Replacing my Axxera radio with a Kenwood

[RichS]

After 3 years my Axxera 614bh LCD screen finally went south. Reset button will not work. A lot of people have had issues with this. MITO is the company that supplies radio's to Thor does not even carry this radio anymore.

Next week I am having a Kenwood Excelon DDX 595 installed by my local car stereo dealer. Looking forward to get away from Axxera. Last I heard Kenwood has a great reputation.

Hopefully I will be satisfied and will give an update after the installation.

[jb1911]

Looking forward to the update.

[jabrabu]

I did something similar, except I installed a Pioneer instead of a Kenwood. This should be a nice upgrade for you.



Here is the thread about my install:


http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f27...nex-12449.html

[RichS]

I am having it put in on Thursday. They said it should be an easy install. They said they should be able to use the same wire harness. I read your post. Axxera has a lot of problems. Getting the DDX 595 for $299 and the install for $140. I have a 2016 Freedom Elite 28H. I am looking forward to it.

[carlgorski]

Originally Posted by rscheibel@cfl.rr.com

After 3 years my Axxera 614bh LCD screen finally went south. Reset button will not work. A lot of people have had issues with this. MITO is the company that supplies radio's to Thor does not even carry this radio anymore.



Next week I am having a Kenwood Excelon DDX 595 installed by my local car stereo dealer. Looking forward to get away from Axxera. Last I heard Kenwood has a great reputation.



Hopefully I will be satisfied and will give an update after the installation.

Mine was dead off the lot. Really who installs a radio and doesn’t check it. Come to find out, Thor knew there was a bad batch and sent them out anyway. It was a POS Axxera. They replaced with Dual unit which had a DVD.

[RichS]

This is our first RV and my wife is astonished how these things come from the manufacture. All the problems. The cheap radio's and Tv's.

Anyways. I am looking forward to having the Kenwood installed. It's gotta be better than Axxera. I will report this weekend on the install.

[RichS]

Here is an update. I had the Kenwood installed. The longest time for the install was getting the dash off the Ford E450. It took them 20 minutes after the dash was off. The radio fits perfectly. So far very happy.

[lazinskm]

I have a Kenwood in my E4 50 and love it

[RichS]

Yeah its a nice radio. Definitely better than Axxera

[brucev]

Did your cameras work with the Kenwood?

[RichS]

Camera works great. Plus I now have back up guide lines that comes with the radio

[Rdine]

2018 23U replaced factory Axxera head unit with Kenwood DNX 874s. Was a DiY job took about 2 hours working slowly. Fit neatly in my E-350 dash opening. Kenwood installed with existing rear camera. Tremendous improvement. Can see the Kenwood screen even on sunny days. My Axxera screen was very difficult to see except at nite.

[carlgorski]

Originally Posted by Rdine

2018 23U replaced factory Axxera head unit with Kenwood DNX 874s. Was a DiY job took about 2 hours working slowly. Fit neatly in my E-350 dash opening. Kenwood installed with existing rear camera. Tremendous improvement. Can see the Kenwood screen even on sunny days. My Axxera screen was very difficult to see except at nite.

Which model did you get? Also did a standard ford wiring harness adapter work?

Thanks

[Rdine]

The model: Kenwood DNX874s. I replaced the original Axxera wiring harness with the recommended wiring harness from Crutchfield (google if needed). It took about 15 minutes to solder the new wiring although you could use butt end connectors. Several videos on YouTube on how to do this. The faceplace that came with the Kenwood made for an excellent fit and finish appearance. I chose the Kenwood DNX series because it has Apple Car Play, hands free voice operation, and a built in Garmin GPS. Spendy new but Crutchfield has open boxes as well as Ebay much cheaper than new. Mine was less than five hundred.

[carlgorski]

Originally Posted by Rdine

The model: Kenwood DNX874s. I replaced the original Axxera wiring harness with the recommended wiring harness from Crutchfield (google if needed). It took about 15 minutes to solder the new wiring although you could use butt end connectors. Several videos on YouTube on how to do this. The faceplace that came with the Kenwood made for an excellent fit and finish appearance. I chose the Kenwood DNX series because it has Apple Car Play, hands free voice operation, and a built in Garmin GPS. Spendy new but Crutchfield has open boxes as well as Ebay much cheaper than new. Mine was less than five hundred.

Thanks. 1 more question. Does Axxera pulled out without removing trim?

[Rdine]

The dash trim must be removed to gain access to wires and cables. The bezel around the radio will snap out revealing 4 removal screws which I think are 8mm. See YouTube for a demo. Look up dash removal for E-350. I have plastic removal tools which makes the removal easier and won't damage the dash. I did not completely remove the dash trim, just separated it far enough to clear the head unit. Good Luck!

[Rdine]

Go to Youtube and type this in the search bar.

2009 - 2014 Ford E-Series / RV Stereo Install | Pioneer AVH-1300NEX

[Calico]

Where did you guys go for the installs of the new radios with camera hook-ups? Or did you do it yourself?

[RichS]

Went to my local car radio shop. They installed it right in the parking lot. No problems. Ford E450

[Calico]

Originally Posted by RichS

Went to my local car radio shop. They installed it right in the parking lot. No problems. Ford E450

Awesome! Thank you. I was concerned about the camera aspect of the setup. I would think the professionals would know what to do.