LX Prestigious Society Install

[CLHickman]

This afternoon I installed the Prestigious Society navigation bypass...

I initially unhooked the negative lead to the battery:

I noticed that the connectors were corroded so I just unhooked them both and sprayed them down with RODI water. I then used a wire brush and rinsed.

Next up I started removing the door trim, it was rather easy as you start at the bottom and pull out:

Next up was the mirror controller, also rather easy by pulling away from the dash:

 

[CLHickman]

Continued:

*I wore my work gloves thinking they'd help...after a minute or two I just gave up and went ahead and took them off*

Next I started working on removing the steering wheel panel. This wasn't easy and the directions should be changed. I started by pulling from the side and worked my way right:

I don't have picture of the issues I faced on the right side. The directions should be changed to take out the leather knee pad before taking the steering panel. The reason is that the leather knee pad actually holds the steering panels right side in place. I twisted the vent slide that the steering panel attaches to because of this. I bent it back into place and all is well. Also, the directions now tell you to hit the ignition twice to lower the steering column. If you remember, I removed the negative lead because I was following the instructions. I had to connect the lead and lower the column:

 

[CLHickman]

Continued:

The instructions state to let the panel dangle in place....I'll recommend disconnecting and removing from the area. The reason being is that when you hit the ignition button the steering wheel will revert to the up and in position. This almost crushed the panel but, I speedily hit the ignition button twice to extend the steering wheel again:

This last picture is the bolt that moves the steering wheel. Several have commented on the fear of failure due to the constant movement of the steering wheel. I feel confident that this will not be the case based off of the construction and mechanics.

Next up, again out of the order I would recommend, is removing the leather knee pad. Just pull the top outward and it will all detach:

Instructions state to let this dangle as well. It is a simple plug to detach and I'd recommend doing it.

Next was removing the passenger side leather knee pad. Very easy as you start towards the cool box and work forward by pulling outward:

 

[CLHickman]

Continued:

With this out of the way it is time to take out the vents:

The problem with the vents is that you have to pull rather hard. This will most likely detach the face of the vent, somewhat, from the body of the vent. The fix is to fully remove the face of the vent, sorry I didn't take photos of this, and reattach prior to re-installation.

Next is to put the truck into a neutral stick position. For this you'll have to manually move the stick without power. Remove the cover next to the stick and push and hold the button down while you move the stick:

 

[CLHickman]

Continued:

Next is to remove the touch screen. Unbolt the two 10mm screws from each side. They are different types so remember that the washer style is on top:

Next up is the ash tray panel. Simply pull this out with two hands and disconnect the cables:

 

[CLHickman]

Continued:

Next is to remove the navigation system. Remove 2 10mm bolts from each side. Remember that there are two different bolt per side and where they go:

Next is to unplug two cables from the back of the system. The manual cautions to only remove the two:

This one is 3 plugs that combine together. Simple move the lock out and detach so that you can unhook the nearest one. The manual says that this cable is gray but, it is white:

 

[CLHickman]

Continued:

Now it is time to connect up the navigation bypass. Prior to installation to took some electrical tape and taped the loose cable protector in place:

After I started the connections:

Per the instructions I taped the connector in place so that it does not come undone:

Then I reattched the female end of the connector to the other two and reattached the lock:

 

[CLHickman]

Continued:

The other cable was rather easy and just required some rerouting of the longer cableing. I did not take any photos of it because it is self explanatory. I should have taken photos of where I mounted the bypass device. The kit comes with a strong two-sided adhesive sticker. I slid the navigation in to find where I'd have the most clearance. I found the left back edge was where it needed to go. It overhung by about an 1/8'' but allowed for it to be firmly attached to something and not cause clearance issues.

With everything hooked up and reattached I started to reverse order assemble. The instructions recommend to leave everything dangling and go for a ride to test....I highly disagree with this method. Put everything back together or else you risk damaging cables or god knows what else.

Anyway, everything worked on the test drive. The device operations are different than others. This one requires that you hit -+ to enable DVD and -+ again to enable Navigation. While in this mode the navigation system is in a kind of pause mode. It will not track the vehicles position at all. The nice thing is that you can hit -+ a 3rd time to get back to allowing the navigation to syncronize. Doing this will still allow you to manage a DVD if you were watching one.

All-in-all I'm rather satisfied with the installation and operation of the unit.

Thanks for reading.

--Chris

 

[Sinister]

Wow you are brave. No way in hell would I attempt that! I'd have extra parts when I was done. Great job by you though.

 

[CLHickman]

Wow you are brave. No way in hell would I attempt that! I'd have extra parts when I was done. Great job by you though.

Ha thanks! The only "OH $H*&" moment I had was the right vent. The face of the vent wasn't on all the way. I thought I could just push it all back in and it'd just reattach. That was a big negative over and out. Then I spent 2 minutes trying to pull it out without breaking any clips. I told my wife it might be time to order a new vent. Luckily I was able to get it out and then reattach the face and put it all back in.

One thing I will say is that these components are quality plastics. They are very solid and strong.

 

[Reckless]

I was about to order one but since I never use navigation and it wouldn't allow me to play movies on the head unit, I changed my mind.

Install does look extremely painful, I thought this thing would be plug and play.

 

[CLHickman]

I was about to order one but since I never use navigation and it wouldn't allow me to play movies on the head unit, I changed my mind.

Install does look extremely painful, I thought this thing would be plug and play.

Tested and playing movies on the front screen works as advertised. We opted for this because my wife was at her frustration point of no return. We've been taking long road trips (5+hrs) recently and our daughter goes between movies and her Leappad. The only way to put a movie on while driving was for my wife to play Twister. She would have to act like a contortionist to try and use the remote to advance movies forward. This was so that she could see the screen and select menus, which is in no way an easy feat when you're in the front seat.

Anyway, the install was rather easy. There were cringe moments but, if I'm able to do this then anyone can.

 

[Markuson]

Tested and playing movies on the front screen works as advertised. We opted for this because my wife was at her frustration point of no return. We've been taking long road trips (5+hrs) recently and our daughter goes between movies and her Leappad. The only way to put a movie on while driving was for my wife to play Twister. She would have to act like a contortionist to try and use the remote to advance movies forward. This was so that she could see the screen and select menus, which is in no way an easy feat when you're in the front seat.

Anyway, the install was rather easy. There were cringe moments but, if I'm able to do this then anyone can.

Nicely done. Awesome to have such detailed photos. I've been wanting to do this, but it is certainly intimidating to rip the entire dash apart. Having your walkthrough is super helpful.

Question for u... Can you give a realistic estimate of how much work-time this took? It's always faster the second time, but I'd be on my FIRST... Realistic estimate?

 

[Reckless]

Tested and playing movies on the front screen works as advertised. We opted for this because my wife was at her frustration point of no return. We've been taking long road trips (5+hrs) recently and our daughter goes between movies and her Leappad. The only way to put a movie on while driving was for my wife to play Twister. She would have to act like a contortionist to try and use the remote to advance movies forward. This was so that she could see the screen and select menus, which is in no way an easy feat when you're in the front seat.

Anyway, the install was rather easy. There were cringe moments but, if I'm able to do this then anyone can.

I have a 2009 LC and they told me if it doesn't currently play movies in park, it won't while moving. Are LC and LX's different in this regard? If it will play movies on my LC im willing to buy it. I'm real itchy for some cool upgrades.

 

[CLHickman]

I have a 2009 LC and they told me if it doesn't currently play movies in park, it won't while moving. Are LC and LX's different in this regard? If it will play movies on my LC im willing to buy it. I'm real itchy for some cool upgrades.

*EDIT* Reckless, do you have a second row roof mounted DVD player in the truck? If not, then I do believe you're right about not being able to play movies. *EDIT*

I could always be mistaken.

You can play movies when in park by pulling the emergency break. You should then be able to select the full screen option. I'd recommend just going out with a DVD and giving it a shot.

 

[CLHickman]

Nicely done. Awesome to have such detailed photos. I've been wanting to do this, but it is certainly intimidating to rip the entire dash apart. Having your walkthrough is super helpful.

Question for u... Can you give a realistic estimate of how much work-time this took? It's always faster the second time, but I'd be on my FIRST... Realistic estimate?

Sure thing...the total time for me was about 2 hours. I started just after 1100 and finished up at 1300. That did include a bit of non-work time, say 20 minutes, of going and grabbing things that I left in the house or corralling my daughter out of the garage.

 

[Markuson]

Sure thing...the total time for me was about 2 hours. I started just after 1100 and finished up at 1300. That did include a bit of non-work time, say 20 minutes, of going and grabbing things that I left in the house or corralling my daughter out of the garage.

Not bad at all! Thank you. I think you just convinced me to order this thing...

 

[Reckless]

*EDIT* Reckless, do you have a second row roof mounted DVD player in the truck? If not, then I do believe you're right about not being able to play movies. *EDIT*

I could always be mistaken.

You can play movies when in park by pulling the emergency break. You should then be able to select the full screen option. I'd recommend just going out with a DVD and giving it a shot.

I do. But I was hoping to play on front screen? I will pull my emergency break and check if something comes up.

 

[Markuson]

I do. But I was hoping to play on front screen? I will pull my emergency break and check if something comes up.

My 08 plays in park with brake, so pretty sure your 09 will too.

 

[Reckless]

Thanks, didn't know emergency break had to be pulled up. Constantly learning more about the subtleties Toyota engineers have put into LC.