Introducing Direct Replacement
With many newer vehicles it is impossible or expensive to install a new stereo, due to the shape of the dash, wiring, placement of climate controls, and other factors. Kenwood worked directly with ADS (makers of the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 interfaces) to create Direct Replacement, an innovative modular design that fits the receiver around the vehicle, instead of trying to alter a vehicle to accommodate a fixed receiver size.
Kenwood employs a modular design that works hand in glove with ADS’ iDatalink Maestro’s APX (pronounced “apex”) mounting kits. The display mounts directly in place of the factory display, while the receiver’s chassis is mounted behind the dash or kick panel depending on the vehicle — making it especially handy for shallow dash cavities. These packages fit in more vehicles, many of which had no previous stereo replacement options, as well as provide an alternative to stereo installation systems that used expensive dash kits to alter the dash layout and controls in your vehicle.
Direct Replacement allows you to keep the look and feel of your factory setup, while enjoying the benefits of an updated stereo. If we have a Direct Replacement package for your vehicle, you’ll need several things to complete the package:
- A Direct Replacement stereo, like this Kenwood.
- A vehicle-specific iDatalink Maestro APX kit, which includes brackets to secure the receiver’s display and chassis within your vehicle. It also includes a vehicle-specific wiring harness.
- An iDatalink Maestro RR or Maestro RR2 interface module: this software-based interface is “flashed” (updated on a computer) for your vehicle and new stereo. This enables the new stereo to communicate with your vehicle, so you can retain many of your factory controls (and even program some new ones). These Maestro interface modules include intuitive vehicle integration that lets you add some vehicle diagnostics (including vehicle pitch and roll) and keep factory features that you’d otherwise lose when you install a new radio.
- A receiver-specific wiring harness for the stereo: Direct Replacement receivers come with no wiring. So when everything is ready to be connected, you’ll just plug everything together using the T-harness connections on the package’s components.
