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

[Anarchy]

With older vehicles, knobs worked great because they were directly controlling things. If the fan knob was on “3”, the fan was on “3”.

The difference with this system is that it’s electronic and state-based. The HVAC ECU is constantly making decisions on its own (especially in Auto mode), and things like fan speed and airflow can change in the background.

That creates an interesting problem:

If you use a traditional knob with fixed positions, it can end up showing something different than what the system is actually doing.

Example:

• You set the fan to 2
• Turn on Auto
• System ramps fan up to 5 on its own

Now your knob still says “2”… but the fan is clearly not on 2 anymore.

Same idea applies on startup. The system may already have a stored temperature or mode, but the knobs don’t know where to “start” from.

So the question becomes more about:

Do the controls represent a fixed position?
Or do they simply tell the system to go up/down/change state?

Modern vehicles have mostly moved away from fixed-position knobs for this exact reason, they use things like up/down controls or infinite-turn dials so the system always stays in sync.

Still working through what makes the most sense here.

 

[A67auto]

I have some questions:
1. Will this work for an 02 LX470?
2. What are you using to read and send commands on the data bus? Is it Toyota specific?
3. How did find the correct complementary connectors for the OEM plugs?

Thanks

 

[jzsx240]

I love the simplicity of my accords controls the fan can be adjusted up and down and the indicator pops up at the speed when it’s manual vs when it’s auto the indicator is blank. Also the temp knob has a light around the knob that turns blue when you turn it down and red when it goes up.
I haven’t read the whole thread yet so this may just be a irrelevant response lol

 

[Anarchy]

I have some questions:
1. Will this work for an 02 LX470?
2. What are you using to read and send commands on the data bus? Is it Toyota specific?
3. How did find the correct complementary connectors for the OEM plugs?

Thanks

1. Will this work for an 02 LX470?

That’s still being evaluated. The early 100-series/LX platforms use a different integration approach compared to the later NAV-integrated systems, so this solution is primarily focused on the 03–07 range.

That said, once everything is fully understood and stable, I’ll look at what it would take to support earlier years.

2. What are you using to read and send commands on the data bus? Is it Toyota specific?

It’s all based on interfacing directly with the vehicle’s multiplex network. There’s no off-the-shelf decoder being used, this is fully custom at both the hardware and firmware level.

3. How did you find the correct complementary connectors for the OEM plugs?

Combination of parts catalog research, connector family identification, and trial/validation. Toyota tends to reuse connector families across platforms, so once you identify the series it gets a lot easier to source the mating side.

 

[NE Snowman]

View attachment 4119945I love the simplicity of my accords controls the fan can be adjusted up and down and the indicator pops up at the speed when it’s manual vs when it’s auto the indicator is blank. Also the temp knob has a light around the knob that turns blue when you turn it down and red when it goes up.
I haven’t read the whole thread yet so this may just be a irrelevant response lol

It's a great way around fixed location knobs.

 

[mac2nite]

I have a question and I would very much like as much input as possible from those interested in the project.

There are basically two directions this can go:
Option 1 - No display (pure physical controls)

• Knobs (rotary dial) represent actual position (fan, temp, mode)
• Buttons with simple LED indicators
• No screen at all
• More OEM/simple feel

Option 2 - Add a small display

• Same physical controls
• Small, subtle display showing things like temp, fan level, mode
• More feedback / slightly more modern feel

Neither one is “right”, just different approaches.
Curious which direction people would actually prefer in the real world and why.

I’d be more inclined for Option 2, although I can see myself getting whatever you end up doing. I dislike the nav/HVAC system that much in my 2006 LX.

Thanks again for all the hard work

 

[Coin]

I’m in the “I trust Anarchy” camp, but it seems like dual, infinite dials, and buttons for mode is the easiest solution to implement. Add an led to the fan dial showing fan speeds and a digital temp display in the temp dial.

I will buy whatever it is you decide to sell.

 

[LCMoneyPit]

I just saw this thread. I love it. Can’t wait to get a real stereo in my 06 LC. One question - will we still be stuck having to use the OEM amp or could it be ditched completely also with this setup?

 

[Coin]

Any amp you want.

Btw, @Anarchy, that 2020 Escape has the exact control interface I mentioned above, complete with an off button in the temp dial.

 

[rbrave]

So the question becomes more about:

Do the controls represent a fixed position?
Or do they simply tell the system to go up/down/change state?

Modern vehicles have mostly moved away from fixed-position knobs for this exact reason, they use things like up/down controls or infinite-turn dials so the system always stays in sync.

I think having a continuous dial would be fine, with the light/LED indicating that it has moved to a given position. The choice of knob is then more important - making it look as stock as possible will be important to some, and irrelevant to others. I fall in the former camp.

Another random suggestion, if you are going through all of this trouble… Adding a volume knob could be a huge addition. The vast majority of double DIN aftermarket stereos no longer have a knob, and only use small buttons. That alone is a major reason I’ve kept my OEM radio and added Bluetooth to it.

 

[A67auto]

1. Will this work for an 02 LX470?

That’s still being evaluated. The early 100-series/LX platforms use a different integration approach compared to the later NAV-integrated systems, so this solution is primarily focused on the 03–07 range.

That said, once everything is fully understood and stable, I’ll look at what it would take to support earlier years.

2. What are you using to read and send commands on the data bus? Is it Toyota specific?

It’s all based on interfacing directly with the vehicle’s multiplex network. There’s no off-the-shelf decoder being used, this is fully custom at both the hardware and firmware level.

3. How did you find the correct complementary connectors for the OEM plugs?

Combination of parts catalog research, connector family identification, and trial/validation. Toyota tends to reuse connector families across platforms, so once you identify the series it gets a lot easier to source the mating side.

Thank you.

 

[the zamboni]

As Coin said above, I will buy whatever you end up coming up with, Anarchy. Someone posted your renderings on a 100 series Facebook page and people were going nuts for it. There is definitely a market!

 

[zcostilla]

I’m in the “I trust Anarchy” camp, but it seems like dual, infinite dials, and buttons for mode is the easiest solution to implement. Add an led to the fan dial showing fan speeds and a digital temp display in the temp dial.

I will buy whatever it is you decide to sell.

I’m late to the game, but excited to see this! Ultimately, I’m cheap, so tend to prefer the less expensive option most of the time. with the cost differential playing a big factor. So little cost difference means greater likelihood to pay for the upgrade.

But ultimately I also think whatever Anarchy decides to do will be best because he’s the one pouring his time and energy and resources into it, and that passion goes a long way.

 

[yjeff]

I’m in for whatever is reliable, tested, and simplest to produce. That said, I’d take option 2 if both were available. Currently, my HVAC and radio controls don’t work if temps have swung in the preceding few hours.

2006 LX470, 05/05 build date

 

[Presice]

Love seeing this type if work to retrofit newer tech in older vehicles. It reminds me of the bluebus in my 2000s era BMW. I will echo that I would prefer something that looks and behaves OEM. I would especially prefer not to lose a volume knob.

 

[Anarchy]

Need to sanity check something.

Right now I have a Mark Levinson (LX470) cassette-style unit in hand.
What I don’t have yet is the Land Cruiser JBL cassette version, and before I go chasing one down blindly, I want to confirm:

Are there only TWO cassette variations for 03–07 NAV trucks?
LX470 – Mark Levinson system
Land Cruiser – JBL system

Or is there anything else floating around?
Non-JBL-Non-ML LX470/Land Cruiser NAV variants?
Early/late revisions?
Market-specific differences (JDM, Middle East, etc.)?

The JBL version is physically different:
Does anyone have one they’re willing to sell? ( $300+ on eBay is insane )

OR

Can provide:
Overall dimensions (W/H/D)
Mounting points
Backside photos
3D scan (ideal)

Goal being to design one unified replacement unit that fits both options cleanly w/o swapping brackets, weird trimming, etc.

---

Shout-out @LJE for sending me a coffee, thanks dude!

 

[CorModo]

From an '03 Aussie spec LX470, this is a Pioneer branded unit.

Let me know if you want images of the brackets etc.

Excluding the radio, I also have the non-nav set up from a '05 Sahara if you need images of that.

 

[OOCustoms]

Need to sanity check something.

Right now I have a Mark Levinson (LX470) cassette-style unit in hand.
What I don’t have yet is the Land Cruiser JBL cassette version, and before I go chasing one down blindly, I want to confirm:

Are there only TWO cassette variations for 03–07 NAV trucks?
LX470 – Mark Levinson system
Land Cruiser – JBL system

Or is there anything else floating around?
Non-JBL-Non-ML LX470/Land Cruiser NAV variants?
Early/late revisions?
Market-specific differences (JDM, Middle East, etc.)?

The JBL version is physically different:
Does anyone have one they’re willing to sell? ( $300+ on eBay is insane )

OR

Can provide:
Overall dimensions (W/H/D)
Mounting points
Backside photos
3D scan (ideal)

Goal being to design one unified replacement unit that fits both options cleanly w/o swapping brackets, weird trimming, etc.

---

Shout-out @LJE for sending me a coffee, thanks dude!

I

Need to sanity check something.

Right now I have a Mark Levinson (LX470) cassette-style unit in hand.
What I don’t have yet is the Land Cruiser JBL cassette version, and before I go chasing one down blindly, I want to confirm:

Are there only TWO cassette variations for 03–07 NAV trucks?
LX470 – Mark Levinson system
Land Cruiser – JBL system

Or is there anything else floating around?
Non-JBL-Non-ML LX470/Land Cruiser NAV variants?
Early/late revisions?
Market-specific differences (JDM, Middle East, etc.)?

The JBL version is physically different:
Does anyone have one they’re willing to sell? ( $300+ on eBay is insane )

OR

Can provide:
Overall dimensions (W/H/D)
Mounting points
Backside photos
3D scan (ideal)

Goal being to design one unified replacement unit that fits both options cleanly w/o swapping brackets, weird trimming, etc.

---

Shout-out @LJE for sending me a coffee, thanks dude!

If my rig wasn’t my daily right now, I’d rip it out and send it to you- I sicced AI Claude on your question about possible worldwide market options for the dashboard stereo cassette unit. -“For the US/North American market, the two-unit assumption holds — both have the HVAC integration problem. But globally there are at least three distinct configurations: the US integrated nav unit, the US non-nav unit (still climate-integrated), and the non-nav/non-integrated units in markets like Australia and Mexico. The physical dash opening and wiring harness differ meaningfully between them, so if the custom climate controller is meant to be a universal drop-in, it’ll need to account for at least the US variant(s) as a starting point and potentially the wide-DIN Aussie spec as a second SK. The two US configurations (standard nav and Mark Levinson) are well-documented. But for worldwide markets, I’d want your friend to be a little cautious before treating that as gospel. Toyota was known to spec regional variants differently, and some markets got nav systems sourced from different suppliers (Fujitsu Ten being a common Toyota nav vendor in certain regions). It’s possible a JDM or Middle East or European-spec 100 series with integrated nav/climate used a physically similar but electrically different unit” - So it sounds like there are only the two versions out there for 99% of the 03-07 integrated nav 100 series.

 

[zgfiredude]

My ‘06 LC has the JBL cassette. Let me know how I can help!

 

[RiparianJoe]

My ‘06 LC has the JBL cassette. Let me know how I can help!

Mine does as well. I’m about to leave the country on vacation but am back at the end of April. I could probably take my jbl casset player out and 3D scan it if that is still needed.

@Anarchy - I found this thread today from your post in the Reddit community. I’m absolutely floored with your skills/abilities, and the speed at which you work. You are operating on a different plane of capability than most of the rest of us. I’m just curious - what kind of work do you do for a living? You seem to have a broad array of technical capabilities, and also a pretty good idea of how to develop and manufacture a very polished product.

I have been checking back every 6 months or so hoping that a product like this would eventually come along. I’ve been tempted by the Teyes, etc, but ultimately have been holding off. When you’re ready to release this, though, I will buy it with no hesitation - I am so excited!