Adding an aftermarket Bluetooth interface to factory stereo/nav

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I simply got a $20 bluetooth receiver on Amazon which has a 3.5mm plug. Just plug this into the aux port. Has an internal battery, but I just keep it plugged in.
 
beretta said:
My 2008 is stuck in the car stereo stone age and will not allow audio streaming to the factory stereo via bluetooth. What I want is Bluetooth A2dp. Has anyone installed an after market product and had success? I have found these products with little or no actual installation information specific to 200series.

Audiovox MediaBridge Toyota Bluetooth® Interface

USA-SPEC BTA-35 Toy
Click to expand...
I installed the above Audiovox product. Although the interface and programming is seemless into the factory NAV system, the bluetooth audio streaming is horrible quality. It seems to add some reverb to the audio signal. The install was easy enough. The integration into the factory radio is really impressive. Its easy to navigate to to the phones onboard music and switch tracks with steeringwheel controls.
Crutchfield sent me a replacement unit and I found the bluetooth quality to be the same; horrible. I sent both units back and am now considering purchase of the USA-SPEC BTA-35.
 
Just to suggest another option: you may want to consider the SL3B product from Vaistech, which lists the '08 LC as compatible.
http://www.vaistech.com/site/sl3b.php

I don't have direct experience with this specific product, but years ago I had installed another Vaistech model in my '06 GX 470 to enable a direct iPod connection, and it worked flawlessly. Now I've gotten used to streaming with A2DP on my LX 570, and I'm considering replacing the Vaistech in my GX with the newer SL3B.
 
elm3c said:
Just to suggest another option: you may want to consider the SL3B product from Vaistech, which lists the '08 LC as compatible.
http://www.vaistech.com/site/sl3b.php

I don't have direct experience with this specific product, but years ago I had installed another Vaistech model in my '06 GX 470 to enable a direct iPod connection, and it worked flawlessly. Now I've gotten used to streaming with A2DP on my LX 570, and I'm considering replacing the Vaistech in my GX with the newer SL3B.
Click to expand...

I have the Vaistech SL3B in my 05 100, and it has worked very well. I was looking to see if it will work in the 200 and according to the website it will. So I think I will swap it over. Now I just need to find a thread on taking apart the dash to access the back of the radio I guess....

Update: I confirmed over the phone with a tech at Vais Technologies that the SL3b for the 05 will work for the 08 as well.
 
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Installed the Vais Tech SL3B in the 200 last night. Disconnected negative battery terminal first. Then I removed the Nav and the radio, and plugged the VT harness into the back of the radio, and factory harness into VT harness. I was stuck at first because I was looking on the back of the Nav for the proper port and couldn't find it. Then I realized the radio is actually below it and had to remove a couple more bolts to get it out and see the back of it. Plugged it up, programmed it, tested it, ran a USB-Lightning charging cable from the VT unit down and out right in the corner of that pic Archtaan posted above, near the AUX port. There is just enough space for the VT box to sit behind the Nav display, and below that top center speaker. Also a good place because to access it, all you have to do is pull that top speaker cover and remove the two screws for the speaker. Although, I never needed to access it when I had it in the 100. Anyway, it works great, Im happy, and I managed to put it all back together without scratching up any of the console or trim.

I like this set up because I have full streaming capability and iPhone charging and both my cig lighters and AUX port are open and unused. Less clutter.

This first pic is from after I pulled the Nav, but before I pulled the radio......

IMG_4136.webp


This 2nd pic is from the driver seat with the silver VT box in the middle of the pic, the Nav back in place, and the black USB cable running down......

IMG_4140.webp


Looking down at the VT box sitting under the center speaker.....

IMG_4141.webp
 
Very cool. So you can stream music via bluetooth and it plays through more than just the front speakers? Def. looking forward to a review on this from you :)
 
The black USB you ran allows you to plug into your iPhone and then you also have Bluetooth streaming? So essentially you have your choice of how you want to connect without using the Aux port?

I have a 2008 with only the aux port as a connection option but have been interested in installing something like this. I also have been driving a 2015 LX 570 that has this as the aux port.
ImageUploadedByIH8MUD Forum1433541547.996986.webp

I was hoping to buy that piece from Toyota and switch out aux port on my 2008 with one like on the Lexus that has the USB option. If you plug and stream through the lightening connector do your steering controls work and song info display on the audio screen?
 
studawg said:
Installed the Vais Tech SL3B in the 200 last night. Disconnected negative battery terminal first. Then I removed the Nav and the radio, and plugged the VT harness into the back of the radio, and factory harness into VT harness. I was stuck at first because I was looking on the back of the Nav for the proper port and couldn't find it. Then I realized the radio is actually below it and had to remove a couple more bolts to get it out and see the back of it. Plugged it up, programmed it, tested it, ran a USB-Lightning charging cable from the VT unit down and out right in the corner of that pic Archtaan posted above, near the AUX port. There is just enough space for the VT box to sit behind the Nav display, and below that top center speaker. Also a good place because to access it, all you have to do is pull that top speaker cover and remove the two screws for the speaker. Although, I never needed to access it when I had it in the 100. Anyway, it works great, Im happy, and I managed to put it all back together without scratching up any of the console or trim.

I like this set up because I have full streaming capability and iPhone charging and both my cig lighters and AUX port are open and unused. Less clutter.

This first pic is from after I pulled the Nav, but before I pulled the radio......

View attachment 1088232

This 2nd pic is from the driver seat with the silver VT box in the middle of the pic, the Nav back in place, and the black USB cable running down......

View attachment 1088233

Looking down at the VT box sitting under the center speaker.....

View attachment 1088234
Click to expand...

So it plugs into the back of the bottom unit with the volume button and tune buttons? I just installed the prestigious dvd bypass that plugged into the back of the navigation screen unit.
 
TJsTACOMA said:
So it plugs into the back of the bottom unit with the volume button and tune buttons? I just installed the prestigious dvd bypass that plugged into the back of the navigation screen unit.
Click to expand...

Correct, the factory 12 pin plug connects into the supplied Vais Tech harness, then that plugs into the back of the bottom unit, which is the radio.



Archtaan said:
Very cool. So you can stream music via bluetooth and it plays through more than just the front speakers? Def. looking forward to a review on this from you :)
Click to expand...

Yep, streams music wirelessly through all the speakers. Worked great in the 100 and it works the same in the 200.

Buddysuede said:
The black USB you ran allows you to plug into your iPhone and then you also have Bluetooth streaming? So essentially you have your choice of how you want to connect without using the Aux port? I have a 2008 with only the aux port as a connection option but have been interested in installing something like this. I also have been driving a 2015 LX 570 that has this as the aux port. I was hoping to buy that piece from Toyota and switch out aux port on my 2008 with one like on the Lexus that has the USB option. If you plug and stream through the lightening connector do your steering controls work and song info display on the audio screen?
Click to expand...

The black USB is only for charging the iPhone, there is a USB port on the Vais tech box, and I just ran the USB cable down and out for charging. The only way to connect the phone to the VT unit to play music is wirelessly through the Bluetooth. So the streaming isn't done through the cable. I actually haven't tried most of the steering wheel controls, I need to play with that a little more. I usually just listen to Pandora, and thats easy enough to control through my phone.
 
The instructions I had tell you which one, those are available on the website I think, Im not 100% right now but I think it was the MP3 emulation mode for the 2008
 
@89cruiserfj62 Just following up on the thread. Now that it's almost 4 years later has the bluetooth adapter held up and continued to perform well for you? I am looking for a bluetooth solution for a 2009 LX570.
 
I have a 2009 lx. Best solution was a basic Bluetooth dongle. Get one that does not have phone profile.
Amazon product ASIN B07W7WN1QY
something like this one is pretty unobtrusive
 
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