Adding BT to JDM 100 with Nav--thoughts?

[mdcoa]

Bought a 1999 JDM UZJ100 (with Nav-ugh) in Feb. Would love to be able to listen to music in it; if I could just get BT streaming working, I'd be pretty content.

Challenges:

• FM frequencies in Japan are different than here (with just a couple MHz overlap), so no radio. Radio sucks anyway. And this means US BT adapters that use FM frequencies won't help me out. And Japanese BT adapters that broadcast on Japanese FM channels are technically illegal here.
• Cassettes suck, and I got rid of all mine about 30 years ago.
• Factory CD changer works only once in a while--most of the time it can't tell there's a magazine inserted, and therefore won't even eject the magazine
• Cassette adapters for BT suck--I actually replaced my speakers becasue the sound was so bad I thought my speakers were blown.
• Plugs in the back of the factory audio unit are different from those of US NAV models, so something like the GROM BT3 is a non-starter (I ordered one and tried)

Possible ways forward:

• Aftermarket unit to replace whole Nav/Climate/Audio system, like this. But @ActionJimson tried one of these in a JDM with Nav and couldn't get climate control to work, so probably not the best idea.
• Replace factory amp with an Amp that also has BT connectivity and a controller for BT (JVC KS-DR2104DBT for example). If I can figure out the wiring, this would retain (the mostly useless) factory audio AND let me stream BT.
• Bypass factory stereo completely and add a marine digital media receiver (either one with a built in amp like this or one with no amp which I could wire in before the factory amp)
• Or a marine black-box receiver like this, which would also get wired in before the factory amp, and would allow BT, AM, FM, and wired AUX input. Would also render factory audio inop.

I'll obviously be calling Crutchfield for their thoughts on those last three, but wanted to ask the hive-mind here what might be cleanest/easiest/least destructive to existing systems and harness. And am I failing to think of another way ahead that might be even simpler (like splicing an AUX input into the existing harness)? Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[GAbuildit]

New JDM owner and dealing with the same issue, any luck with a good solution? Mine just has a double din radio, not integrated touch screen. Thanks!

 

[mdcoa]

I realized this note has a long preamble and a very short answer; feel free to skip down to SHORT ANSWER.

----long preamble----
I think I found a good solution, right about the time a ton of other issues came up, so haven't installed or tested the audio solution I came up with.

Which is basically bypassing the entire factory system upstream of the amp-speaker wires using:
1) a Memphis Audio SMCHLA headless unit with a neat little switch for volume, source, track, power, play/pause
2) a custom M2 V1 Left that @BenCC made up for me, in which the SMCHLA switch will fit. Here's the normal one
3) 2 Deutsch 8-pin connector kits , which I will use to hack into the speaker wires down at the factory amp under the seat. I'll put one of these connectors on the stubs left after I cut so the whole process can be reversed by just plugging the speakre wires back into the factory amp (in case I want to return to having no audio functionality.

SHORT ANSWER:
But if you've got a non-nav double-DIN system, rejoice! I think there are sooo many easy options, and it should be basically the same as replacing the Double-DIN in a US model (although I may be worng on that).

Head unit for 100 series.​

IH8MUD.com Forum
https://forum.ih8mud.com › ... › 100-Series Cruisers

Update the Head unit in a 1999 LC100?​

IH8MUD.com Forum
https://forum.ih8mud.com › ... › 100-Series Cruisers

Installing aftermarket double din in an 01 non navi​

IH8MUD.com Forum
https://forum.ih8mud.com › ... › 100-Series Cruisers

 

[GAbuildit]

Thank you for the detailed info!

 

[SlowBuild]

I’ve got a similar issue. 1998 HDJ101 with nav.

I don’t know much about car audio but it appears that I can just pull the head unit and replace with any single din unit (the openings a little wide I might need to blank the sides). I don’t know if I’ll have to figure out the wiring harness - I guess it’s probably better to just bypass the factory amp anyway, maybe I can just unplug the old connectors and drop them.

Am I just being naive about this? I’ve been putting it off because I thought it was a big project but it looks straight forward to me?

You can see in the photos:

1. clock, defrost, antenna, rear climate controls are integrated into trim panel below media insert with their own harness plug (also includes CDL and hazard light switch).
2. Climate controls and nav system take up the top 2/3 of the insert. There are 7 connectors - three appear to be for climate, four for nav - all these can remain in place
3. The audio head unit is independent and takes the bottom 2” of the insert space. It has its own connectors that look like they can just be pulled and removed.

Is this similar to what others have? Am I missing something? Thanks for any advice anyone can give.

 

[mdcoa]

Am I just being naive about this? I’ve been putting it off because I thought it was a big project but it looks straight forward to me?

Yes, you are just being naive.

As far as I know (I've had a US Spec 100 with Nav since '18 and have done a fair amount of reading), your climate control system will not work at all if you pull that "head unit" which is actually a lot more than just a head unit. In the non-NAV trucks, it's as simple as you think yours might be. In ours, it's unfortunately a complete nightmare of overcomplication and Mr. T. making something with a very short relevance period (integrated Nav) integral to the stereo and climate control.

Here's the kind of nightmare we're talking about, and this writeup is for US Spec trucks, which have had thousands of man-hours thrown at trying to figure this out: 100 Series NAV Delete – True Standalone HVAC Solution (OEM+) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-series-nav-delete-true-standalone-hvac-solution-oem.1375224/unread

Because this is so hard, in my US truck, I just added a bluetooth adapter (Soundlinq) to the factyory setup, and it works great.

Our JDM model (and I think yours too, as it looks identical to mine--does yours have the CD changer under the armrest?) has totally different plugs that wont' work with one of the normal adapters--I bought one and tried. I think our model has Nakamichi CD changer and plugs, which I think are what some of the US LX models had, which I don't believe there are adapters for, which led me down the rabbit hole that started this thread. I still haven't installed the stuff I bought for mine (kids, giant house projects, car crashes, CEL battles in our US 100, etc), but I'll reply here if I ever get around to it!

 

[SlowBuild]

Hmmm…

Thanks for the reply.

I have cassette but no CD in this truck.
I may pull the plugs and see what happens. Looking between the units I don’t see any wiring crossover between the ‘head unit’ with the audio and the nav screen with climate control. I can see daylight between and clear separation - no wiring. I’m hoping to get lucky.

I’ll report back.

FWIW - I have the on hand the center trim from a non-nav truck but it’s LHD and appears to be a PITA to swap over. I may try that in my 2006LX, I think it’s slightly more straight forward. I’ve liked the unobtainable BT45TOY in my LX and I tried the Grom TOY3 or whatever it’s called in the HDJ but different plugs - I’m sending it back.

 

[GAbuildit]

Hmmm…

Thanks for the reply.

I have cassette but no CD in this truck.
I may pull the plugs and see what happens. Looking between the units I don’t see any wiring crossover between the ‘head unit’ with the audio and the nav screen with climate control. I can see daylight between and clear separation - no wiring. I’m hoping to get lucky.

I’ll report back.

FWIW - I have the on hand the center trim from a non-nav truck but it’s LHD and appears to be a PITA to swap over. I may try that in my 2006LX, I think it’s slightly more straight forward. I’ve liked the unobtainable BT45TOY in my LX and I tried the Grom TOY3 or whatever it’s called in the HDJ but different plugs - I’m sending it back.

Here is another Bluetooth add on that works great, I ended up going this route instead of trading out an OEM unit. Wireless CarPlay & AndroidAuto Integration | GTA Car Kits - https://www.gtacarkits.com/ Contact them and they can send you the best set up for your current OEM system once they see a photo of the rear of the unit.

 

[mdcoa]

Hmmm…

Thanks for the reply.

I have cassette but no CD in this truck.
I may pull the plugs and see what happens. Looking between the units I don’t see any wiring crossover between the ‘head unit’ with the audio and the nav screen with climate control. I can see daylight between and clear separation - no wiring. I’m hoping to get lucky.

I’ll report back.

FWIW - I have the on hand the center trim from a non-nav truck but it’s LHD and appears to be a PITA to swap over. I may try that in my 2006LX, I think it’s slightly more straight forward. I’ve liked the unobtainable BT45TOY in my LX and I tried the Grom TOY3 or whatever it’s called in the HDJ but different plugs - I’m sending it back.

I tried the Grom too. Same result.

So can you adjust audio (balance, fade, bass, etc) via your nav screen? On our JDM we can, so that makes me think something will die if I pull the “head unit”, which I put in scare quotes because I suspect it’s not a standalone. But on yours maybe it is?? Please do let us know how that goes!

 

[mdcoa]

Here is another Bluetooth add on that works great, I ended up going this route instead of trading out an OEM unit. Wireless CarPlay & AndroidAuto Integration | GTA Car Kits - https://www.gtacarkits.com/ Contact them and they can send you the best set up for your current OEM system once they see a photo of the rear of the unit.

I don’t see Land Cruiser in their list of Toyota models…which is weird because they seem to list all the others. Have you used their products in an LC?

 

[GAbuildit]

I don’t see Land Cruiser in their list of Toyota models…which is weird because they seem to list all the others. Have you used their products in an LC?

Yes, I have it in my HDJ101. I had the exact same question when I originally looked it up. I reached out to them to ask and they had me order one for a newer Tacoma and a 15 pin adapter. Plugs into the CD changer port.

 

[SlowBuild]

I tried the Grom too. Same result.

So can you adjust audio (balance, fade, bass, etc) via your nav screen? On our JDM we can, so that makes me think something will die if I pull the “head unit”, which I put in scare quotes because I suspect it’s not a standalone. But on yours maybe it is?? Please do let us know how that goes!

So I unplugged the two bottom plugs from the back on the head unit and tested the buttons around the nav screen.

Climate controls all seemed to work as normal - I could control them by the physical buttons as well as via the touch screen. To the right of the nav screen there are 6 buttons arranged vertically. From the top down:

1. Climate - seemed to work as normal
2. Map - DEAD (complete loss of function)
3. Nav controls? - DEAD (complete loss of function)
4. Route guidance settings?- DEAD (complete loss of function)
5. ? - Seems to work? I use the second button here to turn off the display sometimes. Still worked. Otherwise it’s brightness and contrast send, not sure what else. This screen pops up some choices then they time out and disappear under normal operation - seems to do the same now.
6. Audio - Just as normal except no audio. Does a black screen with ‘Audio Off’ at the top as it would normally with the audio off. I couldn’t turn on the audio because I pulled the plugs.

Anyway, all the climate controls seem to work fine without the bottom receiver connected. I can still adjust brightness/contrast and turn off the touch screen. I’m not sure what wise to look for - I guess my power antenna won’t work anymore since the truck will always think the audio is powered off - I can get a fixed one. I won’t be able to use the (nearly) 30 year old Japanese nav system, but honestly I’ve never tried anyway.

I took a short video of my button testing - I’ll be happy to email it if you want a look, just PM.

FWIW - I also had the trim plug removed - Rear heat / rear defrost / clock / antenna / center diff / hazard lights. I’m optimistic that these will all still operate as normal (except the antenna).

If I give this a try I anticipate I’ll have to read up on grounding and probably tap straight into the speaker wires from whatever new head unit I use.

My center dash looks like this:

 

[mdcoa]

Yes, I have it in my HDJ101. I had the exact same question when I originally looked it up. I reached out to them to ask and they had me order one for a newer Tacoma and a 15 pin adapter. Plugs into the CD changer port.

Wish I’d known that before I ordered everything to convert my system to a hidden head unit—I guess if this approach doesn’t work maybe I can do that—thanks!

 

[mdcoa]

Wish I’d known that before I ordered everything to convert my system to a hidden head unit—I guess if this approach doesn’t work maybe I can do that—thanks!

Awesome. Sounds like it just might work. And like we’ll end up with pretty similar setups, both cutting the factory system out of the loop and going direct to speakers.

Your dash and mine are identical. And here’s what Google lens says those buttons down the right mean:

I’m amazed you figured out how to turn the screen off! I’ve been thinking I should do that for about 14 months now and finally asked Chat GPT for a hand and had it off within about three minutes

 

[SlowBuild]

I’ll try to hook up a receiver soon, I’ll report back here.