80 series head unit replacement (5 Viewers)

[DirtyPepper]

I went from jdm japanese only jdm double din touch screen head unit to this single din with storage compartment.
I realized that any touch screen display will sit way too low to be practically usable. I also wanted an oem look. Since 90's cars do not have a lot of storage, it helped me in my decisions so that i could also get a storage compartment for wallet and phone, etc.

I chose the blaupunkt Frankfurt rcm82, its got phone connection, blutooth, sd/usb slot/aux input / remote usb input, oem look and also RGB led backlight that can be adjusted to be any color you want or (Toyota oem green)

View attachment 3500004

Yeah, I installed a Pioneer double Din that a buddy gave me since it wouldn't fit in his Disco2...it's cd/dvd, touchscreen, bluetooth, etc...but I've found that as much as i LIKE having the rear camera, the screen is so low and out of place that I don't really use it.

And once I add a rear swing out tire carrier, I'm probably not even going to use it.

I'll look up your stereo...I like the look of it!

 

[charlay61]

Yeah, I installed a Pioneer double Din that a buddy gave me since it wouldn't fit in his Disco2...it's cd/dvd, touchscreen, bluetooth, etc...but I've found that as much as i LIKE having the rear camera, the screen is so low and out of place that I don't really use it.

And once I add a rear swing out tire carrier, I'm probably not even going to use it.

I'll look up your stereo...I like the look of it!

I'm looking forward to install a rear view camera. I do have a swing out tire rack. I'm considering a dashcam/rearview replacement mirror combianed with a licence plate LED/camera thingy. But i have yet to do more research and be sure that everything will work together.
Amazon product ASIN B0895NMDKT++++
Amazon product ASIN B07J1DJL2W
I don't want to have to drill anyholes and i want to keep the oem look as much as possible. I think this is the best solution. The little camera replaces the license plate light and it has an angled camera towards the hitch. I wanna have a rearview camera for hooking up my trailer easily.

 

[kgrove]

I don't want to have to drill anyholes and i want to keep the oem look as much as possible. I think this is the best solution. The little camera replaces the license plate light and it has an angled camera towards the hitch. I wanna have a rearview camera for hooking up my trailer easily.View attachment 3505163

My experience is center mounted cameras are great for approaching trailer hitches. Off center cameras make it harder to tell if you're lining up correctly... you can see the forward/backward alignment well, but you can't quite tell if you're centered. I'd say an off center camera is better than nothing, but not as good as having somebody who know's what they're doing give you hand signals on how you should move to better approach the trailer. If your wife's hand signals are like my wife's, get the camera even if it's off center.

You might be able to put a small hole in your bumper near where those 4 holes already are and flush mount a camera right above your hitch receiver. Ideally the camera location would be a bit higher for better perspective of the trailer approach, but it might work. The swing out tire likely blocks the view if you were to mount it above the window washer nozzle, which I've seen before.

 

[bart0]

Blaupunkt Frankfurt RCM82 - a quick review

Product link: Frankfurt RCM 82 DAB - Blaupunkt - https://blaupunkt.com/product/frankfurt-rcm-82-dab/

Wanted to do a quick writeup in the Blaupunkt Frankfurt RCM82 radio I've had installed for about 2 months now. TLDR; it's great!

When I bought my OEM looking 80 series the previous owner had a Pioneer single DIN radio installed with that 2000's era nightclub aesthetic with blue LEDs. The aesthetic bothered me. In my search to replace I was very tempted with a Sony double DIN touchscreen type head unit but having seen one on an 80 I disliked the way the screen faced forward and too low to be easily seen when driving.

Then I found the period-correct (but geographically *incorrect*) Blaupunkt Frankfurt head unit and pulled the trigger. Had it installed by a local car radio guy a couple months ago and it has been absolutely fantastic!

Aesthetics:
It looks almost perfect for the OEM 80 series interior. The buttons are a slightly different shape to the OEM radio, but overall it looks great. The big bonus is you can adjust the LED colour to match the OEM dash green. There's not much more to say about aethetics here, it just looks awesome.

Sound:
I'm not an audiophile but the sound quality was noticeably better than the Pioneer radio. The installer reused the previous/OEM wiring and the Pioneer speakers (2x 6.5 in rear doors + 2x 4" in the dash) and I instantly noticed the difference when driving home. Much clearer. I even called the distributor here in Australia and asked if the head unit could've made that difference and was told the newer head units (and Blaupunkt in particular) use better components with better signal processing resulting in better sound.

Phone calls:
I haven't tested this extensively, but sound quality from calls is pretty good. Maybe a little worse than what I'm used to with *wired* CarPlay in my 2018 VW Golf R. With the included mic running internally up the A-pillar and popping out right near my forehead I apparently sound pretty good to people on the other end of the line, with apparent minimal car noise coming through.

Best features:
In my opinion, these are the best features of the Blaupunkt Frankfurt. Note that I listen to 99.9% bluetooth music and podcasts when driving:

• Aesthetics!
• Tactile controls for everything! I love being able to simply reach over without looking to adjust the volume. I can easily skip forward and back with the arrow buttons. I can quickly mute with one click of the volume knob, or turn the system off with a 2-second press. I can adjust treble and bass with dedicated buttons. There are buttons for the audio sources right there. Nothing in day-to-day use requires going through puzzling menus!
• Adjustable and independent default volume levels for music, phone calls, and maps voiceovers. This is great! Each time I start the car, the volume levels of these separate audio sources resets to my settings so I'm never startled when the music kicks in, or when I get a phone call. This is a thoughtful touch.
• Adjustable brightness setting for the LED display, for day and night, controlled by times you set in the system. Another thoughtful touch.

2x downsides (so far):
The only two negatives I've found—and these are by no means deal breakers—are:

• I wish the volume knob could be used to scroll through options when you are in setup mode. The setup works by using the up, down, forward, back arrows, but it would be a lot quicker to scroll options with the volume knob instead of up/down.
• For the right-hand-side drivers, the volume knob is a little further away than I'd like. It's easy to reach it, but you do have to extend your arm to do it. Left-hand-side drivers will not need to worry about this.

Conclusion:
If you want good Bluetooth and care about keeping your 80 series aesthetic as OEM as possible, I don't know if you can get a better option.

A note on installation:
As mentioned up top, I paid a professional to install this head unit. The installer said it was super straight-forward in terms of wiring it up to existing speakers. The hardest part was having to customise (file) the OEM plastic bracket/housing to allow the Frankfurt to sit internal of the bracket and basically be flush, as opposed to sticking out. So this is something to note if you're doing the install yourself.

A note on phone mount:
I still use Google maps but directly from my phone. I'm using this Peak Design phone mount which see in the second pic has been solid.

 

[duurt]

Howdy everyone,

I hope I'm not out of place piggybacking on this thread, but there's already a bunch of good info in here and I think it's a good thread to revive with this question.

I'm swapping out the aftermarket head unit on my 1997 HDJ81. The unit was installed in Japan and with it I've torn out a huge amount of additional wiring tidbits to get back to stock.

May seem backwards, but I've decided to put in an original CD/tape unit until I decide if id like to someday do an android car play, sub, and speaker overhaul.

I've acquired a head unit in excellent condition off of a 1995 American-spec 80 series. What I've run into is the stock wiring harness (which comes from the stock amp by glove box that I reconnected) doesn't fit into the back of this stock head unit. Just the antenna cable fits.

Is this head unit compatible with my hdj? And if so, will I need to replace or convert the connectors with one that matches the head unit? Since there are two grey and one white connections from the vehicle, and only one port on the head unit, what am I to do with the three connectors?

Thank you all for the help!

 

[80t0ylc]

Howdy everyone,

I hope I'm not out of place piggybacking on this thread, but there's already a bunch of good info in here and I think it's a good thread to revive with this question.

I'm swapping out the aftermarket head unit on my 1997 HDJ81. The unit was installed in Japan and with it I've torn out a huge amount of additional wiring tidbits to get back to stock.

May seem backwards, but I've decided to put in an original CD/tape unit until I decide if id like to someday do an android car play, sub, and speaker overhaul.

I've acquired a head unit in excellent condition off of a 1995 American-spec 80 series. What I've run into is the stock wiring harness (which comes from the stock amp by glove box that I reconnected) doesn't fit into the back of this stock head unit. Just the antenna cable fits.

Is this head unit compatible with my hdj? And if so, will I need to replace or convert the connectors with one that matches the head unit? Since there are two grey and one white connections from the vehicle, and only one port on the head unit, what am I to do with the three connectors?

Thank you all for the help!

View attachment 3664131

View attachment 3664132

View attachment 3664133

View attachment 3664134

How much slack is in that harness with the 2 gray and 1 white connectors? Maybe there is a Toyota OEM connector back further that plugs into a adapter harness that plugged into the aftermarket head unit that you're removing. If not, you'll have to find a Toyota harness to cannibalize and using the FSM schematics, remove the 3 useless connectors and splice it back into the OEM harness. Fun stuff if you're a contortionist...

 

[DivByZero]

I don't know much about the US head units, but I can confirm your wiring harness there is stock/correct for not only Japan, but also non-US cruisers. That's the same harness I see on Aussie cruisers, and that's shared with all other regions off that "group" like Europe, middle-east, etc.

 

[duurt]

I don't know much about the US head units, but I can confirm your wiring harness there is stock/correct for not only Japan, but also non-US cruisers. That's the same harness I see on Aussie cruisers, and that's shared with all other regions off that "group" like Europe, middle-east, etc.

I think you're exactly right- this harness does look stock. Which means I probably have an incompatible head unit. That said, I haven't been able to find a single used head unit on the internet with matching female plugs.

Does anyone have some insight into what the serial/model # might have been for the original head unit on this '97 HDJ81?

 

[duurt]

I think you're exactly right- this harness does look stock. Which means I probably have an incompatible head unit. That said, I haven't been able to find a single used head unit on the internet with matching female plugs.

Does anyone have some insight into what the serial/model # might have been for the original head unit on this '97 HDJ81?

As a follow up, I could likely acquire the original wiring harness for this OEM head unit from the vehicle it was pulled from. My understanding is that the grey plugs are amp bypass cables put there by Toyota for the use of aftermarket head u nits, and that the white connector is all that is needed for OEM head units. Could I theoretically switch over the wiring from the current white plug to the plug that was original to this head unit? Has anyone done something like this?

 

[ikarus]

You're right, those two grey plugs are for an amp bypass going into an aftermarket head unit. It's very easy and I would recommend that route - I found a deal on a quality Sony unit on Amazon - you can find them for $300 - and used this Metra harness:

Amazon.com

That was on my '97 HDJ81 - writeup here:

Builds - Ikarus' HDJ81 Aussie-Style Build

Haha dude I wish I had the money to fully embrace my inner watch nerd. But yeah, this one is actually serial number 89 from a few years back. I did some work for Matt when he was starting Ares. He's a big cruiserhead himself, I believe he has a 60 series and maybe another. That's pretty cool...

forum.ih8mud.com

I think you could probably make it work if you got the original plug to go with the OEM head unit. But I'm not an electronics wizard and I don't know how you'd match up the correct wires. Depinning and repinning would be easy though.

For a JDM market stereo, check out a Yahoo Auctions Japan proxy like Jauce or Buyee - easier to find used parts there:

check bost

You would have to figure out if that listing would ship to the US though.. looks like it has some disclaimer on it, not sure. And I don't think your radio would work on US AM/FM wavelengths.

Another option is Australia. I saw a guy post this just a few days ago:

It's the "Modified 80 Series Landcruiser" FB group. Lots of Aussies in the group.

 

[duurt]

You're right, those two grey plugs are for an amp bypass going into an aftermarket head unit. It's very easy and I would recommend that route - I found a deal on a quality Sony unit on Amazon - you can find them for $300 - and used this Metra harness:

Amazon.com

That was on my '97 HDJ81 - writeup here:

Builds - Ikarus' HDJ81 Aussie-Style Build

Haha dude I wish I had the money to fully embrace my inner watch nerd. But yeah, this one is actually serial number 89 from a few years back. I did some work for Matt when he was starting Ares. He's a big cruiserhead himself, I believe he has a 60 series and maybe another. That's pretty cool...

forum.ih8mud.com

I think you could probably make it work if you got the original plug to go with the OEM head unit. But I'm not an electronics wizard and I don't know how you'd match up the correct wires. Depinning and repinning would be easy though.

For a JDM market stereo, check out a Yahoo Auctions Japan proxy like Jauce or Buyee - easier to find used parts there:

View attachment 3664656

check bost

You would have to figure out if that listing would ship to the US though.. looks like it has some disclaimer on it, not sure. And I don't think your radio would work on US AM/FM wavelengths.

Another option is Australia. I saw a guy post this just a few days ago:

View attachment 3664655

It's the "Modified 80 Series Landcruiser" FB group. Lots of Aussies in the group.

Some great information here, thank you!

Call me crazy, but I actually have an aftermarket touch screen unit in the 80 currently. It was installed when I imported it, plays CDs, and works just fine. But I want to remove it and go back to an OEM look, whilst being able to hopefully get some US radio stations (which currently don't work with the JPN unit). Getting to use the other handful of speakers in the truck that have been bypassed would be rad too.

I'm going to look into replacing just the wire plug on either the harness side or the stereo side. If all else fails, I'll pop the aftermarket touchscreen back in and wait to upgrade to a US spec touchscreen down the line.

Will report back with my results!

 

[DivByZero]

I'm going to look into replacing just the wire plug on either the harness side or the stereo side. If all else fails, I'll pop the aftermarket touchscreen back in and wait to upgrade to a US spec touchscreen down the line.

My advice - Don't hack up the current wiring harness, buy an adapter harness, and hack that if you have to, but I doubt you'll need to. Plenty of pre-made harnesses to go from the two-connector style here to an ISO connector. Check this out for example:

Aerpro APP0140 ISO Harness fits Toyota

Shop for Aerpro ISO Vehicle Harnesses and save with Automotive Superstore! Get the best price, fast shipping and quality parts to your door.

automotivesuperstore.com.au

I have an adapter like that in my rig like that right now to connect to an aftermarket touchscreen. $5 nothing part, and it's plug and play. Look on amazon or ebay or something, you'll find it for cheap with shipping to your door.

 

[parkeyjack]

Some great information here, thank you!

Call me crazy, but I actually have an aftermarket touch screen unit in the 80 currently. It was installed when I imported it, plays CDs, and works just fine. But I want to remove it and go back to an OEM look, whilst being able to hopefully get some US radio stations (which currently don't work with the JPN unit). Getting to use the other handful of speakers in the truck that have been bypassed would be rad too.

I'm going to look into replacing just the wire plug on either the harness side or the stereo side. If all else fails, I'll pop the aftermarket touchscreen back in and wait to upgrade to a US spec touchscreen down the line.

Will report back with my results!

If you decide to sell. I might be interested as in I have a 95 Land Cruiser I’m sure it would be plug and play for me. I have a stack of old cds and some ole tapes but neither my cd player or my tape player work anymore. Hope you can figure it out but if not shoot me a message and like I said, I might be a buyer if the price is right! Good luck!

 

[duurt]

I owe this thread an update, just in case anyone else is (for some silly reason) interested in putting a stock head unit back into their 80 like I was.

To reiterate, my HDJ81 had an aftermarket head unit with Japanese writing I couldn't change to english, and wouldn't pick up US radio stations. I found a US head unit off of a wrecked '95 via B&R Autowrecking's website. They shipped it right to my door for ~$45 all in, which is a steal compared to what units are going for on Ebay.

When I pulled the aftermarket unit, as expected, it was using the grey harness Toyota included for this purpose. However, the stock white wire harness that should have matched the US stock head unit did not match it. I'm not sure if some Japanese-spec cruisers had a different plug or perhaps a different stock head unit than the US. What was strange is that the amp-side of the harness in my truck did indeed match the stock US head unit, which tells me someone re-pinned the white head-unit side at some point.

Old junk. What a mess. All the Japanese toll sensors, wires, and antennae filled a small bin up once pulled out.

What I found after pulling all the aftermarket wiring junk out. Note the white plug is the plug of concern that should match the stock head unit, but did not.

Plug I needed on the back of the US head unit

My first thought was to get the stock wire harness cut out of the wrecked '95 I got the head unit from. B&R no longer had the harness- they pull sellable parts and crush the rest of the car :/

My ultimate solution was using this harness catalog in conjunction with pulling the part# from my preamp harness to ID the exact plastic wire harness I needed to re-pin to.

I checked for NOS harnesses (plastic plug only) and they are NLA. No luck on Ebay, partsouq, toyotapartsdeal, etc etc.

So I started scouring Mud for 80's being parted out and did some mass outreach asking for just the head unit plug. I finally got a hit and the Mud member sent me two of them, the head unit side and the amp side (again, same exact plug).

I had him clip the wires so that I had a reference as to how to correctly re-pin the wires on my harness to match up with the stock US head unit.

One by one, I released the wire pins from the harness in my HDJ and placed them in their correct slot on the stock harness. The Japanese pins ARE NOT exact matches to the US pins, so I had to do some slight pinching and bending with some needle nose pliers to get them to fit the US harness.

Once that was all done, I re-plugged in the amp harnesses, which were bypassed for the aftermarket head unit to work. I plugged in the silver radio cable into the stock head unit, and plugged in the freshly re-pinned harness.

The unit works, albeit the CD player reader rails probably need to be re-lubed as only 1/10 CDs will actually play. This is a well documented issue with old head units. Tapes play well. Radio now picks up US frequencies. All of the 9 stock speakers now work as well (aftermarket head units only utilize the door speakers when you bypass the amp).

I've done about 30 hours of road tripping with the stock head unit in now and it's been a joy to listen back through my parent's old tape collection.

Anyway, that was a PIA and I will eventually put an Android carplay unit in and install all new high end speakers + sub at some point. But for now, having the stock unit work has been a lot of fun. Surprising how good it actually sounds for a 27 year old truck.

Hope this helps some other 80-owner looking to go back to stock with their radio! As always, huge thanks to the folks on Mud for being such a good reference in such projects.

 

[duurt]

Here are the harnesses clips from a parted out 80 here on Mud.

New (old) stock unit installed and working

In all her glory, cause why not?

 

[Tate136]

I looked for a while for a head unit with a volume knob. There's one Sony with a knob but it's discontinued and uses a resistive screen (I'd rather have capacitive.)

The happy medium I found was this Sony - it has volume up and down buttons and skip forward/back buttons. Sony XAV-AX5500, also discontinued but essentially the same as the new XAV-AX5600 (which added an HDMI input that I didn't need.)

View attachment 3422957

Hey, do you think that this model is the perfect fit or you think that a slightly bigger one would fit?