screen
So the navigation tab on that aux screen between my main gauges is just always blank now. However, this information is displayed on the Alpine's Nav screen.
I confirmed with ADS that only Kenwood supplies the signals for this to occur... Alpine & Pioneer do not. It's ok with me as I rarely use the navigation and when I do I really don't use the aux screen for guidance. The aux screen does still however display current source, artist, album, track info.
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
I am having an issue with the Maestro: The switched +12v it supplies to the Alpine red ignition power lead is erratic. It turns the radio on when it shouldn't and does not shut it off right away when I turn ign off.
I've been in contact with ADS on their forum and supposedly the programmers over there are working on a solution: http://www.12voltdata.com/forum/view...9ccbfec4c82c0d
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Are there pictures posted to this thread? If so I can't see a single one.
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Notloudenuf
Are there pictures posted to this thread? If so I can't see a single one.
Yes... linked from Google+ :shrug:
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BigAl205
I see all but post #7
Yeah me too... I've tired to re-link the photos in post #7 but don't see the edit button?
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Just link them here and I'll edit it for you later.
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Finally worked out the Maestro's erratic switched power behavior with help from ADS. Had to cut one of the TO2 harness wires going to the Maestro and change a setting.
Since it will be a few weeks before I get time to replace the stock speakers, I figured I would take some measurements and make some adjustments to get a smoother FR from the stock speakers. I adjusted TA for the drivers seat first. Using an old Phonic PAA2, I made adjustments to the built in PEQ to smooth out the FR:
Before:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eF...U=w908-h920-no
After:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ct...1=w930-h920-no
PEQ settings:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ks...=w1634-h920-no
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Still not a single picture.
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BigAl205
Just link them here and I'll edit it for you later.
Here are the image addresses for post #7:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FK...25-h1641-rw-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XB...25-h1641-rw-no
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Notloudenuf
Still not a single picture.
Not sure why your having an issue. Image addresses are from Google Photos and Google+. Anyone else not seeing the images? Could be I'm doing something wrong:shrug:
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
That's what I've been doing but just left those particular links for Al to fix post #7.
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Now that I've found some time to get working on this again, I wanted to update this on some other mods necessary to get this headunit in this car.
I had to use the factory steel head unit brackets as the bends in Metra brackets would not allow for the right mounting angle. I had to grind off a locating bump on each bracket and drill 2 additional holes in order to properly align the Alpine's face plate with the dash bezel.
*I think I finally figured out google photos and how to share them so these photos should be visible to everyone but let me know if they are not showing*
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jv...=w1634-h920-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yQ...=w1634-h920-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ji...=w1634-h920-no
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Had to figure out where to stuff the wiring & Maestro without it interfering with anything
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KL...=w1634-h920-no
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
There were several areas in the dash that contained metal structures with sharp edges. I was concerned that they would be a wear point on all the wiring I had to make fit in the dash. So I took some Tesa fleece tape and covered all the sharp edges:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/T7...=w1634-h920-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CL...=w1634-h920-no
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Took a photo of the pre-amp output connection color codes so I can reference it later when installing the amps in the back. The interconnect cables and remote turn on lead are currently coiled up and stored in void space in my console so I don't have to completely remove the stereo again in the future to route them to the back.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xQ...=w1634-h920-no
This week, I'm planning on fabricating custom mounting baffles to fit Morel Virtus 4" mids in the factory dash locations...
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
I can see these pictures :thumbup:
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
That's some nice detail work there!
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
Cut up some cardboard as a rough template
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dq...=w1634-h920-no
Notice I had to trim some of the dash plastic back on the windshield size. This will be under the factory speaker grille so it will not be noticeable if I ever have to put it back to the stock in the future.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eb...=w1634-h920-no
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
My original plan was to use this 1/8" hdpe as the actual baffle... so I used the Morel mounting ring as a template to flush trim a perfect fit circle in the hdpe baffle using my homemade router table. Used 3m double sided mounting tape to hold in place.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/n0...=w1634-h920-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0-...=w1634-h920-no
Speaker fit just about perfect into the baffle
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Yy...=w1634-h920-no
And the baffle fit just about perfect into the dash
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XK...=w1634-h920-no
BUT... the speaker and baffle together did not fit in the dash.... and at only 1/8" thick & considering the thin parts around the speaker opening; the baffle was a little too flimsy for my liking...
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
My first thought was to try some 1/2" mdf but determined that would make it just about impossible to get the stock grill back on (If I decide to use it).
I determined that I would have enough extra 3/8" HDPE I plan on using in the door baffles to cut out 3 of these dash baffles: 2 to actually use and 1 to use as a prototype/fitting guinea pig.
Rough cuts on the scroll saw:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/l3...=w1634-h920-no
Cleaned it up with flush cut bit & straight edge which left burr/flash (wondering if changing router or feed speed would prevent this?):
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EM...=w1634-h920-no
Deburred with a utility knife:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gv...=w1634-h920-no
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Re: Truthunter's 2015 Toyota Camry XLE V6
I think you had too much left over to try to trim at once. IIRC, a straight flute bit won't take as much of a bite as a spiral flute bit...or the bit could have flexed and chattered. I'm loving the progress, though.