Alternate Headunit location?

[ZoomSpeed]

Hey everyone, I'm looking at getting a new head unit with built in navigation for my 2001 4Runner, but I realized that the location of the head unit is to low. If i had to look at the head unit for navigation purposes then I would have to completely take my eyes of the road, and I look at the map a lot.

I was wondering, has anyone installed a 2 DIN head unit in any alternate locations?

I was thinking of getting an audio shop to make some kind of enclosure so that it can be installed on the dash, then just have it wrapped to match the color of the dash. Has anyone ever seen anything like this?

Any other locations?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[A/V1]

This may not help you as I haven't installed in your model 4Runner, but one thing I've done in the past included removing the faceplate completely, and finding an alternate location for the rest of the unit under the seat, glove box, trunk (for a car), etc. There's going to be a ribbon cable between the two that can either be cut and have extension wires attached to it, or solder directly to the boards. When I was younger, I had the patience to do this. I don't know about now.

 

[tarheeltp17]

I have a Kenwood unit installed in my 2000 model, and I don't really have any complaints. A few 2din models let you angle the screen towards you which helps. You also won't watch your navigation as much as you may think. For the most part you'll enter your route and just listen to the voice guidance. I'll take some pictures of mine as soon as I get a chance to clean it up inside!

I did see an install where the AC controls were moved to the bottom and the radio moved to the top... however I think this may be quite a bit more work than you want to get into. You're talking about some pretty permanent work and is going to be pretty labor intensive.