F149 California 2008-2014 factory head unit upgrade (DIY) step-by-step

here we are again on the topic. Got a new F149 MY2009 coming without the backup camera, the Cry-sler head unit and need to integrate the latest features of smartphones.

I am going to change the radio unit for a kenwood 2DIN head unit. Doing it DIY because I like to do it and because I am not keen to spend 2000 USD for this kind of job. Being unable to find any supportive material in the forum, I am taking the hard way and learning while doing it. My Cali is not fitted with a separate amplifier but with an iPod connection, today useless due to the change of the plug-in socket.
For the disassembling of the dashboard, few video on the tube are comprehensive and easy to follow:

Pay all the attention you can when removing the fasteners and the screws, some of them in a very uncomfortable position and hard to reach by hand. if something breaks, JB epoxy and carbon cloth can recover the damage, almost.

First step is the understanding the mapping of the wiring and the radio sockets pinout. In the back of the factory radio, there are 3 sockets, largely used by Chrysler and fundamentally the same you can find in a Jeep WK, Cherokee, Patriot and similar cars. Indeed, the wiring colours and arrangement may change model by model.

a view of it here https://pinoutguide.com/Car-Stereo-Chrysler-Fiat/chrysler_ret_car_stero_pinout.shtml

In the Cali fitted with the iPod/iPhone connector, the Pins 3,4,5,6,14,15,16,17,18 are wired to the apple connector installed in the glove-box.
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The smaller 10pin socket is dedicated to the microphone, active type and connected through the phantom-power active harness (p/n 245789 J113), shared in the 458 and FF vehicles. (Ref. https://share.google/images/Q0MIMlBV4oyqEQO7I ). The MIC is connected to the CANBus and is interfaced with the voice commands the head unit is capable to work with. Upgrading the radio, two are the options: keep the active mic or connect a new passive mic usually supplied with the new head unit.

 

How to power on the new head unit? Not a silly question, since the factory unit is turned on with a canbus signal. Well, two are the options:
1. use a canbus power-on adapter (i.e.: https://pac-audio.com/products/ign-3)
2. connect the ACC (red wire of the radio) to the cigar lighter circuit, normally off when ignition is off. As alternative, the foot-light of the passenger side.

 

my bad: the GPS and the FM/AM plugs are inverted in the picture. The GPS is BLUE, the FM/AM antenna is white.

 

The factory radio is mounted with a proprietary bracket not fitting the most of 2DIN radio models 6.2", since too short in height.

Exception are few chinese android based head units sold for jeep/chrysler vehicles:
https://ar.aliexpress.com/item/1005007652413454.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.60.1a19l4E5l4E5Ok&algo_pvid=ab549645-5e66-4cef-ab8c-0127b5a6d496&algo_exp_id=ab549645-5e66-4cef-ab8c-0127b5a6d496-57&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2212%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21AED%21751.74%21357.05%21%21%211413.85%21671.54%21%40210141f717576798439871230e5075%2112000041662015433%21sea%21AE%210%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29910%3Bd%3A3a1124b8%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895%3BpisId%3A5000000174211258&curPageLogUid=5vaOXjJWt3MA&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005007652413454%7C_p_origin_prod%3A)

I am installing a Kenwood DMX8021, 2DIN with good specs (for today) and suitable for the pairing of 4 cams, mainly the front and rear to avoid curbstone cracks.
Because of 2DIN radio 6"-ish screen dimension, two gaps are left open at the sides of the radio, needing to be covered. In the market you can still find a specific Ferrari kit 70003476 with a 700USD tag
kit 70003476.JPG

or you can use a chrysler aftermarket kit like this https://www.amazon.ca/2007-2017-Wrangler-Complete-Replacement-Interface/dp/B099HCQWCT (cheaper options are available) even coming with the PAC-Canbus module to integrate the steering wheel controls. On the control I will share more info, because it is not so direct and easy as expected.
51-7kT2qk8L._AC_SL1080_.jpg
ANYWAY these side plastic frames do not mount the radio properly because putting all the load of the radio on the fragile plastic mounts of the dashboard, while the original radio mount is transferring the load on the solid back frame panel of the entire dashboard assembly. The original brasket cannot anyway be used to mount most of 2DIN head units.
To sort the problem I designed a new bracket and modified the existing one. I will cover the empty sides with 3D print elements I need still to design. The geometry is pretty simple thou.

Capture-braket.JPG

so I used a laser-cut unit to make it on a 1mm steel plate and bent it as needed.

F149-frame-kenwood.JPG
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