4th Gen JBL Bluetooth

[nicheel8]

I have a 2004 4Runner Limited with the factory JBL radio and I want to add bluetooth for my iPhone 6.

Does anyone have experience with the following add on kits or do you have any other recommendations?

GTA Car Kits - Bluetooth and iPhone/iPod/AUX Kits for Toyota 4Runner 2003-2009 | GTA Car Kits

USA Spec - USA Spec Toyota Bluetooth® Interface Talk hands-free and stream music in select 1997-up Honda, Isuzu, and Toyota vehicles (Model BT35-TOY) at Crutchfield.com

Grom Audio - Toyota Scion Lexus 98-11 Bluetooth Hands Free Car Adapter Kit

 

[scoester]

I just installed the Grom and am very happy with it. Everything works, music sounds good. Can't complain.

Search for USA Spec BT option on the Forum. Lots of people hate the music side of it.

 

[nicheel8]

I just installed the Grom and am very happy with it. Everything works, music sounds good. Can't complain.

Search for USA Spec BT option on the Forum. Lots of people hate the music side of it.

Did you buy the GROM-BT3 or the TOYU3 (USB Model)?

 

[scoester]

I did the BT3 as I didn't personally see the need for the USB.

 

[nicheel8]

I did the BT3 as I didn't personally see the need for the USB.

Thanks scoester! I installed the unit yesterday both phone and music quality is very good.

Only downside is no text display.

Overall, I am very happy with the device.

 

[Krayziekid]

Thanks scooter! I installed the unit yesterday both phone and music quality is very good.

Only downside is no text display.

Overall, I am very happy with the device.

A couple of questions for ya. I am thinking about doing this upgrade. How hard was the install/how long did it take? Can you control the music from the steering wheel controls, as in next track with the arrows and such? How do you access the Bluetooth music playback (Press CD button twice)?

Sorry about all the questions but I want to do this upgrade and I want to make sure I know what I am getting myself in to! Thanks!

 

[scoester]

Not hard there are guides to taking to the stereo out on here. Just methodical. Yes I can change songs etc from steering wheel as well as answer the phone.

Press CD once it comes up the GROM. Mine shows the name of the incoming caller on the stereo. Nice feature.

 

[RomanKoch]

A couple more questions on the Grom for anyone that can answer (thanks!):

I have an '04 Limited with the Rear Audio. The GTA install video talks about how the external CD plug on the back of my JBL is occupied by the Rear Audio, so they include a "Y-Connector" so you can also use their device.

I asked Grom if they have something similar, and they were unfamiliar with the Rear Audio thing, so that made my confidence level drop a point or two when they said "the y-connector is included".

I am considering the USB Option with the Bluetooth so I can get the text to show, but does that mean I won't get caller ID to show on the stereo? I know it shows with the BT-3, but that one doesn't display the text.

I just picked up this rig, and the JBL that came with it is awesome...I just hate radio and don't really have CD's anymore. Looking forward to running Bluetooth for Pandora and calls.

Thanks for the help!
-Roman

 

[snowboardwcu]

i would love to go this route as its so much cheaper than other options, but i read so much about how these devices' sound quality is atrocious. some of you guys here are saying its fine. can anyone specifically confirm sound quality is of bluetooth quality? no hissing, not under volumed, etc? thanks.

 

[RomanKoch]

i would love to go this route as its so much cheaper than other options, but i read so much about how these devices' sound quality is atrocious. some of you guys here are saying its fine. can anyone specifically confirm sound quality is of bluetooth quality? no hissing, not under volumed, etc? thanks.

Quick update: I opted for the Grom kit as they were offering $20 off. I think the GTA and Grom kits are pretty close on performance.

Installation took less than an hour and probably could have been less than thirty minutes except I was cleaning 11 years of coffee and gunk from the previous owner as I went.

Performance is excellent. Sound quality is 100% with zero static or any issues. I listen to Pandora mostly, and my favorite feature is that the Bluetooth kit pauses the stream automatically when I shut off the car, and picks up again when I start it back up.

I placed the included microphone at the top of the plastic piece on the A-Pillar. People report being able to hear me just fine even at freeway speeds.

Overall, very happy with the kit. The JBL system that came in the rig was too good to replace, so this was a great way to listen to "my music" without having to burn a bunch of cd's. It finally feels like "my car".

-Roman

 

[snowboardwcu]

Quick update.......

you da real MVP. thanks for the update.

did you go with just the TOYB3 or does the setup need both TOYU3&TOYB3 to work?

 

[kevinpt]

the way i added bluetooth music in mine was just hooking a bluetooth receiver to the audio jack in the consol and power it off the power outlet in the console. total cost for things i didnt have was $10

 

[snowboardwcu]

the way i added bluetooth music in mine was just hooking a bluetooth receiver to the audio jack in the consol and power it off the power outlet in the console. total cost for things i didnt have was $10

my 05 does not have the audio in jack in the console. but i like your move here.

 

[RomanKoch]

you da real MVP. thanks for the update.

did you go with just the TOYB3 or does the setup need both TOYU3&TOYB3 to work?

[MENTION=124672]snowboardwcu[/MENTION] - Just the TOYB3. It had everything I needed. You should only need one or the other (TOYU3 OR TOYB3) depending on your needs, not both.

Good luck!
-Roman

 

[snowboardwcu]

[MENTION=124672]snowboardwcu[/MENTION] - Just the TOYB3. It had everything I needed. You should only need one or the other (TOYU3 OR TOYB3) depending on your needs, not both.

Good luck!
-Roman

thanks, i figured as much. over the months i recall reading somewhere you needed both, but i dont recall knowing about the toyb3, maybe it wasn't available at the time, or i'm confused between the yoda and the honda.

either way thanks for the help.izza:

 

[jonb2]

I just ordered the Grom unit for bluetooth as well (along with HD radio dongle to try that out).

So the best place to install the bluetooth microphone is top of A pillar driver side ?? Would like to make it as hidden as possible.

thanks!

 

[snowboardwcu]

Quick update: I opted for the Grom kit as they were offering $20 off. I think the GTA and Grom kits are pretty close on performance.

Installation took less than an hour and probably could have been less than thirty minutes except I was cleaning 11 years of coffee and gunk from the previous owner as I went.

Performance is excellent. Sound quality is 100% with zero static or any issues. I listen to Pandora mostly, and my favorite feature is that the Bluetooth kit pauses the stream automatically when I shut off the car, and picks up again when I start it back up.

I placed the included microphone at the top of the plastic piece on the A-Pillar. People report being able to hear me just fine even at freeway speeds.

Overall, very happy with the kit. The JBL system that came in the rig was too good to replace, so this was a great way to listen to "my music" without having to burn a bunch of cd's. It finally feels like "my car".

-Roman

forgot to come back and post about this.

i ended up purchasing a GROM for my 03 Accord (stock Bose system) as a test bed for the 4runner. needless to say i returned the GROM almost immediately. Compared to CD quality there was no contest, the GROM sucked. Even compared to radio, the radio sounded way better. lots of tinny high-pitched nonsense at louder volumes. at low volumes it was indistinguishable however. but who wants that lol.

unfortunately i'm now looking into replacing the whole JBL system.

 

[KruzSR5]

Digging up an old thread. That last post is not encouraging.

 

[Jupp]

GTA Car Kit (Pure Bluetooth) Installation on the 05 4Runner

GTA Car Kit (Pure Bluetooth) Installation on the 05 4Runner
– September ‘17 … should have done it sooner ……

FYI – am sure many have done this before… just thought I post this with pic’s…

Giving something back to the community forum …. I use it frequently ….

I am however, very impressed with the system capability…. I have my iTouch and iPhone connected via Bluetooth … meaning both are ON… listening music via iTouch and if someone should call my phone it switches over and when the call is over it goes back to music …. Originally, I thought one at a time … meaning iPhone via Bluetooth and iTouch via Aux was the only path ….. I am very much impressed on how its working.

 

[momo.75]

GTA Car Kit (Pure Bluetooth) Installation on the 05 4Runner
– September ‘17 … should have done it sooner ……

FYI – am sure many have done this before… just thought I post this with pic’s…

Giving something back to the community forum …. I use it frequently ….

I am however, very impressed with the system capability…. I have my iTouch and iPhone connected via Bluetooth … meaning both are ON… listening music via iTouch and if someone should call my phone it switches over and when the call is over it goes back to music …. Originally, I thought one at a time … meaning iPhone via Bluetooth and iTouch via Aux was the only path ….. I am very much impressed on how its working.

I was just looking at this GTA Car Kit. Looking forward to getting it! Thanks for the review!