iPod, GPS, Bluetooth Ideas for 05

[Bemawr]

Sorry for the long post everyone. I have tried searching the forums for these answers but most of the posts are from 2007-2009 so I figured there might be some better solutions at this point.

I’ve recently gotten a sales job that means I will be spending much more time in my 2005 4Runner SR5. I have a few things I would like to do to it and was hoping for the best ideas from some experienced people. Below is the order of importance.

1) IPod Integration with stock 1-disc changer.
2) “Hardwired” Tom-Tom Unit
3) “Hardwired” Radar Detector
4) Some kind of Bluetooth solution
5) Remote Start

The reason I put “hardwire” in “” is that I want the power source to be hardwired so I am not using my lone cigarette lighter port but I want to be able to easily remove these devices when parked. I don’t mind if the power cord is sitting out just not the unit itself.

Now I know that I could just get an entire new head unit to solve issues 1, 2 and 4 but I really like that I can take a tom-tom unit and plug it into my computer to load directions and such so I am not sure I want to go that route.

IPod Integration, It seems like the iPod thing from crutchfield is the best bet for the iPod. USA Spec iPod® Interface Connects your iPod to select Toyota factory radios - Hands-on Research at Crutchfield.com
I’ve seen that mounted and the iPod placed in that small pop out holder under the A/C and Heat controls. Anybody have any other recommendations? The unit it self costs $150, what time of installation costs am I looking at if I did this by itself.

Hardwired GPS. How much would it cost to have a power cord run from somewhere behind my head unit up to the top of my dashboard? I wouldn’t mind taking the GPS unit and windshield mount on and off.

Hardwired radar Detector. I currently have a Escort Passport 9500. I have seen many people have hardwired this to their review mirror I may do that depending on how much room the GPS unit takes up. But as of right now I just have it velcored to my dashboard. How much would it cost to have this hardwire installed? The wire itself costs about $30 from the Escort website. Can my car support 3 hardwired power sources at all?

Bluetooth solution, I love my friend’s cars with integrated Bluetooth features. This isn’t a super high priority for me but what are some good options and costs of instillations?

Remote Start, it seems like I am going to spend about $250 - $300 total on this which I am fine with but it will most likely be the last thing I do. Any tips on which brand to get.


Again thanks to anyone who is able to help. I know this was a super long post but I am just trying to figure out what I am going to spend on instillations of these features and such.

 

[RevoRunner]

Since you're not interested in getting a new H/U then I would suggest getting those "add a fuse" connectors for your fuse box underneath your steering column. It allows you to share a fuse junction point between 2 devices (and uses a separate fuse for each). I ran my radar detector from my visor (connected with a clip) down the windshield column to the fuse box.

I used to have a USA-Spec device and it worked well. I tucked that unit away underneath the panel that houses your shifter and 4 accessory. Then ran the power over to the fuse box.

I never hardwired my GPS, but I suppose you could find a way to drop the power cord below the dash and to the same fuse box.

Bluetooth... again I would suggest using a visor unit and preferrably one that is solar (not sure how well those work but at least you wouldn't have to bother with power)

I don't know a lot about Remote starters.

Hope that helps.

 

[BigEd]

I use some VAIS and DICE stuff to integrate Sirius and iPod into an 05 Limited NAV, you might want to check that out for other integration options. I put the ipod in the small hidden compartment in the glove box, and the VAIS and DICE in the kickpanel. Had an installer do it, forget how much $.

I hardwired the detector myself using the Escort harness and using a tap-a-fuse for power. Actually had to lengthen the harness using phone wire to get the length I wanted to move the small control control end to the space before the shifter in the center console.

Think that's about all I can help you out with...

 

[platinumb]

Sorry for the long post everyone. I have tried searching the forums for these answers but most of the posts are from 2007-2009 so I figured there might be some better solutions at this point.

I’ve recently gotten a sales job that means I will be spending much more time in my 2005 4Runner SR5. I have a few things I would like to do to it and was hoping for the best ideas from some experienced people. Below is the order of importance.

1) IPod Integration with stock 1-disc changer.
2) “Hardwired” Tom-Tom Unit
3) “Hardwired” Radar Detector
4) Some kind of Bluetooth solution
5) Remote Start

The reason I put “hardwire” in “” is that I want the power source to be hardwired so I am not using my lone cigarette lighter port but I want to be able to easily remove these devices when parked. I don’t mind if the power cord is sitting out just not the unit itself.

Now I know that I could just get an entire new head unit to solve issues 1, 2 and 4 but I really like that I can take a tom-tom unit and plug it into my computer to load directions and such so I am not sure I want to go that route.

IPod Integration, It seems like the iPod thing from crutchfield is the best bet for the iPod. USA Spec iPod® Interface Connects your iPod to select Toyota factory radios - Hands-on Research at Crutchfield.com
I’ve seen that mounted and the iPod placed in that small pop out holder under the A/C and Heat controls. Anybody have any other recommendations? The unit it self costs $150, what time of installation costs am I looking at if I did this by itself.

Hardwired GPS. How much would it cost to have a power cord run from somewhere behind my head unit up to the top of my dashboard? I wouldn’t mind taking the GPS unit and windshield mount on and off.

Hardwired radar Detector. I currently have a Escort Passport 9500. I have seen many people have hardwired this to their review mirror I may do that depending on how much room the GPS unit takes up. But as of right now I just have it velcored to my dashboard. How much would it cost to have this hardwire installed? The wire itself costs about $30 from the Escort website. Can my car support 3 hardwired power sources at all?

Bluetooth solution, I love my friend’s cars with integrated Bluetooth features. This isn’t a super high priority for me but what are some good options and costs of instillations?

Remote Start, it seems like I am going to spend about $250 - $300 total on this which I am fine with but it will most likely be the last thing I do. Any tips on which brand to get.


Again thanks to anyone who is able to help. I know this was a super long post but I am just trying to figure out what I am going to spend on instillations of these features and such.

a good aftermarket system is even easier than the tom tom to update, rather than taking the whole device to the computer to plug it in you just load everything onto an sd card and put that into the nav unit to download. i have managed a car audio store for the last 15 years i can tel you first hand you wont get nearly as much for your money hooking all that up to your factory radio as if you were to replace it with a double din aftermarket navi. in the end probably less money and in that car a very easy install to do yourself. what kind of budget are you working with?

 

[platinumb]

also as for remote start look at any brand made by dei (clifford, avital, viper, python, etc...) they are hands down the biggest and best on the market and not too much more than all of the other products that really arent worth spending your money on. the biggest reason is the lifetime waranty. and they are by far the most widley sold brand so if you ever have an issue you can go just about anywhere in the world to have it fixed.

 

[Bemawr]

An SD card, i never even thought of something like that. Yes that would be perfect. What times of GPS systems can run what I am hoping for?

My budget is pretty flexiable in the $900-$1,200 range depending on how the unit can preform.