Streaming Bluetooth audio without that capability in OEM nav

L

Lewis&Clark

New member
For a variety of reasons, I need to replace my iPhone. I am not at all excited about the iPhone 7 though because it eliminated the 3.5mm aux jack which is how I play all my music in my 2008 T4R. I have a proclip mount on the dash and right next to it I fed a 3 ft aux cord from the dash under the transmission shifter and into the center console aux jack. It's a great setup and has worked for years. If the iPhone has no auxiliary audio port anymore, the only possible way to play through the T4R audio system, at least that I'm aware of, is via Bluetooth---but the OEM nav head unit from 2008 didn't support Bluetooth audio. Eventually I'll replace it with a new system that also has CarPlsy suppbut that's a ways out as I can't afford it yet.

What am I to do? Any options I'm not considering? Any devices I can hide under the dash that will receive Bluetooth audio signals and send them to the head unit via auxiliary audio jacks?
 
Register to hide this ad
Your options are:

Get an iPhone 6s, they still sell them

Use the supplied lightning to 3.5mm jack adapter to plug your cord in

Get a battery powered Bluetooth dongle that will feed your Bluetooth signal into your head unit


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Lewis&Clark said:
For a variety of reasons, I need to replace my iPhone. I am not at all excited about the iPhone 7 though because it eliminated the 3.5mm aux jack which is how I play all my music in my 2008 T4R. I have a proclip mount on the dash and right next to it I fed a 3 ft aux cord from the dash under the transmission shifter and into the center console aux jack. It's a great setup and has worked for years. If the iPhone has no auxiliary audio port anymore, the only possible way to play through the T4R audio system, at least that I'm aware of, is via Bluetooth---but the OEM nav head unit from 2008 didn't support Bluetooth audio. Eventually I'll replace it with a new system that also has CarPlsy suppbut that's a ways out as I can't afford it yet.

What am I to do? Any options I'm not considering? Any devices I can hide under the dash that will receive Bluetooth audio signals and send them to the head unit via auxiliary audio jacks?
Click to expand...


I ran into a same exact issue as you( I was not happy with AUX music quality either way but it was not enough to upgrade until I got myself an Iphone 7). So my car is also equipped with the Nav and has Bluetooth for phone calls but not for music streaming. I found an amazing solution back in my Lexus GS350 days ( Car did not even have AUX) Vaistech SL3B-T it is on the expensive side but an amazing quality sound. I used it in my Lex for like 3 years and then sold the unit for like $170 on ebay. So It is expensive but it keeps its resale value and provides superb quality. The install is simple once you get everything removed it is plug and play and on your device you will be connected to 2 bluetooths one is the vehicle for calls and one for bluetooth streaming. I know GROM also makes a unit and is cheaper but they make you use their voice call bluetooth also which was a big no no for me as I am completely satisfied with the oem unit. Bluetooth Add-On Stereo Adapter Kits | VAIS Technology I have some pics I took when doing the install I will try to edit this later through tap a talk!! Any questions please reach out to me
 
c05c09aa668bef0bce6c744724b8561b.jpg
bdac5a0dae73befd518f280fe5589570.jpg
2b2c19b0724695883a47e25f2f076a35.jpg
0b0acc31e0b3d9628e6dd94d5ce4477e.jpg
7d660ed7b1a2a69137f4e09c5c9da536.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Montego Murph said:
I just installed a USA-SPEC BT45-TOY and it works great -- Here's a writeup I did a few weeks ago.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/231769-usa-spec-bluetooth-aux-installation-followup.html

Send me a PM if you're interested in going this route
Click to expand...

I've had a bad experience with the USA-SPEC kit. Seems poorly made and gave me an awful audio connection full of static.

I highly recommend GTA Car Kits | iPhone, AUX and Bluetooth integration instead. Youtube tutorials for instillation on every specific vehicle. I've been running mine for over a year now and it has been flawless.

They also add a USB charging port, microphone for hands-free calling, and solid headphone jack connection.
 
Last edited:
adkfinn said:
I use this with my factory radio, works great:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RH29CJO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also installed a ground noise reducer:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019393MV2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


easy, pretty cheap, works. cheers!
Click to expand...

I got a similar BT system which I already used with my iPhone 5 and now with an iPhone 7. I use the 120v outlet with an iphone charger to power it and have no need for ground noise reduction.
The phone gets charged by one of the Mictuning USB I installed in one of the switch slots available between the seats.

As said above, the even cheaper solution is just getting 3.5mm to lightning port dongle.
 
Last edited:
Anker SoundSync

I'm using an Anker SoundSync. It plugs into the Aux input jack inside the console, and then has a USB plug for power.

To keep the wiring out of the way and neat, I wired a USB hub into the console (using the cigarette lighter power to run it), then ran all the wires for the Soundsync under the console so that the control puck sticks out right buy the cup holder in my 4th gen.

Now, it works great. I can pop my phone into the holder and plug it in, and as soon as the car is turned on, my phone automatically connects and launches Android Auto.

The good wife has the car right now, or I'd get you some pictures, but the install was pretty simple.
 
I use a FM radio transmitter and works very well. I just adjust the fm station similar to the transmitter and plug the transmitter to the phone with 3.5mm audio port and the music just plays thru the car radio and very portable. The transmitter uses 2 aaa battery. I got it from walmart.
Lewis&Clark said:
For a variety of reasons, I need to replace my iPhone. I am not at all excited about the iPhone 7 though because it eliminated the 3.5mm aux jack which is how I play all my music in my 2008 T4R. I have a proclip mount on the dash and right next to it I fed a 3 ft aux cord from the dash under the transmission shifter and into the center console aux jack. It's a great setup and has worked for years. If the iPhone has no auxiliary audio port anymore, the only possible way to play through the T4R audio system, at least that I'm aware of, is via Bluetooth---but the OEM nav head unit from 2008 didn't support Bluetooth audio. Eventually I'll replace it with a new system that also has CarPlsy suppbut that's a ways out as I can't afford it yet.

What am I to do? Any options I'm not considering? Any devices I can hide under the dash that will receive Bluetooth audio signals and send them to the head unit via auxiliary audio jacks?
Click to expand...


Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
 
radlynx said:
I use a FM radio transmitter and works very well. I just adjust the fm station similar to the transmitter and plug the transmitter to the phone with 3.5mm audio port and the music just plays thru the car radio and very portable. The transmitter uses 2 aaa battery. I got it from walmart.



Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Here's the link. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Scosche-FM-Transmitter/14666784

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
 
Personally after thinking about all the options I said the hell with it and just dropped in a simple $100 Pioneer head-unit and its literally perfect...

Now I am of the opinion that in this modern time, if you need a cable tethering you to the truck just to listen to music or talk on the phone you are doing it wrong. FM modulated dongles are complete crap... I love being able to keep my phone in my pocket and not have to keep fiddling with it or having a cable swinging around everywhere.

Bluetooth streamed audio from the phone, ability to change track from the radio or steering wheel, and surprisingly good performance speaker phone.

Its literally made the truck modern... in fact I actually prefer it over my newer model luxury car I own.

If you really want nav, get a nav unit, but Google Maps with voice prompts over bluetooth again is literally perfect... It mutes music audio in the process as it should since everything is coming from one source.
 
Last edited:
Arthur4R said:
c05c09aa668bef0bce6c744724b8561b.jpg
bdac5a0dae73befd518f280fe5589570.jpg
2b2c19b0724695883a47e25f2f076a35.jpg
0b0acc31e0b3d9628e6dd94d5ce4477e.jpg
7d660ed7b1a2a69137f4e09c5c9da536.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Arthur,

I went with the Vais SL3B-T as well. I've got it wired up but for the life of me I can't get it to configure.

Which emulation mode did you need to use to get.it to work?

I have a 2008 with the nav head unit too. Can't get it to work under MD Changer, CD Changer, or CD-MP3 emulation modes. Not exactly sure which one I SHOULD be either as I don't know what a MD Changer is. My head unit has a 4 disc changer behind the faceplate in which I can load through the "load" button on the bottom of the bezel.

But I've tried all three and am not getting anything. The phone pairs just fine with the Vais but no sound and pushing the Disc/Aux button on the headujit responds with nothing.
 
First 4Runner said:
Hi guys,
With this setup, can you attend a call while you are listening to FM radio?
Click to expand...

Not exactly. If you have your factory head unit set to radio/FM, you don't/won't hear the audio coming in from the aux in port. So, in that scenario it is pretty much one or the other.
That said, there is nothing preventing you from using a radio app on your phone and streaming that via 'aux in' to your head unit. In this scenario, your phone would automatically mute your music if/when the phone rang, you'd hear the beeps and bloops for text messages if you want, at which point you could answer/respond/etc.

I use mine to stream music and occasionally stream the voice prompts for GPS.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 416 (members: 2, guests: 414)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,068
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top