FORD Mustang Shelby GT- Radio Replacement

4 Aug

Written By Michael Benda

Original Setup:

Factory Radio
Shaker Premium Sound System

New Setup:

Kenwood 8 inch Wireless CarPlay Radio (Fits like OEM)

Parts Used:

Kenwood DAX8000XDS
Idatalink maestro S8 F01 Integration Kit
Idatalink Maestro RR Module
Maestro Ken2 Patch Harness

Upgrade Details:

The customer wasn’t happy with the slow performance and clunky interface of the factory radio, and they wanted wireless Apple CarPlay—without dramatically changing the look of the dash.

To solve this, we upgraded the system with a Kenwood 8-inch head unit, specifically designed to fit seamlessly into the factory dash, keeping the OEM look while delivering a modern, responsive user experience and enhanced functionality.

The upgrade retains all the factory buttons, including those below the screen, and they can be remapped to control a wide range of features. We added custom functions such as:

Long press to return to the Home Screen
Quick access to climate controls
Display of vehicle info like tyre pressure
Activation of a front camera

With the larger 8-inch display and the latest Apple CarPlay interface, you now get three rows of apps instead of two, meaning less scrolling and easier access while driving.

Thanks to the Maestro integration module, the system also provides real-time vehicle gauges like RPM, oil pressure, intake temp, and more—perfect for those who want extra data on the road or even on the track.