Questions about Kenwood DDX9702S

[TaylorNGU]

So I recently started working on my sound system in my car, but currently I have a *shoot* little JVC head unit. I am deciding to go with a touch screen panel, specifically the Kenwood DDX9702S.

Questions:
1.) Will it fit without hassle?
2.) Do I need to buy any extra parts? (besides wire harness, I already have one from my JVC head unit).
3.) Will steering wheel controls be restored after install? (This JVC head unit I would need to buy an extra part for that which was expensive.)

My car year is 2000. If any more information is needed then quote me and I will reply ASAP.

[Bugsi]

My expertise on upgrading a Bonneville's entertainment systems is pretty strictly limited to the 92-99 body style. However, after reading your post and seeing it sit, I figured I'd pass on my thoughts regarding your questions:

1.) I think it will likely fit, there's actually a good number of posts regarding 2000+ Bonnevilles and double-DIN head units. Use search and see what you can find. Some of the 2000+ models use a ribbon cable instead of a normal wiring harness, and that adds an extra layer of "You need a special adapter". I don't know which years that applies to, so it may not apply to you, but be aware of that.

2.) Often a specialized bracket or trim plate from Metra is needed, although I have no idea if your car needs one. Again, search for the 2000+ install guides. If I find related posts, I'll edit this with links.

3.) as far as I am aware, no aftermarket radio will work with steering controls without also adding an adapter such as the commonly used PAC SWI-RC. The 2000+ guides will have that info too.

My other thoughts: Why specifically, this model head unit? If I were going through all the work to install an aftermarket double-DIN head unit, I'd get one with NAV and facility for a back-up camera. Other Kenwood models have those (see my post in this forum about "recommend a double-DIN head unit for me".) They don't cost THAT much more, and if money is an issue there are other brands and models that have the same features for less.

[TaylorNGU]

My expertise on upgrading a Bonneville's entertainment systems is pretty strictly limited to the 92-99 body style. However, after reading your post and seeing it sit, I figured I'd pass on my thoughts regarding your questions:

1.) I think it will likely fit, there's actually a good number of posts regarding 2000+ Bonnevilles and double-DIN head units. Use search and see what you can find. Some of the 2000+ models use a ribbon cable instead of a normal wiring harness, and that adds an extra layer of "You need a special adapter". I don't know which years that applies to, so it may not apply to you, but be aware of that.

2.) Often a specialized bracket or trim plate from Metra is needed, although I have no idea if your car needs one. Again, search for the 2000+ install guides. If I find related posts, I'll edit this with links.

3.) as far as I am aware, no aftermarket radio will work with steering controls without also adding an adapter such as the commonly used PAC SWI-RC. The 2000+ guides will have that info too.

I appreciate the response. I already have the wiring harness that is for the ribbon (FYI it's a pain in the ass and sometimes puts up a fuss).

[Bugsi]

In searching the forum there's good information on what adapters and trim plates to get, but it also depends on what factory audio system your car came with. You say you have an aftermarket JVC system, but we don't know if you have Bose audio or Non-Bose audio speaker & amp parts. Can you update your signature to include what trim model your Bonneville is? (Whether it is an SE, SLE, SSE, or SSEi?) And tell us what factory parts your car (still) has.

Here's a link to a double-DIN install on a 2000: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 2161.html?

Most 2000 double-DIN installations appear to have used: a Metra GMOS-09 harness adapter, a Metra ASWC-1 adapter for steering wheel controls, a Metra double-DIN dash kit, and a Metra 40-VW10 or other brand antenna adapter. Some people use the PAC C2R-GM32R adapter for retaining door chimes. Cutting out plastic in back of the radio alcove with a Dremel is required.

Other than that, I don't *think* anything else is required.

[TaylorNGU]

In searching the forum there's good information on what adapters and trim plates to get, but it also depends on what factory audio system your car came with. You say you have an aftermarket JVC system, but we don't know if you have Bose audio or Non-Bose audio speaker & amp parts. Can you update your signature to include what trim model your Bonneville is? (Whether it is an SE, SLE, SSE, or SSEi?) And tell us what factory parts your car (still) has.

Here's a link to a double-DIN install on a 2000: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 2161.html?

Most 2000 double-DIN installations appear to have used: a Metra GMOS-09 harness adapter, a Metra ASWC-1 adapter for steering wheel controls, a Metra double-DIN dash kit, and a Metra 40-VW10 or other brand antenna adapter. Some people use the PAC C2R-GM32R adapter for retaining door chimes. Cutting out plastic in back of the radio alcove with a Dremel is required.

Other than that, I don't *think* anything else is required.

I'm new here and when I registered I didn't know what to put because my model is just the basic one. Not like SLE and stuff like that so I didn't know what to put. Regardless, thanks for the information again. It is very helpful. In the signature is where I am supposed to put the parts that are still factory?

If not, everything is factory excluding me having replaced the 6.5 speakers in the front, the 6 by 9s in the back, having an amp with a subbox in the trunk, and the JV head unit that I am replacing soon.

[Bugsi]

In the signature is where I am supposed to put the parts that are still factory?

No, your post above is fine for that. But at the top of the window in the upper-right corner, click "User Control Panel" and in the next window on the left click "Profile". Scroll to the bottom and under "Year and Trim" just add that your 2000 is a 2000 SE.

At some point we should probably make sticky posts for 92-99 and 2000+ for "what you need" to replace the OEM head units with aftermarket units. It's probably *the* most common question asked here, and for as many times as people have posted what adapters they used, it would probably be helpful if we just started out this forum at the top with a sticky of what adapters one needs.

So yeah, with the aforementioned parts you should be good to go. I don't have a part number on what Metra double-DIN dash kit people used, and some people only needed the side-brackets from their Metra dash kit, and used the front trim panel that came with their head units. I never owned a 2000+, so I'm just collecting what other people used. If you had a 92-99 though, I'd probably know what you'd need.

[TaylorNGU]

In the signature is where I am supposed to put the parts that are still factory?

No, your post above is fine for that. But at the top of the window in the upper-right corner, click "User Control Panel" and in the next window on the left click "Profile". Scroll to the bottom and under "Year and Trim" just add that your 2000 is a 2000 SE.

At some point we should probably make sticky posts for 92-99 and 2000+ for "what you need" to replace the OEM head units with aftermarket units. It's probably *the* most common question asked here, and for as many times as people have posted what adapters they used, it would probably be helpful if we just started out this forum at the top with a sticky of what adapters one needs.

So yeah, with the aforementioned parts you should be good to go. I don't have a part number on what Metra double-DIN dash kit people used, and some people only needed the side-brackets from their Metra dash kit, and used the front trim panel that came with their head units. I never owned a 2000+, so I'm just collecting what other people used. If you had a 92-99 though, I'd probably know what you'd need.

Well after it is all said and done I can report back to the forums with pictures and information if need be. I don't mind helping out.

[Schlotzky]

It's worth noting too that www.crutchfield.com has quite an extensive research base that will help you significantly in figuring out what you will need for your specific application, as well as some dimensional limits for headunit and speaker depth and the like. They also have great customer support if you want to ask them advice for selecting what you should get based on your wants/needs. I've had only excellent experiences with them, including returns.

[TaylorNGU]

It's worth noting too that http://www.crutchfield.com has quite an extensive research base that will help you significantly in figuring out what you will need for your specific application, as well as some dimensional limits for headunit and speaker depth and the like. They also have great customer support if you want to ask them advice for selecting what you should get based on your wants/needs. I've had only excellent experiences with them, including returns.

That was awesome information. My advisor noted about a shallow space for the head unit that might mess some things up. Good to know.

[Bugsi]

That's the flip side of Crutchfield. Their system is going to show that none of the double-DIN head units will fit your car, because it will flag your dash location as too shallow. As mentioned previously, you'll need to dremel away some plastic in order to fit a double-DIN. After you dremel away the plastic that's in the way, your double-DIN unit will fit just fine. That's where a place like this forum comes in handy, because we'll tell you things that Crutchfield won't. While I also have had good experience with Crutchfield, I can generally always find much better prices on things like speakers, head units, and amplifiers at Amazon or other retailers.

[Schlotzky]

Their pricing is hit and miss. I often find that their headunits come out to being the very aggressively priced when you consider that it comes with all necessary installation gear for free, and you get the peace of mind that comes with their excellent customer service. But other times, they're miles away from Amazon's pricing. Just check on the item you're looking at before the purchase. I think they're worth a few extra bucks for the whole experience, including 60-day returns, but that's me.

But yes you're right, they don't always know the maximum mounting depth after necessary modifications so they can lead you into some unnecessary limitations. I had to dremel out my dash to fit my double din Kenwood, but even that was a really tight fit once you include all the wires that go back there, and kenwood is one of the more shallow brands. I'm pretty sure it would have been that much more difficult to fit anything else. Sometimes too, they have notes like "Fits with modifications" if they have done a little extra digging to find what simple modifications will allow you.

[Luxrain]

I personally have a double din Kenwood that juuuuusssstttt barely fits (plastic piece holding it in place) with no cutting or drilling. So sometimes you can get away with it