2017 Stock Radio Carplay Upgrade Path

Morning,

I did use search, but I didn't see anything posted regarding some specific questions I have before planning out what to order.

Just picked up a 17 TRD Sport w/ 29k on the clock, and carplay is really the first thing I want to put money into because I prefer it for navigation.

Seeing as I do not want think spending the $650 on the beat sonic adapter is worth it, I feel like going aftermarket is the best way, and I understand a maestro kit is required to retain steering wheel controls as well as a bunch of other features, so my question is:

1. Are the 'Plug and Play' models from Sony any good or worth it? I thought it may be, to save space in wires/cable management by not having a wiring harness, I have other projects planned, like upgrading the useless Qi charger, so would like space to work with in general for the future.
2. The market is flooded with cheap chinese head units, are any of these maestro compatible/is there a recommended import brand/mfg that people have had success with, or is going with Sony/Alpine/ect the best route?

The factory head unit is so laughably bad and the nav unusable, I briefly considered running a raspberry pi and touch screen, but for my daily driver, I think this is one problem I wont fix with a raspi/hacked solution, unless someone can show me a solid build for taco with 3d-printed bezel covers and shit.

I 3D printed a gas cap holder, this one is just PLA until I buy more PETG, but its very cold here for now, I do not need to worry about warping.



Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to TW

 

I don't understand why people say the nav in these trucks is unusable. I have a 2021 with dynamic nav and it works just fine, no problems at all using it.

 

Because you have entune 3.0. Entune 2.0 is a steaming pile of garbage.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pioneer-dmh-wc6600nex-information-thread.672425/#post-23620029

 

could upgrade to a stock entune 3.0 out of a Sienna too

 

Is there a method of obtaining these that makes this method more affordable than an aftermarket unit?

 

Probably not...I have not done it, but was thinking junkyard. I had a sweet Pioneer AVIC NEX 4200 with XM and Maestro RR controls on my 2nd Gen and sold it on here. The issue I would have with any 3rd gen aftermarket setup, would be to lose any display information on the dash.

 

ebay?

edit: seriously though, eBay. I believe there are some threads on here about hu swaps

 

Sick unit, huge screen, but way more than I want to spend, The sony plug n play modules start around 500, and IIRC have the maestro functions all that built in.

I guess to be more specific:

Is something like this model considered "good" or a "gimmick" ex: no separate maestro means you cannot upgrade the maestro down the road if you want:

https://trailgridpro.com/shop/head-units/sony-ax3200-kit-16-19-tacoma/

Is it better to get a head unit for say 3-400 and then add a $200 maestro, or is the unit I linked above a better choice? Not sure if this effects the maestro or head unit purchase, but I also plan to add a remote start, is there anything I need to keep in mind for all of these features to be wired that I should consider?

 

damn that really blows, I thought the maestro was supposed to retain those functions? Would it be a matter of re-flashing the maestro with an update or some shit to get the dash screen? I thought the entire purpose of the maestro was to retain all the stock functionality and shit.

 

To that end, Im assuming Id need a 2020+ stock sienna OEM radio, correct?

Are there any OEM clones available?

and I gotta ask again, because in other projects I've worked on for robotics and home automation, electronics from china have been cheap and worthwhile, my search results are filled with no-name chinese head units and car play dongles etc, Has anyone from anywhere done a in depeth review on any of them?

Raspi head unit is starting to sound like more of a possibility.

 

I remember that the story was you can use the SW controls but the center screen loses functionality. Maybe things have changed?

 

Sorry, it has been a while since I looked into it, and then only a few searches.

iirc a sienna (or likely other) Toyota head unit would just pop right in and work. I believe 2019+ offered CarPlay in the Scienna and Highlander.

I do believe the fuel economy displays did not work however.

as far as cost goes I cannot quote it but I remember it being quite reasonable, maybe around $300 or so

 

I had to have wireless Carplay so I could just leave my phone in my pocket. Money well spent if you plan on keeping it for years.

 

Ideally I would like to have wireless carplay, which you can get a wireless carplay dongle to achieve opn that sony, id also like to upgrade the QI charger to actually be useful as a quick charger

 

https://naviks.com/i-24076749-2016-...by-the-touch-screen.html?ref=category:1149762

 

I like this option the most so far. And cheaper than the beat sonic

 

This is on my long list. If you pull the trigger and install it please let us know

 

That's an outrageous amount of money for what amounts to just carplay. It's only giving you functionality that your phone already has. At least another HU gives you different features, better quality and carplay