Ok so I just got an ‘03 V8 Limited 4WD with only 100k on the dash and garage kept. For only 7k. so I still live up to my username Thankfully. So I just bought a DMH- 1500NEX for it. Did really want the Sony equivalent with the volume knob but Crutchfield was unfortunately sold out and this was in my price range and includes Apple CarPlay. Got the ReadyHarness service along with the Metra dash kit they recommended and the Crux CS-TJ20 they recommended for steering wheel controls and I have the JBL synthesis system. Anyone have this unit? Tips on installing it and how well does it improve sound? Also I hope it’s compatible with my IPhone 7.

Cant help you there but I just bought the Sony XAVAX3000 unit, similar to the Pioneer you bought. I bought mine at Best Buy, the guy said the units with Apple Play you should not have any issues regardless of iPhone model. I have the X, but was curious about the capabilities, he told me that the unit will display anything I can get on my iPhone, Netflix, Amazon Prime, even my streaming TV service. I also bought the harness and steering wheel control add on options, not sure when I'll get around to installing but am looking forward to having my hands free phone capabilities in the 4R. All this may seem common knowledge to most, but for a guy who hasn't bought an aftermarket head unit since college 20 years ago, I was pretty excited about it lol.

Definitely exciting. Nothings better than starting it up when it’s installed and hearing the night and day difference and how great your speaker system is.

Don’t have the same unit but anything will be a nice upgrade over the old stereo. Seems like you got all the right components from Crutchfield for a clean install. If the unit has a rear USB you’ll want to find a place for that. Most likely spot in down in the center console if you have a blank there. My Sony has 2 rear USB so I added them both.

I recently installed a Pioneer AVH-2550NEX and my iPhone 7 and 7plus both worked with Apple Car-play properly. Just got an iPhone 11 Pro Max and works the same.

I had a Kenwood with a volume knob and really liked it. I wanted to stick with a volume knob but couldn’t commit to a unit just for the knob, As I thought, it’s super slow to turn down the radio while holding or trying to fast finger the volume down button when you need it like right meow. A game changer for me (and just lucked out) was installing the Bluetooth controls for the steering wheel on the right side. One quick push of the bottom right button (Attenuation), also is the voice button which all of those have dual functions. Even if the right side controls only muted or Attenuated the volume I would have been happy. Choose one of the 2 settings on your head unit.

Yes there is a mute button on the radio, kind of..... it’s slow and not worth messing with. I installed my usb cable in the bottom of my center console from the radio and worked slick. I took the audio jack portion out and added this audio/usb for the Car-Play and for perfect!

Here’s a link to what I did to add my USB in my center console, it’s post#34,261 and of course it’s sideways lol. What did you do with your 4runner today?

You can definitely do like the above post as well, you’ll have one charging and one Audi on port. I already had my double charging port on the center outside console and this is how my Subaru was set up and liked it so I just mimicked it.

As far as installing tips, one of the things I noticed with the Pioneer unit is it recessed extremely far and sits past flush. With that said there are a ton of wires to hide behind there which made it hard to get my head unit seated fully, had to fuss with it a lot. I had to tuck my steering wheel controller down between the metal pipe and dash below the head unit. Hope that makes sense, I’ve got a picture somewhere if you need it.

Attached Images

       

Thanks for the heads up! Already ordered one on Amazon and it should all arrive on the same day hopefully.

Look on the Crux box.
There will be a customer service phone number on there.
They will help you with any and all installation questions you have.
That's exactly what that phone number is for, so use it, you paid for it.