Considering Head Unit Upgrade

2010 Access Cab.

Must have: CarPlay, integrates backup cam, ability to charge phone.

Would like: Potential for better sound, plug and play install, easy to use.

It would be cool if it looked like it could be OEM, but I'm fine with logo/label for the right unit.

I have searched here and youtube university and still have no idea which way to go.

I'd also be willing to pay for an install if anyone has recommendations in Portland OR area.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/audio-video.12/

Go to Crutchfield and see what fits, pick the one that you like.

Mounting kit get the Scosche, not the Metra.

 

Yeah I'm totally lost. They range from $200 to $1500. Anyone got actual recommendations?

 

I have a Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX and so far it's been alright. Others cost less, others cost more; depends heavily on features and component quality. There is no one-size-fits-all answer that makes everyone happy.

Due to chip shortages supply of stereos are limited. Go look at Crutchfield and see what is currently available. Or talk to your local car audio store to get professional help. Or go to Best Buy and play around with the display models. Or search the audio/video subforum using the previous link I shared.

 

I would be happy with your setup as long as it works on a 2010.

 

I’ll 2nd the Crutchfield recommendation. I’ve been buying from them for over 30 years (getting their catalog in the mail was always a good day!). They also have really knowledgeable advisors, so calling them and taking through your wants and budget will be very helpful. I have a Sony that’s a few model years old now, but it hits all of your wants. If you have a newer iPhone (with MagSafe), you may want to consider wireless CarPlay, since you could get a charging mount, and the phone will pair right up for the ultimate in convenience. I tend to stick to name brand head units (Pioneer was a long time favorite, before I dabbled with Kenwood and Sony) and have yet to be disappointed. I did do a full install on my 2011 Regular Cab, and other than the Sony (which I kept from my previous vehicle), I bought everything from Crutchfield, including Kicker amp, Morel speakers and JL Audio self powered sub. Overall, I am very happy with how everything came together, although I do need to install some sound damping material to quell a vibration on the back wall.

Toyotas are some of the easiest vehicles to install audio gear in, and upgrading from the stock components will make a huge difference.

 

DMH-4660NEX is a Pioneer unit not a Sony Unit.

I got my setup from Crutchfield also. Went with the lower price Pioneer DMH-w2660NEX. Great unit for the money and crutchfield makes it all plug and play

 

D’oh how did I miss that, good catch I’ll fix it. Should’ve gone to bed sooner lol.

 

I may be a knob but I really like a physical volume knob. I do use the steering wheel control but I guess I am a creature of habit.

 

I'm with you on the physical knob for fast volume adjustment. Alot of the units have done away with that to maximize screen space. I picked up a Sony AX1000 for about 200 bucks off Amazon maybe 8-10 months ago and it has a physical knob. Definitely not the highest end apple car play radio out there but I've been happy with it for the price point and the accessible volume knob since I don't have steering wheel controls on my SR5.

 

I have had a couple different replacement head units. Latest is a Pioneer NEX with AA/carplay. It's a must have for me. As for the camera, don't integrate the OEM cam, just install another one. Easiest way is to mount it on a license plate frame bracket. Gives you an extra and different view and a "backup" backup cam in case the OEM ever has issues. The other benefit is if installed like this you can leave some slack in the wire and relocate it to behind a bike rack so you still get a clear view when the other cam is blocked. It isn't a whole lot of extra work to run the new cam but if you go this way get a good camera, not a cheapo Chinese that will leak in a week or 3.

 

I would hate to see what a difficult vehicle to install audio in is then, because I think it's the most complicated thing to choose something that fits in the 2nd gen dash, speakers that fit seamlessly in the doors, etc. Can never figure out if I need to bypass the jbl amp...does a head unit alone do that, etc etc.
I've been wanting to upgrade headunit and speakers for a long time but it never appears easy, so I get frustrated then forget the whole idea lol.

 

Tacoma was indeed the easiest I have ever done, at least for the head unit, because I did not replace the speakers. Not hard to find what fits...ANY double DIN will fit. Also any single DIN if you want that. The Toyota dash comes apart and goes back together nicely, unlike a bunch of GMs I did in the past. For a head unit all you need is the surround kit and the harness adapter and it is plug and play. I added a compact sub to mine in the access cab and that makes the speaker setup more than adequate. It gets a tad more complicated if you want to add an SXM receiver and aftermarket cam but not terribly so.

One thing you may need extra is an SXM adapter cable to connect up to the factory antenna (most if not all Tacomas have that even if they did not come with SXM). You can get the cable from TSS radio. The cable connects to a socket down in the driver's side kick panel IIRC.

 

JBL amp is a bit different. If you want to keep it, you need something like the iDatalink Maestro RR. That will integrate the new headunit and the factory amp, so you don’t have to run all new speaker wire. The other option, like I said, is to put the new headunit in, and run new speaker wire yourself. Difference? With iDatalink you keep factory speakers. Without, new speakers is recommended.

 

Wi_taco.....question , are you still able to use your steering wheel volume control with that upgrade

 

@Bob12321 With some off-brand Android headunits, the ability to keep steering wheel controls is built it (Aucar, Joying etc.). The problem with those is that they can be buggy and require more frequent updates. If you want a brand name unit, the iDatalink Maestro is what you will need to purchase to have steering wheel controls work. You program it with your computer to do what you want, install it and go.

 

I did an upgrade on my 2005 double cab via Crutchfield and the one thing I didn't like about it was that it showed me some 6 or 6.5 inch speakers for the front as "these fit your model", but didn't mention that it was a downgrade from the 6x9's that were factory installed... I don't recall seeing anywhere that it mentioned I could replace with 6x9's the first time I went in. Luckily for me, my head unit (JVC) burnt up and I had to get a new one so I bought a new set of 6x9's and they thump quite well even without a separate amp pushing them. Hardest part of the whole process was running the backup camera line from rear bumper up to the unit but it's doable.

<edit> I made a mistake of choosing a BOSS brand cheap head unit and while it does have CarPlay, the screen is blah-quality when backing up. Just seems a bit darker than it should be.

 

I have a Sony XAV5500 and I'm really happy with it. It really woke up the JBL subwoofer and the tweeters sound dramatically better than before as well. I love the android auto but I've never tried the Carplay.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-RHpaJVw6CEV/p_158XAV5500/Sony-XAV-AX5500.html
You can find them "open box" on Amazon and Best Buy sometimes

 

Any double din will not fit easily. I had a real fight to get my Kenwood Dnx996xr to fit. I would have skipped the DVD player if I were to do it again.

Having wireless airplay, 3 camera inputs, and the adjustability that comes with high end audio is worth it though.

 

I went with the

$280 Alpine ILX-W650 7" Double DIN Touchscreen Digital Multimedia Receiver with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Alpine ILX-W650 and the

$220 KTA-450 4-Channel Power Pack Amplifier with Dynamic Peak Power 45W RMS x 4, at 2 Or 4 Ohms

KTA-450 power pack amplifier. I am happy with it and it checks everything on your list.