| dmpant2 |
All,
I just completed the install of a Sony MVS-900SDS DVD system in my 2006 Pilot. The system looks great and works great, but took some serious planning and care to make it look like a factory install. The install took me the better part of a weekend to do, but should take significantly less for someone who has some detailed instructions. Below are my techniques and observations, along with photos of different steps along the way. Hope this helps anyone wanting to install an aftermarket DVD into a 2006 Pilot.
By the way, many thanks to ECSW for his help!
Vehicle:
2006 Honda Pilot ESX 4WD
Navigation System
XM Radio
Sun Roof
Leather Interior
Supplies:
� Sony MVS-900SDS DVD System. Purchased at Circuit City for $699.00. Note that I also purchased the 2-year extended warranty for $124.99
� Circuit City antenna adapter parts 40-HD10 and 40-HD20 from Metra AntennaWorks ($20 each). You need these items if you have XM radio and want to install the Sony FM modulator. If no XM radio, see ECSW�s post on using the Soundgate SNHOND3
� Cable ties, wire connectors and flexible wire conduit (optional)
� Honda Pilot interior disassembly instructions � I found step-by-step instructions at http://www.handaaccessories.com/pilot/06ives.pdf
� Honda Pilot wiring diagram (optional) � I found it at http://www.mobileinformationlabs.com for $9.00. I show you where I wired my player below.
� five 25mm x 4mm mounting screws, washers, and lock washers. These replace the ones supplied by Sony and you�ll only need them if you mount the mounting bracket above the headliner, as I chose to do.
� two 1.25� sheet metal screws, large washers, and 1� plastic or nylon spacers. These items are used to secure the headliner to an overhead roof support to prevent the whole assembly from shaking during travel.
Instructions:
1) Draw a mounting bracket and DVD pattern on poster board and affix to the headliner using tape. Note that the DVD placement must be about 2.5 inches rearward of the sun roof opening (see photo).
2) Remove interior panels and drop the headliner following instructions from http://www.handaaccessories.com/pilot/06ives.pdf.
3) Drill or pierce the headliner for the five mounting bracket holes. I also drilled two holes through the headliner and into the overhead roof support. Take care not to drill through the roof.
4) Mark and cut out a two inch square hole to insert wiring harness.
5) Slide Sony mounting bracket through gap in sun roof opening (see photo). I tied a piece of string through the rear hole in the mounting bracket and threaded the string through the sun roof gap and out the rear hole I drilled in the headliner. Pull the string to set the bracket into place. I think two strings would have worked much better than one. I chose to put the mounting bracket above the headliner to ensure I had the best support possible for the DVD player.
6) Screw two headliner support screws with washers through headliner (see diagram). Insert plastic spacers between headliner and roof support and align support screws to go through the spacers and into the roof support.
7) Using a fish tape or clothes hangar, run the Sony wiring harness through the opening in the headliner, and down the center pillar on the driver�s side (see photo). Don�t forget to plug in and run the FM modulator wire with the wiring harness, if you plan to use it.
8) Drill two holes in the center pillar and secure the two ground wires (see photo).
9) Run the wire down the center pillar, under the driver�s side door panel, behind the driver�s side kick panel, and under the dash.
10) Remove the audio following instructions from http://www.handaaccessories.com/pilot/06ives.pdf.
11) Run Sony yellow, red, black FM modulator wires under dash and through rear of audio panel. I cut off and capped the Sony blue wire. I also put all of my Sony wires in black flexible conduit. Use plenty of cable ties to make sure the wiring harness doesn�t rattle.
12) Connect Sony 12V Power to audio white, Sony Acc to audio white/red wires (see photo).
13) FM Modulator Connect (optional)
a) Disconnect antenna connector from back of audio unit.
b) Connect blue wires from 40-HD10 and 40-HD20 together.
c) Insert FM modulator black wire into appropriate adapter connection.
d) Connect audio antenna connector to female adapter connection.
e) Insert male adapter connection into audio unit.
14) Connect the wiring harness to the DVD player, insert and turn the car key to ACC position, and turn on the DVD to make sure everything works. The FM modulator on mine broadcasts at 88.3. I blew a fuse at one point and found the Radio fuse in the fuse box under the hood on passenger side. Note that there are actually four fuse boxes on a 2006 Pilot.
15) Mount the DVD using the five 25 mm x 4mm screws, washers and lock washers you purchased at your local hardware store. If you choose to put the mounting bracket below the headliner, you can use the Sony-supplied screws.
16) Reassemble everything you took apart and you are finished. |
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| ecsw |
u r very welcome. This is a lot more detailed instruction than my thread.
Thumbs up for you. :29: made me feel the time I spent here are all worthwhile. :4:
Very nice color too, matches the interior color very well. unlike my Clarion which is black in color. :rolleyes: |
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| 2muchfun |
I was told by an installer that it is not a good idea to put in a overhead system when you have a moonroof. He said that eventually, over time, it will pull down on the head liner and will even mess up the moonroof in its tracks....
Think there's any truth to this? So far, Im having much trouble getting headrest monitors so this is my only other option and I just dunno... :confused: |
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| ecsw |
quote:
Originally posted by 2muchfun
I was told by an installer that it is not a good idea to put in a overhead system when you have a moonroof. He said that eventually, over time, it will pull down on the head liner and will even mess up the moonroof in its tracks....
Think there's any truth to this? So far, Im having much trouble getting headrest monitors so this is my only other option and I just dunno... :confused:
It's true if you don't have good support. But on Pilot, there is a nice space inside the headliner and a bar that you can tie up the player to so it has very strong support for overhead DVD player. I had 1 screw only in the first week and the headline did get lose. I now have 2 screws supporting the whole thing and it's been running great for over 3 months now.
For cars like Pilot which was built with DVD overhead RES in mind, as long as you install your system right, that extra weight should not be a problem. Otherwise Honda won't offer you the option to have OEM DVD overhead player. |
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| dmpant2 |
Your installer has a good point, but I don't agree that a shaky headliner will cause a sun roof malfunction.
I agree with ECSW. If you install support screws as I have in this install, you should be OK. Had I not been able to support the headliner, I would not have installed this system. It was pretty apparent to me that the headliner would not be strong enough to keep the DVD screen from shaking during travel.
dmpant2 |
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| 2muchfun |
Great points, thanks fellas :)
Im going to print a couple of these pictures and have a talk with them.. |
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| ecsw |
Please BE CAREFUL!
I have discussion with another member ED27 in another thread regarding overhead RES installation. He think the way me and dmpant2 did on our overhead RES is not very safe and not necessary the right way of doing this.
If any of you decide to do it the same way as we are doing, please make sure that you understand that you are taking your own risk.
I don't think it's that bad. But again, if anything shall happen, I will not be responsible if u are trying to install RES the same way as we are doing .
dmpant2, please check out the discussion. If you found ED27's explaination make more senses (which it probably does), make any necessary modification for your installation accordingly. Sorry if I made any in-appropriate suggestions before. :( |
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| Devin@SpeedElem |
| Nice... i'm thinking about going with the sony :) |
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| ecsw |
| Sony is nice. But make sure u compare the size with other RES before you decide. ;) |
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| vertrix |
HI dmpant2,
I have to say that's a very nice unit you've installed.
Have you had any problems like the screen being too close from middle row passengers point of view?
What about the wireless headphone reception from the middle row as well? Does it cut off from being too close or not at the right angle from the transmitter -> headphones?
Please advise and thanks.
Vertrix. |
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| AZJim |
| I had that same unit installed in my wife's explorer and it has a great picture but you can forget about using the rear view mirrow when the screen is down. Just fyi |
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| vertrix |
I want to thank dmpant2 for putting these instructions together.
Last weekend, I installed my Sony MVS-900SDS following dmpant2's instructions and believe me, this guys ROCKS!!!
The installation took about 4 hours. The end result: OEM look.
Since I was not going to use the FM transmitter, I didn't need to remove the radio. I ended up connecting the DVD unit to different power sources.
I can post pictures of my power sources if anybody needs them.
I'll post some pictures of the finished installation tomorrow.
Thanks again!
Vertrix. |
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| ecsw |
quote:
Originally posted by vertrix
I want to thank dmpant2 for putting these instructions together.
Last weekend, I installed my Sony MVS-900SDS following dmpant2's instructions and believe me, this guys ROCKS!!!
The installation took about 4 hours. The end result: OEM look.
Since I was not going to use the FM transmitter, I didn't need to remove the radio. I ended up connecting the DVD unit to different power sources.
I can post pictures of my power sources if anybody needs them.
I'll post some pictures of the finished installation tomorrow.
Thanks again!
Vertrix.
that's great. post some picture will definitly help others. ;) |
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