Car Audio
Pioneer & Kenwood Head Unit Installation in Gilroy | CarPlay & Android Auto
Blackout Team· Window Tinting Experts
·6 min read
Professional Pioneer and Kenwood head unit installation near Gilroy. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and touchscreen upgrades by experts.
Professional Pioneer & Kenwood Installation
Want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in your car? Pioneer and Kenwood dominate the head unit market for good reason—reliable, feature-packed, and priced right.
We've installed thousands of Pioneer and Kenwood head units since 1993. From basic Bluetooth upgrades to floating 10" touchscreens, we handle it all.
Pioneer Head Units We Install
Popular Pioneer Models
| Model | Display | Features | Price Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMH-1770NEX | 6.8" | CarPlay, Android Auto, basic | $400-450 |
| DMH-W4660NEX | 6.8" | Wireless CarPlay, shallow | $500-550 |
| DMH-WC5700NEX | 6.8" | Modular, wireless, capacitive | $550-600 |
| DMH-WT7600NEX | 9" | Floating wireless, flagship | $800-900 |
Our recommendation: The Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX hits the sweet spot—wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, shallow mounting, under $500 installed.
Why Pioneer?
- Reliability — Set it and forget it
- Wireless capability — Top-tier wireless CarPlay
- Shallow options — Fits where others can't
- Price range — Entry to premium covered
Kenwood Head Units We Install
Popular Kenwood Models
| Model | Display | Features | Price Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMX7709S | 6.8" | CarPlay, Android Auto, basic | $400-450 |
| DMX709S | 6.95" | Wireless, HD radio | $500-550 |
| DDX5707S | 6.8" | CD/DVD, CarPlay, wired | $450-500 |
| DMX9709S | 6.95" | Garmin nav, wireless | $700-800 |
Our recommendation: The Kenwood DMX709S delivers reliable wireless connectivity with a bright, responsive display at a fair price.
Why Kenwood?
- Sound quality — Often preferred by audiophiles
- Interface — Responsive, intuitive menus
- Garmin integration — Built-in nav on premium models
- Audio processing — Better EQ than most competitors
Pioneer vs Kenwood: Side by Side
| Feature | Pioneer | Kenwood |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless CarPlay | Excellent | Very good |
| Display brightness | Good | Excellent |
| Sound processing | Good | Better |
| Menu speed | Fast | Very fast |
| Shallow mounting | Better options | Fewer options |
| Price | Slightly lower | Slightly higher |
Bottom line: Pioneer for space constraints and value. Kenwood for sound quality focus.
What Head Unit Installation Includes
Every head unit install at our shop includes:
1. Dash Kit
Custom-fit housing that matches your dashboard perfectly. No gaps, no rattles, factory appearance.
2. Wiring Harness
Vehicle-specific harness that:
- Retains steering wheel controls
- Keeps factory amp integration (if applicable)
- Maintains warning chimes
- Preserves all factory functions
3. Backup Camera Integration
If your vehicle has a factory backup camera, we retain it. If not, we can add one—$100-200 with head unit purchase.
4. USB/Aux Extension
Convenient USB port placement for phone connection and charging.
5. Antenna Adapter
Proper FM/AM reception maintained with correct adapter.
6. Programming & Setup
- CarPlay/Android Auto connection
- Bluetooth pairing
- EQ optimization
- Camera guidelines calibration
Installation time: 2-4 hours depending on vehicle
Common Upgrade Packages
Basic CarPlay Upgrade: $400-500 installed
- Pioneer DMH-1770NEX or Kenwood DMX7709S
- Dash kit and harness
- Factory camera retained
- Bluetooth setup
Wireless CarPlay: $550-650 installed
- Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX or Kenwood DMX709S
- All basic features
- True wireless CarPlay/Android Auto
- Faster interface
Premium Floating Display: $800-1,000 installed
- Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX or Kenwood flagship
- 9"+ floating touchscreen
- Wireless everything
- Enhanced audio processing
- Top-tier experience
Add a Subwoofer Package: +$400-600
- Compact powered subwoofer (Alpine PWE-S8 or similar)
- Under-seat or trunk mounting
- Complete wiring
- Head unit bass management
Vehicles We Commonly Upgrade
Trucks & SUVs
- Toyota Tacoma/Tundra — Double DIN fits perfectly
- Ford F-150 — Multiple dash kit options
- Jeep Wrangler — Weather-resistant options available
- Chevy Silverado — Factory-look kits available
Cars
- Honda Civic/Accord — Easy upgrades, great results
- Toyota Camry — Straightforward installation
- Subaru Outback — Popular swap
- Mazda 3/CX-5 — Compatible with most units
Older Vehicles
- Pre-2010 vehicles especially benefit from modern head units
- We stock adapters for most vehicles back to late 1990s
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose any factory features? With proper installation, no. We use vehicle-specific harnesses that retain steering wheel controls, door chimes, and vehicle info displays.
Wireless CarPlay vs Wired—what's the difference? Wireless means your phone stays in your pocket. Wired requires USB connection but charges your phone. We recommend wireless for convenience, wired for battery management on long trips.
Can you add a backup camera if I don't have one? Absolutely. We install aftermarket backup cameras that display on your new head unit—$100-200 with head unit purchase.
Do Pioneer and Kenwood work with factory amplifiers? Yes, though some require integration modules. We assess your vehicle and price accordingly.
Ready for CarPlay/Android Auto?
Stop fiddling with phone mounts. Get real integration:
📞 Call 408-848-8468 — discuss your head unit upgrade
📍 Visit our Gilroy shop — see demos
📝 Get a free quote — we'll recommend the right unit
Related Content
- Apple CarPlay: CarPlay Retrofit Guide
- Complete Guide: Head Unit Upgrade Guide
- Full Service: Car Audio Services
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