Joying Head Unit Replacement Build List and Experience

Hey Everyone. Thought I would share this as it would have saved me at least a few hours researching what I needed. So far i am happy with the unit. Having the flexibility of an Android device is great. I find the audio to be a lot better than the factory unit. I turn the hotspot on on my phone and it uses that for data if required. I run updates at home where i can get wifi from the house. You can mirror your phone and use blue tooth for audio but i find the hot spot and just running apps locally better(google maps, waze, streaming radio, podcasts, etc). There is a sd card slot to store GPS maps or audio or whatever you want. One thing that doesn't work is "OK Google"...I wish it did. I really haven't tested the phone capabilities out as I hate talking on the phone in my car even if it is hands free.

Tacoma Details
2014 TRD Sport
Non JBL Stereo
No GPS
Backup Camera(displayed on headunit)

Build List

1. I ordered this HeadUnit directly from CarJoying. From what I understand if you order the Toyota specific unit it will come with a harness. I needed to get a Hilux harness not the generic Toyota harness...I sent them a picture before hand and they confirmed otherwise it wouldn't have come with the correct harness. The toyota units also seem to be configured so that the screen mounts flush at the bottom of the unit but overlaps at the top. Whereas the general non toyota specific have an overlap evenly around. Not sure why this makes it Toyota...it seems like I could have installed either.

https://www.carjoying.com/head-unit/s-v/toyota/682.html

2. Harness (See above..this came with the unit i ordered but I had to contact them.

https://www.carjoying.com/joying-ha...io-plug-lead-wire-loom-connector-adaptor.html


3. Dash Kit: Metra 99-8235chg

This is for a single din but I couldn't locate one in Canada meant for double. I just didn't use the tray below and it was just fine.

$35 Metra Electronics 99-8235CHG Single DIN Dash Installation Kit For 2012 Toyota Tacoma Vehicles

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00BAO11MG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?
ie=UTF8&psc=1

4. USB Adapter: Metra AX-TOYUSB Port Cable

I used this so that my factory USB plug would work with the stereo

https://www.crutchfield.ca/p_120TOY...&awnw=g&awcr=190577034450&awdv=c&awug=9001319

5. RCA video cable for backup camera (see below)



Things of Note.

1. I only had to do 2 pieces of wiring that the harness did not handle. The backup camera and the backup sense. This awesome video shows how to do both.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aULuiHvdjc&t=44s

2. Getting the unit mounted properly is a bit of pain in the ass. I had to drill some new holes in the dash kit (could be because it was meant for single din?) to get it to fit decently. I have not installed an after market stereo since i was a teenager...but I remember them having a metal slot to slide the head unit in and bend the tabs to secure it...not the case with this.

3. The opening in the dash kit is too small for the head unit. Dont worry about it..you just need to be able to clip on the screen so the head unit can sit behind the dashkit. (I made the mistake of dremmeling it out so it would fit then realized it stuck out too far and redid it with it moved backwards)

4. I just put the GPS antenna on the top of the head unit instead of wiring it somewhere else and it works fine. There is lots of room for it inside the dash.

5. Ran the microphone to the top of the door bezel.

6. There is an audio in with the harness...so i believe the factory aux in works though that is something i have not tried to make sure.

7. The order process at Joying was good. They made sure I was getting the correct unit and it was delivered in under a couple of weeks. It came with Android 5 but they upgraded it to 6 before shipping.

8. Steering wheel controls work but a few of the buttons won't sense for programming on the unit. (the select button, the up and down nav buttons). But i can skip songs, control volume, pickup and hangup the phone etc.

9. XM Radio does not work. Just left cables unplugged behind unit.

 

Subb'd for future reference.

 

Also subbed.

 

I have had the 7" joying unit for almost 2 years now. Its been working great and now that door speakers and made a new bezel I will be upgrading to the 8" as I made my bezel cut out already. these pics were not final install I trimmed out bezel to fit better afterwards.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/android-head-unit-complete-install.402962/

 

Need something with a remote, does it come with one?

 

It does not. You might be able to get something after market and plug it into the USB port.

 

Or bluetooth remote, maybe

 

that all has to be tested, I mean it might be possible if the fire stick is capable of doing it

 

With an 8" screen, it's more interesting. Look forward to hearing your comments after some use.

 

That looks pretty sharp. Have you looked into seeing if "OK Google" is something that might be possible with some tweaking? And are you able to install Android Auto from the App Store on it? Wondering if it is supported.

And more pics would be great!

 

since the new unit sit outside the dash kit why did you have to use the Metra kit? couldnt you have used the stock dash kit?

 

Do you have any side photos.

 

You would still need the kit to fasten the HU into the dash. The OEM head unit has the mounting tabs permanently attached.

 

Very cool.
sub'd

 

How is the Android experience from Joying? Does it feel solid, or a half-assed attempt to slap Android on a head unit?

 

Actually u don't need the kit. U can use the old brackets and cut out the face. I will write a tutorial while I'm installing Ok have face cutout already

 

Crazy...

 

watch and learn

 

I find it's pretty solid. Though 99% of the time I am streaming music via an app (slacker or google play, listening to the radio while using GPS (waze or google maps). I don't use the screen mirroring and have only used the phone a couple of times. To me it's just like having an android tablet w/ GPS dedicated to my vehicle. The radio reception can be poor at times...especially AM.

 

Have not really tried Android Auto. Any app i have tried to install from the app store has worked fine for me. I also haven't spent much time investigating if there are work arounds for OK Google.....but I plan to in time.