So it looks like the CTHome T9 head unit is out, waiting for reviews.

[Chadical]

Hi all, this is my first post as I just joined this forum! I have a 2012 Silver TE. With the lack of information out there concerning the compatibility of the T9 head unit with the 2010-13 models, it seemed like a good idea to post my findings.

My TE came with the factory nav and non-JBL. I purchased the T9 head unit for the 2010-13 models with wired carplay option from this link:
Not suitable without touch screen!!!Free Shipping 9" Android 8.1 T9 4+64G Head Unit for Toyota 4Runner 2010-2013
It took about three weeks for it to arrive from China...

Also, I own an Android phone (pixel) and wanted to use Android Auto, so I can't comment on Apple Carplay compatibility. Included with what I purchased was a white phone adapter that I plugged into my stock usb adapter in my glovebox which your phone plugs in to. Unfortunately on the 2012 model the center console only has an aux port. I'll modify that later...

Installation of the T9 was a chore and took a full afternoon to get everything the way I wanted. The process was exactly as seen on youtube so I don't think it's necessary to go into it. I was able to get everything working including navigation, radio, wifi, bluetooth, usb connectivity to the stock adapter, steering wheel controls, on-screen climate control, on-screen doors open/closed notification, and the backup camera. The backup camera with the T9 is improved 100% in how it appears on screen. I didn't use the optional sim card connector to get an internet connection - I use my phone's hotspot and it works perfectly. Also to note, I'm not getting any of the interference noise that others have reported. The sound overall is an improvement using the eq app.

Anyone who has used Android a fair amount will know that everything on the home screen is customizable - It just depends on how much effort you want to put into it. That said, I HATE the stock look of the home screen. My goal was to make the home screen resemble the look of both Carplay and Android Auto. Plus, I wanted to have a large widget on the home screen to display the music being played. So I used a custom launcher called Lightning Launcher. Lightning launcher enables the icons to be scaled up so they are larger, which is a big plus when trying to select an app when driving. All in all, customizing the home screen to get the look I wanted took about 45 minutes, but I love the results! See my pics below.

Android Auto: To get this to work you have to use the white adapter that I purchased (I think you can also purchase it elsewhere online). Connect the adapter to your usb adapter (in the glovebox in my case). From the Google Play store, install the Android Auto app on both the T9 head unit and your Android phone. Next, download the AutoKit app onto your T9 head unit from this link:
http://121.40.123.198:8080
Then, install the AutoKit app (from the same link) onto your Android phone. Open the AutoKit app on your T9 head unit. Plug your phone into the white CarPlay/Android Auto adapter. The head unit and your phone will make a connection You will probably have to accept some obligatory android agreements. Android Auto should just start working.

The AutoKit app making a connection to the Android phone:

Google maps in Android Auto which also servers as your homescreen:

Google play music:

Android auto app drawer:

The white Carplay/Android Auto adapter plugged into my factory usb adapter:

Final thoughts, Android auto is the best at the simple stuff like navigation and listening to music while driving. Other than that, it's pretty simplistic and doesn't allow many apps at this point. I find I use the head unit homescreen and apps about 50% of the time. I don't regret the purchase or the time spent getting it set up. Overall, it looks badass - the silver plastic enclosure matches my interior perfectly as well as retaining the OEM look and feel. I haven't experienced any weird issues at this point. Great purchase. Feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[jutaman]

The set up looks great. Do you happen to know if it work with a 2010 4runner without the NAV?

The site mentioned something about not suitable without touchscreen. Not sure what that means exactly.

Have you come across any other glitches?

 

[Blu42]

I posted this to the CTH T9 facebook group. I'll leave it here incase anyone wants to try it. Last link is a video on how to program buttons in the built-in steering wheel app.

Bypass Canbus Steering Wheel Controls To Allow Programmable SWC
DISCLAIMER: Attempt this at your own risk! I accept no liability for damage done to your vehicle, T9, or yourself. Only tested on my 2014 Trail Premium non-JBL. 2010-2013 may differ. I CAN NOT troubleshoot issues with your setup so if you attempt this do not expect help. I am super busy. You've been warned.

Summary: Remove steering wheel control wires from canbus harness and connect directly to T9 Key1 and Key2 input wires. Program swc in Steering Wheel app.

Steps:
1. Identify the steering wheel control wires from the 4Runner. I found a wiring diagram that made this quick. I did learn that the 4Runner has four total steering wheel input wires.
SW1 - Pin 21 - 4R White - T9 Grey
SW2 - Pin 22 - 4R Red - T9 Grey w/ Black
SW3 - Pin 24 - 4R Pink - T9 Blue
SWG - Pin 23 - 4R Blue - T9 Black

2. De-pin SW1, SW2, and SW3 from canbus connector. Leave SWG connected to the canbus connector. It is already connected to ground through the canbus. I think there are a few grey wires so make sure you follow the harness to the canbus and get the right ones. To de-pin simply use a small pointy tool on the exposed silver tab on each side of the connector and pull each wire out. NOTE: I did not cut the crimped terminals off from the de-pinned wires

3. Make your connections. I used some dupont crimps and connectors because i have an abundance of them at the moment and they are small gauge. Use whatever crimps or connectors you feel is appropriate. Dupont connectors are not exactly ideal for this. I used a 3 terminal connector.

Positions 1 and 3 have Key1 and Key2 wires from T9 respectively. I attached crimped a resistor from Key1 to the yellow pigtail seen in photo which position 2 on the connector.
I grabbed a random resistor from my stuff which I believe is a 180 ohm. Other values may work, don't ask which because I don't know. This is needed as I found without it the T9 thinks some buttons are the same button. Too much resistance may not work, 10k ohm did not work for me.

On the SW1-3 wires I simply slid the de-pinned wires with their original crimps into the dupont connector because they fit. This means I can put everything back to normal if I wanted. No cutting but you can if you want. I taped everything because dupont connectors suck.

Position 1 - Key1 + resistor > SW1
Position 2 - Yellow pigtail + resistor > SW3
Position 3 - Key2 > SW2

4. Program your steering wheel buttons using the built in app. Its a little wonky to work with but it does its thing. I made a video to explain the steps which includes how to map long press functions. So far have not been able to launch a voice search even though there is a "voice" option. Not sure why but oh well. The steering wheel voice button can be mapped to something else until a workaround is found.

Program SWC Video

A proper wiring diagram would help but I dont have time tonight so this is the best I got at the moment. Good luck everyone.

 

[Darkitect]

The set up looks great. Do you happen to know if it work with a 2010 4runner without the NAV?

The site mentioned something about not suitable without touchscreen. Not sure what that means exactly.

Have you come across any other glitches?

I reached out to CTHome and they said they are developing a harness for non-Nav models. See screenshot.

 

[Eowade]

just ordered the T9 HU

I just placed an order for the T9 Head Unit from China.... CTH

 

[Chadical]

The set up looks great. Do you happen to know if it work with a 2010 4runner without the NAV?

The site mentioned something about not suitable without touchscreen. Not sure what that means exactly.

Have you come across any other glitches?

Darkitect answered your question about the 2010 4runner w/o Nav.

Regarding if I've come across any glitches... Yes, I have seen a few glitches. The microphone in the HU sometimes doesn't pickup very well and I have to speak louder to be heard properly. Sometimes though, people can hear me just fine. The radio sometimes picks up a lot of static, which might be related to how I have the wires connected.

When I use Android Auto the only glitch I've had is when calling people sometimes the sound outputs through my phone speaker, and then I have to simply call the person back. That's probably an Android Auto bug though.

At this point, I use Android Auto pretty much all the time now. I like the simplicity and Nav and music are all I need. I only use the HU's apps when I watch youtube (not while driving of course). It's still a million times better than the factory Nav HU.

Also for reference here are pics of the rear connector ports for both the factory Nav HU from my vehicle and the 2010 non-Nav HU:

 

[TK-422]

I ordered one from cartrimhome as well. Just got my tracking number today.

 

[ltsatch]

I currently have the stock radio (without navigation) in my 2010 Trail Edition, will the 'T9' unit fit in my dash? I've looked all over and can't get a straight answer. Thanks for any help you can offer!

Go to the facebook page and message them, I asked about my '12 with navigation and back-up camera and they sent me this link below. It is not shown on their website. Only suitable with OEM touch screen and without JBL!!!Free Shipping 9" Android 8.1 T9 4+64G Head Unit for Toyota 4Runner 2010-2013

 

[TK-422]

This is taking forever.

My T9 was stuck in China customs for a week and then was forwarded to the air carrier. It has been stuck at waiting for delivery since 4/8/2020.

 

[Terrapod]

Oh boo-flipping-hoo. I ordered mine on March 21st. Still not here.
Supply chains all over the world are fubar'd right now.

Finally received a notification that is has arrived at US Customs in Chicago. The question remains - will it make the journey in one piece?

 

[TK-422]

What? I ordered on 3/25 so only a couple days after you. It's still sitting on the docs in China waiting to hitch a ride on a plane.

 

[TK-422]

and it finally got on an airplane...

 

[daytonaviolet]

I ordered my t9 on 5/5/20 and paid extra for DHL. Yesterday I got tracking 5/15/20 and it’s suppose to arrive 5/20/20.

I got my fingers crossed. If it arrives this Wednesday, it will be a little over two weeks and a day.

 

[fbksurferjoe]

Just got my t9, went to install it. Turns out they left a cable out of the kit. The main black connector one . Of course I realized this after I Uninstalled and connected all the vents to the t9. Anyone got an extra harness!? Haha

Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk

 

[fbksurferjoe]

The circled connector is the one i need.

Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk

 

[fbksurferjoe]

Contacted cartrimhome, they said they sent the wrong harness and will be shipping a new one.... guess I get to wait some more.

Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk

 

[TK-422]

Thank you [MENTION=48772]Jesse1983[/MENTION] for fixing this thread.

I originally ordered my unit in march, it was stuck in China until May when it was first reported as departed airline then changed to lost.

I contacted CTH and they shipped out a second unit DHL at their cost. I received it a few days later and installed it.

Then last week almost 4 months later the original ordered T9 was sitting on my porch. USPS kindly took it in for a return.

 

[TK-422]

The first thing I did was to paint the plastic with Dupli-color Toyota Black Pearl to match the Off Road Premium colors. I also painted on two coats of clear to protect it.

 

[TK-422]

The install went smoothly and I have no problems with it so far.

There is no dust under the screen.

I installed a 2TB USB removable drive with my vast collection of 128bit MP3 songs and many movies ripped from DVD and Blu-ray.

I can connect WiFi from home or from my phone.

 

[TK-422]

For the launcher I replaced the stock one with AGAMA. For $2 it is worth it.