Just bought a 5th Gen, couple questions?

[PolkManiac]

The one we bought has a wierd mix of features, like no steering wheel controls but has a sunroof. I have a couple questions though:

1 - No controls on the steering wheel, I'm assuming that I won't be able to add these, even by adding a new steering wheel later on if I want?
2 - Is there going to be any way to hook up an iPhone for audio? I'm assuming I don't have the premium audio since I have no controls on the steering wheel, so not sure what I have for options.
3 - I don't recall seeing the time or temperature anywhere, I'm assuming that's just not a feature on this model?

Any input is appreciated.

 

[eskimochaos]

The one we bought has a wierd mix of features, like no steering wheel controls but has a sunroof. I have a couple questions though:

1 - No controls on the steering wheel, I'm assuming that I won't be able to add these, even by adding a new steering wheel later on if I want?
2 - Is there going to be any way to hook up an iPhone for audio? I'm assuming I don't have the premium audio since I have no controls on the steering wheel, so not sure what I have for options.
3 - I don't recall seeing the time or temperature anywhere, I'm assuming that's just not a feature on this model?

Any input is appreciated.

"Piss poor planning leads to piss poor performance"

Shoulda planned for this and coughed up the extra $$ when purchasing....

 

[adio3x]

1. I have no idea if you can swap out steering wheels down the road. Probably will be quite expensive.

2.Look in your glove box, I know its an option for the SR5, comes standard on the trail, and is unavailable for the 4cylinder, but theirs a USB slot in the glovebox. Just get a griffin ipod to USB chord and than press AUX on the headunit. Or you can get aux chords and run them from the headphone jack on your ipod.

3.Time and temperature is in the small bar going across the middle of the dash. Above your stereo controls. Comes standard on all models.

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

What trim level did you get? At Toyota.com, even the 2.7L 4Cylinder, comes with a multi function display in the dash above the stereo that shows time, outdoor temp, and etc. You probably do not have bluetooth, so you will not be able to stream music wireless but you should have an auxiliary input jack so you can always hook up your iphone with a cord.

 

[PolkManiac]

"Piss poor planning leads to piss poor performance"

Shoulda planned for this and coughed up the extra $$ when purchasing....

Ok, so when I said any input is helpful I obviously didn't have taht in mind. You don't know the full situation, what was available, and how much of a steal I got this one for, so (no offense) but that really is an ignorant comment, in the most literal sense of the word.

 

[shilly]

Look under the little drawer at the bottom of the center of your dash (in front of your gearshift) - you should have an AUX jack that you can plug your iPhone into. If you did not get the bluetooth/iPod/steering wheel controls - you probably will not be able to add them. Check in the back of your glove box to make sure you do not have the USB/iPod plug - that is where it would be.

Hope it helps,
Steve

 

[SeattleMike]

The one we bought has a wierd mix of features, like no steering wheel controls but has a sunroof. I have a couple questions though:

1 - No controls on the steering wheel, I'm assuming that I won't be able to add these, even by adding a new steering wheel later on if I want?
2 - Is there going to be any way to hook up an iPhone for audio? I'm assuming I don't have the premium audio since I have no controls on the steering wheel, so not sure what I have for options.
3 - I don't recall seeing the time or temperature anywhere, I'm assuming that's just not a feature on this model?

Any input is appreciated.

1) Anything is doable if you have enough money. For the most part, manufacturers don't create five versions of the basic wiring harness, they create one version and plug in the add-ons (nav, bluetooth, etc.) as specified in the build sheet. The harness has a spot for your steering wheel controls, even if the wiring in between the controls and the harness is missing. Let's take fog lights as an example.. the wiring is there even if they aren't, but you need the correct light stalk on the steering column as well as the lights in order to add them. Toyota makes the parts, the parts department have the numbers, and they cost money to get installed... but it's doable.

2) Yes, either via the aux jack underneath the fan controls or the USB port in the glove box, if you have one.

3) It's at the top of the dash above the radio. It's standard on all models, even your 2WD SR5.

 

[fxoffroad]

"Piss poor planning leads to piss poor performance"

Shoulda planned for this and coughed up the extra $$ when purchasing....

I agree, it's not so much a "steal" or a great deal if you don't get what you really want and then to find solutions to those "missing items".

 

[Quentin]

My recommendation, especially if you're unhappy with using the aux input for the iphone tunes, is to get an aftermarket head unit that has bluetooth streaming and ipod/iphone integration built in. There are several fascia replacements that allow you to run a double din head unit instead of the integrated factory unit. I can't remember who had the thread showing their install, though. I believe Harper7 has replaced his factory nav unit w/ an aftermarket one, though. Check out his build thread (in his signature) for more info.

 

[PolkManiac]

I agree, it's not so much a "steal" or a great deal if you don't get what you really want and then to find solutions to those "missing items".

Who said I 'really' want those options? I'm sorry, I just don't get comments like these, and honestly they're not all that helpful.

I didn't a thread saying "Oh my God, I just bought a 4Runner and I just can't live without these features and I really wish I had them." I was just casually asking a question. Hell, only one of the points I asked about was about a 'feature' missing anyway, points 2 and 3 were just generic questions.

I'm not trying to be an ass, but I seriously don't get the value of comments like these.

 

[philsey]

You're not being an ass, and I agree with you FWIW. There are a few on here whose Momma never taught them "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".

 

[eskimochaos]

LOL at you OP for wanting to get a new steering wheel for a car you just bought.

 

[philsey]

^^^ See what I mean?

 

[FlyNavy]

We're all on the same team here right? Stop being assclowns and help this guys out.

 

[eskimochaos]

:cry2:

^^^ See what I mean?

 

[BrianLSU]

My recommendation, especially if you're unhappy with using the aux input for the iphone tunes, is to get an aftermarket head unit that has bluetooth streaming and ipod/iphone integration built in. There are several fascia replacements that allow you to run a double din head unit instead of the integrated factory unit. I can't remember who had the thread showing their install, though. I believe Harper7 has replaced his factory nav unit w/ an aftermarket one, though. Check out his build thread (in his signature) for more info.

This is by far the best option. You should be able to plug it right in and then use the Bluetooth functions and everything. Might have worked out for the best, it's hard to justify ripping out an upgraded head unit, you can easily justify it.

Steering wheel replacement would be expensive, spend the $2k and get a kick butt aftermarket head unit.

 

[fxoffroad]

Who said I 'really' want those options? I'm sorry, I just don't get comments like these, and honestly they're not all that helpful.

I didn't a thread saying "Oh my God, I just bought a 4Runner and I just can't live without these features and I really wish I had them." I was just casually asking a question. Hell, only one of the points I asked about was about a 'feature' missing anyway, points 2 and 3 were just generic questions.

I'm not trying to be an ass, but I seriously don't get the value of comments like these.

Umm... this is a forum and it's not all about you - even on a thread that you start. If you don't see value in a comment, don't waste your time thinking about it.

I'm not bashing you or your purchase. I'm simply saying, if those things were important to a buyer, they might want to consider spending the extra bucks and get what they really want.

Case in point, I had a leased 08 Outback w/ a 4 banger... for a few extra dollars I could of had a turbo engine - that would of made a huge difference. But I so hurried @ the time, I didn't even bother checking it out. I spent 2.5 years with an under powered car and pretty much hated every minute of it. Which resulted in driving it well below the allocated miles on the lease - essentially throwing money away. And ended up putting more miles on our Lexus than I needed to - because I didn't want to drive the Subaru.

It's about sharing opinions, tech expertise, ideas and what works for everyone. (Its too easy to assume the worst with written words - probably better assume the best or make no judgment whatsoever.) Obviously, my comments aren't so beneficial for you - but certainly could be for someone else who hasn't purchased their next vehicle. I would of appreciated someone reminding me to slow down and look at all the options before deciding.

 

[sandcrawler]

not to justify the negative comment(er)s, but my guess is that they can't square your seeming unfamiliarity with the vehicle with your certainty that you got "a steal". in my experience, no one really gets "a steal" unless they've done their homework extremely well. so i can see how wondering where the clock is located (after the papers are signed) might lead people to believe you were victim to "information asymmetry". :shrug:

that said, i agree with those who've suggested getting a solid aftermarket HU and abandoning hope on the steering wheel controls.

also: congratulations,

 

[PolkManiac]

Where did I say I was going to buy a steering wheel just after I bought the car? I was just asking about the possibility, and I even indicated later on, as in not right now.

If I could add the steering wheel controls and it's fairly easy and inexpensive then fine, otherwise it's no big deal, simple as that.

Obviously the steering wheel controls weren't a major buying factor for me, because I bought the vehicle, I was just curious about adding that later on.

As for being unfamiliar with the vehicle and doing my research, those are inaccurate assumptions. Okay, so I didn't notice where the temperature and stuff were when we looked at it, but that's easy to miss, even in all the screenshots I've seen online. I knew I wasn't getting the premium audio without the steering wheel controls, that knowledge came through research, i was asking about an alternative. I knew about the aux port, was looking for the best option to hook up an iPhone, didn't know if that was it. I've made myself familiar with the packages and pricing and chose my vehicle accordingly.

I didn't come in here saying "Which model should I get" or "Did I pick the right model", I just had a few simple questions and the first response I get is a negative smartass response.

I don't own this forum and obviously anyone is free to post whatever they want, and likewise I'm free to respond to them in kind. Go back, take a look at the whole thread - I wasn't the one who started down the negative path.

As for the deal, I was able to snag a certified pre-owned model with 4500 miles in the color that I want and with the features that I wanted the most, with a 100,000 full wrap warranty OTD for $25,000. That's $5k under what I could have bought this exact same trim for new and $6k under what I would have paid for the trim with the integrated steering wheel controls and upgraded audio, really what I'd be comparing this to.

So to me, the $6k savings is well worth it to give up the sterring wheel controls. I thought, well if I could take $1K and replace the steering wheel and get the controls then I'm out maybe a day or whatever time it takes me to do it and I've saved $5k by basically just getting a vehicle with 4500 hundred miles on it. If I can't add it then obviously it's not a big deal because I bought the vehicle assuming I wouldn't be able to add it.

Thanks everyone for your help, I've been checking into aftermarket HUs and actually ordered the new dash kit a couple weeks ago when I started looking at these vehicles, knowing that I'd end up changing the HU.

 

[PolkManiac]

Also, this vehicle is absolutely mint. I'm loving the Blizzard Pearl color, mine has the tan and black interior which I think looks much nicer in person than it sounds on paper.

It has the sunroof (or moonroof whichever it's called), power front seats, 110v outlets in front and back which is nice, the sliding rear cargo deck, and carpet in the rear of the back seats, which were all our requirements.

Premium audio and controls would have been nice, and I really like the Optitron guages which I don't think you can get on the SR5, but neither of those were worth paying the drastic difference for us.

The only things we really miss from our 04 4Runner are the little mirrors in the back and the starting system that it used where it would control turning over the starter instead of you having to do it manually, and maybe the steering wheel controls just a bit.

I'm going to detail it to my standards this weekend and will snap a few pictures.