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I haven't seen many posts about this, so I figured I would share my experience. Lets start with two post install pics!
Happy to take more if people want to see something specific.
Installation:
The installation wasn't too difficult all things considered. There were of course a lot of wires to crimp together, but just keep track of everything and it will be fine (or you know...pay someone to do it. I got a few quotes of $200 from local shops to do that work). We did run into a few hiccups. First off, the buttons on the Metra kit got installed in the wrong spots at the factory. We ended up having to take them apart and move them around. After that, the kit worked just fine. We also had to cut a wire on the steering wheel control model, and this step was not listed in the directions. After that the steering wheel controls worked fine. All in all, probably took us 3-4 hours at a pretty casual pace.
What was lost:
So, this install was done on a "new to me" 2012 Armada Platinum after owning it for a month. I did "lose" a few things I have never used in that time. Here is what I know I lost:
Personally, this was worth the cost (both in terms of money, time, and what was lost). I wanted wireless Android Auto and I got exactly that in the end. The kit looks nice and feels nice. I will say the buttons are a bit less than stock quality, but not by much at all. Having only had the Armada for a month before hand made it easy to get used to the new button layout.
Unrelated to the Metra Stuff:
I bought a Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX to go along with the Metra kit. You could go cheaper for sure, but I wanted wireless Android Auto. The display is high resolution, bright when you wanted it to be, and the capacitive rather than resistive touch screen feels great. The pictures above don't show it well, but the difference between the two displays is staggering.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Happy to take more if people want to see something specific.
Installation:
The installation wasn't too difficult all things considered. There were of course a lot of wires to crimp together, but just keep track of everything and it will be fine (or you know...pay someone to do it. I got a few quotes of $200 from local shops to do that work). We did run into a few hiccups. First off, the buttons on the Metra kit got installed in the wrong spots at the factory. We ended up having to take them apart and move them around. After that, the kit worked just fine. We also had to cut a wire on the steering wheel control model, and this step was not listed in the directions. After that the steering wheel controls worked fine. All in all, probably took us 3-4 hours at a pretty casual pace.
What was lost:
So, this install was done on a "new to me" 2012 Armada Platinum after owning it for a month. I did "lose" a few things I have never used in that time. Here is what I know I lost:
- DVD audio...I think...I never used it before...I haven't used it since...I never plan to use it
- AUX Audio jack. There is a chance this could have been saved with some additional parts, but I have Android Auto now...who needs AUX?
- Compact Flash Cart: Yeah...no biggie here. We did however have to hot glue the slot cover back in so there wasn't just a hole in the dash. The Metra kit does NOT deal with this.
- Fuel Economy screen: So, its there, it just just WRONG. It keeps reporting a full tank will get me like 50 miles
I know my Armada likes to drink, but not that bad! Note: this has no impact on the low fuel indicator in the instrument cluster. That still trips when you have a few gallons left like normal.
- Factory mic: we had to run the mic that came with the head unit.
Personally, this was worth the cost (both in terms of money, time, and what was lost). I wanted wireless Android Auto and I got exactly that in the end. The kit looks nice and feels nice. I will say the buttons are a bit less than stock quality, but not by much at all. Having only had the Armada for a month before hand made it easy to get used to the new button layout.
Unrelated to the Metra Stuff:
I bought a Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX to go along with the Metra kit. You could go cheaper for sure, but I wanted wireless Android Auto. The display is high resolution, bright when you wanted it to be, and the capacitive rather than resistive touch screen feels great. The pictures above don't show it well, but the difference between the two displays is staggering.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!