Head Unit Replacement

After lurking local dealership inventories for months I finally pulled the trigger on a 2017 Tacoma TRD Sport. Loving it so far, but the vehicle I traded in had a feature I am really missing. Apple Car Play is something I used each time I was in my vehicle, and while the stock head unit the Tacoma includes bluetooth and navigation, it's not the same as using the Apple Eco System.

That being said, I'm looking to upgrade the head unit to something with car play and I am looking for recommendations. Can be wired or wireless, I have no strong preference. The only requirements are budget (I am not trying to spend more than 300, possibly 400), ease of installation for a first timer (Don't want to pay extra for installation if it's as simple as it seems), and size (Screen needs to match or be bigger than the stock screen, which I believe is 7 inches). Obviously need to retain the ability to use the backup camera and steering wheel audio controls as well.

If someone has experience with a head unit that meets these criteria, let me know about it. I appreciate all input while I'm also doing independent research. Thanks!

 

Honestly, you sound like a perfect candidate for Crutchfield. Put your criteria in the search function, and grab some popcorn. You’ll be a while comparing the results.

As well, you can have them send you the adapters for wiring and dash fitment, or they can wire the harness for you for a fee. One thing to note, with any aftermarket HU, you’ll lose the center display in the gauge cluster. And prepare for an extra couple bills for the Maestro RR to keep things like steering wheel controls and such.

Have fun!

 

A second for the Crutchfield recommendation. They have a tool that you can pick your needs and it will crank out your results.

One thing I will recommend is an iDatalink compatible stereo, because you can get their harnesses/etc to retain most of your functionality you want (steering wheel/rear camera).

I'm probably going to pull it from my Accord tomorrow and will have a maestro RR (1st gen) available I could part with on the cheap.

 

Thanks for the recommendations guys, looking into Crutchfield right now. One thing I did not expect was losing the little display on the gauge cluster. Is there absolutely no way around that? Like being able to see my gas mileage/tire pressure.

 

I replaced my head unit with a Pioneer unit. I didn't lose any information on the gauge cluster and actually gained some. Now I can display what song is playing on the gauge cluster when I couldn't before. I used a "Maestro" wiring kit from Crutchfied so that I could keep my steering wheel controls. If you are price conscious I was able to sell my OEM head unit on eBay for about what I paid for my new unit so it was nearly free to me since I installed myself.

 

Another vote for Crutchfield. I've changed out allot of stereos over the years but not knowing the ins and outs of interfacing a system to the trucks electronics meant I got a crappy system first time around. Crutchfield pointed me at the maestro which interfaced the kenwood I selected correctly to the truck's JBL system and provided all the more modern bells and whistles I was looking for like carplay and other tech that's common in new vehicles. Having OBD gauges displayed on the head unit was a bonus. I doubt you'll get in for $400 though.

 

the small gauge cluster display will work without the radio installed. you might loose the radio/gps information on that display, depending on which integration and head unit you select, but all the other gauge display options work as they did before.

i'm running a very barebones pioneer 80prs, so the radio tab vanished from my gauge display, but everything else that was previously accessed via that screen is still there.

 

I thought it was the display in general, sorry to mislead. I drive a barebones ‘06, don’t listen to me.