- Thread starter
- #21
Well… this happened.
100 Series NAV Delete – True Standalone HVAC Solution (OEM+)
- Thread starter Anarchy
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Looking forward to you getting this sorted.
Have just bought a 2004 HDJ100 with inop Nav. Have been looking at NAV delete threads/videos and trying to source parts.
Impressed people put so much effort into this - and very happy you do! I'd buy you a beer or two for sure!
I would love to retain the OEM Nav Bezel, and be able to install a Teyes Style Screen that is compatible with the OE buttons. The biggest thing that is stopping me from removing the OE Nav Setup is the physical HVAC buttons.
Thanks for the progress update!
I think his plan is a separate set of physical controls that replace the tape deck. The entire navscreen (including the bezel buttons) could then be replaced with your aftermarket headunit of choice.
I think his plan is a separate set of physical controls that replace the tape deck. The entire navscreen (including the bezel buttons) could then be replaced with your aftermarket headunit of choice.
- Thread starter
- #25
Successful command injection with the HVAC command set mapped and confirmed under controlled testing.
Now validating full standalone operation without the OEM NAV/MFD connected, including startup behavior and power-cycle stability.
The goal remains:
OEM-style physical controls
No screen
Plug-and-play
Curious to hear from those following the development:
- If you could completely remove the factory NAV screen, run any head unit you want, and relocate HVAC to OEM-style physical controls in the lower dash - would you choose that over current Teyes/Grom/Android options?
- And honestly, what would make you NOT buy something like this?
Appreciate the feedback. This community has been a big part of shaping the direction.
Now validating full standalone operation without the OEM NAV/MFD connected, including startup behavior and power-cycle stability.
The goal remains:
OEM-style physical controls
No screen
Plug-and-play
Curious to hear from those following the development:
- If you could completely remove the factory NAV screen, run any head unit you want, and relocate HVAC to OEM-style physical controls in the lower dash - would you choose that over current Teyes/Grom/Android options?
- And honestly, what would make you NOT buy something like this?
Appreciate the feedback. This community has been a big part of shaping the direction.
Last edited:
imperium
SILVER Star
I am personally not a fan of the Teyes/android tablet alternative. The screen is just so large and bright and looks so out of place in the 100. I have the Grom and it works well, but the factory screen is just so old and begging for replacement. And I know one day the factory screen will stop working.
The only two things that would get me to not buy are price and untested compatibility in the car. I don't have a price in mind yet of how much I'd pay, but I do know that you've put a great amount of time and effort into getting this going and I understand that the price will likely reflect that.
I'd also appreciate some thorough testing of the system on a car, which I believe you are doing now.
Things like if pressing the windshield defrost button turns on the AC compressor and testing the fresh air/recirculation function. If there's a problem with the AC, would the AC indicator flash like it does from the factory? Things like that pop in my mind.
Something I need to consider is whether or not your wiring would be compatible with the nav delete kit. I have the factory HVAC controls/buttons to eventually put in my '04 but haven't gotten around to wiring it up. Is this a completely custom interface? Would it be reversible? Would it be plug and play?
Sorry for all the questions. I'm just typing them down as they come to me.
1: I would not run a Teyes/Grom/Android. Too glitchy, don't want to be stuck with a glitchy screen that controls HVAC.
2: Price, if the whole kit is substantially more than trying to do a non-nav conversion with OEM parts then it wouldn't be worth it to me.
Otherwise, this kit is the ideal. No messing around with OEM used parts from the Middle East that might be DOA, no screen controlling the HVAC, ability to run a simple radio that works easily with Bluetooth.
- Thread starter
- #28
Appreciate the thoughtful feedback.
On OEM behavior:
The goal is for it to behave exactly like factory. Defrost logic, compressor engagement, recirc behavior, and indicator behavior are all part of validation. If Toyota designed the system to do something automatically, it should continue doing so including fault handling and indicator behavior.
The objective isn’t to replace Toyota’s logic but to preserve OEM behavior.
On compatibility and wiring:
Plug-and-play and full reversibility are priorities. No cutting, no permanent modification.
On price:
Final pricing will depend on production hardware decisions and scale. The focus right now is stability and correct system behavior before discussing that side of things.
Keep the questions coming.
On OEM behavior:
The goal is for it to behave exactly like factory. Defrost logic, compressor engagement, recirc behavior, and indicator behavior are all part of validation. If Toyota designed the system to do something automatically, it should continue doing so including fault handling and indicator behavior.
The objective isn’t to replace Toyota’s logic but to preserve OEM behavior.
On compatibility and wiring:
Plug-and-play and full reversibility are priorities. No cutting, no permanent modification.
On price:
Final pricing will depend on production hardware decisions and scale. The focus right now is stability and correct system behavior before discussing that side of things.
Keep the questions coming.
I'm running the stock touchscreen until it stops working. I use a basic Grom unit that injects audio from my phone cable to the CD audio.
I don't like the risk of having a poorly documented aftermarket alternative: the giant (Teyes) touchscreen that handles HVAC, for example. I'd be happy with a hi-fi single or double DIN, but then I'd have to learn about the amp system in the car. I would miss having the range and mpg display. And I guess at that point I'd probably delete the nav unit.... Bottom line is I don't want to add more complexity that can go wrong.
I currently have a T’Eyes since my nav screen became very difficult to see.
I also already have an aftermarket amp and speakers. I have removed the factory nav dvd player and amp entirely.
The T’Eyes unit is nice for the things it can do, but having hvac integrated is horrible. It was bad in the oem screen too, but at least there were buttons to open the hvac app and for temp changes.
I think about what you are working on just about everyday. Unless you are charging $2k I will buy one. If my setup is different than what you are testing and I can help in any way, I’m willing.
I think this kind of unit will end up being the biggest quality of life improvement for 100 series, especially considering the oem units are now 20+ years old and failing.
I also already have an aftermarket amp and speakers. I have removed the factory nav dvd player and amp entirely.
The T’Eyes unit is nice for the things it can do, but having hvac integrated is horrible. It was bad in the oem screen too, but at least there were buttons to open the hvac app and for temp changes.
I think about what you are working on just about everyday. Unless you are charging $2k I will buy one. If my setup is different than what you are testing and I can help in any way, I’m willing.
I think this kind of unit will end up being the biggest quality of life improvement for 100 series, especially considering the oem units are now 20+ years old and failing.
Absolutely prefer the OEM style interface. My wife and children love Grom, and it works very well, but they also love their iPhones. I don't.
I also do not need a four wheel drive interface for my phone, nor will I ever in my lifetime.
I also do not need a four wheel drive interface for my phone, nor will I ever in my lifetime.
Another vote for aftermarket headunit capability with removal of factory screen. Definitely curious to see where the price lands. Would also prefer actual buttons/knobs vs touchscreen style for the AC controls.
Thank you for all your time and efforts thus far!
Thank you for all your time and efforts thus far!
Absolute stability is key for me - it seems the T'eyes units are OK, but still buggy occasionally. I personally like how they look, but I also have *hated* when I've gotten rental cars that have purely touchscreen-driven HVAC controls. At least my stock LX controls have physical buttons for *some* things.
I like the thought of being able to choose my own head unit, and then be able to make a custom faceplate for the rest (likely ditching the tape deck) that could integrate things that I use more - RAM mounts, Auxbeam switch panel, etc.
Assuming stability is taken care of, price would remain as the only potential barrier. Still though, I tend to spend money on things that I use every day, so my threshold here is pretty high.
Would absolutely go for an oem style buttons interface, if I had an oem nav screen.
Luckily I got a 2004 with buttons and an oem 2-din HU, which I swapped out for an Alpine 8" screen, which I can turn off the screen of. (too cumbersome tho).
When it comes to oem buttons for hvac, the old version, pre 2002, is so much easier to use than the one I currently have. On the old version you just learn the three dials and you can adjust them accurately without looking. On the new version, post 2002, you have to look to see what you are doing. It's impossible to adjust even if you know exactly where each button is. So much for traffic safety. You even have to look at a small lcd display to see what mode you're in. Really terrible. And the buttons tend to need a change or service every 10 years.
If I ever get a replacement 100 with an original nav, I would gladly pay at least 2 K for your all buttons solution, unless I could just move the old dash from my wrecked 2000 over.
Luckily I got a 2004 with buttons and an oem 2-din HU, which I swapped out for an Alpine 8" screen, which I can turn off the screen of. (too cumbersome tho).
When it comes to oem buttons for hvac, the old version, pre 2002, is so much easier to use than the one I currently have. On the old version you just learn the three dials and you can adjust them accurately without looking. On the new version, post 2002, you have to look to see what you are doing. It's impossible to adjust even if you know exactly where each button is. So much for traffic safety. You even have to look at a small lcd display to see what mode you're in. Really terrible. And the buttons tend to need a change or service every 10 years.
If I ever get a replacement 100 with an original nav, I would gladly pay at least 2 K for your all buttons solution, unless I could just move the old dash from my wrecked 2000 over.
- Thread starter
- #36
It’s clear physical controls and stability matter more than feature density, and that aligns with my direction.
Stability is the highest priority. Development includes watchdog supervision, brownout recovery, transmit gating, defined safe-state behavior, controlled recovery after reset or key cycle, and validation across real power events like crank and ignition cycling. The target is OEM-level reliability and predictable behavior.
Compatibility across similar Toyota platforms (GX470, etc.) is on the radar, but the priority right now is fully validating and hardening the 100 series implementation.
The HVAC controller is planned for the OEM cassette/tape deck location in the lower dash.
Stability is the highest priority. Development includes watchdog supervision, brownout recovery, transmit gating, defined safe-state behavior, controlled recovery after reset or key cycle, and validation across real power events like crank and ignition cycling. The target is OEM-level reliability and predictable behavior.
Compatibility across similar Toyota platforms (GX470, etc.) is on the radar, but the priority right now is fully validating and hardening the 100 series implementation.
The HVAC controller is planned for the OEM cassette/tape deck location in the lower dash.
For me, just want something that works without needing to reset and fix issues by downloading updates etc.
Installed a Yatour YTM06-TOY2-BT device a couple of weeks ago. It gives me access to music via BT, but have to control it via the phone.
Definitely an improvement, but I see it as a temp fix until gathering the parts to go down the full nav delete route via splicing wires and making looms etc.
I’ll do that if I have to BUT waiting to see your plan first.
In my 120 Land Cruiser, it didn’t have nav, but I installed a Kenwood double din unit with navigation, camera and CarPlay. It’s worked perfectly for the last 10 years. That’s what I’m after for the 100.
Happy to do without most modern conveniences but the radio/display is important.
Also…. Do not want anything Chinese - every single radio I’ve seen/used in the past has been crap. Some look ok, but they’re just buggy and the quality/reliability isn’t on par with a Toyota (Or anything else for that matter).
Price… quality work is worth a lot… hopefully I can afford it.
Just copy/rep the AC amp circuit board, two versions complete the 100 series. The connectors are universal, the hard box is standard for all years. The wiring is known.
The effort is admirable. A soft solution is preferable. At 2000usd, it isn't.
The effort is admirable. A soft solution is preferable. At 2000usd, it isn't.