Adding Bluetooth to Gen. 2 Tacoma

Hi everybody,

I am the proud owner of a 2011 Tacoma TRD Off-road, and I have been trying to use the aux port with my iphone 8 but after 2 minutes of very quit music, it turns off with the message on my phone "This accessory is not supported by this device" I have been searching the internet relentlessly to find the most affordable way to play music from my phone on the tacoma, while still having quality sound. I really don't want the cigarette lighter bluetooth adapters either.

I am wondering if any of yall have experience and insight on bluetooth modules that plug into the back of the radio, I have been taking a good hard look at the Crux, but am having a hard time establishing which one is compatible.

Is the sound quality good with these? What are yall overall impressions on these devices? and furthermore, how did yall get bluetooth on your second gens.

Thanks for everything,
BR

 

Is there a reason you dont want an aftermarket head unit? They're doable installs if your DIY minded, and really easy if you get pre made wiring harnesses. If you go single DIN, they're cheap and you'll get a bit of storage space. If you go double DIN you get touch screen, and those are only as expensive as you want. Either way you'll get better sound quality right off the bat, not to mention a lot more benefits than bluetooth.

 

^^^ This. The Tacoma has to be the easiest vehicle I've ever had when it comes to changing to a new head unit. Super easy, and decent double dins are not expensive.

 

Is there a way to update the firmware in your current head unit being stock, and is your iPhone up-to-date this will interfere with your Bluetooth capabilities possibly

 

You should be able to play through the aux port with no issues. If not the best thing to do is upgrade head unit.

 

Highly recommend buying a HU from Crutchfield. They can set you up with the right radio and accessories to make the install plug-n-play along with top notch tech support. Sound quality and options much improved by going with an aftermarket HU versus stock.

 

Here's my response to everybody,
Thank you for your feedback and insight! I've been looking into replacing the whole thing as a possibility, but would have to find a fairly priced double DIN, I really don't like the look of Single DIN.

The only reason why going for an aftermarket head unit isn't my first choice is because I prefer to keep the truck as stock as possible, and the headunit in there now looks good for my taste haha.

Thanks again everybody, keep the good ideas flowing!

 

For an old car that had a Bose sound system and a tape deck that I wanted Bluetooth in but didn't want to tear out the radio I got one of these DeWalt BT receivers and used a F-F coupler to the cassette adapter and it had a 'factory Bluetooth™' you could try one of those plugged directly into the AUX port.

If it works then you could do like I did and semi permanently mount it.

I used some 3M trim adhesive to stick the base mount to the console and had a very short USB cable to a USB charger in the cigarette lighter outlet and left it plugged in all the time as the battery life was rather short otherwise but it would play and charge.

Got rid of the car long ago but I still use the BT adapter to give some old computer speakers in the garage wireless capability.



I suspect the reason you have issue with your phone and the aux port is stacking tolerances and that the radio is almost guaranteed to only accept 3 pin 3.5mm jacks whereas your phone is a 4pin 3.5mm jack and if two internal pins touch one plug pin then the head unit detects an anomaly and disconnects to protect itself giving you the not compatible error.

You could also try another cable to see if it works better but again may have the same issues.

 

I had a Sony XAV5000 in my last truck and it was amazing, cost around $300. It’s a double din screen but a single din back, so it’s super easy to install. It was in my 2011 and I bought these Metra plug and play harnesses and a sosche dash kit. Easiest install ever and it had carplay, Bluetooth, and android auto

 

I bought

$30 BESIGN BK01 Bluetooth Car Kit, Wireless Receiver for Handsfree Talking and Music Streaming with Ground Loop Noise Isolator for Car with 3.5mm Aux Port

this unit from Amazon and I'm relatively happy with it. Works through the AUX port. It has two cons that I've noticed.

1. When playing music via bluetooth, you'll hear a low beep between each song unless the phone's bluetooth volume is set to 100%.
2. The sound quality of the mic is not very good. Not unusable, my buddy who helped me test it said it was just noticeably lower quality than the phone's mic.

For music playback and being able to answer the phone easily, it's fine for the price IMO.

 

It's not a simple plug and play swap so may not interest you... but I was in essentially the same boat. I wanted BT streaming plus the volume knob on the stock radio had broken. I did not want an aftermarket stereo - partly due to cost, partly due to how they look and partly due the fact the JBL system complicates things a bit. I ended up swapping in a radio from a 2014 using a custom harness I built by combining a few different off the shelf head unit adapater harnesses. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

 

The AUX jack may be flaky, mine was. I upgraded to a Kenwood double din non-LCD, well priced with lots of modern features like taking BT calls and USB plug. You can change the display colour to match your dash lights too.
https://www.crutchfield.ca/S-KyLXih...44536&awdv=c&awkw=&awmt=b&awnw=g&awug=9000685

 

I’m using a module that adds Bluetooth and a lightning connector for an iPhone. It uses the CD controls for playing and steering wheel controls work. It’s a good setup.

 

And I also installed a Metra Axxess ASWC-1 steering wheel control interface for well, using the steering wheel controls for the Kenwood:

$68 AXXES Axxess ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control Interface

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00B4PJC9K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Are you sure you're not dealing with a bad Aux cable?
If you have a bad input connector on the front face of the stock HU, chances are a bluetooth add on wont help
If you've got to get to the back of the radio, to add the bluetooth module, you mind as well just replace the HU. problem is inventory at the moment, and Crutchfield is dealing with a lack of offerings to sell you.

 

If you really don't want to replace the head unit (it's great, I did eventually, easy and highly reccomend haha) I'd reccomend a a GTA Car Kit thing. It plugs into the CD Changer port in the back of some head units and lets you add bluetooth to a non-bluetooth radio. Check their website for list of compatible stock HU and verify, but pretty much if it was non-jbl it works for much. You just hit the CD button twice to get to bluetooth instead of the internal CD. I think if you did enough digging you could find a very similar no name brand unit that would do the same, but for $140 it worked for me.

 

Highly recommend the Tunai Firefly for bluetooth streaming. It's a very small bluetooth receiver that fits perfectly between the aux port and power outlet in the center console. I've had mine for 4 years and it has worked flawlessly to stream music. I never felt the need to upgrade my head unit and this does the job for $40

$40 TUNAI Firefly LDAC Bluetooth Receiver: High Resolution Wireless Audio Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter with Audiophile USB DAC 3.5mm AUX for Car/Home Stereo Hi Res Music Streaming; Auto On, No Charging Needed

https://www.amazon.com/Firefly-Bluetooth-Receiver-Smallest-Streaming/dp/B01HDO66NK

 

I went way overkill with a FIIO BTR3. So, now I have to double down and get the 5.

For my though, I double use it for work, so I leave it in car mode all the time, then if I need to take it with me I just have to turn it back on once I unplug it, not that huge of an inconvenience. My only complaint with the BTR3 was I *assumed* an external mic would be possible. Nope.

 

I did something similar. Grom for Toyota. Works great!! Good stop gap for a Double DIN unit.

 

I have one of these blulogic Bluetooth controllers. Overall it's not a terrible unit. Works as a stand alone device and uses its own volume control instead of your radio. Works even with the radio off.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-install-blu-logic-hands-free-system.489938/