New Pioneer DMH-WC6600NEX flush mount install

Jeez, just did firmware not too long ago. Oh well, at least USB update is less painful.

 

anyone notice a difference in performance, sound, etc. with the new firmware?

 

Haven't installed the new firmware yet, but I'm also curious if anyone who has noticed any differences vs 2.0. I found that Pioneer also shared this notice today about tethering for iPhone 12 and up devices, not sure if the firmware release may be related.

 

I'm new to the 6600, but I guess Pioneer doesn't typically post a change log?

 

Not really, they just include a summary of the changes in the Firmware Update Notice Letter, but the summary of these changes is very general.

"This firmware update provides usability enhancements and audio quality fixes."

I've had this radio since around when it initially came out and I want to say there have been only 4 or 5 different firmwares released for it, with the only real big changes coming from version 2.0 that got released about a month ago. The summary of the changes included by pioneer with that release was at least a bit more descriptive. With the 2.0 release, it included higher resolution support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which made things look a litter smaller since it went from 480p to 720p, but overall I've gotten used to it as it gives you more real estate when scrolling through Spotify lists and looking at the map or apps screen. They also added split screen support for CarPlay and fixed the issue with song titles not populating right away in the multimedia screen on the instrument cluster . There was probably more changes than that, but those are by far the biggest changes going from version 1 to 2.

There is also no direct way I've found to view past releases and their notes, but searching via google, I was able to find the pdfs of previous release notes for past versions:

• Version 2.01 Notice (Jan. 12, 2022) (Update Guide)
• Version 2.00 Notice (Nov. 30, 2021) (Update Guide)
• Version 1.31 Notice (Feb. 12, 2021) (Update Guide)
• Version 1.30 Notice (Oct. 19, 2020)
• Version 1.13 Notice (June 24, 2020) (Update Guide)

 

I apologize for the rookie question but how do I even determine what unit works with the Tacoma ? I have a 21

 

Most new head units will work with the Tacoma, it's just a matter of buying the correct adapters and harnesses to get the radio installed and retain factory features like steering wheel controls, instrument cluster screens, existing usb/aux port, antenna, gps, sirius xm, etc.

The unit that is the topic of discussion in this thread, Pioneer DMH-WC6600NEX, is now well know to work very well with 3rd gen Tacoma's and most people have gotten it since it's a near perfect fit and doesn't require a dash kit to box it in. I have a 2017 Tacoma, so some of the adapters that are required for your 2021 model may be slightly different, but for the most part I believe it's the same. Going through some of the pages in this thread, it seems people have had success installing this radio in their '21 models. The main difference that your truck may have from mine is the addition of Toyota Safety Sense and the multiple cameras around the car. Because of this, it uses the newer Maestro RTO3 harness (Not the RTO2). You can plug in your model of truck here on the maestro site and it will tell you which adapters to get. For the rest of the parts your may need, this other thread has a good breakdown.

 

For those that were having some 6600 v2.0 issues, looks like Pioneer dropped a new firmware - DMH-WC6600NEX FW-Update v 2.01

https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/NEX/DMH-WC6600NEX#downloads

 

Finally installed my HU! I read through this entire thread and wanted to thank OP and everyone else for their invaluable input. One thing I wasnt sure of was if the door and light settings available on the OEM HU would be available on the Pioneer. I made a list of the settings and am able to confirm that the below settings are available on the Pioneer as well.

Headlamps Auto-Off Timer
DRL
Interior Lights off timer
Lock/Unlock Feedback-Lights
Lock/Unlock Feedback-Tone
Auto Door Lock - By Shift from P
Auto door unlock - By shift to P
Remote 2-press unlock
Wireless lock when Door opened
Auto relock timer

 

So can this one be flush mounted in a 2nd gen? I’m seeing mostly all 3rd gen guys on this thread.
The floating screens really aren’t my thing. They just seem like an afterthought to me. So I want something that looks like it was meant to fit in the dash.

 

I think there's one 2nd gen attempt buried in here somewhere. I kinda remember it as being pretty awesome but I don't know that it was easy nor done?

 

This other thread has an install with a 2nd gen

 

Saw that right before you linked to it. Trying to find what metra kit that is. When I search 5500 it comes back to a ford dash kit iirc. I was doing it from my phone at the bar the other night. Going to try again from the computer today

 

If I want to add a Natika front camera to the 6600 head unit, I have to wire it into the 2nd camera RCA input and then find a place to wire it for power, right? Where would I connect it? I haven’t wired the Pioneer harness to the Maestro TO2 harness yet and I do plan to hookup the new XM tuner I bought.

 

The camera draw is low enough that you can use the Amp turn on wire off the T02 / Pioneer harness. I had mine wired this way while I was waiting for a replacement GERMS control module.

 

I just installed the

$40 NATIKA Backup/Front View Camera,IP69K Waterproof Great Night Vision HD and Super Wide Angle Metal OEM Style Reverse Rear View Backup Camera for Cars Pickup Trucks SUVs RVs Vans (Black)

Natika front camera about a month ago and was initially unsure about this as well. I ended up running the main red/black cables into the truck along with the video cable that has the other small red cable attached. I then spliced both red cables from the camera with the blue/white accessory wire from the radio that was already spliced into with I think the antenna. For the black ground cable coming from the camera, I spliced that into the black cable from the radio. So far this setup has worked well with no problems. I know others have also said you may only need to connect the small red wire and not both red wires, but I did both just to make sure it would get enough power. Also make sure to enable the camera in the radio settings menu, you won't see front camera available with the 1-2 option on the camera screen until it's enabled.

Edit: You'll also end up with quite a bit of excess wire, I bundled it up and hid it under the driver side panel.

 

I had thought about going with the 10.1" version, but the flush fit one just seems like a better option. Can anyone link me the GPS adapter? And if it's not too much trouble, any other adapters I need. Someone on the 10.1" thread mentioned it comes with the steering wheel and rear camera already, so not sure what else I need.

 

Other than the head unit this is everything I picked up:

RCA Adapter
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-H7YbvF7rVxP/p_00735RCA/Crutchfield-RCA-Adapter.html

Metra 40-LX11 Antenna Adapter
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Z8lpNZjavF9/p_12040LX11/Metra-40-LX11-Antenna-Adapter.html

Metra AX_TOYUSB USB Port Cable
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120TOYUSB/Metra-AX-TOYUSB-USB-Port-Cable.html

iDatalink Maestro RR Interface Module
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-tnL4xg0Xcay/p_794ADSMRR/iDatalink-Maestro-RR-Interface-Module.html

iDatalink HRN-RR-TO2 Factory Integration Adapter
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-LnKgF...ion-Adapter-ADS-MRR-module-also-required.html

 

GPS adaptor

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_794SATTO2/iDatalink-ACC-SAT-TO2.html

 

Finally got to wiring up the harness and stopped at the end to check my thinking on the front camera wiring. See photo below.

Do I need to splice both red leads from the camera bundle (bottom) into the blue-white remote control wire with the FM antenna, then hook up the grounds? I didn’t think I needed to wire the short red “trigger” wire. Any help is appreciated!