Thinking about Changing out the Radio head for something with Blue Tooth and Android

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BADCUDA1

Member
Thinking about Changing out the Radio head for something with Blue Tooth and Android app options. I'm totally out of my comfort zone with the new technology. Installation isn't a problem just knowing what is needed. So little help from the knowing would be great!

I have a 08 4RNR SR5 just standard system nothing special sounds good to me. Only thing I am pretty sure of is I want to display my Torque app gauge package is what I'm really after. Sirus radio option would be nice but I'm a fan of free radio and cd's.

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Recently upgraded to a Kenwood DMX7704S and couldn't be happier. Very competitively priced for the features, and light-years better than the Pioneer it replaced. Compatible with Android Auto.

Sent from my SM-T827V using Tapatalk
 
Check Crutchfield. You can dial in your price vs what fits. I've had a number of Kenwood in the past. Tried an Alpine. The Alpine Bluetooth worked really well.
 
pioneer nex series is what you want, along with the idatalink maestro to retain steering wheel control and to integrate the obd 2 with the radio, even if you went with kenwood, the idatalink maestro is still needed.
 
you can get the Pioneer 4200NEX for less than $400 right now, or get the 4201NEX (comes with a camera) for a little more.
 
vastano said:
you can get the Pioneer 4200NEX for less than $400 right now, or get the 4201NEX (comes with a camera) for a little more.
Click to expand...

riceandpho said:
pioneer nex series is what you want, along with the idatalink maestro to retain steering wheel control and to integrate the obd 2 with the radio, even if you went with kenwood, the idatalink maestro is still needed.
Click to expand...

Yea definitely want to retain the steering wheel buttons and been thinking about a camera too. I have to admit I forgot about Crutchfield.

Big help guys that why I started this post. Maybe help somebody else too!
 
Last edited:
Mike07SE said:
How about this?

Pumpkin 6.95" Android 5.1 Lollipop Quad Core 1.6GHz Car Stereo DVD Player for Toyota Universal Support Mirror-link+Steering Wheel Control+DAB+3G+WIFI+OBD2

Supposed to be completely PNP and matches the factory radio contours. I'm investigating going this route for my next HU as mine is in need of an upgrade as well.
Click to expand...

That does look interesting! I know Pioneers and Kenwood but don't know anything about Pumpkin is the only debate but price and features look good. I think my factory system sounds good and that's the only area I don't want to take a step back from.

These are the two I am down to as of right now today.

Pioneer AVH-2330NEX
14 WATTS RMS

Kenwood DDX6704S
22 WATTS RMS

I assume these are per channel numbers it doesn't really state that. If its per channel not much difference.

Wouldn't mind adding some sort of dvr devise for added security when not around and being able to record traffic around the veh. just in case. Wouldn't bother me as a stand alone system if needed.
 
Last edited:
BADCUDA1 said:
That does look interesting! I know Pioneers and Kenwood but don't know anything about Pumpkin is the only debate but price and features look good. I think my factory system sounds good and that's the only area I don't want to take a step back from.

These are the two I am down to as of right now today.

Pioneer AVH-2330NEX
14 WATTS RMS

Kenwood DDX6704S
22 WATTS RMS

I assume these are per channel numbers it doesn't really state that. If its per channel not much difference
Click to expand...

I don't personally have experience with it either, but an Android based unit will definitely be my next. Most reviews on these HU's are fairly positive. Doing a google search, I've seen the FJ guys with this and reviews have been good.

Here's a link to a quick search that I came up with:

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...electrical/426154-android-stereo-upgrade.html

FJ Cruiser Stereo Upgrade / Android Head Unit / Speaker Replacement - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
 
I added a joying 6.0 android head unit. It's not bad, I enjoy that my google play and podcast are all synced.

It's doesn't lag and and works fairly well. I bought their adapter for toyota prado which works with the steering wheel controls and the factory amp. Then I decided to rip out the amp and and speakers.

It does have it quirks, but nothing to the point i can't live with.

I bought a non toyota model, it fits but i haven't found a trim ring that fits. The trim ring I had for my JVC was too big. I was going to make something but haven't got to it. I've just lived with the holes in the dash.
 
Before buying the radio. Check out YouTube five star car stereo. They usually have videos of both Kenwood and pioneer radio, they show you the features and such.
Both are good radio, some is easier to use than others.
 
Mike07SE said:
How about this?

Pumpkin 6.95" Android 5.1 Lollipop Quad Core 1.6GHz Car Stereo DVD Player for Toyota Universal Support Mirror-link+Steering Wheel Control+DAB+3G+WIFI+OBD2

Supposed to be completely PNP and matches the factory radio contours. I'm investigating going this route for my next HU as mine is in need of an upgrade as well.
Click to expand...

Well a lot of reading today. Mike's link was informative

Unless I missed something. Looks like if I want to use the Torque Android app it needs to be an Android OS head. Looks like the Android Auto is compatible with Android phones and doesn't mean you can go to the Google play store and down load and app to use on your head unit. Not going to allow me to take the phone out of the picture.

Looks like we are going in the Android Stereo direction.
 
BADCUDA1 said:
Well a lot of reading today. Mike's link was informative

Unless I missed something. Looks like if I want to use the Torque Android app it needs to be an Android OS head. Looks like the Android Auto is compatible with Android phones and doesn't mean you can go to the Google play store and down load and app to use on your head unit. Not going to allow me to take the phone out of the picture.

Looks like we are going in the Android Stereo direction.
Click to expand...

To me, this has been one of the biggest downfalls to Android Auto (and CarPlay), that it still doesn't mean you can get your Apps to come up on the screen. With one of these HU's, this is a non-issue.
 
not trying to scare you, but i prefer quality unit vs a no name one. you might be happy now, but when it starts to give you trouble, your going to thank yourself on investing something better, less work, and hassle on uninstalling and reinstalling. also sound will be alot better. let us know how you are enjoying the new unit tho.
 
I just changed out my head unit last month and upgraded to the Pioneer AVH-5200NEX and have been very happy with it.
 
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