3rd gen head unit replacement

Thanks man I'll check out that thread

 

I can go ahead and tell you we won't be the cheapest on any of these units. We can (today, 7/18/19) price match Amazon for the w8500 for $870, down from $1200. But the 8400 is the same unit as far as I can tell and if you can get it cheaper, i love it

 

Just curious, what's your take on Kenwood? I've heard good and bad

 

Yeah I found out on Amazon for $695

 

I like kenwood as a brand, but I went pioneer because Kenwood ditched the HDMI input. This was a deal breaker for me, but won't matter for a lot of people

 

I could see why I would need an HDMI. But who's knows lol

 

I have headrest monitors for the back seat using the AV-out on my radio. With the HDMI, I can mirror my phone to the back seat with netflix or youtube for my kid (thanks unlimited data!)

 

Lol that's awesome. I think I'm good without that haha

 

Just looking for a head unit with android auto capabilities that will fit my Taco.

 

I haven't professionally installed in 7 years. I installed for 36 years. When it comes to reliability and longevity Pioneer decks blow Kenwood decks away, no contest.

 

That’s how I always felt as well, but again, haven’t installed in 11 years. Professionally that is

 

Awesome thank you. I still have yet to pull the trigger on one lol

 

Any chance you can share some detail on this? What monitors are you using, how are they mounted? Any cable run tricks? Thanks!

 

using some cheap Rockville brand 9" monitors from Amazon. they're cheap and probably wont last too long, but they get the job done. they mount in the headrest mounts, just like the factory headrest.
power/ground for both is routed under the carpet over to the center console and spliced into the console cig lighter wiring. video signal is from a 10' length of RCA cables (red/white/yellow) from the radio's AV output routed under the console as well.
for cable routing tips, the main one is just take out the center console. super easy. a few 10mm bolts and some philips head screws. this will open up tons of space to work, and make your wire routing super easy.
also, grab a fish tape (or a 4' zip tie or something similar) to help rout video cables from the radio cavity down into the dash and grab them below the wireless charging mat (once the center console is out)

grab a bag of 4" zip ties and use tons of them. you want to keep everything as neat and clean as possible. and use flush cutters to cut them off. it only takes once to slice your hand or arm open on a zip-tie stub that wasn't cut flush.

 

Yeah I look at cheap Android units the same way as used or refurbished mainstream stuff. You take your chances to save some money.

I just ordered a Dasaita stereo. Reliability aside, the sheer number of features for the money makes me wonder what the mainstream brands are doing. They charge a thousand bucks for smaller screens with the same crappy navigation. On top of that, you must buy Maestros and special cables just to keep your current car functions. No doubt the QC from Pioneer or Kenwood is worth a premium, but 3X the cost? All of those stereos are probably made in the same factory.

 

Let us know how you like it. Always keeping my eyes open for stuff to recommend to clients (or myself)
Like you said, even if a cheap unit only lasts 2 years, but costs 3x less, that just means you get updated features in 2 years, and then more updated features 2 years later. All while the expensive units are still working, but the features are aging.

That being said, I have the very pricey pioneer w8400 and love it.

 

I was bummed when I missed out on Crutchfield's $699 flash sale on the 8400. It certainly looks like a great piece of hardware. $1199 good? I can't imagine. I could go through 3 of these Dasaita's and still not reach the price of the 8400 + Maestro extras.

Will certainly post my thoughts when I get it installed.

 

Do any of you have any photos of these head units installed? Do they fit perfectly?

 

They do, if you go to page one I have a few pictures of them installed there. No extra wires and no dash kit. I don’t see any gaps. All you need is the extra brackets, which will need to be cut down. Also more info here
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...oid-3-way-components-3-amps-wow.576729/page-6

 

I apologize for reviving a VERY old dead thread, but I'm shopping for a head unit now and came across this post. Did you really get the 8400 for $340 shipped? If so, can you share how? I'm confused here. lol