Is idata Link worth it for me. First Install

So about a 2 months ago the touch screen on my 2012 started getting horizontal white lines going across it only when I was in reverse. This slowly progressed and I just turned the screen off which I prefer. Then one day I drove for 2 hours and the screen went white in reverse and drive. The next day I impulse bought with very little knowledge except for looking at crutchfields website and buying locally because radio wires just scare me. I can perform other mods through that involved wiring in the fuse box, improved lighting, and maintenance but radios just aren’t my thing.

I knew I wanted a DD to retain the stock backup camera and also keep it mounted in the stock location. I’d prefer to use the stock mic also but that can’t be done I guess?

As for features Apple play through aux cord or Bluetooth but with smooth transitions between each one so song info isn’t lost, calls aren’t dropped, other things like that. Don’t really need navigation through it or Satelite radio stuff.

The added features of idata Link sound cool but honestly do I really need to know the stuff it provides. I may tow a 3000-4500 pound in the future for short distances with trailer brakes. Also if it will make the stereo sound better while using the most stock components and allow my current head unit to perform even better that would be great. I’d like to utilize the head unit to its fullest potential.

Now to remind everyone this is a 2012 TRD off road with the JBL sound. I have already upgraded the front speakers to I think Focal 165ac and plan to do the rear speakers to Focals soon. I just upgraded the head unit to Pionerr AVH 2330 nex. This setup works with the stock backup camera and steering wheel controls. It is a little shaky on the Bluetooth to usb transitions but the microphone mounted on the Apillar work much better than stock.

Due to the place being out of stock of new head units but already too far into a install to stop they installed the demo unit. The install took too long in my opinion and seemed a bit confused at times. After the install the rear speakers no longer work if you use the fader all the way on the rears and there is a hissing when the speakers have the volume at 0 on play or pause. It goes away when the head unit is powered off and different iPhone cords don’t fix it.

Today I went buy to check on the status of the new head unit and they have come in but the part that would fix the hissing was out of stock. I think they were out of this part when they did the install but just decided to do it some other way. This got me and the sales guy talking (who seemed more knowledgeable than the evening worker who kinda coordinated the install) about iDatalink but he didn’t even know it was a option on Tacoma’s. But he also said to buy it online and just bring it in which I thought was nice....

I’m thinking about trying this install myself and may have found a helper in my area. I’d like to buy everything online but don’t know exactly what to buy. If this site allows could you paste online links that will allow me to do what I described?

Thanks

 

If it's anything like wiring the axxes unit I have, it was nothing more than tapping 3 wires that went to a plug on the OEM hu, and giving it 12 volts. After that, when I first turned it on, I'd press the volume up button and it set itself up. Piece of cake.