CLEAN head unit recommendations

Any other pics? Did it fit without having to cut the dash or anything?

 

You should have no issues to find one. Make sure you understand that you need to buy kits to install and interface the unit with oem connectors even for expensive units.

 

Not gonna lie I hadn't heard any of this... thank you for steering me away

 

What did you end up going with?

 

No cutting of the dash at all. I don’t know of any that you have to cut the dash. It took a little bit of messing with the bracket to get it to sit how I liked but that’s straightforward as the brackets are plastic anyway. It works great. Apple car play has been pretty flawless. Sounds amazing now. I also replaced the speakers too. The oem are really poor.

 

So if you plug your phone into the factory USB port what happens? Does it connect to the stereo and charge the phone?

 

Another vote for the pioneer. The only custom requirement is driving a couple holes into the factory brackets. Very simple.

Look in the audio forum. There’s a huge thread on it.

 

Is yours also the 7600? Did you have to give up your digital speedometer in the space right above the steering wheel? I read some say they “lost their speed limit” not sure what that means.

 

Stinger radio looks good, few videos on you tube about them. I will get one in the near future. the.https://www.tacomaforce.com/product...-touchscreen-radio-plug-and-play-installation

 

Kenwood DMX957XR. It looks relatively clean. I had already used that unit in my previous trucks, the intent was to sell it under the guise that my Toyota factory CarPlay would be good enough I wouldn’t want to bother with an aftermarket install. However, that didn’t pan out and I swapped. I’m happy with the result, the kenwood buttons I was able to get to match my dash’s blue color and I don’t think it looks all that aftermarket, all said and done. I’m pretty picky about that stuff.

But, at the end of the day, function over form mattered anyways. It could have been a lot uglier but I would have stuck with it anyways just to get away from the stock unit.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/todays-gen3-upgrade-install.797401/

I just installed the Sony from TrailGrid Pro, fully plug and play. four Kicker door speakers and Subaru tweeters for around $1150. The Carplay isn't wireless but that wasn't a requirement of mine. Take the $1350 you have left in the budget and buy an invisible lightning cable.

 

You are willing to spend $2500 on a hu but are leaving the incredibly crappy speakers? For around $300 you can swap out the door speakers with corresponding Kickers and replace the tweeters. Those door speakers have magnets about the size of a quarter. Pure garbage.

 

No volume knob?




Get off my lawn!

 

How’s the installation?

 

I’ll just leave this here
https://trailgridpro.com/products/sony-xav-ax6000-plug-play-bundle-16-22-tacoma/

20 minute install, wireless CarPlay… I’m a fan

 

Sony, Kenwood, or Pioneer. The trail grid pro Sony options are nice. The 6600nex doesn't take as much work as the 7600 to install, but both look they they belong in the Tacoma. I believe Pioneer makes the oem head units too.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-pioneer-dmh-wc6600nex-flush-mount-install.668580/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pioneer-dmh-wt7600nex-flush-mount-install.736256/

Then replace the speakers. You might even have enough for a small amp.

 

6600. No need for the 7600, they are identical except the 7600 has an adjustable bracket which you do not need.

no, I’m pretty sure I have the speedo. I only want the CarPlay audio to display on my little screen so I haven’t looked to see what I lost. Don’t care for anything else.

 

Do the charging ports still function as they use to?

 

I have a Kenwood Excelon in my 2019. Works great, was only $500, but I wasn't looking to spend a ton on a headunit. You're looking at about $250 for the install components including Maestro, so that leaves you're options wide open at 2500. I'd probably do a 957XR with an amp and some updated speakers, sub and soundmat, lol.

Or just spend under a grand on a head unit/install parts and be happy at that.

I love all of the comments about the tiny stock magnets on the speakers. Yes, the oe speakers aren't great but the magnets are neos that's why they are so small. Alpine, Hertz and several other companies have magnets close to that size on high end speakers it's newer technology.

 

Pioneer DMH-WC6600NEX

Got mine here,https://www.ebay.com/itm/284091540191 OEM box, everything.

Info thread, https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pioneer-dmh-wc6600nex-information-thread.672425/

Have had it over a year and no problems.