Subaru Navi Transplant Harness

Fits:
2008-up Subaru Impreza / WRX / STI / OBS*
2009-up Forester*
*models without factory Kenwood or Tom-Tom Navigation systems

Allows you to install an OEM Kenwood Navi head unit
in models that originally had non-nav OEM radio

(Click to see larger image)

Application:

Install the Subaru OEM Navi system (model with full-size touchscreen, made by Kenwood) in any Impreza or Forester with the 20-pin radio harness. Not compatible with Subaru models that originally had the OEM Kenwood Navi or OEM Navi with removable Tom-Tom Portable Navigation Device (PND). See notes and links below for additional considerations.

Subaru OEM Kenwood Navi HU (Click to see larger image)

Basic transplant harness configuration

The basic configuration is pictured above, and consists of:

• 20-pin "forward" harness (connects to a 2008-up Impreza's or 2009-up Forester's factory radio harness)
• 14-pin reverse harness (connects to Navi's power/speaker socket)
• 24-pin reverse harness (connects to Navi's A/V nav socket)
• CAN data bus wires connected from 20-pin to 24-pin harness
• SWC wires connected from 20-pin to 24-pin harness (if you'll be installing into a model with phone/Bluetooth buttons, see SWC notes below)
• 24-pin harness has plain wires (unterminated) for A/V aux audio input and subwoofer output (no wires for video input or video output)
• No pins/wires on 24-pin harness for video output or A/V aux video input

Price is $78.00, plus shipping.

Individual harnesses

I can also provide separate, individual harnesses:

• 20-pin forward (with dimmer, 2 SWC, and CAN data bus wires).  Link.
• 14-pin reverse.  Link.
• 24-pin reverse.  Picture.

Price for set of individual harnesses is $58.00, plus shipping.

Additional Options

Optionally add any of the following to the basic or individual harnesses:

8-pin Aux Socket Terminate A/V aux audio input wires with a "forward" 8-pin connector.  Choose this option if you would like to retain your OEM 3.5mm aux jack (in the armrest center console) as the Navi's A/V audio input.  Your car's factory aux harness will plug into this socket.  Fits 2008-2010 Imprezas and 2009-2010 Foresters, possibly some 2011 models (check behind your factory radio).  Price $16.00.

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Aux Audio RCA Jacks Terminate A/V aux audio input wires with left+right RCA jacks (instead of the plain wires or 8-pin socket).  Price $16.00.

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Aux Video RCA Jack Single RCA jack for the A/V aux video input.  You may want this (along with audio RCA jacks) so you can extend all 3 to your center console, to be similar to the OEM configuration in cars with the Kenwood Navi HU (picture).  Price $12.00.  (+)

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Subwoofer RCA Jack Single RCA jack and amp remote wire for the mono line-level subwoofer output (instead of plain wires).  Use to drive an aftermarket subwoofer.  The Navi has on-screen menus to adjust this sub output.  Price $16.00.

(Click to see larger image)

8-pin Aux+Sub Socket Terminate A/V aux audio input wires and subwoofer output wires with a "forward" 8-pin connector.  For some Foresters with the newer, odd-shaped under-seat subwoofer (shown here).  The car's factory aux+sub harness will plug into this, so your OEM 3.5mm aux jack will work as the Navi's A/V audio input and the under-seat sub is driven by the Navi's sub output.  Price $24.00.

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Sub Out Unpinned Leave 3 subwoofer output wires uninstalled, leaving those pins vacant on the 24-pin connector.  You may want this if you think you might like to add the subwoofer RCA jack later.  Price free. (you must specify when placing order).

(Click to see larger image)

Video Output RCA Jack Single RCA jack for the video output.  Use to drive rear seat headrest monitor screens. This output will continue showing DVD or aux video even while HU's screen shows map or rear camera image.  Price $12.00.  (+)

(Click to see larger image)

Rear Camera Harness Rear-view camera harness (RCA jack with 8-pin reverse plug).  Separate wire will include a "fork" terminal to connect to chassis ground.  Camera not included (search the various Subaru forums for reviews and recommendations on compatible cameras).  Price $20.00.  (+)

(Click to see larger image)

Items marked with (+) can be added later.

All harnesses are built to order.  If you want something a little different, let me know what you'd like to do.

Not entirely plug-and-play

While the basic transplant harness takes care of most of the connections between your car and the Navi HU, you will need to connect at least two of the "pigtail" wires on the 24-pin harness.  These signals are not available behind your HU, so you will need to find and tap them elsewhere under the dash:

• Vehicle Speed Signal (VSS) — required for route guidance to work
• Parking Brake — Many functions are blocked unless the brake is engaged (or this is grounded)
• Reverse Gear — Needed for the rear view camera

See my installation instructions for details (link below).

Audio Steering Wheel Controls (SWCs)

The OEM Kenwood Navi HUs in all models (2008-2011) require the older-style steering wheel controls (only 6 audio functions — volume up/down, track up/down, mode, and mute).

If your Impreza or Forester is a 2011 with the phone/Bluetooth buttons (off-hook, on-hook, and talk), your SWCs will not be compatible with the Navi HU.  The easiest solution is to downgrade to the SWC buttons used on 2011 models with the OEM Navi.  This swap is plug-and-play inside your steering wheel, and will work with my standard transplant harness (no special modifications needed).

Alternatively, you could build your own custom device to interface between your 2011's SWCs and the Navi HU.  I'm not aware of any off-the-shelf steering wheel interface modules that will talk to the OEM Navi HU.  If you decide to try this approach, you should ask me to build the 20-pin harness with 3 SWC wires and not connect any of them to the 24-pin harness.

Microphone socket (for Bluetooth handsfree call operation)

Unfortunately, I don't have a connector that fits the Navi's 5-pin Bluetooth microphone socket.

For 2008-2010 Navi HU models, you can order the OEM microphone from a local or online Subaru parts dealer (part number H0018FG300, $125 list, or just under $100 online). You might search for the Kenwood KNA-VC300 microphone, which has the correct 5-pin plug (and is nearly plug-and-play -- you'll need to add a new pin/wire or relocate one of the existing pins).  Or see this post for do-it-yourself instructions.

If your Navi HU came from a 2011 Impreza or Forester and you're installing into an older year car, you will need to retrofit the 2011 OEM mic module (located in the map light cluster), or design a mic and amp circuit equivalent to the OEM module.

Note: The Navi HU does not do Bluetooth audio streaming.

AM / FM Antenna socket

When it hasn't been cut off, the Navi HU has Subaru's proprietary antenna connector (with a square, gray plastic shell and a tiny coax antenna cable).

If your Impreza or Forester has the older-style, round Motorola plug, follow that cable back into your dash.  Most 2008 and later models actually have Subaru's proprietary antenna plug, along with an OEM adapter to convert to the Motorola plug, Approximately 6 to 8 inches back from the Motorola plug, you should fund a junction of square, gray connectors (probably wrapped in a small square sheet of foam rubber).  There is a release button on the side of the car's plug.

Caution: Do not pull the coax antenna cables!  The wires are somewhat fragile, and people have accidentally ripped them out of the crimped ends (or even out of the HU).

If your car does not have Subaru's antenna plug, you'll need a reverse antenna adapter (picture).  I have those for $10.

GPS Antenna

The Navi HU does require a GPS antenna for nav functions.  The OEM GPS antenna is factory installed only on cars that have the OEM Navi HU.  I do not have any for sale.

If you opt to order an OEM antenna, it consists of two parts: The GPS antenna (with mounting bracket and a short "pigtail" cable), and a separate extension cable to reach the rear of the HU.  Check with your Subaru parts vendor for the part numbers.

If you buy an aftermarket GPS antenna, it must have an HRS (Hirose) GT5-1S plug.  GPS antennas for some Kenwood HUs have that.  The electrical contacts will match the Navi's socket, but you will need to shave off a little bit of plastic from the plug.

Map and Software Discs

I don't have any discs.  The latest maps can be purchased from Kenwood, here:

http://store.kenwoodusa.com/catalog.php?cat_id=S19

The same map discs are used by 2008-up Impreza, 2009-up Forester, and 2010-up Legacy/Outback.

A Navi HU that has somehow been completely reset may require that you initially load software from a different DVD.  See this post.  Ask your local dealer — they may have a software disc that they will let you load while you're there.

Additional information and considerations

See my Subaru 24-pin Navi harness pin-out table for more information about the factory wires.

See this post for compatibility issues between old (2008-2010) and 2011 cars and Navi HUs.

Also see my installation instructions.

Click here to see ordering instructions

Not sure what you need?  Please e-mail me before ordering.