I've been searching and trying to find a definite answer as to whether the factory navigation unit in my 2006 Toyota 4runner Limited is a 5th or 4th gen? It has mp3 capabilities built in and is a 4-disc changer with voice nav, bt, rear camera,etc. I bought it in Aug 2006.

It seems like some consider the 2006 4runner factory nav as 4th gen and some 5th gen.

Also, what E70xx version number is this model consdered?

Thanks so much.

There's no such thing as a 5th gen Navigation, or 4Runner for that matter. It's just an OEM 4th gen navigation.

Is there a model number on the front of your nav unit? My 2008 has E7008 on the front, which is located right below the Tune-File button.

That's so sad I never noticed that before. Thanks for pointing out the obvious to me. Mine is an E7008 as well.

OK, cool. Now, what version of the map DVD do you have? Mine is 7.1.

Mine is 5.1. Looks like I'm a bit behind the times.

Yes, there is for the nav.

There are different physical hardware versions of the OEM navigation system in the 4th gen 4Runner. There are three different versions. I don't know specifically which model year they are offered. (Owners of earlier 4th gens with factory nav will have to chime in and add corrections.)

2003 and maybe some 2004s have the nav system with 10-speakers, cassette deck and CD player on the HU; the DVD-ROM is mounted on the right rear wheel well. The nav system has two pieces, not including the JBL amp. IIRC, this version does not have the backup camera.

2004-05 nav has the 8-speakers, no cassette deck, single slot CD and DVD-ROM as an all in one unit. This model has the backup camera as well.

2006+ nav is also 8-speakers, no cassette deck, 4-disc CD changer and DVD-ROM as an all in one unit as well. It has the backup camera, MP3/WMA playback capabilities and Bluetooth.

This is unofficial and how I would determine/label the navigation generations:
1st: HD based units, found on early Lexus models and maybe the first gen Prius.
2nd: Two piece units, DVD-ROM based but like the 2003-04 4Runners.
3rd: One piece units, DVD-ROM based. 2004-05 4Runners.
4th: One piece units, DVD-ROM based, MP3, Bluetooth. 2006+ 4Runners.
5th: Has traffic capabilities, such as XM Traffic. I don't think there any Toyotas with this, only Lexus models.

But only Toyota/Lexus marketing materials would give any indication of what exact generation the navigation is.

USA Spec determines the generations differently than I have. If Lexus has a 6th gen navigation, then the E7008 may very well be a 5th gen nav.

Don't confuse that with the actual hardware.

There's two aspects to the versions, hardware and software version. Much like a Pentium 4, Core Duo and Core 2 Duo/Quad, etc. vs. Windows XP or Vista.

The map version like the 5.1 refers more to the date of the maps and firmware update. I think some E7008 nav's came with v5.x, v6.x and v7.x. I think '07s have the v6.x disc and '08s like pickerdd's have the v7.x discs. Newer disc, I believe starting with v6.x no longer have the override function. It's been removed from the service screen. There are also ways to determine the types of discs, one is a full disc and another is an upgraded/updated disc (again, like a full version of Windows vs. upgrade discs). I don't remember specifically, but it has something to do with either the number of dots (six vs. nine) or the location of those dots (at the 6 o'clock spot vs. 3 o'clock) on the label. I came across a website with detailed info once, but I lost the bookmark.

In case your wondering, the override function allows you make inputs when the vehicle is moving. To bring up the service screen for the override function, press 'Menu' and go into the volume adjustment screen. Once you're in the screen, press the top left corner (where the speaker icon is), then the bottom left corner (don't worry about the area being blank), top left corner and bottom left corner. Hold the bottom left corner for about two seconds on the last press. It should take you into a screen with two columns of buttons of (IIRC) four rows each. Press and hold the 'Override' buttom until it beeps, then press 'Back' (twice IIRC) and exit out. You can should now be able to input and toggle functions that were previously locked out when you're moving. However, each time you shut off the 4Runner, the steps need to be repeated again to enable the override. I don't use the function very much, only when I have a passenger and we decide to stop by an unplanned/unfamiliar of destination.

Does the updated Navigation DVD contain updates to the firmware as well as the mapping data?

pickerdd,

From what I've read, yes. The firmware gets updated and it prevents you from using an older disc. You can get around it by putting in the older disc and disconnecting power to the navigation. It'll force the navigation to read and load the older firmware.

I can't find the site I got the navigation information from. ClubLexus and Sienna Club also has a lot of good information. It's unfortunate that Lexus doesn't use our navigation anymore, since those guys experiment much more (and a higher number of Lexus vehicles have installed). Only the ES300/330 used a similar navigation system.

Uneek,

Thanks. I knew there was a difference with the older versions of the firmware and the newer version preventing the over-ride. I wanted to verify that the DVD Nav disc also updated firmware improvements from version to version. Thanks for the confirmation.

Here's a mod I found on the Tundra Forum, which I haven't tried yet. I did buy the mod unit the guy sells and it is put together very well: Nav over-ride mod

I have the other link you mentioned and I'll post it as soon as I find it.

Here's the link to the Lexus Navigation Override web site.

It contains information on reverting to an older version of the firmware and using the unit while driving.

Here's a similar site for Toyota owners. Toyota Navigation Override

Here's a link to a Prius Override which looks exactly like the set of instructions to override the 5.1 version of the firmware.

Thanks for all the information. I'm sure this will prove helpful for other members as I wasn't able to find much on the web for this.

I'm going to be getting the new 7.1 version of the DVD and then making a "hybrid" version that still includes the override functionality of 5.1. Evidently this only involves creating a new disc and copying the loading.kwi file from the original 5.1 and overwriting the one on the 7.1 disc.

Here's another site on Lexus and Toyota Navigation issues

Thank you for posting those sites.

I like the fact they provide information, but the way the author builds their case is laughable. The feature was never disclosed by Toyota to get around the disabling of the input while moving. So, even if they removed that feature subsequently, it wasn't meant to for the everyday masses to use it. And I guess the author hasn't been in an Infiniti, not only do you need to be stopped, but in Park as well.