Help 94 Ls400 Stereo Headunit Replacement

[MARK HAYLE]

Hi all, have a new double din head unit for my Ls, but am struggling to find an iso adapter to fit my 94 LS400.

I dont want to mess with cutting wires etc. Also some mention you lose the rear subwoofer if you fit a new headunit. Any help would be much appreciated.

[steve2006]

I was faced with a similar situation when my "Premium Sound System" went down a few years ago on my 1994 import LS400. Eventually I replaced it with a JVC head unit ( single DIN) and because the amplifier was in the boot ran new speakers wires from the new head unit to the boot where I connected into the existing loom. I also ran a screened pre amp output from the head unit to a seperate Sub amplifier fitted where the multi CD changer was to power the existing sub woofer. I took a while to get the wiring loom under the carpets etc and trace each pair of speaker wires but it all came good in the end. I never looked for a convertor plug so wouldn't know if they are made but it may be worth looking a eBay.com if you haven't already done so.

I found this one but it must be gold plated at this price!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-LS-400-2DIN-Audio-Adapter-Harness-Beat-Sonic-/260416819893?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3ca20d52b5

[Bluesman]

I was faced with a similar situation when my "Premium Sound System" went down a few years ago on my 1994 import LS400. Eventually I replaced it with a JVC head unit ( single DIN) and because the amplifier was in the boot ran new speakers wires from the new head unit to the boot where I connected into the existing loom. I also ran a screened pre amp output from the head unit to a seperate Sub amplifier fitted where the multi CD changer was to power the existing sub woofer. I took a while to get the wiring loom under the carpets etc and trace each pair of speaker wires but it all came good in the end. I never looked for a convertor plug so wouldn't know if they are made but it may be worth looking a ebay.com if you haven't already done so.

I found this one but it must be gold plated at this price!

http://www.ebay.com/...=item3ca20d52b5

Perhaps you get a little man with it that does all the work for you and then Valets the car afterwards.

Mike

[MARK HAYLE]

Thanks Bluesman & Steve2006, think I have found one on amazon.com Damn sight cheaper than the one Steve2006 saw !!

Have ordered it , fingers crossed will post details if it works.

[Ruud]

Thanks Bluesman & Steve2006, think I have found one on Amazon.com Damn sight cheaper than the one Steve2006 saw !!

Have ordered it , fingers crossed will post details if it works.

From what I understand - There is NO wiring adapter available that will allow you to keep using the rear woofer, unless you wire it in yourself.

[MARK HAYLE]

Hi Rudy, youre right about the subwoofer the wiring adapter I have ordered may not work with it. We will have to see I guess, but the auto electrician I use says if it doesnt work he can either find another way to make the sub work or if the system sounds good enough then leave it unconnected. This issue with fitting new stereos to old Lexus cars is going to prove more of an issue as time goes on I guess. Anyway will post when all is installed and working.

[MARK HAYLE]

Hi All, well got new head unit installed in the car now. My Auto Electrician said it was a pig to do. The wiring adapter was wrong so he wired it in one wire at a time. The head unit fascia I was assured would fit snagged the head unit screen so also had to be altered. So all in all glad I didnt attempt it myself! Anyway all works except for the rear sub, but frankly it sounds great to me, so wont bother getting it done.

[abs66]

Congrats on the successful install, have you got any pictures?

I think I am going to have to tackle this myself soon unless I can find a working original.

[MARK HAYLE]

Hi Pete, will try and post some pics on Monday for you.

[steve2006]

After I fitted a new head unit I used the space left behind from removing the CD changer in the boot to fit a neat sub amplifier wired to the original sub woofer, the impedance is only 2 ohms so make sure the amplifier is switchable for this.

A single phono lead from the aux out on the head unit supplies the signal.

[MARK HAYLE]

Hi pic of installed head unit below, doesnt look to bad and improves the spec of the car a lot. The original stereo although good for its day really was starting to become old fashioned. mp3 connectivity is in the lowest price vehicles these days and who has cassettes?

[MARK HAYLE]

Hi Steve, just spotted your post about getting rear sub working in your Ls. I think I will give the sub woofer a miss for now. Seems to sound great as it is, when the novelty has worn off who knows maybe a job for another day. Next project is to get the air con display sorted then car is 100%. Noticed lots of places in USA fix them but only know of one in the UK called Rebus. Anybody know of anywhere else in UK?

[abs66]

Nice install Mark very neat.

Do you notice the missing sub?

[Bluesman]

Hi pic of installed head unit below, doesnt look to bad and improves the spec of the car a lot. The original stereo although good for its day really was starting to become old fashioned. mp3 connectivity is in the lowest price vehicles these days and who has cassettes?

Hi Mark.

Looks realy good but how do you manage to live and listen without that fantastic sub woofer. I think the low end warmth that brings to music and speech is something really special. You would have to pay a lot of money to get that sort of sound even with todays cheaper technology thats around.

I am not a drum and bass fan, Blues and Jazz is what I listen to and I have never ever had such a fantastic sound system in a car as the one in my beloved Lexie.

Be interesting to see how long you go before hooking it up.

Mike

[MARK HAYLE]

Hi, To be honest havent mastered the options for this head unit yet. It sounds good without the sub though, and with a little tinkering it may sound even better, bear in mind I have not had a stereo in my car for the last month.

My Auto Electrician owns an LS as well and when I think its as good as its going to sound I will be trying a CD in his and my car for comparison. Will only be able to tell then whether to have the sub done.

[Bluesman]

Hi, To be honest havent mastered the options for this head unit yet. It sounds good without the sub though, and with a little tinkering it may sound even better, bear in mind I have not had a stereo in my car for the last month.

My Auto Electrician owns an LS as well and when I think its as good as its going to sound I will be trying a CD in his and my car for comparison. Will only be able to tell then whether to have the sub done.

That will be interesting, dont forget to let us know.

Mike