OEM Car Play Solution for 2016 and 2017 models

I gave up. The resolution was too grainy for me. It was a cool idea but I don't think I would have been happy long-term.

 

I've been thinking about getting some sort of carplay/AA adapter. The Naviks seem nice but expensive and this seems like a less expensive option. Does anyone have experience with the Naviks compared to this Carabc module?

 

Just an update on my install.

I had my front passenger 6x9 go out on me, so I ripped the dash apart trying to figure out what was wrong. Long story short, it was a lose wire in the door, but it afforded me the opportunity to do some upgrades.

• I added back in the unit antenna. I had removed it as I figured I'd be 100% wired, but I figure at this point there's zero downside to having the antenna on there and giving me the ability go go wireless if I wanted.
• I had run a USB extension wire out of the unit down to the passenger footwell. I routed it under the console and popped it out at the cupholders. I ended up finding that in cold weather the cable would rub against the console making all kinds of annoying noise. I ran it to a panel mount USB switch in place of the Qi switch (see pics below).
• I was worried that the unit would rattle in my dash as it was just placed in the dash. I placed the unit and wedged in some foam to keep it in place.

I feel this switch gives me a much more OEM appearance. Let's be honest, it's a $9.99 shipped switch so the actual quality leaves a fair bit to be desired (it's loose in the dash) but it does work correctly. I am looking to see if I can find an insert that will cover the hole when I'm not using the cable.

Pardon the dust, it's been a long winter. I'm still working on dialing in the audio quality. I'm close, but I'm still not there. I've found EQing the Aux and sending the audio one notch back to the rear seems to help with placement. The toughest thing is balancing volume versus clarity. I've backed off the master volume and the music volume on the app to try and get it so I can crank more volume without loss of clarity. The other thing I'm fighting is getting a good middle bass level trying to get some of the clarity in the bass while maintaining that 18-year old Mike thump. Of course, with a pair of car seat and the panels in the back of a Tacoma not being super tight it's always a trade off.

I'll get there.

 

Just another brief update here:

• I tinkered with my amplifier settings independent of the unit which gave me bass for days in both Entune and now CarPlay.
• I did back off the music volume on the Carabc unit to gain clarity at higher volumes. This solved the loudness / distortion issue I was having.
• The Carabc unit still needs more bass input than the stock Entune unit all things being equal to achieve the same amount of bass.
  
• The audio channels are reversed! I noticed this clearly on Van Halen’s Unchained where the guitar intro comes in on the left channel. However with the Carabc unit it’s on the right channel. You may want to check yours.
• There is still something weird about soundstage with the processor independent of bass level. You notice it more at higher volumes. Maybe it’s my ears, I dunno.
• Spotify sounds better than the iPhone music app (using stored music)

I still don’t regret the purchase as having Waze is quite nice when I need it and if I’m not focusing on music listening specifically.

That being said I do think $200 is a good limit for the module. More than that and the downsides outweigh the pros.

I need to take apart my dash one last time to better wrap the USB wiring as I can hear it tapping my dash if I’m on a phone call.

 

I have the JBL amplified system and everywhere I have looked says I can not do the swap to the newer OEM radio with apple carplay. I think I am about to pull the trigger on the Sony XAV-AX7000 bundle from Trail Grid Pro. Anyone else have this specific radio and know of any features it wont retain?

 

An update: whenever I make a phone call, the system defaults to CarPlay and the person on the other end always complains about the sound quality. They either can’t hear me or their voice echos or both. Anyone else have this problem?

 

Does USB music still work while using nav?

 

Get a Sienna head unit off EBay then buy the plug and play harness!! No resolution problems. Backup camera quality seemed to improve for me too.

 

JBL?

 

100%. I am not wireless CarPlay so I'll disconnect the USB wire and default it back to Entune if I make a phone call.

You cannot listen to anything audio related outside of the unit. So AM/FM/XM/USB are all off limits, sadly.

That's an insane deal for that HU!

 

I'm able listen to USB through wired AA (I use Android Auto, but I'm sure Carplay would be similar) by using a USB hub adapter. I'll admit it's not the cleanest, but it works. Only thing is that you cannot control tracks when in the AA screens, and the system displays the file name, not the Mp3 tag data.

 

Damn, I didn't have money left over for pizza.....

 

I bought one of the CARABC units for my 2019 from Amazon based on this thread. I have the Entune 2.0 JBL system. Price was $189.

It works! Based on advice in one of the install videos I went in the Entune Setup screen and set the camera contrast all the way to the left. This makes the CarPlay screen look about right, if slightly blurry. My eyesight is not great without reading glasses anyway and it’s sharp enough to read road names no problem. It’s no match for an Entune 3.0 unit in sharpness but may be good enough for occasional CarPlay users like me.

The interface is very responsive. It boots up when I start the truck. I am using the wired connection to my iPhone 11.

Sound quality is fine, although there is no EQ since the CarPlay adapter uses the AUX input, which doesn’t have the “sound” button that some other Entune inputs have. But the JBL system sounds pretty good with no EQ so it’s ok for me.

I left my phone Bluetooth-linked to Entune. You can tap the volume/power button to switch back to Entune if you want to use that, and with it already connected this makes it seamless.

Recommended if you’re looking for an inexpensive solution!

 

If you click on "HOME" on the CarPlay interface you can get into the actual device menu where there are EQ settings. I couldn't tune in there to my liking, but they do exist.

 

Has anyone gotten the A/V input to work with the carabc unit? It added the input after install but I can't get any image from it. The camera app inside the carabc menu works but not the A/V input from entune

 

Hello. I bought and installed this unit in my 2018 TRD OFF ROAD. I have an issue where the backup camera will stay on for a second or two after shifting out of reverse and it’s really the only thing that’s driving me crazy about this device. Has anyone experienced this issue as well?

 

I also have the upgraded JBL package, did you find any solution to use an OEM HU? What did you settle on?

 

I made a video review about CARabc and the front camera input. It works great just don't attempt to update the firmware. I tried updating it and ruined it. Had to buy a second one because CARabc ghosted me after trying to get a replacement. If it works just leave it as is. Here's the video: https://youtu.be/krsjnLBhR4g?si=J_GC_prwOmoRiWSI

 

I wanted to post in here that I found a way to listen to FM/AM radio as well as Bluetooth while on CarPlay. In other words, we can use Apple Maps with CarPlay and listen to the Entune radio or Bluetooth at the same time.
I wrote his just in case there’s any one out there who hasn’t figured it out yet.

 

Are you going to post the way? Bluetooth shouldn't really even matter because you can use Bluetooth through carplay