Steering wheel controls with aftermarket radio

[jangoforhire]

Searched a little and was surprised I couldn't find anything on this...

I'm going to be doing some work on my dash soon and will be putting an aftermarket head unit in somewhere. Who has replaced their head unit but used an adapter to retain the factory steering wheel controls? If so what adapter did you use?

I've been doing some research on crutchfield and they recommend a few different adapters, but I'm just interested if anyone has any personal experience with this.

 

[Auntie Soshul]

I have experience with the Axxess brand steering wheel adapter. While I haven't used it with the 4Runner, I did install a Kenwood head unit in the wife's Honda Pilot, and the Axxess unit has worked flawlessly with that set-up. It's been about 3 years, but if I recall correctly, I had to go online to get a programming code of some sort, but it was no problem.

 

[DannyLlama]

Good luck on the install. which unit are you going with?

 

[jangoforhire]

I have experience with the Axxess brand steering wheel adapter. While I haven't used it with the 4Runner, I did install a Kenwood head unit in the wife's Honda Pilot, and the Axxess unit has worked flawlessly with that set-up. It's been about 3 years, but if I recall correctly, I had to go online to get a programming code of some sort, but it was no problem.

Thanks for the input. What has everyone used on their 4runners?

Good luck on the install. which unit are you going with?

Not sure yet, most likely a single-din Sony or something simple. But I'm making it as hard as possible by not mounting anything where it's supposed to go and using lots of fiberglass and hopefully integrating an iPad...

 

[Antman]

Not sure yet, most likely a single-din Sony or something simple. But I'm making it as hard as possible by not mounting anything where it's supposed to go and using lots of fiberglass and hopefully integrating an iPad...

...and switches man, WHAT ABOUT THE SWITCHES!!!!!!

Just pullin' your chain- can't wait to see what you have cooking.

 

[jangoforhire]

...and switches man, WHAT ABOUT THE SWITCHES!!!!!!

Just pullin' your chain- can't wait to see what you have cooking.

Oh just wait!! I've been spending my christmas break building an overly complicated system for my switches using a Raspberry Pi - it should be awesome!!

 

[4ShoreRunner]

+1 on the Metra Axxess...no issues other then lately when its been super cold some of the buttons are backwards? (+) Volume is (-) and vise versa...odd but it always fixes itself once it warms up.

 

[SC0TT]

+1 on the Metra Axxess...no issues other then lately when its been super cold some of the buttons are backwards? (+) Volume is (-) and vise versa...odd but it always fixes itself once it warms up.

Do you recall if you're using the original ASWC or ASWC-1? I had the same issue with the original model but over time became more frequent, even at normal temps.

I recently switched it out to the newer ASWC-1. I'm hoping the mixed up buttons were an issue w the old model. So far, so good...

 

[jangoforhire]

+1 on the Metra Axxess...no issues other then lately when its been super cold some of the buttons are backwards? (+) Volume is (-) and vise versa...odd but it always fixes itself once it warms up.

Do you recall if you're using the original ASWC or ASWC-1? I had the same issue with the original model but over time became more frequent, even at normal temps.

I recently switched it out to the newer ASWC-1. I'm hoping the mixed up buttons were an issue w the old model. So far, so good...

Well that's strange...thanks for the info guys. [MENTION=64805]SC0TT[/MENTION] Are all the factory steering wheel buttons retained - as in they all still work?

 

[Randyman...]

I'm using the PAC SWI-RC - works well with an Alpine W910, but should work with any radio that supports the 1/8" remote jack.

You can avoid cutting the factory harness by slightly modifying an ATX Computer Fan Cable - it plugs right in! Check this link for details in my DIYMA Build Log.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

Do you recall if you're using the original ASWC or ASWC-1? I had the same issue with the original model but over time became more frequent, even at normal temps.

I recently switched it out to the newer ASWC-1. I'm hoping the mixed up buttons were an issue w the old model. So far, so good...

Hey Scott I'm using the original version. Thanks for the heads up! I'll definitely pay more attention to this to see if it becomes more frequent.