Yet another stereo question

R

RIZZOSHARP

New member
Ok... Before you roast me, yes I searched. And I searched a lot, learned a lot and am now more confused.

Long story short, I've got the stock head unit in my 2015 Trail Premium. It has been fine other than being 5 years behind everything else technology wise the moment it came out, but is now starting to drive me nuts. The nav is not so good. Phone only connects sometimes and about twice a week it will randomly freeze and restart usually in the middle of a phone call. I have been toying with replacing it for a couple years but now I am over it and its time to go. So...

I am looking for suggestions for a replacement based on a few items and I know there are lots of options but I am confused as hell. I am quite mechanical but electrical is not in my wheelhouse. I am looking for something that does the following:

-Compatible with steering wheel controls
-Compatible with factory back-up camera
-Compatible with factory bluetooth mic
-Compatible with factory XM antenna (not a deal breaker but ideal)
-Car Play compatible (wireless is nice but ok without)
-Preferably Garmin based navigation (not a deal breaker at all w/carplay)
-Something that looks like a nice fit in the dash and is easy to use

Im hoping there is something that checks these boxes but if not, something that gets me a close as possible within reason.

Of course cost is a consideration, but I am willing to spend the money to do it right the first time. I know there are adaptors, dongles, and all the wiring bits that will be necessary to hit the above marks, but I am just confused as to the best starting point on the head unit. I have already upgraded most of the speakers and i have no intention of doing some major stereo buildout.

I will say this, I have zero interest in the recently released "less expensive" China made replacement units I have seen discussed on the forum by Cartrimhome I believe it is called...

So, stereo gurus, hit me with your suggestions on what I should do and I thank you in advance.
 
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Go to the Crutchfield website, enter your vehicle config, search for head units, filter for Kenwood with navigation and wireless or wired CarPlay. Add the adapter kit with iDatalink Maestro for steering wheel control.

You’ll have to use the mic that comes with the aftermarket head unit since there are no adapters that enable using OEM mic.
 
Ditto about the Crutchfield site.
Kenwood does use Garmin maps. That’s one reason I wet with Kenwood.

When I originally had my DNX994S installed, I checked the Crutchfield site for all I needed intending to install myself. Then I got a quote from a local shop for purchase and install. To my surprise, the shop purchase and install price was only $75.00 above what I’d pay for all the stuff. Was a no brained and with the $75 to have it installed. After this it was an easy install to upgrade to the DNX995S for the HD display.

I chose the Scosche dash kit instead of the Metra because I think it links better.
I took it to an auto body shop and had it painted the black metal flake to match my Off Road interior. A rattle can job won’t look nearly as good.

The iDatalink Maestro works great for steering wheel control integration, and OBD info into if the head unit supports it.

A problem you may have is if you want to retain XM radio using the factory shark fin antenna. Toyota uses some weird connectors.

Good luck!
 
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RIZZOSHARP said:
Ok... Before you roast me, yes I searched. And I searched a lot, learned a lot and am now more confused.

Long story short, I've got the stock head unit in my 2015 Trail Premium. It has been fine other than being 5 years behind everything else technology wise the moment it came out, but is now starting to drive me nuts. The nav is not so good. Phone only connects sometimes and about twice a week it will randomly freeze and restart usually in the middle of a phone call. I have been toying with replacing it for a couple years but now I am over it and its time to go. So...

I am looking for suggestions for a replacement based on a few items and I know there are lots of options but I am confused as hell. I am quite mechanical but electrical is not in my wheelhouse. I am looking for something that does the following:

-Compatible with steering wheel controls
-Compatible with factory back-up camera
-Compatible with factory bluetooth mic
-Compatible with factory XM antenna (not a deal breaker but ideal)
-Car Play compatible (wireless is nice but ok without)
-Preferably Garmin based navigation (not a deal breaker at all w/carplay)
-Something that looks like a nice fit in the dash and is easy to use

Im hoping there is something that checks these boxes but if not, something that gets me a close as possible within reason.

Of course cost is a consideration, but I am willing to spend the money to do it right the first time. I know there are adaptors, dongles, and all the wiring bits that will be necessary to hit the above marks, but I am just confused as to the best starting point on the head unit. I have already upgraded most of the speakers and i have no intention of doing some major stereo buildout.

I will say this, I have zero interest in the recently released "less expensive" China made replacement units I have seen discussed on the forum by Cartrimhome I believe it is called...

So, stereo gurus, hit me with your suggestions on what I should do and I thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

The iDatalink Maestro will do most of that with the single unit.

-Compatible with steering wheel controls - idata
-Compatible with factory back-up camera - idata
-Compatible with factory bluetooth mic - Not possible with any kit
-Compatible with factory XM antenna (not a deal breaker but ideal) - Compatible harness needed but I don't remember if SAT was an option. OEM GPS antenna works for navi.
-Car Play compatible (wireless is nice but ok without) - Depends on the headunit.
-Preferably Garmin based navigation (not a deal breaker at all w/carplay) - It's one of the other. Carplay uses the phone for navigation. I believe Kenwood uses Garmin based built in navi but you're bypassing that by using Carplay for navi.
-Something that looks like a nice fit in the dash and is easy to use Metra kit offers a pre painted kit.

Answers in bold.

Crutchfield carries pretty much all of it and they offer help. You will also need the OEM USB adapter and antenna adapter. Selecting a headunit is up to what options are important to you. Stick with the major brands. I have a Pioneer in the Runner and a Kenwood in my GTO. I prefer the Kenwood because the interface is much better but it is new vs the Pioneer is a 2014 model. However Kenwood offers a direct access camera button which I like but the Pioneer unit has a better music playback screen.
 
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You could add these.
 

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Another vote for Crutchfield here. I've always used them for any of my car and some of my home stereo stuff. The only issue I had was that they didn't suggest the adapter needed for to connect my Kenwood DNX995s to the factory GPS antenna. There is an adapter from iDatalink that WILL work, and the iDatalink feature checker worked did tell me I needed that. If you aren't comfortable with electrical, Crutchfield will even pre-solder the wiring harness for you, so it's literally plug and play, but I'm sure a local installer wouldn't be much more either.
 
Thanks everyone for the info. I am getting started on getting everything ordered. I really appreciate all the straight forward help!
 
I went through Crutchfeild as well and just installed a Kenwood DNX696S with iData Link. Love it

Everything you are after minus the wireless.

I found their information and help was not great. I had to call several times and got different answers every time. The instructions they provided were a joke. In the end I figured it all out but it took some research. Also used a professionally painted surround.

Some tips.
There is an adapter kit for using your factory GPS and Sirius radio antennas. They didn’t even know they had it.

You need to buy a new Sirius XM receiver that uses one of these adapter cords. Only like $60

I bought USB ports that are designed for the OEM switch openings, placed the Apple Car Play one directly below my phone mount with an 8” cord. I placed the second one in the factory location in the lower console. They also didn’t mention I would need these.


It also does so much more than what you are wanting. You can even program in opening your windows with the key fob or key. Tire pressure is awesome. Nav is sooooo much better. Etc


But if can get an install for $75, do it.
 

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Last edited:
RIZZOSHARP said:
Ok... Before you roast me, yes I searched. And I searched a lot, learned a lot and am now more confused.

Long story short, I've got the stock head unit in my 2015 Trail Premium. It has been fine other than being 5 years behind everything else technology wise the moment it came out, but is now starting to drive me nuts. The nav is not so good. Phone only connects sometimes and about twice a week it will randomly freeze and restart usually in the middle of a phone call. I have been toying with replacing it for a couple years but now I am over it and its time to go. So...

I am looking for suggestions for a replacement based on a few items and I know there are lots of options but I am confused as hell. I am quite mechanical but electrical is not in my wheelhouse. I am looking for something that does the following:

-Compatible with steering wheel controls
-Compatible with factory back-up camera
-Compatible with factory bluetooth mic
-Compatible with factory XM antenna (not a deal breaker but ideal)
-Car Play compatible (wireless is nice but ok without)
-Preferably Garmin based navigation (not a deal breaker at all w/carplay)
-Something that looks like a nice fit in the dash and is easy to use

Im hoping there is something that checks these boxes but if not, something that gets me a close as possible within reason.

Of course cost is a consideration, but I am willing to spend the money to do it right the first time. I know there are adaptors, dongles, and all the wiring bits that will be necessary to hit the above marks, but I am just confused as to the best starting point on the head unit. I have already upgraded most of the speakers and i have no intention of doing some major stereo buildout.

I will say this, I have zero interest in the recently released "less expensive" China made replacement units I have seen discussed on the forum by Cartrimhome I believe it is called...

So, stereo gurus, hit me with your suggestions on what I should do and I thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

The radio was the second thing I installed on my 2019 that I bought in May, right after my alarm/remote start.

SWC, factory back-up camera, factory antenna(s) can be retained using iDatalink Maestro RR and a plug and play harness HRN-RR-TO2(to make the job easier) and Maestro Acc-SAT-TO2(for factory usb and antennas). You will still need an XM module to use the satellite radio.

The cheapest option for Wireless Carplay would be from Pioneer, but they use Next Navigation, Kenwoods uses Garmin.

Scosche and Metra are really the only brands that have something for our 4Runners so pick which one you like better.

Side note if you're doing your own install, your radio may be on constantly with the Maestro RR and TO2 Harness if you have an aftermarket alarm/remote start. To solve this, there is a resistor on the TO2 harness underneath some tape. All you need to do is snip that resistor off.
 
The unit is only ~4 years old.
The 1st thing I will suggest is to check if any update is available? update it if available, then reset the unit to the factory setting. It is likely all the problem will go away for a 4 years old unit.
 
SnowYeti said:
I went through Crutchfeild as well and just installed a Kenwood DNX696S with iData Link. Love it

Everything you are after minus the wireless.

I found their information and help was not great. I had to call several times and got different answers every time. The instructions they provided were a joke. In the end I figured it all out but it took some research. Also used a professionally painted surround.

Some tips.
There is an adapter kit for using your factory GPS and Sirius radio antennas. They didn’t even know they had it.

You need to buy a new Sirius XM receiver that uses one of these adapter cords. Only like $60

I bought USB ports that are designed for the OEM switch openings, placed the Apple Car Play one directly below my phone mount with an 8” cord. I placed the second one in the factory location in the lower console. They also didn’t mention I would need these.


It also does so much more than what you are wanting. You can even program in opening your windows with the key fob or key. Tire pressure is awesome. Nav is sooooo much better. Etc


But if can get an install for $75, do it.
Click to expand...


where'd you pick up those switch port USB things? been looking for one but didn't know what brand to go with
 
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