Crutchfield

How good is crutchfield when ordering a head unit? Do they supply all necessary harnesses? I’d like to keep the steering wheel controls and factory backup camera. Thanks.

 

You can literally see everything they will send in your cart, including instructions.

 

What he said

 

You'll need an additional adapter to regain steering wheel controls. You can splice in to the oem camera as described in this thread; https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-camera-connection-below-dash.30889/ . Beyond that crutchfields' instructions are kinda generic but the audio/video section here on tw should be able to help you through your install.

 

Thanks fellas. It’s overwhelming,lol. I’m looking for apple CarPlay. Don’t need cd or DVD player, navigation I use my phone. Obviously I don’t want to break the bank...too much.

 

I just ordered and received my Pioneer unit. It is supposed to have all the wiring already spliced and done and should be pretty plug and play. I’ll let you know when I get to it in the next day or so

 

Mine was plug and play. I even both speakers which even came with free adapters. Even ordered a headunit and speakers for my son's car.

 

Crutchfield ROCKS!! Only place I will ever order from...Always good to call your order in if you have model # of what you want and tell them I want this plug & play...They deliver the best service ever...Almost like Tiffany & CO for your stereo needs...I don't even work for them and they ship 3 day air to Hawaii for FREE! Been using them over a decade with zero issues for all my stereo needs in any vehicle.

 

Just ordered a Kenwood DMX7706S from Crutchfield, its arriving today, got the Maestro RR and all those goodies plus a Sirius XM antenna (my 2013 doesn't have Sirius) my only concern is keeping the factory backup camera and moving it from the mirror to the head unit. I've read a lot of threads on it but still a little unclear, so we'll see how it goes!

 

I have the head unit installed in the mounting kit and all the wires except USB plugged in because I wont use it....I will finish tonight. Looks plug and play it is just a lot of connectors going into the dash and I am not sure all the wiring connectors will be used or if they are there to add other components later.

 

Also have a 13 and no satelite radio, and stock radio as i hit a bump this afternoon changed to bluetooth. and i cant seem to find other 2 speakers, looked in rear doors took both jump seats folded down. they put in a aftermarket sunroof I think they took out 2 speakers

 

I'm hoping someone comes up with a way to integrate the OEM Bluetooth mic with an aftermarket HU before I take the plunge.

 

Can I ask why? Factory mic quality is awful compared to the included mic (when the mic is placed in the proper location)

 

I just don't want a piece looking like it was an after thought. I have limited experience with these but the factory mic seem to work very well haven't had anyone tell me I'm hard to understand, even at Interstate speeds. I'm trying to decide if I want to go with an aftermarket HU or add an amp to the OEM. I'm leaning towards a new HU, I know the OEM HU is shit, just like the speakers.

 

Sounds like you already know the answer

 

Another thumbs up for Crutchfield.

 

All of my dealings with Crutchfield have been positive! Knowledgeable staff, very helpful and friendly when I have called.

 

Yes they supply all necessary harnesses as long as you buy one of their packages after you have chosen the stereo you want.

I installed a new stereo I bought from them about 2 weeks ago.

One thing they do not provide and you will have a hell of a time finding is a usb that is Apple carplay compatible built into a switch blank that fits where the factory one is (No, your factory USB is not Carplay compatible.)

 

Crutchfield is awesome. Just provide them with what you want and let them do the work and don't interfere. Someone who really knows their stuff can do it much cheaper but that leaves me out.

What is up with the factory USB not working? Are you going through a Maestro setup? My wife's car has factory USB and I want to replace the head unit one day. This information might be helpful.

I don't have factory USB in my '06 but in 2015 I bought two cheap USB adapters. One fits in a blank in the dash and the other is mounted in the center console. My current Pioneer head unit is both Apple car play and Android auto and both USB adapters work for either. My personal phone is Apple but I also keep an Android phone in the truck for other stuff.

 

I am skeptical that one can do it *a lot* cheaper. You can price out the individual pieces Crutchfield will send you for your build, and you won't see them much cheaper elsewhere - unless you buy them used. Maybe you could save $50, if you want to spend a lot of time searching and/or waiting for things to go on sale. I did a one page google search and didn't see my HU cheaper elsewhere. I think Amazon sold the Maestro for like $3 cheaper.

The factory USB in the dash doesn't have a proper USB connector that one can simply connect to the female USB coming out of the aftermarket HU.

Initially, I bought this USB switch.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-USB-Car-Charger-Audio-Port-Interface-for-Toyota-Scion-Blank-Switch-Slots/112093115628?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Upon receiving it, I came to realize that it fits the slots on the left side of the dash, *not* the slots under the climate control where the factory USB is. I never noticed these slots are different, in all honesty. Also, the quality of this Chinese USB switch is of very questionable quality.

I wound up doing this instead.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ermarket-head-unit.103041/page-5#post-9623219
It took many hours of labor and messing around with Dremel attachments, but it's in and I'm very pleased with it.

Edit: I should add that the AUX is no longer functional. I did not bother trying to rewire that part since I won't be using it.