KeithG500 - 6/23/2015 3:38 PM No, nor do I even know what that is. It's a pretty easy installation. You need ACC Power from the Cig Lighter. The Harness is approx. 99% Plug-N-Play. I recently finished the Backup camera, Tapped the reverse wire from the Rear CD Changer Area. I can email you some pics... Keith

NHDave - 6/25/2015 7:53 PM

New head unit worked, with all speakers, as far as I could tell. Yet to program the steering wheel, more to come!

NHDave - 6/26/2015 9:11 PM

A couple questions for you lad's!

Do I need to connect the MUTE wire coming off the head unit?

I found the reverse wire (gray/yellow) in the CD changer compartment, is there something to connect with up front or is this my only option?
Thank you guy's

NHD

Floobydust - 6/24/2015 11:48 AM

For what it's worth, here's what I know, most of which is from my work with other models, but should somewhat apply to the G-wagen, albeit in different years.

The audio systems in 2002 - 2005 G-Wagens use the D2B fiber optical bus (really a ring) which is an audio only communications link (e.g., no data or video). The later trucks are equipped with a MOST based fiber optic link which is much more capable. Because the D2B bus is audio only, the only devices that link to it are the Command head unit, telephone, CD changer, voice control, teleaid, and in some systems, the amplifier. The Command head unit is the "bus master" for the D2B ring and it also functions as the communications gateway between the audio system and the CAN bus on which the instrument display and steering wheel control information travels.

Because of this topology, disconnecting the fiber bus will have no effect on the CAN bus controlled items. However, removing the Command unit will. Most people won't miss the loss of the D2B modules, but one thing in particular that does seem to be an issue is that you will not be able to set the car clock unless you use the SDS system to "remove" the Command in the car firmware as well.

As near as I can tell, on trucks equipped with the E66 Sound System option (e.g., Harman Kardon), the amplifier is connected via the D2B bus. In addition audio power output to drive the speakers, the amplifier provides a DSP function as well (e.g., the center, surround, and sub-woofer signals). I think that non E66 trucks are just analog, a la, the Bose Active Bass systems in earlier MB cars. For trucks with the D2B amplifier connection, it will not be possible to use the OEM amp to an aftermarket head unit.

Hope this is somewhat helpful.

Mr-Z - 9/9/2015 4:14 PM

I have a 2006 G500 and the everything looks exactly the same as the 2002-2005 as far as the head unit is concerned. I know 2007 is when they updated the interior a bit so what I'm asking is are you sure my 2006 has a different setup from the 02-05 as far as the D2B system or would my install be pretty much the same procedure?

Floobydust - 9/9/2015 8:51 PM



I'm not sure. 2006 was a "transition"year for the G500 - in fact, I believe it was the year that was never supposed to happen ad Mercedes thought they were going to discontinue the G-wagen.

In general, if you have a head unit with the little round numerical buttons (0-9,*,#), then you probably have a D2B system and you can probably complete an easy install of an aftermarket head unit. Once the head units switched to square/rectangular buttons, they went with the MOST fiber buss which also forms the link to the amplifier/DSP system.

A reasonably easy test is to remove the head unit (leave it connected) and disconnect the fiber optic connector only. If FM radio still plays through the speakers, then you have an analog audio link and and aftermarket install should be easy. If not, the amp link is via the fiber buss and you will have a lot more work on your hands.