Keeping steering wheel controlls

[aeathb]

I have a 2008 SR5 with the JBL 10 speaker Synthesis, and I wanted to get a new head unit. I was looking at the less expensive alpine or Kenwood units, basically because I want a USB plug in. The audio jack in the car sucks because it goes from the MP3 Player (Digital), to the jack cable (analogue), back to Digital for the stereo, and the analogue cable just screws up the sound quality. I am rather sensitive to crappy audio, so I have been using CD's with Mp3's on them. The USB with raw digital the whole way would be awesome because I could hold 8 gigs on a drive rather than the 700 megs on a CD. I went to Best Buy just to see what I'm looking at in "3d" not online, and they said the wiring plug behind the head unit would let me keep my stock amp, but I would lose the steering wheel controls unless I paid like 150 for the plug. Would it really cost that much? and I am not very audio savvy, would it be do-able for me to install the unit without a local place, NOT BEST BUY, installing it? Thanks!!

 

[wildcat726]

I just replaced the head unit in my 2006 Limited with JBL 10 speaker system with the Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD (has the USB on the back of the unit). To replace the head unit and keep your JBL system, you'll need the PAC TATO ($75 at Crutchfield) and the PAC Steering Wheel Interface that's compatible with the brand head unit you get. I used the PAC SWI-PS (works with Pioneer head units, $70 at Crutchfield). If you end up buying the head unit from Crutchfield, you get a discount - I think $35 for the TATO.

I'd never taken my dash apart and was able to hook up all the connections for the head unit and program the PAC SWI-PS but ran into problems getting the mounting brackets to work and putting the dash back together. I ended up taking it to a professional and spent about $100 to have them put it together right. Money well spent IMO.

As for head units, if you want a USB input on the front, take a look at the Pioneer AVH-P3200DVD.

 

[SurfToy]

As stated, the Pacific Audio interface will retain your steering wheel controls with many brands of stereo, you just need to check compatibility on their site or Crutchfield.com. Most of the PAC interfaces are <$100, but if you're not comfortable with a soldering iron and wiring, you should probably have a pro install it.

I did mine along with my new HU and Sirius module in about 5 hours, taking my time and soldering and wrapping all connections, and running all wires out of sight.

 

[nyc4runnin]

if u got an eclipse unit, ur steering wheel controls would work just fine without any extra modules, even the factory wiring its plug and play !