I signed up for the wait list - thank you! Or at least I think I did - should I have received an email confirmation? Just want to make sure so I don’t submit a duplicate.
100 Series NAV Delete – True Standalone HVAC Solution (OEM+)
- Thread starter Anarchy
- Start date
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The only place I was able to get wiring harness connectors (both male and female) to fit this truck when making my own harness was AliExpress. Quality is not as good as Mouser or Digikey, but they do the job. Issue is that it’s difficult to find part numbers. Even then, I had to cut or move a wire or two
Fantastic work, will follow your progress with interest. I'm content with everything on my 100 series other than the stereo/nav/climate controls. Actually tossed the factory DVD unit and amp in the trash within a couple weeks of buying mine.
I'm in Phoenix and happy to offer mine up for any kind of testing or beta launch if needed.
I'm in Phoenix and happy to offer mine up for any kind of testing or beta launch if needed.
Formerjeeper
SILVER Star
Supported and joined waitlist. I can't wait. This will be a massive upgrade and make my passengers (kids) much happier with the head unit solution!
Will you be giving us the particulate setting? If you hold the recirculate button down it will pop up a menu to determine how sensitive it is to particulates in the air and switch from fresh to recirculating air with the auto function.
- Thread starter
- #306
Great question.
For V1, the priority is still core HVAC control first.
The particulate sensitivity setting is not going to be promised for the first release until we confirm it can be implemented cleanly without compromise.
That said, this is exactly the kind of factory function we are tracking. Once the core system is proven, secondary settings like this can be evaluated for V1, firmware expansion, or a later revision.
- Thread starter
- #307
Quick progress update.
Current focus is integrating the HVAC control module into the factory Lexus cassette-area opening while keeping the layout clean, serviceable, structurally sound, and as close to an OEM-style installation as possible.
The CAD views below show the PCB, LCD, encoder positions, button layout, LED placement, mounting structure, and front panel geometry being evaluated together as a complete assembly rather than as isolated components.
A few areas currently being refined:
• Front panel cutouts, radiuses, and edge transitions
• LCD integration, bezel geometry, and viewing-area masking
• Encoder alignment and knob geometry
• Button spacing, travel, and tactile feel
• Rectangular LED diffuser sizing and light spread
• Mounting points, spacers, and tolerance stack-up
• Overall assembly thickness from rear plate → PCB → components → front panel
This is still an engineering layout / fitment stage and not the finalized cosmetic faceplate. The priority is validating physical packaging, alignment, structural fitment, serviceability, and reliability before final surfacing and production refinement.
The latest revisions are already looking significantly more OEM-oriented compared to the earlier layouts.
We’re also now past 400+ waitlist signups in roughly one week, and the list is still growing steadily.
If you like the direction of the project, sharing the thread, renders, or waitlist with other 100-series owners, social media is greatly appreciated.
Join the Waitlist
Current focus is integrating the HVAC control module into the factory Lexus cassette-area opening while keeping the layout clean, serviceable, structurally sound, and as close to an OEM-style installation as possible.
The CAD views below show the PCB, LCD, encoder positions, button layout, LED placement, mounting structure, and front panel geometry being evaluated together as a complete assembly rather than as isolated components.
A few areas currently being refined:
• Front panel cutouts, radiuses, and edge transitions
• LCD integration, bezel geometry, and viewing-area masking
• Encoder alignment and knob geometry
• Button spacing, travel, and tactile feel
• Rectangular LED diffuser sizing and light spread
• Mounting points, spacers, and tolerance stack-up
• Overall assembly thickness from rear plate → PCB → components → front panel
This is still an engineering layout / fitment stage and not the finalized cosmetic faceplate. The priority is validating physical packaging, alignment, structural fitment, serviceability, and reliability before final surfacing and production refinement.
The latest revisions are already looking significantly more OEM-oriented compared to the earlier layouts.
We’re also now past 400+ waitlist signups in roughly one week, and the list is still growing steadily.
If you like the direction of the project, sharing the thread, renders, or waitlist with other 100-series owners, social media is greatly appreciated.
Join the Waitlist
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My $0.02 (very much a "I know what I like but not really *why* I like it" sorta guy, so take it for what it's worth...). I'm sure you're tracking these (and they're really just cosmetic things, so still a little down the road, but):
#1: no need to duplicate status LEDs on the left if they are integrated into the buttons (which they should be - much easier to understand HVAC status at a glance that way rather than read through a stack of LEDs
#2: I think the buttons are too small. They'd be annoying to find by touch, and I think they'd look out of place in the truck.
Still though - super excited for this!
#1: no need to duplicate status LEDs on the left if they are integrated into the buttons (which they should be - much easier to understand HVAC status at a glance that way rather than read through a stack of LEDs
#2: I think the buttons are too small. They'd be annoying to find by touch, and I think they'd look out of place in the truck.
Still though - super excited for this!
- Thread starter
- #309
Thanks for the feedback Alex, I agree on both points overall.
The standalone status LEDs in the current render are mostly there as engineering placeholders while we work through PCB layout, spacing, and diffuser geometry. I also agree the current buttons are probably undersized relative to the rest of the 100-series interior.
The standalone status LEDs in the current render are mostly there as engineering placeholders while we work through PCB layout, spacing, and diffuser geometry. I also agree the current buttons are probably undersized relative to the rest of the 100-series interior.
Makes sense then! I can't wait to see it all come together.
First -Like everyone else, I’m so excited you’re taking this on!
One question regarding the control layout. I know you’re working with placeholders, and that your working on things like button spacing and radii, but why not just steal the layout from the non-nav/poverty pack? They are working with the same real estate, aren’t they? I’m probably over simplifying how hard bespoke manufacturing is…
- Thread starter
- #312
Valid question, the OEM assembly has custom molds, custom buttons, custom LCDs, custom light pipes, and dedicated electronics designed around high production volumes. We’re building around modern automotive-grade components, encoder-based controls, and a completely different internal PCB architecture. Once you start using; rotary encoders, custom PCB dimensions, modern displays, available automotive components, etc... the layout naturally starts diverging from Toyota’s original design language.
CakeMountain
SILVER Star
@Anarchy What is your day job/background? The amount of different skills you have brought to the job are absolutely monstrous (reverse engineering, signal analysis, programming, 3d design, manufacturing knowledge, supply chains, etc). Watching one person do all of this is absolutely flabbergasting and creates no small amount of jealousy on my part.
Truly outstanding work so far. Amazed to see what you’ve accomplished. A few suggestions on layout: as was mentioned earlier, the buttons underneath the screen are probably too small to be functional. Perhaps ditch the left side status lights, slide the rotary knobs left and right and then stack 2 buttons on each side of the screen. That would give you more height for the buttons. Functionally this puts the auto and AC buttons closer to the driver which would make sense as they’ll get used more often.
- Thread starter
- #315
I prefer to keep most of my background private, but certain technical aspects of the project have grown beyond my skillset/comfort & I've brought together a strong team with deep experience in embedded systems & automotive electronics to assist.
As for the suggestions regarding button size, I agree. The current layout was mainly to prove packaging, component placement, and overall feasibility inside the available cassette-area space. Now that we can see it rendered more clearly, the button size is one of the areas that needs another pass. The only caveat is that these changes are not purely cosmetic. Any change to the front layout can affect the PCB outline, button placement, diffuser design, mechanical clearances, standoffs, rear cover, and eventually the DXF. So we are trying to clean this up before locking the PCB, because making changes after that point would cost more time and create more rework.
As for the suggestions regarding button size, I agree. The current layout was mainly to prove packaging, component placement, and overall feasibility inside the available cassette-area space. Now that we can see it rendered more clearly, the button size is one of the areas that needs another pass. The only caveat is that these changes are not purely cosmetic. Any change to the front layout can affect the PCB outline, button placement, diffuser design, mechanical clearances, standoffs, rear cover, and eventually the DXF. So we are trying to clean this up before locking the PCB, because making changes after that point would cost more time and create more rework.
Formerjeeper
SILVER Star
Anarchy is like our very own Robin Hood or mystery fairy godmother. Anonymous (and soon to be beloved) hero to the community.
- Thread starter
- #317
Quick visual update.
These are still concept renders, not the final production unit, but this is the current direction being explored.
A few changes based on feedback:
The current control concept is:
Temp knob:
Spending time on this now is because once the faceplate, PCB outline, button placement, diffusers, and mechanical stack-up are locked, changes become much more expensive and time-consuming. I would rather absorb the extra design time now than rush into a layout that works electrically but feels wrong in the truck.
The main thing I’m trying to balance is OEM feel, button usability, clean appearance, and keeping the controls intuitive enough that you do not need to think about them while driving.
Still very much in development, but the overall direction is getting cleaner.
Tell me, does this look like something that belongs in the 100 Series dash?
These are still concept renders, not the final production unit, but this is the current direction being explored.
A few changes based on feedback:
- Larger physical buttons
- Cleaner, more symmetrical layout
- AUTO moved to the temp knob push function
- Fan speed, mode, temp, AUTO, A/C, recirc, and defrost status moved to the LCD
- Standalone LED indicator stacks removed to reduce clutter
- LCD kept as the central status display
The current control concept is:
Temp knob:
- Rotate = temp up/down
- Push = AUTO on/off
- Press and hold = °F/°C or secondary settings
- Rotate = fan speed up/down
- Push = fan/system off
- A/C
- Recirc
- Front defrost
- Mode
Spending time on this now is because once the faceplate, PCB outline, button placement, diffusers, and mechanical stack-up are locked, changes become much more expensive and time-consuming. I would rather absorb the extra design time now than rush into a layout that works electrically but feels wrong in the truck.
The main thing I’m trying to balance is OEM feel, button usability, clean appearance, and keeping the controls intuitive enough that you do not need to think about them while driving.
Still very much in development, but the overall direction is getting cleaner.
Tell me, does this look like something that belongs in the 100 Series dash?
That looks perfect, nice and simple
KISS: keep it simple stupid (just the acronym). This is something that I would purchase for sure! And thank you for tackling this, obviously it's needed, but choosing to do it says a lot about you and your skill set (and your team's skill set as well!)