Radio Upgrade Opinions and Advice!

Hey guys, I am looking to upgrade the radio in my Tacoma. My sound system is fine as I have the stock JBL system, so just looking for a radio.

It would be ideal if I could find a radio with all of these features.
Double-Din,
Spotify Control,
Bluetooth,
USB Port for charging and music,
Stock Tailgate Backup Camera is compatible,
Steering wheel controls compatible,
Not a slow piece of junk,
Around $200.

here is the one I’m looking at and is suggested by Crutchfield. Opinions and pictures of yours would be appreciated! Thanks!

UPDATE: I now plan to go through Crutchfield with this radio, iDatalink Maestro, and adaptor for steering wheel controls after saving enough money. Just a broke college student for now. Would still love opinions and/or pictures. Thanks!

 

Don’t know that radio you posted but you need to research about if an aftermarket radio will operate the JBL system.

Suggest getting input from Crutchfield about what is compatible.

it would suck to buy and install a radio only to find out the JBL system won’t work with it.

 

Sub'd Crutchfield is a good way to go!

 

I have been using crutchfield, but I do get confused on it at times.. I have not found any info regarding whether or not they are compatible with my backup camera and/or steering wheel controls.

I also notice most of the ones around my price range are factory refurbished. I have never ordered from crutchfield and do not know how “newish” these are or what exactly this means.

update: have just read more, and I need to buy an iDatalink Maestro and an adapter for steering wheel controls. This adds another nearly $200.. so this is a no go... for now...

 

Save up some more money. When you buy from Crutchfield they include wiring instructions specifically tailored to your vehicle. They also suggest the additional parts you might need, like the steering wheel control interface, adapter plugs to connect to your existing harness, trim bezel, etc. Trust me, it's worth it and will save you a lot of cursing. Their prices are good and their tech support is second to none.

 

Thanks for the reply, I will just save a little more money and probably go through Crutchfield. Have you had any experience with the factory restored ones or know anything about? Should I trust that, or bite the bullet and buy new?

 

I'd be comfortable buying a refurb from Crutchfield. They have a very solid reputation.

 

You'll need a wiring harness from Crutchfield, get the one that's already assembled. I got the dd394 from them. Works great.

 

I just did a stereo upgrade on my Tacoma with almost the same health unit from Kenwood. I myself installed a DDX26bt, almost the exact unit you.describe.
Ive got a.2015 non JBL.
Kenwood Ddx26bt sounds sublime. Kenwood has tons kof adjustements, and room to make a.simple or.a huge system. The specific model is somewhat slow to react when browsing mp3 in a usb. But for the price, works wonderful and its a great, very very tunable stereo having dozens of adjustments such as 13 band eq with advanced sound timing from.each speaker, speaker size, bass boost, mp3 improver, etc. I have in a RAV a top.of the line single din kenwood, and has like 95% of the high end adjustments. Im very satisfied with the sound.
Stock Rear camera works well but needed a.12v to 6v converter, as this camera is actually 6volts.. Wtf toyota. The deck has a CAM button, so you can see rear cam anytime. It also has an AV input and output, so a front camera or a divx player can be connected, or an additional tv output for rear passengers.
The datalink and wheel.controls are still a non necessity yet. The HU works well pushing screen to control, even not having a volume know ia good, because volume steps are well programmed to not miss the knob.
As tacoma stock speakers are less than junk (once again, greedy Toyota choosing junk instead a decent system)... I put JBL 6x9 in the front and additional jbl tweeters. Sounds awesomeeeeeeee for just a deck and speakers. If more volume.is needed, add an amp for the.fronts.

Its totally enjoyable with new head unit and good speakers. Not like the sh1t Toyota gives.

Good luck

 

Refurb is ok. I don't think crutchfield is gonna want to be shipping defective material... Then dealing with returns etc.

From what I've read on these forums; the idata link is THE way to go. Stumbled upon a thread where this guy had on his display tire pressures. I believe it plugs into the obd port, so it could very well be a scan tool as well. I don't know about the last part, but the tire pressures.... That made me consider replacing this single DIN Kenwood excelon hu I'm running now.
Save your pennies. Buy once, cry once.

Why spend the extra$$ for 10 minutes and a handful of crimps?

 

Awesome, thanks for the reply!

 

My truck has the Kenwood you posted in your first post, it was in the truck when I bought it. It's a nice radio for the money.

 

Following - I want the same spec only with Apple CarPlay.

 

I believe the one I have pictured does support Apple CarPlay. The one posted is one I found on crutchfield with all the specs I wanted. I just searched it on Amazon to see if I could find cheaper. It is looking to me like the one posted is the way I’m leaning towards, but from Crutchfield instead of amazon. Crutchfield would just be easier to get everything I need in the same cart and as ready-to-install as possible.

update: I just rethought this and I’m not so sure it supports Apple CarPlay. I was thinking of other things such as Spotify control and Maps. Sorry if I got your hopes up :/ lol

 

Were you able to keep your steering wheel controls and convert backup camera to the radio screen?
I know you didn’t install just wondering if whoever did accomplished those for you. Lol

 

My truck is an 03, it doesn't have steering wheel controls and the backup camera was an add on with the radio

 

Gotcha, thanks for the replies brother!

 

I just did my 2011, although I put in a Pioneer unit. I didn't go with the iDatalink Maestro, I used Axxess harnesses, so I can't tell you about the Maestro. To do the AXXESS harnesses, you'll need their main radio harness, and an additional one to run the steering wheel controls. I also got a parking brake eliminator as I didn't feel like running a wire all the way across the dash to get to the parking brake relay. The backup camera "Can" be put into the new headunit, but it's a real PITA, as you'll need to splice into the video cable and run it through the dash. You should probably eliminate the one in the mirror so you're not splitting the signal. Also be aware that the backup camera from the factory isn't very good resolution. It may look weak on a 7 inch screen while it looks ok on that little 1.5 inch screen in the mirror. The Pioneer I put in worked fine with the existing "JBL Premium Sound" system, but not all of them do, so use crutchfield to find headunits that are compatible.

To do the steering wheel controls, you'll have to either cut the original steering wheel harness, or tap into three of it's wires with vampire taps. XM antenna probably won't work as is, most new units use an external XM module and it probably won't wire to your shark fin (it might, I just don't know as I'm not paying them any money!).

Oh, and you'll need a 2 din cover plate, I prefer the Scosche to the Metra.

 

I installed a no-name Android radio from China. It ticks all the boxes except the "not a slow piece of crap," which it is. But it is a totally functional Android system... capable of anything a phone or tablet can do.

My phone finally stays in my pocket when I drive.

I think I spent about 250 on the unit, plus another 200 on wiring and accessories, and I added a $10/month line to my cell bill for the data.

You would need a strong background in electronics and wiring to get it installed and fully working. If that's not your strength or interest, then Crutchfield is a great company to work with, they will help you through the process with whatever you choose.

 

great ideas!