2019 SR radio upgrade

I have a 2019 tacoma SR which comes with a very basic "info-tainment" system while the higher trims have the entune reciever (including nav, apps, weather, apple car play, etc.) I am looking to put the upgraded entune into my tacoma (im aware of the need for a 7in trim piece to compensate for the increase of size of the receiver) ive found them online for upwards of $1400, any suggestions?

 

Just buy an aftermarket head unit with Android auto / apple car play.

 

I have considered that without a doubt. just liked the idea of OEM look and easy installation (plug+play) however long run it would be cheaper to buy an aftermarket head unit... decisions decisions

 

Welcome to TW. You can find a ton of info on upgrading your SR in this thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-sr-thread-lets-see-them.411453/

 

If you want to retain the OEM look, then OEM is the route to go. However, if you want more functionality and better value, do an aftermarket radio. Just remember you get what you pay for so I would recommend sticking with the big brands (Kenwood, Pioneer Alpine) I am very partial to Kenwood Excelon, (my shop installs probably 90% Kenwood Excelon units, 5% Kenwood, and 5% Alpine).

 

I am in the same boat. Just curious what kind of price range are we talking about for the Kenwood Excelon or a comparable Alpine and what enhance events do things upgrades bring? Thanks in advance!!

 

You're about $250 in parts (the maestro RR is the bulk of that). That's the goto interface for steering wheel controls, and stuff that the factory head unit displays/controls on the 3rd gens. Whether you buy a $350 Kenwood Excelon or a $1000+ unit, you still need those parts.

Kenwood Excelon 2-Dins with CarPlay/Android Auto range from $350 to about $1200 I think. More money more features. Personally the two I like in terms of value are the DMX906S (mechless no CD, wireless car play/android auto, BT audio/calls, HD Radio) I think retail on that is $450. Couple of steps up on that would be the DDX9906 (everything the DMX906S has + CDs and an HD screen), that's $700 I think. The next step up from that adds a built in Garmin Nav (it's nice, but debatable as to whether or not its worth it). I will be putting a DDX9906 or the DDX9907 by the time I actually get around to it in my commuter car FYI.

I'm not too familiar with the Alpine line up, but they are similarly priced. But if you want to go big table style, Alpine is currently the only one that has a decent one (although I still don't like them personally) Check out the

$1,200 ILX-F309TCM HALO9 9" Receiver for Toyota Tacoma 2016-2019 - Compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto (No-CD)

ILX-F309TCM the Alpine Halo-9. If this is your style, wait till summer, Kenwood is releasing one this style and I'm kinda hyped about it.

The short story: $700 (less than half an OEM setup) you will have WIRELESS Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, but no CD.

 

You can pick up a used entune unit for about 300 bucks plus another 200ish for the trim piece from Toyota. I did this with my sr5.

 

If you haven’t already, check out Crutchfield’s website. They’ll show you what will fit in your rig, so you can then filter by make, features, etc. They also offer a range of installation accessory packages depending on the features you want. I’m looking to upgrade too, but not necessarily wedded to Entune.

 

Nice write up and thanks for the information

 

probably a dumb question, but when you replace the factory head unit with an aftermarket, do you lose the lines for the backup camera? I don't know if those are a function of the camera or the headunit.

 

Not a dumb question. With some units yes, others no, as I was surprised to learn. One of the many things I liked about Crutchfield’s site was they identify which units support the backup camera.

 

so the camera generates the lines itself (or something between the camera and the headunit)? the reason I'm wondering is that i have a line in my garage floor that directly lines up with the middle line on the camera. I know that if I line up perfectly with that, that I won't hit anything in the garage and I'll be in the exact same spot every time.

 

Just FYI, the 2020 OEM head unit doesn't have a CD either. I was surprised my 2017 had one.

 

some vehicles it’s in the camera, some it’s in the radio. Most of the aftermarket ones do have the ability to display lines, and the Kenwood ones have the ability to adjust lines. So you might need to adjust them, but you won’t lose lines if you switch to aftermarket.

 

I too was shocked my 17 had one. It’s about time they started getting phased out for more screen size.

 

Sorry, I misread your question, which I can’t answer. I found that some after market units, even more expensive ones, don’t support a backup camera at all. The Sony unit I’m considering has inputs for 3 cameras, which is good because I want to add a front view, to help me with parking. D’oh!

 

ok cool. so i guess the question is, for someone who has swapped a headunit on a 3rd gen taco, did you maintain the original parking lines or get new ones with the new headunit that you had to adjust.

 

If the camera has the lines, I leave those as opposed to using the aftermarket ones. I forget what the 3rd gens do honestly. It’s been a year or so since I’ve done one. I still roll the factory HU on mine so i can even check.