So I finished my install last weekend. I was without internet for a week so it took me a while to get around to posting. It definitely took me longer than I wanted to (a few days), but I've never taken on a project like this before and knew close to nothing about car audio and wiring prior to preparing for this project. I installed the Alpine iLX-W650, which I chose for its simple UI and buttons, and it works great! I wasn't a fan of some of UI on some other brands that just seemed over the top for me. Startup time isn't long and Android Auto connects well. I did lose my subwoofer, which I knew coming into the project. I may opt to install the Alpine KTA-200M mono amp down the road, but quite honestly I always had the subwoofer set low because of my kid, so it isn't a very noticeable difference for me. Being able to set a custom 9-band EQ is certainly nice and adds clarity to my sound.
Knowing that resources for the Passport are slim and in hopes of helping others on their install, I'm sharing the Google Doc of resources I compiled:
2019 Passport Sport Stereo Install
Here are a couple pictures:
View attachment 13468
View attachment 13469
Note: The dent in the leather dash above the vent isn't from the install. Its from my iOttie phone mount pushing against it over time.
What went well
- I took advantage of Crutchfield's $25 ReadyHarness service, in which they did majority of the wiring prior to shipping it out. I knew absolutely nothing about wiring prior to this project, so this was extremely helpful and saved me a bit of time. There were still a few things I had to do myself. Since resources for the Passport aren't available, I told them I had a 2019 Honda Pilot LX as it shares the same dash and head unit.
- I added the parking brake bypass so that I can access the settings without having to put on the parking brake and it worked well.
- The steering wheel controls work well. Like others, the only thing missing is Source and Phone Hang Up. I was being dumb and misunderstood the instructions and didn't plug in the 3.5mm into the back of the head unit at first, so that set me back an hour before I realized I missed a step. At this point the adapter automatically detected the radio and controls worked right away without extra programming.
What was challenging
- Following the advice of others on this forum, I bought an extra Metra 70-1729 harness in order to remove its pins and insert them into the Axxess AX-HON24RVC-6V to retain steering wheel controls. Removing the pins was very difficult and I was unable to get them out the normal way, so I ended up just breaking open the harness with my pliers.
- The reverse light wire for the backup camera is in a tight spot so it was difficult to get a splice connector on it. The standard quick splice connectors didn't work for me, so I had to order Posi-Taps. Once I connected these, the backup camera worked. The camera won't work by pressing the camera icon on the head unit or when adjusting my guides, but as soon as I put the car in reverse, it will activate. Like others I got a fisheye view, and I saw that there is a way to get the other views back, but quite honestly I didn't understand any of it and I can live with the fisheye view.
- I was 95% done with the install and was tidying up wires with zip ties. While doing so, accidentally snipped the microphone wire, probably the biggest rookie mistake one could make. Ordering a new microphone would take a week, so I ended up running out to the store to get a soldering iron. I was able to fix it and it works perfectly fine now.
- I did break a couple retaining clips on the molding of the dash when I was removing them. I was trying to be as careful as possible, but it still happened. Luckily they were in areas that aren't noticeable as other parts are over them to keep them in place.
- Not necessarily a challenge, but the screws that attach the vents to dash were very loose on the Metra 95-7811B Dash Kit, so I ran out to buy bigger screws that would secure them better. Overall I'm not impressed with the quality of the dash kit.
