100 Series NAV Delete – Standalone HVAC Solution (OEM+)

Enthusiast Level vs. OEM Level

  • Enthusiast

    Votes: 21 21.0%
  • OEM

    Votes: 79 79.0%

  • Total voters
    100
  • Poll closed .

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Lots happened today.. but this is how excited I was when it started working.

It would not communicate on the first boot with @LJE 2005 LX470 validation testing today but we figured it out.

It’s why I haven’t taken a single preorder or payment, validation is an absolute before it goes out.

1789244583238.webp
 
Last edited:
Lots happened today.. but this is how excited I was when it started working.

It would not communicate on the first boot with @LJE 2005 LX470 validation testing today but we figured it out.

It’s why I haven’t taken a single preorder or payment, validation is an absolute before it goes out.

View attachment 4211881

:clap:
 
Quick 2005 LX470 validation update:

Prototype #2 is now installed and communicating correctly on @LJE’s 2005 LX470.

Initial startup did uncover an OEM integration quirk that kept the controller sitting at the firmware banner instead of transitioning into the normal HVAC screen. We spent some time isolating the factory configuration and communication path, and after working through that, the controller came online without any firmware changes, PCB changes, or pin swaps.

That is a pretty important result because this truck is:
  • a different model year from the development vehicle,
  • using a different factory A/C amplifier revision,
  • being installed independently by someone outside the development work,
  • and using the same controller hardware/firmware we have already been validating on the 2006.
Alex also caught a few small mechanical details in the faceplate fitment and OEM lower-button locating features that would have been easy to miss on a single development vehicle. Those are already being cleaned up in the next revision.

Not calling the 2005 fully validated yet. The next phase is deliberately boring: repeated ignition cycles, engine starts, HVAC ON/OFF states, temperature/fan/mode control, A/C, recirc, defrost, AUTO, dimming, shutdown/restart behavior, battery disconnect recovery, and actual road time.

But the big takeaway today is that the 2005 architecture is talking to the existing controller without needing a separate firmware branch so far.

Huge.. HUGE thanks to @LJE for tearing into his own truck, checking diagrams, testing combinations, and being willing to work through the weird OEM behavior instead of just stopping at the first unexpected result.

'06 LX470 - Fully Validated
'05 LX470 - Partially Validated



One small caution from today’s troubleshooting: Avoid Luhzeng adapters if you can. (Looking at you Teyes/Chinese Android HU owners). On these trucks the factory audio/HVAC/network architecture is interconnected enough that adding another adapter can create a second unknown and make diagnosis much harder.
 
Quick 2005 LX470 validation update:

Prototype #2 is now installed and communicating correctly on @LJE’s 2005 LX470.

Initial startup did uncover an OEM integration quirk that kept the controller sitting at the firmware banner instead of transitioning into the normal HVAC screen. We spent some time isolating the factory configuration and communication path, and after working through that, the controller came online without any firmware changes, PCB changes, or pin swaps.

That is a pretty important result because this truck is:
  • a different model year from the development vehicle,
  • using a different factory A/C amplifier revision,
  • being installed independently by someone outside the development work,
  • and using the same controller hardware/firmware we have already been validating on the 2006.
Alex also caught a few small mechanical details in the faceplate fitment and OEM lower-button locating features that would have been easy to miss on a single development vehicle. Those are already being cleaned up in the next revision.

Not calling the 2005 fully validated yet. The next phase is deliberately boring: repeated ignition cycles, engine starts, HVAC ON/OFF states, temperature/fan/mode control, A/C, recirc, defrost, AUTO, dimming, shutdown/restart behavior, battery disconnect recovery, and actual road time.

But the big takeaway today is that the 2005 architecture is talking to the existing controller without needing a separate firmware branch so far.

Huge.. HUGE thanks to @LJE for tearing into his own truck, checking diagrams, testing combinations, and being willing to work through the weird OEM behavior instead of just stopping at the first unexpected result.

'06 LX470 - Fully Validated
'05 LX470 - Partially Validated



One small caution from today’s troubleshooting: Avoid Luhzeng adapters if you can. (Looking at you Teyes/Chinese Android HU owners). On these trucks the factory audio/HVAC/network architecture is interconnected enough that adding another adapter can create a second unknown and make diagnosis much harder.
So it sounds like a regular aftermarket head unit would be best? Alpine, Pioneer, etc. Ones that don’t have HVAC capabilities. Is that what you’re saying?
 
So it sounds like a regular aftermarket head unit would be best? Alpine, Pioneer, etc. Ones that don’t have HVAC capabilities. Is that what you’re saying?

That is absolutely correct.



03, 04 + 07 LX470 - ya'll are next.
 

100-Series NAV-Integrated HVAC – MPX Reverse Engineering Project


View attachment 4177710


Later 100-Series Land Cruisers and LX470s integrate climate UI and status into the NAV/MFD through Toyota’s body multiplex network. Removing the NAV removes the visible control path, not the HVAC ECU itself.

This project is focused on restoring full climate control capability without the factory MFD by interfacing directly with the vehicle’s multiplex network.

Vehicle under test:
  • 2006 Lexus LX470 (USDM)
  • Build date: 06/2005
  • Reference sources include RM/EWD, harness validation, probing, and extended logic analysis.
End Goal:
Standalone physical HVAC controller with no dependency on factory MFD or touchscreen systems.


Update: June 2026
View attachment 4159153

Hi have you tried joining the waiting list ? I have with no joy. Looks interesting though

Ok, I'll bite.... what exactly are you doing here? Are you creating a way to separate the HVAC controls away from the head unit? Would you create a separate HVAC contoller that would fit in the radio slot? I hope so.... I have spent literally hundreds of hours going round and round trying to figure out which option will work for me, and pretty much all of them sound like they aren't that dependable. I don't like the Tesla style because it is too big; I'm not a big fan of using the controller behind the head unit because you are stuck with the stock really low res screen; I've even considered the "portable carplay monitors" to sit on the dash, but again pretty much all of them are from not well-known foreign factories with lots of conflicting opinions of their value. This would be a godsend for me. If this is what you are doing, the heater controller would be separate, and then a person could go with a head unit from Alpine, Kenwood, or Pioneer? Is that what I am gathering here? One of the criteria I want to add to the unit is to have a aux video input because I bought an infrared monitor from Robofinity and I thought it would be cool to tap the video input from it to the stock screen. As usual, I am always looking for something that no one makes. I'll be watching this thread and waiting on purchasing something.
I’m like you looked at loads of stuff but no further forward a year later. I’m just about to change my Gateway 13 ecu to see if that solves my problems
 
This is pretty neat, nice work! Following along in hopes you develop something as I'd be interested in a module for 06 LX470 (prod date 06 2006). I'm sitting on a middle east non nav kit but lacking the board(s) needed for later LX470.

Would be great if you could list the toyota part numbers for the boards you're testing.
LMK if you're interested in selling your kit. I have a 2003 LX470. I wonder if it works with mine.
 
Need a couple of guys to help with some final functionality testing on the website. Shoot me a DM if you’re interested.

2007 LX470 validation is currently in progress.

Preorders are likely opening by the end of the week. Keep an eye on your email and our socials for the announcement.

1789483710580.webp


Who’s planning to jump on Batch 1? (Likely limited to 100 x units) - comment below!
 
Need a couple of guys to help with some final functionality testing on the website. Shoot me a DM if you’re interested.

2007 LX470 validation is currently in progress.

Preorders are likely opening by the end of the week. Keep an eye on your email and our socials for the announcement.

View attachment 4213622

Who’s planning to jump on Batch 1? (Likely limited to 100 x units) - comment below!
I’m 100% in whenever 2004 LC is ready.
 
I might be a late to the party but I'm in the UK and I am in need of one
I optimistically changed my Gateway 13 tonight but no joy everything is still blank .
Will your unit just plug into the cables that we're going to my ac amplifier ? Pictured here in black on the second picture? Will it be compatible with my face unit ?
You must be some sort of wizard .
Do you have any idea of the cost ?
Cheers wiring guru

20250805_150418.webp


20250805_150435.webp
 
Back
Top Bottom