2001 LX 470 AC Head unit replacement

[NocturnalHundo]

I have a problem. I am trying to update this cruiser and make it a little more modern and really want to install a CarPlay unit. However, my car unfortunately came with the head unit that has the built in AC controls so I cannot find ANYTHING that can directly replace this. I can turn wrenches all day long, but I do not have the patience nor the skill to do a conversion to a newer style. Can anyone recommend something? I talked to ACC garage in Atlanta, and they wanted nothing to do with that swap. hahaha

 

[Patassa]

I have a problem. I am trying to update this cruiser and make it a little more modern and really want to install a CarPlay unit. However, my car unfortunately came with the head unit that has the built in AC controls so I cannot find ANYTHING that can directly replace this. I can turn wrenches all day long, but I do not have the patience nor the skill to do a conversion to a newer style. Can anyone recommend something? I talked to ACC garage in Atlanta, and they wanted nothing to do with that swap. hahahaView attachment 4131799View attachment 4131798

It's really not that much skill, it's cutting like 40 wires and reconnecting them while following a printout. I'm assuming you've found the thread already where we've done this conversion, it was well worth it.

 

[Mattwaldo1]

I’m gearing up to do the swap right now. I actually just got my LC control panel in the mail today. I’ve got almost everything except for a new head unit. I think I’m gonna go through the ML amp for the time being, but I am tempted to just go for it and bypass the ML amp completely and run new speakers/sub.

 

[Patassa]

I’m gearing up to do the swap right now. I actually just got my LC control panel in the mail today. I’ve got almost everything except for a new head unit. I think I’m gonna go through the ML amp for the time being, but I am tempted to just go for it and bypass the ML amp completely and run new speakers/sub.

Yep, rip out all the factory stuff and upgrade amp, add a dsp, and some decent drivers and you'll be in for a treat vs what you had.

On the headunit thing, I had your basic pioneer that fit in the double din opening for the last 5+ years but I just bought one of the android units (mekede dudu7, dumb name whatever) bc with my starlink or hotspotting from my phone now I can run android apps natively on a bigger screen (like OnX) and not have to mount a iPad on the dash. Plus I've just gotten used to maps and split screen on bigger screens in my wife's car and my current little 7" screen feels almost useless for that use case.

 

[Patassa]

I have a problem. I am trying to update this cruiser and make it a little more modern and really want to install a CarPlay unit. However, my car unfortunately came with the head unit that has the built in AC controls so I cannot find ANYTHING that can directly replace this. I can turn wrenches all day long, but I do not have the patience nor the skill to do a conversion to a newer style. Can anyone recommend something? I talked to ACC garage in Atlanta, and they wanted nothing to do with that swap. hahahaView attachment 4131799View attachment 4131798

Great looking rig btw.

 

[Mattwaldo1]

Yep, rip out all the factory stuff and upgrade amp, add a dsp, and some decent drivers and you'll be in for a treat vs what you had.

On the headunit thing, I had your basic pioneer that fit in the double din opening for the last 5+ years but I just bought one of the android units (mekede dudu7, dumb name whatever) bc with my starlink or hotspotting from my phone now I can run android apps natively on a bigger screen (like OnX) and not have to mount a iPad on the dash. Plus I've just gotten used to maps and split screen on bigger screens in my wife's car and my current little 7" screen feels almost useless for that use case.

I’m pretty certain I’m gonna go with a Sony AX4000. I don’t really know much about car audio but I’m pretty sure there’s an amp built into that head unit. Wouldn’t I be able to run new speakers off of that? Also what is a DSP? I’m not really a big screen guy, I’d run a single din if I didn’t like CarPlay so much lol.

 

[NocturnalHundo]

It's really not that much skill, it's cutting like 40 wires and reconnecting them while following a printout. I'm assuming you've found the thread already where we've done this conversion, it was well worth it.

I saw it awhile back. Anyone have the link to the thread. Might just have to suck it up and do it.

 

[Mattwaldo1]

I saw it awhile back. Anyone have the link to the thread. Might just have to suck it up and do it.

Here ya go

 

[Patassa]

I saw it awhile back. Anyone have the link to the thread. Might just have to suck it up and do it.

Do it. Will bring your rig into the 21st century.