Stereo/Head-unit upgrade ideas

[JL_22]

Looking for an upgraded stereo/head-unit for a 2005 4runner with apple car play. Thinking of going with either the dmh-2660nex or XAV-AX5000 and adding maestro in order to retain function of the steering wheel controls and to pull up current vehicle status. Any feedback is appreciated as I am still figuring out what to do. Thanks!

 

[bmorey]

I have the Pioneer MVH-1400NEX (has Apple CarPlay). I love fit and finish. It has the options for reading vehicle status (TPMS, temps, gages, etc) but I didn't end up getting the Maestro. If you paired it with the Maestro, it would be excellent. I have a wireless backup camera that works with it and I also have the JBL Synthesis system and it's working great with the factory amp.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about my setup. Hope this helps.

 

[JONBOY345]

If I were to do it tomorrow, this is the head unit I'd go with:

DMX957XR | eXcelon | Car Entertainment | KENWOOD USA

That plus a iDatalink..

If I had plenty of cash, I'd get the floating 10" model:

DMX1057XR | eXcelon | Car Entertainment | KENWOOD USA

 

[notjefe]

I've been interested in doing this for the last couple weeks or so and it sucks to want a Pioneer (looking specifically at the 2600nex) head unit right now. I didn't know at first but apparently there's a shortage due to the pandemic. Because of that, prices are nearly doubled.

I would look into the Alpine iLX-650 or possibly the Kenwood DMX4707s. Seems like good models within a reasonable price range (if you are even considering forgoing the iDatalink)

 

[Tironeous]

I’ve got the Sony AX5500. Great headunit. Just make sure you get something with a capacitive touchscreen


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[mr_skittle]

I've been interested in doing this for the last couple weeks or so and it sucks to want a Pioneer (looking specifically at the 2600nex) head unit right now. I didn't know at first but apparently there's a shortage due to the pandemic. Because of that, prices are nearly doubled.

I would look into the Alpine iLX-650 or possibly the Kenwood DMX4707s. Seems like good models within a reasonable price range (if you are even considering forgoing the iDatalink)

A new head unit is on my list too. I'll be going with a Pioneer, probably the 2660. You can't go wrong with Pioneer, but frankly, any of the legacy brands folks have mentioned are good.

I was told the reason so many stereos are in shortage is because the factory that makes one particular size touch screen went out of business due to the pandemic. I think it's the 7 in screen that's in total shortage. No problems getting a 6.2 inch though.

 

[notjefe]

A new head unit is on my list too. I'll be going with a Pioneer, probably the 2660. You can't go wrong with Pioneer, but frankly, any of the legacy brands folks have mentioned are good.

I was told the reason so many stereos are in shortage is because the factory that makes one particular size touch screen went out of business due to the pandemic. I think it's the 7 in screen that's in total shortage. No problems getting a 6.2 inch though.

Good to know! I also found out the 2660 is the 2600 version that is sold at big box stores. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please but they are essentially the same thing.

I have a couple car audio stores near me that are selling those but at a premium price.

 

[mr_skittle]

If you browse Ebay you can find the 2660, and the equivalent in the other brands, for around 300. Less if you don't mind used or refurbished. There are even some sellers throwing in a back-up camera for free. Even for new in box electronic items, I've always found Ebay to be about 10-15% off retail price. You may also want to check into a little device that hacks the safety feature of the stereo and lets you use the phone/stereo interface while driving. Because some folks are dumb enough to, say, try and watch a movie on the stereo while driving, manufacturers design them to disable most of the phone features once you're in gear. A really low-tech work-around that the stereo shop owner told me is that you can apply your parking brake just enough so the vehicle registers it and all the features will work. Obviously, this wouldn't be a good idea on a new vehicle, but for the average 4th gen 4runner, chances are the e-brake is sloppy enough for it to work fine.

 

[hgill]

(Corrected model #) I recently installed the Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX [crutchfield.com]
- It has wireless CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
- It allowed me to keep my steering wheels controls and add phone controls to steering wheel.
- Also bought the kit to connect the unit to be able to read tire pressure and battery voltage.

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[Syr4RinNC]

I recently installed the Pioneer DMH-WC6600NEX [crutchfield.com]
- It has wireless CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
- It allowed me to keep my steering wheels controls and add phone controls to steering wheel.
- Also bought the kit to connect the unit to be able to read tire pressure and battery voltage.

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Did you upgrade your steering wheel?

If I would have done it again I’d get something like above that does tire pressure / obdii

 

[hgill]

Did you upgrade your steering wheel?

If I would have done it again I’d get something like above that does tire pressure / obdii

Yes sir. I wanted to maintain an OEM feel and this wheel seemed like a good match (link to wheel and original post with parts used below).

I've always wanted tire pressure display for each tire. Unit even lets you add a short cut to the steering controls to get to it. If i hold onto the talk button on phone controls side, it takes me directly to tire pressure and battery.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/101762-what-did-you-do-your-4runner-today-2337.html#post3593071

2006-2009 Toyota 4Runner Steering Wheel Black Dimpled Leather New 451000W210B0 | eBay

 

[hgill]

If I were to do it tomorrow, this is the head unit I'd go with:

DMX957XR | eXcelon | Car Entertainment | KENWOOD USA

That plus a iDatalink..

If I had plenty of cash, I'd get the floating 10" model:

DMX1057XR | eXcelon | Car Entertainment | KENWOOD USA

I actually tried the 9" floating model from Pioneer (DMH-WC6600NEX) first, but it felt out of place in the cabin. It also hid other items in the dash, which annoyed the crap out of me. Ended up exchanging it for a smaller Pioneer unit (DMH-W4660NEX)

 

[JL_22]

(Corrected model #) I recently installed the Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX [crutchfield.com]
- It has wireless CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
- It allowed me to keep my steering wheels controls and add phone controls to steering wheel.
- Also bought the kit to connect the unit to be able to read tire pressure and battery voltage.

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Love this setup. Would you recommend that model Pioneer? There are many different ones out there and it is not clear the pros and cons.

Very interested in how you added the pickup/hangup and speech button on the left side of the steering wheel and how you acquired the parts.

 

[VickiT]

(Corrected model #) I recently installed the Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX [crutchfield.com]
- It has wireless CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
- It allowed me to keep my steering wheels controls and add phone controls to steering wheel.
- Also bought the kit to connect the unit to be able to read tire pressure and battery voltage.

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I love your setup! That steering wheel though... . Would that wheel fit an '03? Ebay doesn't show that year as an option.

 

[Bagels]

Here’s a $400 Chinese head unit running android software. Joying 10.1” universal double din. Besides the fact it took 42 days to be delivered I love it.


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[hgill]

Love this setup. Would you recommend that model Pioneer? There are many different ones out there and it is not clear the pros and cons.

Very interested in how you added the pickup/hangup and speech button on the left side of the steering wheel and how you acquired the parts.

So here a few things about the unit:

Biggest selling point:
- Its a good unit if you are looking for a "wireless" Carplay & Android Auto. Its biggest feature is the fact that your phone can do Carplay without the need to connect any wires. This was my number one reason for getting this unit.
- If you are okay with a wired connection, Pioneer also sells a wired version i believe thats cheaper. Use Crutchfield.com to help narrow down to the headunit for your particular vehicle per what your needs are.
Wireless Connection rating = 7/10
- It connect pretty quickly (timed at about 19 sec between starting vehicle and Carplay connection).
- It works well majority of the time, but there are instances when it wont connect and i have to manually go into the unit and connect it. I've also had a few instances that it has disconnected right in the middle of a song. Doesn't happen often, but it has happened.
Overall user interface:
- Its quite easy to use overall. Switching between apps in Carplay is quite easy as the icons remain on the left had side so swapping between Spotify, Google Maps, etc is quite easy. I did have a few days to use this with an android phone and I found that it was not as refined as Carplay was. It was more cumbersome to switch between apps and when connected to Android Auto, I couldn't change things on my phone (for example: i couldn't scroll my playlist on my phone if I was connect to Android Auto, but have no such issues on Carplay). Could have been a user error but definitely felt Carplay as being more refined on the unit.
Cost Factors:
- Another important factor to consider is not only the cost of the unit, but also the cost of the iDatalink Maestro Module to allow the unit to be able to read the tire pressure, battery voltage etc. Besides the unit, the modules, steering wheel control adapters and dash kit were almost $200. This is why i use crutchfield because they give you everything you need for the unit to work. I also ended up not liking the initial unit that I had ordered and it was easy to exchange the item and their customer service was quite helpful with any questions I had.

Steering wheel - Adding Phone Controls:
Below is a link to my original post in another thread where I listed links that already have the part numbers used and helpful instructions. I did this as I was replacing my steering wheel (super easy install even for someone like me that doesn't work on cars much).
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/101762-what-did-you-do-your-4runner-today-2337.html#post3593071

We have a 7 week old baby that keeps me quite busy, but if you have any other questions or would like me to test something out in particular on the unit, let me know .

 

[timbird1219]

I've been interested in doing this for the last couple weeks or so and it sucks to want a Pioneer (looking specifically at the 2600nex) head unit right now. I didn't know at first but apparently there's a shortage due to the pandemic. Because of that, prices are nearly doubled.

I would look into the Alpine iLX-650 or possibly the Kenwood DMX4707s. Seems like good models within a reasonable price range (if you are even considering forgoing the iDatalink)

It is really shitty and I don’t even understand how there’s a shortage either because it’s not like head units are really needed during this pandemic like toilet paper and hand sanitizer


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[hgill]

I love your setup! That steering wheel though... . Would that wheel fit an '03? Ebay doesn't show that year as an option.

I would check with the vendor. I didn't think the 03s were different, but being the first model year of the 4th gen, there could be some differences. The steering wheel upgrade has definitely been one of my favorite mods.

 

[JONBOY345]

It is really shitty and I don’t even understand how there’s a shortage either because it’s not like head units are really needed during this pandemic like toilet paper and hand sanitizer


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Has nothing to do with if it's "needed" or not.... Folks are buying guns, car parts, vacations, etc.. with that stimmy money.

 

[zguy1]

I upgraded mine about 2 years ago. I went with a Pioneer unit after talking to the folks at Crutchfield. I bought a AVIC-W8400NEX unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I also got a PAC harness to retain use of the steering wheel controls. I really like it and it works very well. I later added a backup camera as well and it was pretty easy to connect up to it.

My only complaint, in hindsight I suppose, was that I bought a wiring harness from Crutchfield that helps with wiring but has to be plugged into the OBD2 port. This has advantages but some disadvantages as well.

If I were doing it again I would get the iDatalink module as noted by others earlier in the thread. I would also make the connection to determine whether the vehicle is in reverse outside of any of the harnesses purchased by Crutchfield so that your backup camera works whether their wiring harness is connected to the OBD2 port or not. For example if you are using a OBD2 diagnostic device like BlueDriver, you would still want your backup camera to still function.