CarPlay solution installed on 2015 OEM head unit at reasonable cost

[AlumniCU]

Installed a wireless/wired CarPlay unit on my OEM head unit - love it, and about $200 on Amazon or from CTH. It’s only at the native resolution of the screen, and while CarPlay is up, all audio needs to be through CarPlay (like SiriusXM, radio apps), but otherwise perfect. Sounds great and calls are perfect. Waited a long time for this at a reasonable cost!

A few pics below in comments:

 

[AlumniCU]

CarPlay on 2015 w/ Entune 2.0 at reasonable cost

Images

 

[AlumniCU]

CarPlay on 2015 w/ Entune 2.0 at reasonable cost

Images

 

[BlackPhillip]

Very nice. Can you link the product youre illustrating here? Want to look into this myself.

 

[Whaack]

Images

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[AlumniCU]

Very nice. Can you link the product youre illustrating here? Want to look into this myself.

CARabc Wireless Carplay Android... Amazon.com


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[osugsxr]

Images

post a review of it after some use of it, I would probably have tried this if I didnt retrofitted a 2022 head unit . I find myself using carplay about 95% of the time with pandora or iheart and waze up.

 

[blackopspinster]

I looked into doing this a while back but ran into the limitation that this doesn't work on Pioneer branded OEM 4Runner head units. The only way I was able to tell was to remove the head unit and check the radio box for the brand. It doesn't look like they have fixed the incompatibility with Pioneer so make sure your head unit is one of the supported ones if you go this route.

 

[Rocko9999]

Stinks the resolution is so poor. Looks like a decent solution. Better than the extra screen mounted on the dash like this-https://www.amazon.com/Westods-Wireless-Navigation-Adjustable-Detachable/dp/B0BW8S2QJK

 

[86 Runner]

Saw this image posted on the CTH FB page....no idea if this is Android or iPhone. Can you confirm the EQ settings are available on a iPhone setup? Is this in the hardware Settings menu or part of CarPlay?

I'm not the OP but I just installed this same unit in my 2018 SR5 last weekend. I can confirm the EQ settings are for the unit itself and not part of CarPlay.

Having said that, I am on the fence whether I'll keep this due to how poor the audio quality is - regardless of how you adjust the EQ settings. I'm one of those T4R owners that wants CarPlay but didn't want to spend a ton of $$ on an aftermarket head unit. I did try a Dasaita head unit a while ago, but the phone mic quality was so bad I pulled it out same day. I hoped this would be a good solution since you retain the OEM phone mic, I didn't mind the poor screen quality since I knew that was just the stock screen limitation, and the price was awesome. Unfortunately the terrible audio quality is probably a deal breaker.

At this point I might just bite the bullet and go with one of the head unit packages offered by Trail Grid Pro. Anyone have experience with any of those options? Specifically considering one of the Sony setups.

 

[osugsxr]

I'm not the OP but I just installed this same unit in my 2018 SR5 last weekend. I can confirm the EQ settings are for the unit itself and not part of CarPlay.

Having said that, I am on the fence whether I'll keep this due to how poor the audio quality is - regardless of how you adjust the EQ settings. I'm one of those T4R owners that wants CarPlay but didn't want to spend a ton of $$ on an aftermarket head unit. I did try a Dasaita head unit a while ago, but the phone mic quality was so bad I pulled it out same day. I hoped this would be a good solution since you retain the OEM phone mic, I didn't mind the poor screen quality since I knew that was just the stock screen limitation, and the price was awesome. Unfortunately the terrible audio quality is probably a deal breaker.

At this point I might just bite the bullet and go with one of the head unit packages offered by Trail Grid Pro. Anyone have experience with any of those options? Specifically considering one of the Sony setups.

I bought a TGP sony 8100 and enjoyed it, the extra power to the aftermarket speakers made a good difference. The apple car play was solid and stereo UI was simple to use. Wife didnt care for the floating display and it stuck out tad further than I liked. It can be mounted ALMOST flush by changing the mounting holes. There are a few forums about it. Cliff from TGP is great to work with and very helpful! Install take maybe 5-10 minutes after you've done it a few times.

 

[86 Runner]

I bought a TGP sony 8100 and enjoyed it, the extra power to the aftermarket speakers made a good difference. The apple car play was solid and stereo UI was simple to use. Wife didnt care for the floating display and it stuck out tad further than I liked. It can be mounted ALMOST flush by changing the mounting holes. There are a few forums about it. Cliff from TGP is great to work with and very helpful! Install take maybe 5-10 minutes after you've done it a few times.

Thanks for the insight - I keep hearing good things about TGP, so that's reassuring. I'm also not sure if I'd like a floating display, but the in-dash mount options look odd without side buttons like the OEM head unit has.

Your sig says you have an '22 OEM head unit - I didn't think that was an option. How did you make that work?

 

[osugsxr]

Thanks for the insight - I keep hearing good things about TGP, so that's reassuring. I'm also not sure if I'd like a floating display, but the in-dash mount options look odd without side buttons like the OEM head unit has.

Your sig says you have an '22 OEM head unit - I didn't think that was an option. How did you make that work?

yes its possible to add the oem car play head unit, Vehicle Wiring and Compatibility - Car Electrical. has a plug and play wiring kit for it. Everything works expect skipping tracks, TGP sony 8100 was pretty much the same where the steering controls worked but not in apple car play. I searched on ebay , FB market, car-parts , and craigslist. Majority of places wanted $600-900 but I lucked into one at a 1/3 of the price. Condition will be hit miss on them with majority on the market from salvaged cars.

pros
larger screen looks good and resolution is better
OEM look !
car play is solid
Oem navigation ....not used but its there, I prefer waze or google maps

cons
OEM power to speakers (I plan on installing an amp to add more power)
cost pending what you can find, I sold the 2017 HU which covered the cost of the new one besides the wiring harness.
Condition is probably 7/10 minor scratches on the bezel....you can always paint or add a cover on it.

 

[86 Runner]

Dang...hate to hear that. Thought this could be a good option.

I have tried a CTH T9 and T10....mic issues with both and returned both. Just did a TGP Sony AX600 bundle....loved it. Install was simple, sound was good with my Focal speakers and gave me an upgrade path for a future amp/sub. My problem was that my iPhone would randomly disconnect...as in crazy annoying and like all the time. TGP could not offer a solution so it went back and the Sony unit only allows wireless connectivity....so no option to go wired if needed.

Also have purchased two 2021 units and both shipped to me beat to tar...that sucks also because my trim is the dark, non-JBL trim color and most salvage stuff is silver....so that is an endless search for a OEM unit.

So really the only option is to just make do or go for another aftermarket unit. Notice TGP just started selling Alpine units also....I was thinking Kenwood and am sure I can piece together the Maestro/Metra kit pieces from Crutchfield.

I heard that about the T9/T10 units - the Dasaita was the same. I watched their video on the Alpine units - very tempting! It has wired and wireless CarPlay, as well as an HDMI input. But that price tag :faint: lol

yes its possible to add the oem car play head unit, Vehicle Wiring and Compatibility - Car Electrical. has a plug and play wiring kit for it. Everything works expect skipping tracks, TGP sony 8100 was pretty much the same where the steering controls worked but not in apple car play. I searched on ebay , FB market, car-parts , and craigslist. Majority of places wanted $600-900 but I lucked into one at a 1/3 of the price. Condition will be hit miss on them with majority on the market from salvaged cars.

Nice job scoring one for a good deal! But yeah it's a bummer you have to find one out of a salvaged car and Toyota doesn't offer them retail...lame.

 

[AlumniCU]

I'm not the OP but I just installed this same unit in my 2018 SR5 last weekend. I can confirm the EQ settings are for the unit itself and not part of CarPlay.

Having said that, I am on the fence whether I'll keep this due to how poor the audio quality is - regardless of how you adjust the EQ settings. I'm one of those T4R owners that wants CarPlay but didn't want to spend a ton of $$ on an aftermarket head unit. I did try a Dasaita head unit a while ago, but the phone mic quality was so bad I pulled it out same day. I hoped this would be a good solution since you retain the OEM phone mic, I didn't mind the poor screen quality since I knew that was just the stock screen limitation, and the price was awesome. Unfortunately the terrible audio quality is probably a deal breaker.

At this point I might just bite the bullet and go with one of the head unit packages offered by Trail Grid Pro. Anyone have experience with any of those options? Specifically considering one of the Sony setups.

OP here. 86 Runner is correct about the screen. I have mine on default, and find the sound is fine, don’t hear any degradation from the OEM radio or Bluetooth. I enjoy the unit, and installed a second on a 2016 Highlander.


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