When you figure out which illumination wire you are going to use, please share the wealth! I have been too busy to get my ddx-6019 hooked up. I would like to do it all at once if at all possible. Thanks!

Cool, I hadn't thought of using anything near the AC. I had had the Xterra for less than a day before I started installing the nav and I couldnt think of anything that lit up on the center console.

Fredericksburg, VA?? Seriously? Small world.

Haha, yeah, crazy...I wonder if we ever cross paths...I've seen a few Granite next gens here in town. Mine is probably the only silver one with shrockworks sliders, though!

can i ask how you managed to get the z1 to fit so perfectly in the center of the opening? i have had mine in for a while now and have just about given up...i can't get it to sit perfectly in the center of the double din hole to save my life. (Anyway...i just tore out all my upgraded stuff this last weekend and did an overhaul. Out went the lower budget stuff i thought would cut it and in went MB Quart Reference 6x9 components in the front doors, 6.5" components in the rear doors, and an alpine amp to drive 'em all and more dynamat than i ever imagined would fit inside the door panels. Well...good job and hit me back...i'm dying to get this thing resolved and just sitting evenly...)

Vatech...Hate to go a little off post. Was your X pre-wired for XM? If so, and if you have it...and if you want to get rid of it...Im quite interested. I am trying to install the RF unit and XM unit.

Thanks!
Jared

Well done with the upgrade! I still need to get around to upgrade all mine. I just need someone to build me a sub enclosure that tucks away in the back passenger side of the trunk (I know someone on here built one that looks pretty money)! But I just got some pretty nice stuff that my insurance company got me to replace the equipment that was in my Jeep (Yes, after 7 years of intrusion-free fun in my Wrangler, someone finally cut my window and broke into it and ripped out all my stuff--serves me right for having all that in there, I suppose).

But to return to the current topic, I also had centering issues with my Z1. When you remove the factory head unit, the bracket that mounts to the vehicle itself fits snug around the head unit, and the bottom of the head unit rests nicely on the bottom of the bracket. So when I installed the bracket on the Z1, I used the bottom as a "reference point" and installed the bracket with the bottom of the head unit resting on the bottom of the bracket, just like the factory head unit was. When I installed it, I noticed it wasn't centered vertically, so I repositioned the unit so there was a bigger gap between the head unit and the bottom of the bracket. The screws didn't fit quite as naturally (i.e., they didn't go in as smoothly), but they did fit all the same. Once I reinstalled, I was much happier with the positioning (as you can see by the pictures).

So give it a go, and see how it works out for ya. Good luck!

No, my X didn't come prewired for XM, I did all the XM work myself. If, however, you're interested in an RF Head Unit, PAC AAI-NIS aux input adapter, and/or an XM SkyFi2 unit, let me know! I'm looking to sell some stuff off!

If you have any other kind of install q's, feel free to ask!

What wire did you guys use for the illumination wire? I don't have a service manual. I am hooking up mine right now and don't want to splice into the wrong wire. Also, am i looking for an illumination or a dimmer wire?

dude, read the directions. if you don't, you might as well not even waste your time. i don't mean to sound like a jerk, but it's right there in the manual. As long as you aren't ghetto-rigging anything, all you should need to do is connect the similarly colored wires toghether and remember to seal up all the connections good and tight.

(i.e. the white goes with white; orange with orange; red with red...pretty self explanatory.)

If you read my post before responding, you would have seen that I don't have a service manual. I have the installation manual from Kenwood, but that doesn't show nissan's wires. I know how to hook everything else up. It is done already...i just need to know where the illumination wire is. It is NOT in the radio wiring harness. I hooked up the HU and the nav unit already. Thank you to the others who have helped me so far. I am VERY appreciative!!!

Armondov (sp?) sounded like he had found one near the stereo, however, I used the one in the connection going to the side-mirror controls. I think it was an 8-wire connector and the illumination wire was red.

But if you can get one near the stereo, that would be best.

BTW: Has anyone had any problems with the maps on the Z1? I've found some incorrect/nonexistent maps on mine, but the teleatlas website shows correct maps. Is Pioneer still working off an ancient version of the teleatlas maps?

This is probably one of the Best "How To Install the Insert name Here" I've seen in a long time. Well done all around VaTech03... but one very minor thing. Why not drill an X millimeter sized hole in the glove box, find a rubber grommet to produce that more "finished" appearance rather than freehand cut the rectangular piece out to run the wire?

I'm the first one to admit this is picking nits though. Helluva nice install job... and I bet you are loving your AVIC Z.

Congrats!

Ha...I know what you're saying. In my opinion, the iPod adapter is poorly designed--it is hard wired to the Pioneer box on one end, and has the iPod plug hard wired on the other...no way to easily route the cable through small holes. And the plastic in the glove box is rather thick--not sure if the gromet idea would fly. Besides...I was admittedly anxious to get everything going--so the Dremel and I had a little fun .

As for the map issues, I experience them as well. The maps seem a bit outdated. Not too happy about that, but she's always close enough to get me where I need to go. I rarely use the AVIC as a sole navigation device. I always make sure I have a good idea of where I'm going before I leave. The navigation feature on the Z1 is most helpful in general routing, showing trip progress (I love being able to answer the inevitable "Where are you?" cell phone question when on a lengthy trip), and reminding me when my exit is coming up.

Thanks for the positive feedback on the review...I hope it was helpful in some of your own installs!