Aftermarket radios

Hey all, I have a 2019 off road and am quite envious of friends and family’s cars with a nice head unit with Apple CarPlay and updated systems. I’ve always been used to upgrading stereo systems on my older cars but haven’t done much research on the rig.

Is there anyone out there that would recommend a new head unit that fits clean? Some pics would be appreciated. I’ve heard of the alpine and a dasaita. Leaning towards one of those as that’s all I can rlly find

 

Just sharing one bad experience in non 4runner (Mazda 3 with Boss sound system). When aftermarket headunit is installed;

1) only the volume control on steering works. Other navigation buttons were not functioning.

2) stock discrete mic no more works. Had to use an ugly stick kinda mic fixed to the headliner.

3) when no music is played a white noise can be heard from the speakers.

4) Videos can only be played when gear is in parking and parking brake is engaged.

After that experience I'm very discouraged about aftermarket headunits. So may be you could check on these items when someone suggests aftermarket headunits.

I also love the pre 2020 steering wheel controls as i can access everything right from the steering also I love the fact I can update my gps just buying the microsd card with new maps. Hope the aftermarket options atleast do the same if not better.

Again these are just few points for you to ask when you get suggestions for aftermarket headunits.

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/lockdowns-lunar-rock-build-thread.28375/#post-415247

 

Try to get a 2020+ headunit and go to https://www.autoharnesshouse.com/T1.html for the adapter

 

From experience also...
Panel interior misalignment
Headliners getting loose
Leaking sunroof... because they had to run some wires across during installation.

Maybe be okay for older non-multifunctional units (just radio/cd units)

 

Depends on your wants and financial limits.

A 6.8" to 7" double din will fit just fine and look stock with a metra or scoche dash kit. All functions will work on the steering wheel and dash with a maestro RR. Most aftermarket will have more features than just carplay. Just don't get kenwood, your steering wheel controls won't work fully.
OR
As mentioned above, you could find you a newer model unit and get the adapter harness.

Either way, there is some adapting and pros and cons to each way.

There's also the android radio market, which is another beast in its own.

 

this guy did great job on a 2019 and makes great point about taking up real estate with the 10" screen. Point being in-dash or to small radio leaves plenty on sides of just plastic cover showing. Best I have seen on web and doable.
Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX Install in a 2019 Toyota 4Runner (BONUS THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA!!!) - Bing video

 

2021 4Runner TRD Pro after market question. This may seem stupid but I tend to believer "JBL premium sound , 14 speakers, sub" is fine for most but when you turn the radio up to say 50-60 it tells me the amp is pretty week. For 80% of people this system is fine and no need to replace.

My question is this: anyone else replace the premium sound on 4R TRD PRO? HU is Apple Carplay and told not to replace it 1) has Carplay 2) integrated with the rest of vehicle.

I'm looking to leave HU and add Rockford Fosgate DSR1 sound processor post HU, then go into high end JL Audio amp.

Welcome experience and feedback.

 

Crutchfield has what you need. Kenwood has good units. Buy the install kit. With the right kit everything works correctly, (steering wheel controls, etc.)

In my experience Boss units are cheap because they're junk...

 

The newer radios are junk. My Soundstream CD player broke in under a year. So, you might want to look and see what Nakamichi has available.

 

My second is Denon. But it has to be tuned for AM/FM reception.

 

My buddy's Mazda 3 had Boss sound system just like we have JBL on top trims.

He was replacing his headunit to a Pioneer NEX <something> with garmin built in gps, apple car play, android auto, etc all that jazz. For the video I think we were trying some DVD movie (or may be youtube) and realized car needs to be in P with Parking brake engaged.

So basically stock Boss was upgraded to a Pioneer one which he faced all those issues. Installation was done by CARTOYS. So not diy either.

 

The best reception comes from an analog tuner. That would be awesome!

 

No offense but Boss is junk.

 

Oh dang. I have few friends who are fans of Boss for head phones and home theater.

I have a different preference for headphones / earphones and another for home theater.

 

Sony XAV-AX3200 Plug & Play Bundle | '10 - '19 4Runner (trailgridpro.com)

I bought this unit from Crutchfield and wired it myself. Excellent unit with Carplay. If I had to do it again, would buy the plug and play from trailgridpro.

 

If you are just playing MP3s from your iPhone, then OEM is more than okay.
Analog, 2 channel in a car, Master quality audio. WOW.

 

What about these android carplay boxes you plug in via USB. I have one and it turns the screen into full android carplay or the apple equivalent. I can play youtube, movies, music, spotify, netflix, google stuff around, waze (all while not driving, cough, cough). If you have a sim card with a data plan it even has a slot for that so its would be a stand alone unit without needing to share your phones data. And the best thing is it is wireless (phone to the box is wireless, but the box has to be plugged in to the USB).

 

Boss or Bose?

 

Hit up Crutchfield and pic out options you want and read reviews or Traigrid Pro for prebuilt Sony setups. Both would go in with a dash kit but the units themselves are not vehicle specific with few exceptions.

 

Oops.

Bose

 

Bose is generally just ok. No highs and no lows, must be Bose. They make great headphones, aviation headsets, sound bars, live systems and bluetooth speakers but they get hate from their expensive and underwhelming home theater. Not terrible but you can do much better for the same money but without the ease of setup.

In general, all OEM sound systems in regular cars you and I can buy are garbage unless you're in the $80K+ range.