Maestro and idatalink with new head unit install

[cwilliams563]

I currently have a Kenwood DDX 471HD head unit installed and is a 6.1” screen. It was in it when I bought the 4Runner and the steering wheel controls work perfect.

I am looking at a Sony XAV-AX210XSM XAV-AX210 Double-Din AV Center | Sony US for the upgrade and is a 6.4” screen, does that mean it will fit? It says I need the Maestro and iDatalink for the steering wheel controls to work. I don’t know anything about this or how it works. I have a few questions.

Is there a chance I already have a controller that will work since the steering wheel controls work perfectly?

With the datalink and this unit, what all controls will I have available on screen and what all information will be available? I have a 2008 4Runner with TPMS. Will it break it down and read each tire at it’s pressure? I.E. front driver 32psi, rear passenger 43psi etc...

Rpms, oil pressure, climate control, engine codes etc...?

Just curious if it’s worth it to get a head unit with all this available with an old vehicle and pay for the datalink as well. My 2019 Subi has that information but not sure it would all translate from an older 4th gen. 1st pic is my existing unit installed, and the rest it shows what the unit is capable of.

I do want for sure Apple car play, SXM, back up camera, DVD player.

 

[cwilliams563]

Anybody have any idea what information will be available on the screen for an 08?

 

[Flash Runner]

[MENTION=511893]cwilliams563[/MENTION] I can't give a full answer to your question but might be able to shed some light.

You for sure want: Apple Carplay, SXM , backup, and a DVD (I don't know why you want a DVD player, but I'd suggest reassessing this as you could save a lot of money on a unit that doesn't have a dvd drive in it).

To accomplish all of those, any headunit (HU) (including the sony you're looking at) will accomplish that feat if it has those options (most head units will require an additional SXM receiver.. or you could play the SXM through your phone if you have the app and a subscription, saves about $85 on the receiver). To do those features you will not NEED the idatalink and Maestro, just the appropriate wiring harnesses. However If you have the JBL system though, the harness is not that much cheaper from the idatalink and Maestro setup and after experience I would just go with idatalink if you can afford it.

Now, I'm not sure about this but I'm speculating. Since you have a Kenwood unit installed already, you might be able get a newer Kenwood unit with Carplay, etc.. and hopefully just swap the HU and use the existing wiring harness already in place, Plug'n'Play theoretically. If this works, It'll be by far the easiest/cheapest route and I would do that.

Now if you do get a new HU and the idatalink and Maestro, I know some people have gotten those screens to display the info you want, but I'm unfamiliar with the specifics. I'd do research about the "Torque" app, as I believe thats what was used by the people who have done it. Remember though, just bc the HU and the idatalink can display that stuff, the car has to be able to provide that info to the HU.

 

[cwilliams563]

Good information Flash, thank you. i will look into the torque app. I don’t have a JBL system. I’m just used to a DVD player and have lots of DVD’s, that we like to take camping and have with no computer to make a bunch of digital files for them. I’d rather have it and not need it. The Sony I listed seems to have everything I need for only $399.00 and includes a Sirius XM Tuner and antenna. I figured I’d save like $75 alone from the included tuner and antenna which is why I was in a hurry to get this one. I’ve since purchased an xm tuner and antenna since starting this thread and will install it in mine and a back up camera for the interim.

While I have it out I’ll see if I can identify what type of hook up there is for the steering wheel remote harness. That is a great idea about getting another Kenwood and hopefully having the same harness. The one other feature I’d prefer is having a volume knob on it too. Looking at another Kenwood as well as others’, they don’t seem to save much if any money going w/o a DVD player vs. the Sony. I saw one Kenwood model at Crutchfield that was less than this Sony. Some odd named HU’s were pretty inexpensive, but those Kenwood’s sure have some high dollar expensive units lol. I’m sure they’re not but more than I need haha.

My question I’d hoped someone could answer is what all will the iDatalink display for an 08. Was hoping someone with a similar year had installed one. The closest info I could find was in the radio upgrade section where one guy with an 06 (Maybe) had installed one with the datalink and said his didn’t show a numerical value for the psi for the tpms since the sensors didn’t send that info. Just curious on that stuff as it would be nice to have but far from necessary. Would hate to spend the money on the Maestro and iDatalink and not really benefit me.

 

[Bmills]

Anybody have any idea what information will be available on the screen for an 08?

Not sure if you've been here but check, this out...
iDatalink - Maestro - Search

I just installed the HU you are referring to (XAV-210) a couple weeks ago and I love it. It's a little quirky in that it takes like 10 seconds to start up each time which is really stupid seeing as most cars are instant or maybe a second or 2, but it's just a minor annoyance. The CarPlay functionality is a dream and truthfully it's the only thing I use though I use the radio every now and then. I did the install myself and I'm not good with wiring and so mine is a mess I opted not to get the iDatalink though in hindsight I wish I had. As you'll see in the above link, it doesn't display anything like what those images you shared display but it does TPMS, read/reset engine codes and "track pack" gauges which aren't terribly useful but nice.

Also just a note on that HU installation, or any for that matter. The space is incredibly crammed with the HU and all the various cables and adaptors you need to make the camera work, steering wheel controls, etc. while the factory uni just needs to plug in the harnesses and doesn't require nearly as much space. I actually was not able to install the steering wheel controls on mine and need to find someone locally to basically just re-do my installation, mostly because trying to jam everything in there was too difficult for me. YMMV but just sharing my experience...

Good luck!

 

[jambone]

I have the Sony XAV-AX210SXM - installed it a month or two ago. I do not have the Maestro iDataLink yet, but I do plan to get it in the near future. Right now, the Sony does everything I need it to - AM/FM, CarPlay (for nav and music), hands-free calling, etc. My only complaint is that it takes maybe 15-20 seconds to boot up - I'm used to the factory radio coming on as soon as I turn the key.

Not sure if your existing steering wheel control interface will work, but I have a hunch it will. Buy the receiver and the wiring harness from Crutchfield, and tell them what steering wheel control module you have - I'm certain they can make it work, or if not, they can get you one that will. I think I got the receiver and all of the wiring from them for about $400.

I think you can get all of those data points with the Maestro and the Sony. The one thing I want and am not certain about is the transmission temperature.

Hope this helps.

 

[cwilliams563]

Cool, thanks for the info guys and the link. Definitely gives me some information ai was looking for! Sounds like a good unit overall and everything I am looking for. My current Kenwood (old model probably 2014ish) takes about 8 seconds too boot up too. Thought it was a bit weird at first also.

So I pulled my radio out tonight installing my XM radio tuner and antenna and plugged in my video cable for my back up cam and trigger wire. Still have to run it back and install the actual camera and finagle the wiring through the hatch.

I’ll post pics of what it looks like back there. It looks like this axxess box is my steering wheel control set up. A lot of wires unused though.

 

[mmeuli]

Kenwood DDX9905S. The shell was next to nothing. You HAVE to use the idatalink and maestro as i understand it? I retained all controls and the data link connects to your OBDII outlet.

It's a little annoying that you can't also use the OBDII with an OBDII hotspot--tried bridging the connection but only seemed to work on one device at a time nevertheless.

I got a roku to stream and mirror screen. The Kenwood has no HDMI input, which is beyond frustrating, but it does have an aux a/v input, so I went HDMI to RCA to aux and it works like a champ.

At least on the Kenwood, you keep (and actually gain some) monitoring and diagnostics. Or at least it's easier to access. not sure about your hu.

The thing that's frustrating is that while maestro and idata are programmed for stock functionality, they won't (or didn't at the time) allow for any mods, something most of us on here do.

An example for me is that it has a normal RCA a/v dongle intended for vehicles with a media center in the back. Since the 5th gen doesn't have one, it isn't programmed in and you simply stuff those cables behind the receiver. Meaning, if you wanted to add a media center in the rear that you want to be able to control, they can't support it. Thus, the janky roku setup.

I got the kenwood bc it supports wireless carplay and Android Auto. Couldn't live without it.

I will say you're lucky you don't have the JBL system. It's a giant pain to modify the audio system if you decide to get a better amp or bigger sub.

Check out the Android T9. It looks amazing but not sure if they've fixed the quirks to it or not--but much cheaper than something like my HU.

Please forgive the dirty look of my hu. Been installing sod at the house and my runner is a disaster right now.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[mmeuli]

Btw with the maestro it does show all the metrics you're wanting to keep. I know it says mine is disabled, but only because I have it unplugged right now (my hotspot is currently in the OBDII.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[mmeuli]

Here is page 1 of gauges plugged in. My hu allows 2 pages, so things like gpm and range I left up to the high tech dash display [emoji38]

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[cwilliams563]

Here is page 1 of gauges plugged in. My hu allows 2 pages, so things like gpm and range I left up to the high tech dash display [emoji38]

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Thank you for the information and pics. I wonder how what information my 4th gen would display vs. your 5th gen? Seems neat either way.

 

[mmeuli]

Thank you for the information and pics. I wonder how what information my 4th gen would display vs. your 5th gen? Seems neat either way.

Check it out. Gotta get the right one but appears the 4th gen also retains gauges.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[mmeuli]

Thank you for the information and pics. I wonder how what information my 4th gen would display vs. your 5th gen? Seems neat either way.

Don't know why the resolution is so bad on the first screenshot.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[cwilliams563]

Check it out. Gotta get the right one but appears the 4th gen also retains gauges.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Thanks for all the info and help guys. I went with a Pioneer AVH-2550NEX, it had HD radio and seemed to have more and better reviews but almost bought the Sony. Seems like a nice unit so far, had it only a couple days.

Decided not to spend the extra money for the maestro and iDatalink just due to cost and too many other financial obligations currently. I just went with the free install pack and used my current Axxess Aswc controller and Auto programmed just fine. Have all my steering wheel controls. May look into the iDatalink later on.

 

[cwilliams563]

Not sure if you've been here but check, this out...
iDatalink - Maestro - Search

I just installed the HU you are referring to (XAV-210) a couple weeks ago and I love it. It's a little quirky in that it takes like 10 seconds to start up each time which is really stupid seeing as most cars are instant or maybe a second or 2, but it's just a minor annoyance. The CarPlay functionality is a dream and truthfully it's the only thing I use though I use the radio every now and then. I did the install myself and I'm not good with wiring and so mine is a mess I opted not to get the iDatalink though in hindsight I wish I had. As you'll see in the above link, it doesn't display anything like what those images you shared display but it does TPMS, read/reset engine codes and "track pack" gauges which aren't terribly useful but nice.

Also just a note on that HU installation, or any for that matter. The space is incredibly crammed with the HU and all the various cables and adaptors you need to make the camera work, steering wheel controls, etc. while the factory uni just needs to plug in the harnesses and doesn't require nearly as much space. I actually was not able to install the steering wheel controls on mine and need to find someone locally to basically just re-do my installation, mostly because trying to jam everything in there was too difficult for me. YMMV but just sharing my experience...

Good luck!

You are correct the space behind is incredibly tight. My Kenwood that came out went in and out just fine as it seemed to mount with the face further out. The new Pioneer definitely sits a lot deeper into the opening as the brackets mount further forward. This made everything super tight behind there and had to take out a few times to finally get it to recess all the way shifting all the wires.

As you can see my steering wheel controller isn’t that big but I tucked it in behind the opening and between the horizontal metal silver pipe that runs behind it and sits just bellow the radio. Should have taken a pic.