Head Unit Ideas

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Toyot@

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I’ve seen a few of these threads but I’ve yeilded few results for current units that I like. Essentially I’m trying to get rid of the aux cord and have a Bluetooth head unit.

If anyone is running a good STOCK LOOKING head unit or know of one, let me know! I’d love apple CarPlay in it to but I don’t want to pay more than 500 so I’m not sure I’ll get that out of it.

If you could, also include what ya paid and a picture! Thanks in advance!
 
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What does "stock looking" mean to you? Almost every double DIN head unit with a screen fills almost the entire space, and pretty much all looks the same, especially after putting some filler panels in. It's a big rectangular screen with a few buttons.

And $500 is just about right to get a wired carplay-capable receiver + harness. If you go to Crutchfield you can sort by carplay capability and price.
 
Get an android powered HU. They have greatly improved in the last couple of years.

Check out: https://www.seicane.com/android-car...er/car_fit_years/2005/car_make_toyota/4runner

The model that has the "buttons" is as OEM looking as you are going to get. I absolutely HATE not having a volume/tuning knob and a couple/few hard buttons. I plan on getting this unit in the spring to replaced my OEM NAV. The latest software is said to be Android 8.0 (as of Oct 2018) and is completely insane (awesome). These units normally come with radios and interface with your smartphone. If you are an audiophile (I'm not and could care less about high fidelity, as long as it is "better" than stock, I'm cool), then these unit MIGHT not be what you are looking for. Having said that, I read somewhere there is an add-on that improves its performance. Anyway, these units are typically $300 range. Price goes up as you add stuff like TPMS add on (very cool), TV antenna (very cool, but unnecessary), rear camera, etc etc.

Hope this helps!

This is a different model, but the software/interface is the same.
 
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Im gonna second getting a FULL android head unit. Not android Auto or anything like that. Let me explain why.

An android auto/apple carplay head unit can do a limit set of actions (do some research on this, see if you really only want this)

While a full android based head unit can do anything linux (android) can do.

For me, i have my head unit running video games(in emulators), off road maps (app on android), and direct OBD read outs for various sensors including battery voltage and ATF temp.

For me, someone who is ok taking some time to configure an android head unit, i found it worthwhile. But think a bit about what you want out of your head unit and how much time you want to spend tinkering.

For me having 3d topographic and satellite maps offline for offloading was valuable enough to sway me into getting an android head unit.


FYI: the head unit i purchased was 200 dollars. a signifcant portion of the cost for head units above $200 comes from the high end DAC (digital to analog converter) that is included that affects audio quality. In my case, i did a USB audio passthrough to my own 50 dollar DAC that accomplishes what a 700 dollar head unit would of done. But like i said, this all comes down to how much tinkering you wish to do
 
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I've had a Joying Android unit and am now using a Pioneer 2300NEX. I MUCH prefer the Pioneer over the Android. I'm not a super high quality sound guy, but the sound is MUCH better coming out of the 2300NEX. The Android was nice, but it was buggy even with tying it with my Android phone. Maybe because it was one of the earlier ones. The screen was also small whereas the Pioneer is a 7" screen. The big kicker was tho, you couldn't add Sirius/XM easily to the Android radio. Yes, you can use an app however when you are in the middle of nowhere and don't have cell coverage, then what? And while I have a lot of albums that I could BT the radio sometimes it is nice to listen to other music, sports games, etc. on Sirius/XM. I also like the interface of the Pioneer much better and with a dash kit doesn't look that much different than stock. I tied it into my steering wheel so I have all functions as well. It also has Apple Car Play and Android Auto. $329 on Amazon right now so welllll under your budget.
 
I've been looking for head unit suggestions also, but I have heard that there can be difficulties in keeping the functionality of the steering wheel controls. One installer I talked to said he doesn't even hook up the wheel controls anymore because so many of his customers have had trouble with it. Is this accurate?

I really just want something simple with bluetooth that will allow me to use my phone for music/navigation. The FM bluetooth transmitter I'm using now works fine but the sound is lacking, and I want to be able to take full advantage of my JBL system.
 
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Redstar2112 said:
I've been looking for head unit suggestions also, but I have heard that there can be difficulties in keeping the functionality of the steering wheel controls. One installer I talked to said he doesn't even hook up the wheel controls anymore because so many of his customers have had trouble with it. Is this accurate?

I really just want something simple with bluetooth that will allow me to use my phone for music/navigation. The FM bluetooth transmitter I'm using now works fine but the sound is lacking, and I want to be able to take full advantage of my JBL system.
Click to expand...

I had zero issues implementing my steering wheel controls. And, I added the right side ones as well for phone pickup/hangup, etc and no issues there either.
 
Running an Android HU for a year now. Never looked back. Fully functional steering wheel controls without any aftermarket devices to make it work.
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Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
 
AUX Bluetooth Adapter

I went down this road. I was tired of wires and the aux cord to plug in for music. I bought one of these bluetooth adapters and it works great. I'd recommend it if you aren't ready to blow $1,000+ on a HU installation.
 
Since my 4R was a 2004 with high mileage,
I didn't wanna spend a lot of money.
I found this one from Otto Navi on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/OTTONAVI-Toyota-4Runner-Replacement-Navigation/dp/B0087IWY7O

Bluetooth, navigation, USB plug, RCA plugs, connections for backup camera, plus AM/FM, Cd, and DVD.
Best part, is the one I bought for my 4R was "plug and play".
Once I took the dash apart, it was only a matter of switching plugs.

I'll admit it's not THEE BEST head unit out there...
but it was only a little more than $200.

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Mike07SE said:
Running an Android HU for a year now. Never looked back. Fully functional steering wheel controls without any aftermarket devices to make it work.
313ff0bde048a092db05eaaa9c7c90fb.jpg
b0657bee43450ffe62433a7c4209a488.jpg


Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

What model is that? Is it as huge as it looks there? I kind of like that since the only thing it blocks is the vents but those vents would be pointed to the sides anyway.
 
I think head units are a waste of money.

Get something cheap that has bluetooth connectivity and call it a day.

If it were up to me, my head unit wouldn't even be visible. I'd love to replace the entire thing with a hookup to my phone or a tablet like some other users have posted here.

A tablet with a retractable and adjust arm would be the greatest thing ever. I don't think it exists, however. :wtf:
 
I always buy from Crutchfield Outlet, get open boxes or cosmetic units for a good discount. Also have so many days to send back if you want a different unit. Last purchase i went through 3 units until i found what i liked.

When you get a new unit and need it to look "factory" might as well upgrade your cluster and hvac to get rid of the orange lights and upgrade to white and blue led's! Wow, come to think of it, i know a guy who does that!

Hit me up!
 
4RunnerIdiot said:
What model is that? Is it as huge as it looks there? I kind of like that since the only thing it blocks is the vents but those vents would be pointed to the sides anyway.
Click to expand...
It's a Pumpkin 10.1" unit. Quad core before the 8's were out. Works fine for me and it really doesn't block the vents, it's just the perspective of the photos.

Now that I've had it a while I can't see myself going back to a 7" screen.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
 
Wow thanks for all the replies!! I have been looking at the Sony XAV-AX100. It’s pretty cheap at just 330 and I think it would look perfect in the 4runner. Does anyone have any experience with this one?

I checked out most of what everyone else has said and the only thing is that appt were Android only HU’s and I have an iPhone so I want apple CarPlay, nothing android
 
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