PA15-TOY in an '05 Camry XLE

[brn]

Installed a USA Spec PA15-TOY on my '05 Camry XLE the other day. There are plenty of threads on this mod in the forum and they helped me out a ton, but I thought I'd give a little back and post some Camry-specific lessons learned that I didn't find in other posts.

1. Dip Switches: If you've got an XLE with the JBL system (with a SAT button and TEXT function), use the dip switch settings in the manual for the Avalon with SAT button. I found the unit works much better with those settings than the ones given for for the Camry. Note: this probably doesn't hold true for non-JBL systems.
   
2. Head unit removal: Rather than trying to remove the fascia around the head unit separately from the HU itself, just remove the HU screws that are exposed by pulling off the climate controls and take both pieces out at once. Figured this on out by mistake, but it made putting everything back a lot easier.
   
3. Placement of the PA15-TOY unit: For easy access at a later date (in case I want to use the RCA plugs), I opted to mount the USA Spec unit in the glove box and run both cables (to HU and to the iPod) up through the space behind the glove box left open for cabin filter replacement. You can secure the cables with zip ties so they're not in the way. I used some 3M-backed velcro strips for this and haven't had any troubles so far.
   
4. Where to put the cord: I wanted to be able to hide my iPod from sight, so I opted to install the unit in the large lower compartment of the centre console. To do this: .O {color:black; font-size:149%;} a:link {color:#5978AB !important;} a:active {color:#7E0A29 !important;} a:visited {color:#288177 !important;}
   1. I first removed the piece of carpet at the bottom of the console bucket and then took out both bolts.
      
   2. I popped up the console for clearance and used a wood bore drill bit with a large enough diameter to accomodate the ferrite coil (lump on the cord) passing through. I drilled the hole in the front right corner of the console bucket floor.
      
   3. Then I fed the cable through backwards (end that goes into the PA15-TOY first) through the bottom of the console and out under the bottom flap where the centre console meets the carpet on the passenger side.
   4. Finally, I tucked the cable under the same flap and led it back up behind the dash and into the glove box to connect with the unit. Once you put the carpet back in the bottom, the hole is hidden and the cable sits flush to the passenger-side wall of the compartment.
      
5. Keeping you iPod secured: I picked up a universal mount from Pro.Fit (the miGrip) to mount inside the console bucket to keep my ipod from rolling around. I have various sizes of iPods, so I needed a universal, plus the spring-l. I was going to use short self-tapping screws to mount this bad boy to the wall of the console, but it turned out all I needed was some high-end double-sided tape. The thing hasn't budged even in 30°C+ heat. Note: play around with the placement of the mount while you're sitting in the driver's seat to maximize accessibility.
   

The end result: iPod integration without the static and hassle of an FM transmitter. The install looks professional (and I am not a professional) if I do say so myself.

As I say, I relied heavily on other's posts on this forum re: the PA15-TOY before I bought and again for installation. I hope this helps someone else that's considering this mod.

Cheers.