Tesla style head unit

Anyone who got the new Aucar or pheonix - How are you enjoying them thus far?

 

I have the Aucar, and now that I have completely bypassed the JBL system, I am very happy with it.------Metalguy

 

Same. I love it functionally.

I’m in the process of collecting components for a system as we speak. Mr. Marv is building me an enclosure, and I’m researching amplifiers right now.

Really bummed this thing didn’t mesh with my JBL factory system. I wanted to upgrade it for years anyway, but just not this soon. Tech-support has had me try a multitude of things with no change. The unit is actually cramming the output signal to two channels instead of five. In the balance gain-control screen, if you turn off the front two channels nothing plays at all. I’m pretty sure this is the cause of all the distortion.

 

it's odd it's not compatible with jbl system.. I thought they were?
How can you tell if you have jbl or not?

 

They advertise it pretty well in the interior of the truck. The head unit will have a logo, and there will be logos over the grill coverings on your doors. I suppose maybe there are possibly trucks that have it without the branding but I doubt it.

I’m right there with you. When you order the unit, the main choice you have is with or without JBL system. I’m not putting it past them that maybe they sent me the wrong unit. I ordered it because there were only a couple reports of bad sound quality, but now I’m wondering if they are all like this. tech-support guys can’t seem to help me fix my problem without making it worse.

Consequently, I’m over it. Disappointing, but I’m confident I can get the sound quality I want and retain all of the capabilities it has.

 

Very odd, Sorry to hear that. I remember reading something a year ago that if you are unsure you should just order the unit with the JBL system to ensure that there are no hiccups but looks like something maybe has changed with the latest update. Unsure. I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying the unit despite that issue though. Those factory speakers aren't the best anyway, so I'm sure your upgrade will be worthwhile.

edit: it's funny because I recall cartoys telling me if you update the headunit you must also update all the speakers and things as well to make sure there are no issues. I figured they were just trying to get more money because updating everything cost way more than just swapping the headunit

 

The only difference between units compatible with the JBL, and the one that aren't, is a different wiring harness. If you are in question, just order the one that is compatible, as it will come with both harnesses. I only know, because I ordered mine before I had my tacoma, and I thought my truck didn't have the JBL system, which it did. I ordered the correct harness, which cost me $10 for the shipping. I did notice it only played through two channels, as well, and it was terrible sound. After I put in a new amp, completely bypassing the rest of the JBL system, it really woke up, and sounds good. Maybe the unit would work ok with a completely stock JBL system, but I had replaced all the speakers with much better ones, so it had no chance.

 

I received both harnesses, and “Eric” verified I installed the correct one.

All water under the bridge now. My JL 13TW5V2 subwoofer is getting delivered tomorrow, and Marv will have the enclosure built in a couple weeks. I have separates for the front. I just need some coaxials for the back doors and a 5 channel amp. Still deciding on that one…

 

I'm not sure SR5's had JBL. Wonder how it works on the regular systems. Would be nice to not have to upgrade everything just to save some cash

 

Is there a way to do a hard reboot using the physical buttons? Oddly, when I start the truck this afternoon the screen remained black but it was functioning otherwise...

I've tried searching for an answer and haven't stumbled upon it.

 

don’t you have the reset button below the mic hole on the left side of the frame ?

 

Yes. I was under the impression that would factory reset the unit. I just wanted it to run through it's boot sequence and see if that resolved the issue. At any rate, I just started the truck and it came up normally so I don't know what happened...

 

it’s not a full reset just a restart usually solves boot problems

 

I'm hooked.. just bought the Aucar unit last night.

 

2nd gen. non JBL with simply KICKER 4ways and upgraded tweeters. Installed the newest, Android11 8GB RAM 128GB ROM, unit last week. Thing is a bit much as you essentially have slapped a laptop in the place where your stereo is supposed to go, but so far loving it. It did come with both harnesses for JBL and NONJBL. Installed the supplied GPS antennae, and the OBDI port connector. Everything worked great from the start. The only thing that was flipped was my track advance on the steering wheel. That was corrected by toggling the controls in the settings of the unit The sound is great and the EQ is fully customizable. The bummer is that the manual is crap and the few videos on YT are crap. I will be bumbling through teaching myself the capabilities of this thing for months. Someone needs to come out with a thorough initial run-through of the functionality of this beast.

 

@14TacoTrk
How soon did Aucar ship after you placed your order? I'm on day 6 post-payment and it's been crickets....

 

Took several weeks to receive mine and it shipped from China. Don't recall exact amount of time.

 

I'm not at all impressed with the Phoenix yet. I should have checked the reviews online. The unit won't even fit into my 05 tacoma as there's a outcrop of metal and plastic that is where the old stereo screws into. It's banging into the back of the Phoenix system before it clicks in... so far it's nearly 1/2" out and won't go the rest of the way no matter how I move wire bundles around. Beyond that, the A/C button and fan speed buttons only seem to work when the hazards are going which may be some odd setting I haven't found yet, but super annoying waiting until Friday to get on the phone for 15 minutes with support hopefully.

Did anyone have to cut out that brace when they installed the Aucar version?

 

The Aucar unit is relatively thin and the fitment is excellent. I ordered new clips while waiting on the shipment. So far it's been a solid positive experience minus the one glitch mentioned above (black screen) which happened once, but it's a tablet...I have issues with my phone occasionally and it's never anything a reset won't resolve. In my case I didn't even do that. The next time I started the truck it worked normally. I'm enjoying.it and it was big upgrade for sure...

 

I got mine in 2 weeks. I didn't receive tracking info, but I did get a email with a scheduled delivery date. I ordered directly through AUCar.