After install of my Clarion CX609

Oh yeah, it's the geek bling with flashing lights, just can't get enough.

Moderator: volvite

User avatar
Spamcan
Posts: 119
Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 10:10 am
Location: Poulsbo, WA

After install of my Clarion CX609

Postby Spamcan » Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:51 am

I had a request for seeing the CX609 installed. So sorry I didn't get any "during install" pics. The CX609 was a breeze to install. The only splicing was between the head unit's plug and the PF wiring adapters Crutchfield provided. There was also some splicing (3 wires) with the PAC steering wheel controls module (plus some programming). At first it seemed overwhelming, but as I went step-by-step - not too bad. Took about 2 hours to do cleanly.

The only issue I had with installing was the head unit has 6 built-in wires coming out the back right in the middle top to bottom (the rest are plug-ins on the lower area). The bundle of RCA jacks (for an amplifier if you have one) is mounted to the units frame with a post that sticks out @ 1/2". This is @ 1/2" too long and it hits a cross-tube behind the dash. So I just unscrewed that post and stuck it down into the frame of the unit and cable tied the wires to the frame to point downwards to the empty area behind the console - there are convenient vent holes already on the frame, so no drilling. All used connectors and whatnot were tucked above the unit, between it and the "coin holder". You can see the wiring here - just click on the pic of the rear of the unit.
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/ ... 09&tp=5684

Here's the PAC steering wheel unit. There's a slight delay when pressing a button, but I like this VERY much over having buttons on my steering wheel that don't do anything...
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_127SWIJACK ... ml?tp=3405

Here are 2 pics of the unit installed. You can see the gap between the unit and the dash. Crutchfield supplied the ring adapter to fill this in, but I don't have the right Torx #20 driver to remove the screws and mount the ring. Will get that done soon. This unit also has the ability to use up to 700+ different colors for it's lighting. When you first power it up it cycles around like a acid-trip light show. Luckily there are also some "default" colors to choose from and I chose this one that closely matches the PF dash lighting color.
Image
Image

One of the toughest parts was where to put the microphone for the bluetooth phone function and the USB cable for iPod or other USB device. I was hoping the USB cable was long enough to reach back to the console (at the elbows behind the cup holders). But that cable it too short and I didn't want to put in an extension and have a point of failure under the console. And the mic had to be somewhere away from a vent, yet pointing towards your mouth. I though about routing the (plenty long enough) mic wire to the visor. But I don't like the look of something sticking out there. So for both I opted to mount them in the cubby hole above the 4x4/VDC controls. I drilled two holes on the top of the cubby (lots of room above) and routed them down. Since the USB will move somewhat with attaching devices, I left free to move. The mic I wanted hard-mounted. So I also drilled two smaller side holes to zip-tie the wire to the side to help hold in place. The mic has several mounts, I opted for the self-adhesive version to the side. The only thing I had to do is raise the gain of the mic from the default 3 to 4 (5 is max).
Image

So far, loving it all!! But I have to say, some of the manual was a B**CH to understand/follow - translation issues? Especially the bluetooth syncing. But once I worked at it and understood what was happening, it's fairly intuitive and easy to add/remove devices - or many other settings. It was just at times you have to hold down a button for more than 1 second and things like that which the manual doesn't clearly state. But they try...


User avatar
Kami
Posts: 243
Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 8:59 pm
Location: Toroto, ON

Postby Kami » Wed Jun 30, 2010 11:46 am

looks sweet dude, nice work on the install..

User avatar
Spamcan
Posts: 119
Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 10:10 am
Location: Poulsbo, WA

Postby Spamcan » Wed Jun 30, 2010 11:56 am

Thanks Kami!

LBC2005
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:11 pm
Location: Southern California

Postby LBC2005 » Thu Jul 08, 2010 11:50 am

good stuff, nice work

User avatar
4timenissanowner
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 3:53 pm
Location: Pennsylvania

Postby 4timenissanowner » Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:39 am

Looks good!! I installed the same unit a couple of weeks ago, I see you dont have the trim piece around the radio. Did yours come with one? I have my mic on the headliner right above the windshield and the ipod connector in the glove box since the radio has ipod controls. Looks good and it was fairly easy to install.[/img]

User avatar
Spamcan
Posts: 119
Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 10:10 am
Location: Poulsbo, WA

Postby Spamcan » Wed Sep 01, 2010 9:51 am

4timenissanowner wrote:Looks good!! I see you dont have the trim piece around the radio. Did yours come with one?
Thanks! I did get the trim piece, but at the time I didn't have the right torx tool to remove the old one and put in the new one. We have since moved to the Seattle area so once settled in I will be installing the trim.


Return to “NAV/GPS/Audio/Electronics”