Head Unit Upgrade

Ill jusy quote myself ....again..., Because im still lazy.

Thread Link : https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aftermarket-head-unit.768755/#post-28172983

 

Just to be clear: they’re all plug and play if you just buy the $30 harness from Crutchfield. The 6600NX install was a half hour for me.

 

True. I just liked the fact they did all the pre-wiring for the Sony , soldering ,wrapping the wires properly and tested before i got it.

 

Yeah, just in your linked thread you said connecting wires and soldering so I was making it clear for others. The Crutchfield harness is just a premade cable with Pioneer plugs on one end and Toyota plugs on the other, plug both sides in, voila.

 

+1 for

$1,100 Pioneer DMH-WC6600NEX 9" Capacitive Touchscreen, Modular Chassis – Wireless & Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, HD Radio, FLAC, Backup Camera, Hi-Volt RCA

Pioneer DMH-WC6600NEX

 

Do you loose the vehicle customization settings with that? Like the headlight time out and interior lights time outs, auto headlight sensitivity or any of that?

 

Not with a Maestro RR or RR2.

 

so all of those options still show up on the head unit menu? If so, I’m going to put an alpine in there

 

Yes, there is a section on the head unit that the Maestro places those options. You program the maestro for the vehicle it’s going into so it knows what options the vehicle has and knows how to communicate with the vehicle to maintain allowing the driver to operate them.

 

As others have already said, the Maestro keeps the functionality. There is a little delay while it fetches the vehicle config, but realistically you won't be changing those settings often. Also when installing the Maestro/HU all the existing settings you have are retained - nothing defaults. Love Maestro's, I have them in 2 cars now. I would recommend the RR2 over the RR as it doesn't have the rebooting issue the RR does.

 

I did not flush mount the iLX F509, the closest i got to the dash just made mounting the screen a real pain, I do not mind the gap between screen and dash after all it is called a "floating screen", if you look at the trailgridpro video you can see the gap the iLX will give you. Back in the 90's Pioneer left me with a very bad impression so never again.

 

I've been VERY tempted to pull the trigger on a Dasaita. I like the idea of a full android head unit, if for no other reason than the fact that I could use the full google maps app, instead of the cumbersome android auto version. All the other customization options are a bonus.

I would miss the volume knob, but it's not a deal breaker. I also don't like that they aren't compatible with the factory microphone.

Can you still access the vehicle customization options that are accessed through the original head unit?

Have you had any success remapping the steering wheel buttons? I've heard some people are unable to make it work.

 

steering wheel buttons are pre mapped. didnt have to do anything. ive never changed vehicle settings on stock radio or this one but i know there is a setting on screen that says "vehicle settings". i previously had the "cartrimhome" brand android headunit and could never get it to work right with the manual transmission. this one has been flawless and i like the os better. ive had a dasaita radio in my car since 2018 with no issues aswell.

 

Any loss of compass / current song on your instrument cluster with these upgrades?

 

i never had that with stock radio. or atleast didnt know i could. dont know why it would matter if i can just rotate my eyes to see the radio itself.

 

Pioneer has always had the best DSP in their HU. check them out.

 

I installed the Sony xav 9500es from trail grid pro in my 2021 Toyota Tacoma. It's a pretty big upgrade. Wireless Android auto, sound quality and for me the 3 RCA amp connections are huge deal for me.

 

No, I don't think it's worth the money to upgrade the screen for my uses and what the truck cost. Works just fine

 

How much should I budget for a decent head unit with a front camera? My backup camera is a joke, and I could have really used a front camera for towing lifts and a few spots in Moab. My pal just got one for his second gen and it is very nice. Not sure of the brand but what an upgrade. I travel across country yearly and watching movies, maps, and booking hotels it what i need it for. My truck goes in the shop at end of month for carpet removal sound proofing and weathertech floor matt. may as well have them do the headunit upgrade and speakers.

 

Looks like the units everyone recommends are $800-1500