gromaudio
Supporting Vendor
CarPlay and Android Auto installation into Toyota Land Cruiser 2004-2007 GROM VLine
- Thread starter gromaudio
- Start date
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Could anyone attest to the connection quality of the VLINE wireless vs wired? I plan on using a wired connection at all times and was wondering if anyone has had better luck with that setup.
Also, are we able to disable our phones from connecting to wireless CarPlay automatically?
Also, are we able to disable our phones from connecting to wireless CarPlay automatically?
gromaudio
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #63
you can disable the wireless CarPlay by not connecting your phone to it. If you already have an established connection to wireless CarPlay, you will just delete it from your phone's memory and from the VLine.
The wired connection provides more stability, as wireless connections sometimes might disconnect due to other wireless interferences (such as cell towers), and slightly better music sound quality. Many users do not see a difference in the music quality, as it also depends on what type of music you listen to.
Awesome, thanks for the reply. I'm definitely gonna order one soon, any group buys coming up?
gromaudio
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #65
The next group buy will be in January 2026 only. However, we will have Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales (24-hour sales only). I recommend that you sign up for our notifications so you will receive an update. You can send us your name and email address via this forum's private messaging system, or you can contact us at Support and Questions - https://gromaudio.com/support.html and request to join our mailing list.
Does either grom unit work with a 2002 LC with nav and climate control?
gromaudio
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #67
Yes, the correct model is LEX3 for either VLine VL2 or VLite VT2 - LEX3VL2 or LEX3VT2. You can check them here:
CarPlay Android Auto Navigation Upgrade Compatibility for: TOYO_LEX3
Compatibility for: TOYO_LEX3 CarPlay Android Auto Navigation Upgrade
Is there a world where one could replace the factory screen itself (06 LX470 w/nav) with something more modern and higher resolution, while still retaining communication with HVAC and the VLine?
We love the VLIne, and only recently have used it beyond it's Android Auto capabilities. The OEM screen can be a bit painful to look at, especially if you have a phone/tablet/wolfbox mirror within view as well.
Ok, maybe it's not "that bad", since it did let me watch an awful lot of baseball on our B.C. trip this summer, but there's still something to be desired there.
We love the VLIne, and only recently have used it beyond it's Android Auto capabilities. The OEM screen can be a bit painful to look at, especially if you have a phone/tablet/wolfbox mirror within view as well.
Ok, maybe it's not "that bad", since it did let me watch an awful lot of baseball on our B.C. trip this summer, but there's still something to be desired there.
I have the Grom aux connector in my 2007 LX.
I went the aux route as their site says it has the best audio quality. Gonna try out the CarPlay VLine and attach my phone via aux. Hopefully the sound quality is the same!
If anyone has insight please share.
I went the aux route as their site says it has the best audio quality. Gonna try out the CarPlay VLine and attach my phone via aux. Hopefully the sound quality is the same!
If anyone has insight please share.
I’ve had a VLite installed in my 2006 LX since July this year. I enjoy the functionality it brings to the aged screen, but I’ve been been experiencing a few issues that seem to be occurring more frequently. Curious if anyone else has experienced the same, or if Grom can offer any support.
Issue 1: 1/3 of the time that I turn the car on the Grom interface doesn’t load. The stock infotainment shows up, but when I press (or double press) the CD button, there is. “No Disc” message and nothing happens. I can hear something “click” in the VLite, but I have to turn the car off then on to get it to boot. This fixes it most of the time, but there have been times when i have to do it again.
Issue 2: when using wireless CarPlay, during a drive, there are times when the audio would get really choppy, which then always leads to my phone being disconnected. The screen goes black with “CarPlay” in small font in the center, then the Grom wireless CarPlay connection menu shows up and tries to reconnect to my phone, but it only establishes connection half the time, and when it does, the same issues happens again during the same drive. I end up getting frustrated and end up just digging out the USB cable to plug it in and it works fine. From what I’ve noticed, this tends to happen on drives that are longer than 30 minutes.
Issue 3: the phone battery no longer shows up in the vertical left nav bar. I don’t recall seeing the option, but it used to be there when I first for the unit. The signal indicator is still there. Not the biggest deal, but it was helpful from time to time.
I have the unit in the glove box and have a usb cable running to the old cigarette lighter location (plugged into the recommended USB port). I typically use wireless CarPlay unless the connection isn’t working and I’m forces to use the usb cable. Since installing the VLite I’ve had ios18 and ios26, same issues there. I don’t have any other vehicles with CarPlay so I can’t validate if the connection issues occur outside of the LX.
I updated both firmware’s a few weeks ago, but have not seen any implements with what I’m experiencing.
Issue 1: 1/3 of the time that I turn the car on the Grom interface doesn’t load. The stock infotainment shows up, but when I press (or double press) the CD button, there is. “No Disc” message and nothing happens. I can hear something “click” in the VLite, but I have to turn the car off then on to get it to boot. This fixes it most of the time, but there have been times when i have to do it again.
Issue 2: when using wireless CarPlay, during a drive, there are times when the audio would get really choppy, which then always leads to my phone being disconnected. The screen goes black with “CarPlay” in small font in the center, then the Grom wireless CarPlay connection menu shows up and tries to reconnect to my phone, but it only establishes connection half the time, and when it does, the same issues happens again during the same drive. I end up getting frustrated and end up just digging out the USB cable to plug it in and it works fine. From what I’ve noticed, this tends to happen on drives that are longer than 30 minutes.
Issue 3: the phone battery no longer shows up in the vertical left nav bar. I don’t recall seeing the option, but it used to be there when I first for the unit. The signal indicator is still there. Not the biggest deal, but it was helpful from time to time.
I have the unit in the glove box and have a usb cable running to the old cigarette lighter location (plugged into the recommended USB port). I typically use wireless CarPlay unless the connection isn’t working and I’m forces to use the usb cable. Since installing the VLite I’ve had ios18 and ios26, same issues there. I don’t have any other vehicles with CarPlay so I can’t validate if the connection issues occur outside of the LX.
I updated both firmware’s a few weeks ago, but have not seen any implements with what I’m experiencing.
My '05 LX has an IPOD Plugin in the glove box. Not sure what interface it is.
Plugged an ipod into it but nothing. If it's a GROM, how do you activate it on the radio?
Plugged an ipod into it but nothing. If it's a GROM, how do you activate it on the radio?
gromaudio
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #72
For better sound quality, we recommend USB connection. You can use the CarPlay or Android Auto via USB and get a high-quality sound.I have the Grom aux connector in my 2007 LX.
I went the aux route as their site says it has the best audio quality. Gonna try out the CarPlay VLine and attach my phone via aux. Hopefully the sound quality is the same!
If anyone has insight please share.
gromaudio
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #73
Thank you for using GROM VLite VT2 system in your vehicle!
1. If the stereo does not always "see" the VLite VT2 connected, you can try to update the firmware via Wi-Fi to the latest available. Here is the how-to:
If, after the firmware update, the problem still happens, please contact our technical team at Support and Questions - https://gromaudio.com/support.html, and they will help.
2. The unstable wireless connection is possible if there is something in the area that affects the Wi-Fi signal reception. Does the CarPlay disconnect happen when driving in a specific location?
3. The phone battery information, displayed through CarPlay UI, is being set by CarPlay. You can also reach out to our technical team and ask them to test your specific situation. It is possible that it has been removed by Apple during one of their updates, or maybe the screen resolution needs an adjustment.
I experience these issues exactly. The 1st one in infuriating since I don't drive the LX as a daily driver, so when I'm starting it up for the first time in weeks, I don't want to have to turn it off, then start it back up again just to get the VLite to show up on screen. It's quite annoying. The 2nd issue I will notice that the issue seems to be with the VLITE's wifi connection to our devices and there being interferrence on certain stretches of road, alot of times near airports. This does not happen with either of my other 2 cars that both use wireless carplay as well. It seems to break the wifi connection and will take about 30 seconds for it to restore afterwards. Those 30 seconds can be crucial if you have an exit coming up or multiple nav turns you will need to make. I'm sure we aren't the only ones experiencing this and I hope Grom releases an update that will address it.
gromaudio
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #76
What year is your LX?
Please update the FW to the latest as explained above, and if the issue persists, please contact our technical team at Support and Questions - https://gromaudio.com/support.html
I am thinking about ordering the Vlite as there are basically no other options for my 2005 LC if I want Carplay. I had ordered a Vline for my GX460 years ago and had a horrible experience (not with customer service) and just want to be reassured that I will not have the same issues. I could connect to my Iphone but never my wifes (same phone) and volume would go down on its own to an un listenable volume level after like 15min of driving. Grom sent me a new wiring harness with a rheostat?? knob on it that was supposed to give me up to an hour before volume went down, it was obviously a known issue.
I just want to make sure there are no known issues with the Vlite and the 100 series before I order one. I will likely not ever be using wireless connection if that matters. I just want to plug my phone in and have carplay work on the screen.
I just want to make sure there are no known issues with the Vlite and the 100 series before I order one. I will likely not ever be using wireless connection if that matters. I just want to plug my phone in and have carplay work on the screen.
Coul you send me a link for a Black Friday purchase? Please. I would like to install this on a 07 TLC
Two of us in this thread have reported that the Grom/Vlite interface doesn’t boot up 100% of the time. I have to turn the car off/on (sometimes multiple times) to get it to boot.
My other issue (described a few posts up) seems to be related wireless CarPlay, so doesn’t sound applicable to your use case.
I updated Grom/Vlite firmwares via WiFi a few weeks ago and haven’t seen any improvement.
When it does work, which admittedly is most of the time, its a great interface for the old car. For the price I just expected it to function as advertised without isssue. Unsure if these types of issues are specific to our vehicles or more general to all Vlites.
Thanks for sharing. FYI, I updated both firmwares and haven’t seen any improvement to what we’ve described.
I’ve also had bad timing with it going out at a crucial part of my navigation. It’s been a good reminder to preview the route before driving.