Factory Nav/Stereo questions:

[GrantK]

I'm trying to decide what to buy and have some questions about the factory Nav/Stereo system...

1) I've never had any type of Nav system before. When it's guiding you to your destination, can you still listen to the radio/CD/etc? It would seem annoying to be limited to the occasional voice prompt to "Turn left ahead" for an hour.

2) Can the "AUX" input handle old-fashioned, non-intelligent inputs (non-iPod, etc)? I would like to feed the audio from my ham radio to the stereo.

3) The on-line info implies that the backup camera can be through the rear-view mirror without the Nav system or on the Nav screen, if installed. Is this correct and does the rear-view mirror display still work?

4) Is it possible to add a third party video/audio to the system and use the Nav's display and audio system (more ham radio stuff) to view/hear the output from the third party device?

Thanks in advance for the help

 

[SeattleMike]

I'm trying to decide what to buy and have some questions about the factory Nav/Stereo system...

1) I've never had any type of Nav system before. When it's guiding you to your destination, can you still listen to the radio/CD/etc? It would seem annoying to be limited to the occasional voice prompt to "Turn left ahead" for an hour.

2) Can the "AUX" input handle old-fashioned, non-intelligent inputs (non-iPod, etc)? I would like to feed the audio from my ham radio to the stereo.

3) The on-line info implies that the backup camera can be through the rear-view mirror without the Nav system or on the Nav screen, if installed. Is this correct and does the rear-view mirror display still work?

4) Is it possible to add a third party video/audio to the system and use the Nav's display and audio system (more ham radio stuff) to view/hear the output from the third party device?

Thanks in advance for the help

1)The driver's side speakers cut out so you can hear the voice guidance, then resumes the music.

2) No clue, never used it.

3) If you have Nav, the camera displays there. If you don't, it will be in the rear view mirror.

4) Not to my knowledge, but again, I'v never used anything but the bluetooth, the USB, and the normal Nav systems.

 

[baller315gam]

2) Yes, AUX can handle any audio input as long as it is the classic headphone jack... which leads to...

4) No you can't use the Nav system to control ANYTHING plugged into the AUX, once plugged into the AUX, you must use the HAM radio to control the output, it will however play through the 4Runner's audio. Controlling the device through the Nav system can only be done by plugging an iPod into the USB as it has an iPod interface.

 

[Ft Myers Ken]

It's totally up to you. When using your navigation system, you don't have to listen to "her voice" if you don't want to, as you can turn the audible command's volume up/down/off as you desire. And, if you choose to listen to her, you also can still choose whether or not you want your music muted, and how much. For me, I want my music to just play while I'm driving so I don't ever have her voice on....but I keep the map up giving visual turn-by-turn direction.

 

[GrantK]

Thanks for the feedback. However, there are still some questions.

As I mentioned, I would like to be able to hook my ham radio to the factory Nav/Stereo. If I can’t, then I would need to replace the factory system with an after-market Nav/Stereo.

The ham radio has both audio and composite video output. So here’s an image of what I want to be able to do, one way or another…

If the AUX input has video as well as audio (does it?), I’m good. If not, I would need to find a way to use the backup camera video input which raises other questions
1) How is the backup camera turned on/off. I’m guessing it automagically turns on when the vehicle is in reverse.
2) Does the AUX audio still work when the backup camera is in use?
3) I’m guessing that I could force the backup camera back to the rear-view mirror “somehow”. Anyone know if it’s just a cabling issue or something trickier?

I assume I’ll have to build a small control circuit to trick the Nav system to display the ham radio’s video while driving down the road. The most likely will be a switch to send a fake reverse signal to it while it plays audio via AUX (assuming AUX audio plays while the backup camera is displayed).

[EDIT]
Just thought of something else...
Just below the Nav and what appears to be climate controls (going by Toyota website pics) is a panel about the size of the Nav display. What is behind this? I would like to make it a compartment to hold the ham radio front panel and other controls.

[/EDIT]

 

[Johnny Utah]

i'm pretty sure the aux input will just do audio. All it is, is a little headphone jack, i think they call it a mini jack. There is no input for video, It def. sounds like you want to do more than what the 4runner comes with. I'd advise you to NOT get the in dash nav system and instead get an aftermarket system. Of course having it fit correctly, and look good is another question. It also might help to take a trip to the dealer to see for yourself.

edit: i don't know what is behind that, for me it just has a little space for a wallet or something, the aux input, and then the cigarette lighter thing, if you pulled it out there might be space to install something, but there might not be.

 

[baller315gam]

AUX will only handle audio, you will need an aftermarket Nav system for the video input.

1) backup camera is automatic with reverse (which can be used still with an aftermarket system)
2) yes, AUX audio still works when backup camera is in use
3) i'm not sure, i would expect you would have to replace the rearview mirror with that of a non-Nav so you would be able to wire the backup camera up there

Behind that compartment is the AUX input as well as storage that i'm sure you could custom fab a spot to hold your HAM radio

 

[Ryan_S]

You might be best suited to get an aftermarket nav/video system that has additional video inputs for the ham radio display.

FWIW I think the factory nav is kinda meh anyway, save your pennies and get a nice aftermarket deck. Look at the "Aftermarket Stereo" thread for some pics of how those look.

 

[GrantK]

Thanks everyone!!!

I guess I better plan to go with minimal factory stereo and replace it with an AVIC. I'm glad there is already a write-up on it to help guide me along.