US Headunit import

Place for discussions about the RX-8
User avatar
Xarano
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 45
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2021 11:26 am
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Berks
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 2 times

US Headunit import

Post by Xarano »

Hi All,

I'm looking to get an aftermarket Kenwood double din headunit (DDX9907XR) but it's impossible to find one in the UK as far as I can see.
I have an opportunity to have a friend from the US to bring one over, but was wondering if there would be any reason why it wouldn't work in a UK car?

As far as I can tell, the only difference is that US radios use a frequency step of 200MHz instead of 100, but as I don't use radio that doesn't matter to me.

Is there anything else that would stop it working?

Also, if anyone is aware of an alternate headunit that has wireless android auto and a 720P display, please say!

Thanks!
User avatar
warpc0il
Spin Doctor
Spin Doctor
Posts: 32537
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:56 pm
RX-8: 231
Colour: Lightning Yellow
Location: Groomsport, Co Down, NI
Has thanked: 444 times
Been thanked: 2080 times

Re: US Headunit import

Post by warpc0il »

The US cars only had manual a/c as standard.

UK cars all came with automatic climate control, which shares some of the circuitry with the fitted head unit.

That's why the original Metra double-DIN fascias don't work on UK cars.

Unless your car is a JDM import then the US head unit won't work either.

Sent from my Samsung using Tapatalk

Dave
The Spin Doctor ™
uǝǝɹɔs ɹnoʎ ʇɹǝʌuı ǝsɐǝld :ɹoɹɹǝ
User avatar
HarSc
Committee Member
Committee Member
Posts: 5510
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 1:29 am
RX-8: R3
Colour: Crystal White
Location: Doncaster
Has thanked: 566 times
Been thanked: 520 times

Re: US Headunit import

Post by HarSc »

warpc0il wrote:
Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:02 pm
The US cars only had manual a/c as standard.

UK cars all came with automatic climate control, which shares some of the circuitry with the fitted head unit.

That's why the original Metra double-DIN fascias don't work on UK cars.

Unless your car is a JDM import then the US head unit won't work either.

Sent from my Samsung using Tapatalk
An aftermarket US radio should be perfectly fine? As long as the Metra interface is the proper one for the UK spec cars, that being with climate control, the only issues would potentially be the radio as suggested, since that would be a difference between the US and UK :-k

(And possibly any firmware sorta waffles, and it potentially saying "highway" rather than "motorway" ;))
Xarano wrote:
Mon Jul 26, 2021 6:45 pm
Is there anything else that would stop it working?
Although to answer that question, if you're in a Series 1 car, the AC/heating will stop working, and the red display won't show much of use apart from the clock, which after swapping you won't be able to change. The Metra interface is needed for this to work properly

If you're in a Series 2/R3, you'll be fine as the only thing that'll stop is the info part of the red display and the ability to change the clock as before. A good interface for this remedy is the PAC RP4-MZ11, as I have installed in mine and shown in my guide here
These users thanked the author HarSc for the post:
Xarano (Tue Jul 27, 2021 10:35 am)
Some guy from oooop north ;) | Harry | Membership Secretary | Media Team

- My Main RX-8 R3 [MHZ 3800] thread here
- My Project Banana [GL04 MXU] thread here
- My Mazda 2 DE daily thread here
- My engine disassembly shenanigans here
User avatar
Xarano
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 45
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2021 11:26 am
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Berks
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: US Headunit import

Post by Xarano »

If you're in a Series 2/R3
Yes, im in an R3, and yeah ive been following your guide! Thank you for writing it.

Ive ordered the PAC module, along with the wiring harness and connect2 fascia. So im assuming then that all i need is the head unit?

If I do end up importing the kenwood im the OP, ill update your guide thread with my progress.
User avatar
HarSc
Committee Member
Committee Member
Posts: 5510
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 1:29 am
RX-8: R3
Colour: Crystal White
Location: Doncaster
Has thanked: 566 times
Been thanked: 520 times

Re: US Headunit import

Post by HarSc »

Aye, that'll do you well. PAC and the fascia along with your new HU will be perfect :thumleft:
These users thanked the author HarSc for the post:
Xarano (Tue Jul 27, 2021 10:35 am)
Some guy from oooop north ;) | Harry | Membership Secretary | Media Team

- My Main RX-8 R3 [MHZ 3800] thread here
- My Project Banana [GL04 MXU] thread here
- My Mazda 2 DE daily thread here
- My engine disassembly shenanigans here
User avatar
warpc0il
Spin Doctor
Spin Doctor
Posts: 32537
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:56 pm
RX-8: 231
Colour: Lightning Yellow
Location: Groomsport, Co Down, NI
Has thanked: 444 times
Been thanked: 2080 times

Re: US Headunit import

Post by warpc0il »

My apologies, I only saw your post on Tapatalk which doesn't show the poster profile, so didn't know you had an R3, which significantly changes the answer.
These users thanked the author warpc0il for the post:
Xarano (Tue Jul 27, 2021 10:35 am)
Dave
The Spin Doctor ™
uǝǝɹɔs ɹnoʎ ʇɹǝʌuı ǝsɐǝld :ɹoɹɹǝ
User avatar
Xarano
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 45
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2021 11:26 am
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Berks
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: US Headunit import

Post by Xarano »

HarSc wrote:
Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:46 pm
Aye, that'll do you well. PAC and the fascia along with your new HU will be perfect :thumleft:
Awesome! I'll look into getting this headunit shipped via "friend" mail lol.
warpc0il wrote:
Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:46 pm
My apologies, I only saw your post on Tapatalk which doesn't show the poster profile, so didn't know you had an R3, which significantly changes the answer.
No worries! It's good to know the differences between the S1 and S2. Seems like the S2 is just much easier to retrofit newer stuff into.
These users thanked the author Xarano for the post:
HarSc (Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:51 am)