OK, so I obsessed over installing an aftermarket radio and read dozens of threads and sticky posts regarding what units work best, how to wire, etc.

I have a 2005 Limited Roadster with Infinity w/o Nav.

I settled on the Kenwood KMR-D562BT. I purchased from Crutchfield because after the freebies, the price seemed similar to others. I had to call them to get the free stuff as this is a marine HU and their system doesn't auto include as a result. Advisor suggested that i use Metra 70-1786 and a Scosche SLC4 Line Output Converter to connect to the amp. He said the volume would be too low without the Line converter. It was $10, so I said OK. All the while scratching my head on whether it was really needed. Dubious to the advice I also ordered a Scosche VW01B harness just in case from Amazon. The removal tools, wire nuts ($7), and the Metra 40-EU10 antenna adapter were included in the box. Install instructions were not included.

After pouring over the threads and wiring diagrams, I decided to start with the direct wire method using the VW01B to speaker outputs. I would then move on to the line converter/ 70-1786 if the output was still too low.

Short answer is: direct wire works perfectly.
Volume is more than sufficient as is. Pairs with my iPhone 6.
I still need to play with parameters to optimize the sound, and set permanent color. But quite happy with how easy this really was. If you don't want the BT microphone, then after wiring the harness it is plug and play simple 5 minute install.
Limitations of the stock speakers remain, and I may upgrade sometime.

EDIT to add: One of the benefits of wiring the HU this way versus bypassing the factory amp, is that you retain the speed sensitive volume adjustment. (which is wired into the amp from the BCM/ Antilock controller, not the head unit)

What you need: (buy from vendor of your choice)

Kenwood KMR-D562BT




Wire nuts (or crimp or solder)



Optional for microphone install:

Phillips/ Slotted screwdrivers

Trim Tools

Start in the comfort of your home desk or work bench.

Take the Kenwood harness
-Tape off Brown (mute), Blue (Antenna), and Lt Blue/Yellow (Marine remote) wires as they will not be used
-Strip all remaining wires 1/2"

Take the VW01B
-Switch the red and yellow wires in positions A7 and A4
(tip: look at the back of the harness where the wires go in, to match with factory socket drawing layout - plug mirrors it)
-Install loose Blue/White wire in position A5 (see tip above)
-Tape off two Pink and Orange wires as they will not be used
-Loose Blue wire will not be used

Connect all wires of like color to each harness (Kenwood to VW01B) with method of choice.

Clip Kenwood harness into D562BT

Push Metra 40-EU10 into D562BT

Take All to the vehicle.

Remove factory HU with tools
Insert MB arm with notch to the inside, mirror L/R
Pull unit free
Disconnect harness and antenna

OPTIONAL Install BT Microphone:
Remove driver A pillar trim with trim tools (see Service Manual section INTERIOR 23 - 377 if needed)
Use wedge tool to pry trim from top weatherstrip side and work down while rotating trim towards interior.

Remove driver fuse panel cover
Remove 4 screws from kick panel/ cover - not necessary to fully remove panel
Feed microphone wire down A pillar and clip in place
Feed through open fuse panel area
Drop plug beside kick panel cover and foot well wall, then feed into back of loosened panel cover.

Look into DIN (open HU slot) to the left and you will see an small opening from radio hole to above kick panel.

Create loop of microphone wire hanging down, and feed it up between space between kick panel and drive tunnel until you can see it through the hole at the back left of DIN opening.
Grab wire with hand or wire hook and pull through.
Tuck any loose wire into the kick panel and weatherstrips.

Replace A pillar trim and fuse cover in reverse of removal.
Fasten kick panel back together.
Pull any slack in microphone wire into DIN slot area.

Insert metal aftermarket frame into DIN slot,
It will clip into place, bend a couple tabs for further security if desired.

Feed antenna, harness, and microphone wires through metal frame
Connect all to D562BT

Turn on ACC power and test D562BT function. All should be fine. If not check your wiring again.

Gently feed wires into DIN hole and tuck down/ below deck slot
Firmly seat D562BT into metal frame.

Pair your smartphone.

Enjoy.

Should take about an hour to install.

15-20 minutes to wire up harness
30-45 minutest to install microphone
5 minutes to install metal frame and D562BT
2 minutes to test
2 minutes to pair phone

Pinouts from another thread
beckerradiopinout.jpg
Harness mating:
IMG_6215sm-harness.jpg

A pillar microphone routing
IMG_6244sm-Apillar.jpg

Microphone installed
IMG_6266sm-micinstalled.jpg

Microphone wire feed into DIN slot
IMG_6249sm-micdin.jpg

Harness connect to car
IMG_6254sm-harnessconnection.jpg

Completed Installation
IMG_6262sm-installed.jpg

 

Excellent write-up and great looking HU, thanks!

 

Great write and pics. Thanks. If I ever change mine out, this is likely the unit I would go with.

How much would charge to do the install......

 

If you were close enough to bring it by: Radio only = free. BT microphone would cost at least a pizza! LOL

 

Good match to the interior and dash lighting. Can you play songs straight from a USB stick? James

 

I have not personally tried. But it is supposed to.

"MP3/WMA/WAV/AAC Files Playback with ID-3 Tag Display"

 

On my kenwood KMR-D558BT there was just enough cord to mount my mic above the rear view mirror.

 

Had plenty of cord left over as you can see in pic with pink connector. Should have easily reached mirror location. Just felt better placement on the A pillar as a roadster for wind reduction with top down.

 

a) The mike in the faceplate of my Clarion is fine, even on the 'vert.
b) Can play music from USB but there is no indexing so if you have 500 albums on a 16GB flash it may be hard to find a particular song. Both phone and tabs have a nice graphical display by album, artist, or song.

 

This should be a sticky!

 

This is a good write up and I think I may get this radio as it looks good. I have made a PDF file out of GregWork's post for ease of use when installing the radio.

 

Let me know when you put your nav unit on the curb, I'll swing by and pick it up

 

I keep all the OEM stuff even though this one was not on the car when I purchased it. I still have the real OEM radio. Like Sparky I have been tempted to sell the Crossfire, I was toying with the idea of something with a similar name - TR6. Trouble is it would not be so reliable.

 

DON'T DO IT !!!!!!!
We couldn't bear to lose you AGAIN !!!!!
( it was bad enough during those 3 months being a ship without a rudder, I'm likely to tell someone something wrong without you to Gibbs-slap me )

 

I converted this great thread of yours to a PDF file, add it to your post #1, it makes it easier to print and use in the garage when people are doing this great mod.
PDF file.

 

Can a moderator please fix my typo on the thread title to "Kenwood"?

 

It should also say `from Stock Infinity' not `to Stock Infinity'.

 

OK, all fixed.

(I discovered the 'advanced' edit option)

[hmm...well, not quite - seems I can edit the original post but not the global thread title]

 

Good job, because you did a great job I ordered the radio from eBay. I now have to get the other two items, the socket and antenna adapter.

 

And make sure you have the

removal keys

removal keys

for the stock radio. The keys that came with my Clarions are different.

ps if you add italics, it makes the link echo & need to remove manually.