EC Offroad CarPlay Solutions For 2016+ 200 Series LC (NEW SEPT 2020 MODEL)

[greynolds]

Update to my original thought to stockpile a few LVDSs. They are proud of their cables. $50 to purchase. No thanks.

Is that to purchase the cables from EC Offroad? Honestly, that sounds like a somewhat reasonable price for a special purpose cable of this sort as these probably aren't exactly a mass produced cable.

FWIW, I never had an issue with my cable (or at least nothing attributed specifically to it) when I had the interface module installed. I did have the screen go blank a "few" times over the entire time I had it installed, but restarting the car (to reboot the module) always solved it, so I was never onboard with attributing any problem to the cable. Just make sure you're as careful as you can reasonably be routing it to avoid sharp bends or any sort of stress on it. When I installed mine, we weren't as aware of potential issues with the LVDS cables, so I wasn't especially careful with mine.

 

[NoXB]

Hi Guys

First time poster from the Sunshine Coast, Australia, and have gone back and read through the three similar threads on here regarding the EC Offroad interface module looking for a solution to my query.

Had mine installed by Cale from EC Offroad in November 2020, thus have the later version using HDMI Out and separate HDMI cable to rear HDMI In for the rear LCD screens. Is a 2017 LC200 Sahara.

Think anyone on here who has the same setup would agree that having a fragile cable entering the rear console near dangling young feet was always going to be risky, so is not overly surprising that eventually the cable was trodden on by “Mr Nobody” and broken beyond repair, necessitating replacement.

My issue is now getting video to run through the rear screens with a new cable.

Have tried 3 different cables, all tested working fine to provide video to the rear screens via direct input from a laptop to the HDMI In on the rear console, but none able to provide video via the interface module behind the factory head unit. Cables ranged from cheap Kmart job to high end latest HDMI 2.1 standard.

I there something that needs re-setting on the interface unit, factory head unit, or rear screens/remote control?

Seems highly unlikely that the HDMI Out on the interface unit would go on the blink at exactly the same time the original cable gets destroyed.

Can damaged the cable somehow stuff up the interface unit HDMI Out?

Has anyone on here come across the same problem if they’ve ever had to replace this cable?

Cheers

Craig

 

[FJnutcase]

Mine also disconnects but it is not random. It is always when I drive past the same spot on the highway. It is 100% consistent in that it always drops the connection so I am certain that there are external forces at play here. Thankfully, I don't drive past that place very often so it doesn't really bother me too much.

Sadovnik, that is the weirdest thing. I’ve noticed that mine is not random either. It’s the same spot, always while crossing about a bridge that’s about a quarter mile long. Just curious is your dropping while on a bridge too?

 

[sadovnik]

Sadovnik, that is the weirdest thing. I’ve noticed that mine is not random either. It’s the same spot, always while crossing about a bridge that’s about a quarter mile long. Just curious is your dropping while on a bridge too?

Nope, not a bridge (there are very few of those around Denver since it's bone dry out here). I think it's related to point-to-point wifi bridges in use around the city. But it's just a hunch. Otherwise, the system is pretty darn close to perfect, right?

 

[82SC]

Hi Guys

First time poster from the Sunshine Coast, Australia, and have gone back and read through the three similar threads on here regarding the EC Offroad interface module looking for a solution to my query.

Had mine installed by Cale from EC Offroad in November 2020, thus have the later version using HDMI Out and separate HDMI cable to rear HDMI In for the rear LCD screens. Is a 2017 LC200 Sahara.

Think anyone on here who has the same setup would agree that having a fragile cable entering the rear console near dangling young feet was always going to be risky, so is not overly surprising that eventually the cable was trodden on by “Mr Nobody” and broken beyond repair, necessitating replacement.

My issue is now getting video to run through the rear screens with a new cable.

Have tried 3 different cables, all tested working fine to provide video to the rear screens via direct input from a laptop to the HDMI In on the rear console, but none able to provide video via the interface module behind the factory head unit. Cables ranged from cheap Kmart job to high end latest HDMI 2.1 standard.

I there something that needs re-setting on the interface unit, factory head unit, or rear screens/remote control?

Seems highly unlikely that the HDMI Out on the interface unit would go on the blink at exactly the same time the original cable gets destroyed.

Can damaged the cable somehow stuff up the interface unit HDMI Out?

Has anyone on here come across the same problem if they’ve ever had to replace this cable?

Cheers

Craig

Did you ever find a solution to this problem?

I don't have any input to be honest but I was trying to figure out how ECOffroad can mirror on the back screens.
But I assume the answer is in your post regarding a hdmi out from the the EC unit to the HDMI in that is in the 2nd row.

I worry about my kids feet too so I use a 90 degree HDMI adapter to my VLine GROM unit.
But I was wondering if EC had figured a way to do it internally. I've even though about internalizing the HDMI port and having the connections inside the center console.

 

[Moby]

I'm in the middle of an install and am wondering what to do with the yellow RCA. It says in the instructions "plug it into the module" My CD player/module has no RCA jacks. Is this perhaps because I have an HE and no rear screens? Anyone know what to do with all the RCA cables, especially the yellow as it was mentioned specifically?

 

[sadovnik]

I'm in the middle of an install and am wondering what to do with the yellow RCA. It says in the instructions "plug it into the module" My CD player/module has no RCA jacks. Is this perhaps because I have an HE and no rear screens? Anyone know what to do with all the RCA cables, especially the yellow as it was mentioned specifically?

Yellow RCAs are for video, so no, you don't need to connect those.

 

[FerrisBueller]

I'm in the middle of an install and am wondering what to do with the yellow RCA. It says in the instructions "plug it into the module" My CD player/module has no RCA jacks. Is this perhaps because I have an HE and no rear screens? Anyone know what to do with all the RCA cables, especially the yellow as it was mentioned specifically?

It's not used. I don't see it mentioned in the instructions? (I've attached the instructions I used). Even those of us with screens in the back don't use it, since we have to use a separate HDMI cable for that.

 

[Moby]

Ah, that looks to be updated, thanks all!

 

[ZRTactical]

I’m going to throw another unit out there. It’s basically the same hardware as EC OFF-ROAD but with different software or at least updated. Just installed tonight. Connects quickly and operates smoothly. Will keep you guys updated.

Apple CarPlay / Android Auto Integration to Suit 200 Series LandCruise

The Fitting Bay Premium Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Interface to suit LC200. All of our interfaces come with custom software designed to work seamlessly with your original system. CarPlay and Android Auto can be controlled with the genuine Touch Display, compatible with all sound systems and...

shoptfb.com

 

[Idaho Savage]

I’m going to throw another unit out there. It’s basically the same hardware as EC OFF-ROAD but with different software or at least updated. Just installed tonight. Connects quickly and operates smoothly. Will keep you guys updated.

Apple CarPlay / Android Auto Integration to Suit 200 Series LandCruise

The Fitting Bay Premium Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Interface to suit LC200. All of our interfaces come with custom software designed to work seamlessly with your original system. CarPlay and Android Auto can be controlled with the genuine Touch Display, compatible with all sound systems and...

shoptfb.com

Please do!

 

[andyp]

I’m going to throw another unit out there. It’s basically the same hardware as EC OFF-ROAD but with different software or at least updated. Just installed tonight. Connects quickly and operates smoothly. Will keep you guys updated.

Apple CarPlay / Android Auto Integration to Suit 200 Series LandCruise

The Fitting Bay Premium Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Interface to suit LC200. All of our interfaces come with custom software designed to work seamlessly with your original system. CarPlay and Android Auto can be controlled with the genuine Touch Display, compatible with all sound systems and...

shoptfb.com

Have you got the box installed? If so, how is it? Thinking about picking one up...

 

[ZRTactical]

Have you got the box installed? If so, how is it? Thinking about picking one up...

Yes. It works well but not without its quirks. So if connected via wireless, you get a double connection issue with an echo. It tries to pick up the call on the native android bluetooth and the carplay module, but not every time...

If you run wired only... it freezes and crashes probably 60% of the time at initial boot. Android system works fine but when you launch Z-tec carplay, that app freezes and the whole box needs reset to use that function.

 

[andyp]

Yes. It works well but not without its quirks. So if connected via wireless, you get a double connection issue with an echo. It tries to pick up the call on the native android bluetooth and the carplay module, but not every time...

If you run wired only... it freezes and crashes probably 60% of the time at initial boot. Android system works fine but when you launch Z-tec carplay, that app freezes and the whole box needs reset to use that function.

Dang. I’m glad I asked. That doesn’t seem ideal…

 

[ZRTactical]

Dang. I’m glad I asked. That doesn’t seem ideal…

Yeah they told me it was an IOS issue but it doesn’t happen in any of my other cars

 

[andyp]

Yeah they told me it was an IOS issue but it doesn’t happen in any of my other cars

Classic case of blame the other guy.

 

[jwmNC]

It's not an iOS issue, the EC Offroad unit doesn't have this problem. It's a "their OS" issue.

 

[oilNgasrespektr]

hey guys, tried digging through this thread a little with no luck. Is the unit able to be installed in an 11’ LX? I

 

[greynolds]

hey guys, tried digging through this thread a little with no luck. Is the unit able to be installed in an 11’ LX? I

2016+ Land Cruisers only for this particular unit. The infotainment systems between LC and LX are different (JBL vs Mark Levinson being one of the most obvious differences).

 

[pking]

Have installed an interface unit into my 2020 model a week ago and have found that it boots into the original Toyota mode when the audio source input is set to ‘Bluetooth’. Have also found that the start screen can be set to Toyota’ by selecting one of the advanced setting menus ‘Power Logo’