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

[MBF05]

Aside from this thread, is there another thread to ask question about issues with the unit or even another forum. I have a few other questions/issues that i need to try and fix

I have searched all the menus for anything that might help me turn off the traffic/speed camera alerts but can not find anything. Can anybody help?

 

[1Maverick]

I just had EC off-road apple CarPlay installed. It works great connect via cable but I would prefer wireless. Can someone provide step by step instructions?

 

[jwmNC]

I’m not with my LC this week, so I can’t go through it step by step. Basically you need to find the Bluetooth signal and connect to it, then you may have to go into the WiFi settings and let it connect there as well. Look in the EC Offroad’s settings for what your unit’s Bluetooth connection is called. I renamed mine landcruiser_carplay.

Now that mine is set up, sometimes it connects automatically and sometimes I have to help it as described above. It’s not as seamless as a factory CarPlay setup, but it does work great once you figure it out.

 

[1Maverick]

I’m not with my LC this week, so I can’t go through it step by step. Basically you need to find the Bluetooth signal and connect to it, then you may have to go into the WiFi settings and let it connect there as well. Look in the EC Offroad’s settings for what your unit’s Bluetooth connection is called. I renamed mine landcruiser_carplay.

Now that mine is set up, sometimes it connects automatically and sometimes I have to help it as described above. It’s not as seamless as a factory CarPlay setup, but it does work great once you figure it out.

Thank you. The WiFi setting is throwing me off. When I go into the WiFi settings on EC screen, it show my home WiFi and neighbors plus others I assume based on the many WiFi names listed.

 

[jwmNC]

Thank you. The WiFi setting is throwing me off. When I go into the WiFi settings on EC screen, it show my home WiFi and neighbors plus others I assume based on the many WiFi names listed.

To be clear, I'm talking about going into the Wifi settings on my phone. I only do this if connecting to the Bluetooth alone doesn't work. And when in Wifi settings, I don't have to actually select the Wifi network, it just seems to help the EC Offroad unit find what it needs to connect to Carplay.

 

[1Maverick]

All good, I figured it out. Thanks for the tip on WiFi. Now I love it!

 

[Artie]

All good, I figured it out. Thanks for the tip on WiFi. Now I love it!

Rarely, I’ve encountered a glitch here and there connected wirelessly but it’s not enough for me to go to the cable. I do not like wires everywhere so I have usb ports inside the center console and charge in there with the phone out of sight. I don’t have a cool box so YMMV with charging ports.

 

[Artie]

I’ve been connecting wirelessly to this unit without issue and it’s been great. However, I’ve come to a crossroads with devices… I have too many up front (my phone, my wife’s phone, a inreach mini2, and a dedicated iPhone for obdFusion gauges) and I’m adding the Gamiviti dashboard mount thing to manage them and want to run power up there.

Since I have the WC off-road usbs already back behind my dash not being used I figured this is a no brainer and I should just use them for power. My question is will both of these do the hardwire CarPlay connection and is there any issues if I’m connecting each of those to different iPhones?

 

[DizzyJr]

I'm having issues after I tried to update ZLink, Channel Mismatch now appears, EC Offroad claim I have to send the unit back to have the software updated.
Could anyone please download a copy of the ZLink APK from their unit for me please. My unit is a V4 unit.
I would like to try a reinstall before ripping it out and sending it back for a $150 software reload.

 

[Artie]

Recently, my phone has been trying to use the ECoffroad for internet instead of cell service for data. It’s annoying because it makes any mapping offline. Before a few weeks ago the connection on the CarPlay screen would show 5G or LTE for data but now shows the WiFi connection. How can I force it to use cellular for data?

 

[jwmNC]

I have not had this problem myself, but here is some information from an AI search related to the problem. Please post back if this is helpful.

To force CarPlay to use cellular data,
disable "Auto-Join" for your car's Wi-Fi network in your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings, or configure the car's network with a static IP address (by filling in the IP address and subnet mask while leaving the router blank) in the Configure IPsettings. This prevents your phone from using the car's network for its internet connection.
Method 1: Disable Auto-Join
This is the simplest method for preventing your iPhone from automatically using the car's Wi-Fi for internet.

1. Connect to CarPlay as usual.
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the information icon (the i in a circle) next to your car's Wi-Fi network name.
4. Turn off the Auto-Join setting.
5. Do not tap "Forget This Network"; just disable auto-join.

This video demonstrates how to disable Wi-Fi auto-join for a specific network:

YouTube• Cars Unlocked

59s


Method 2: Configure a Static IP Address
This method forces your iPhone to always use cellular data when connected to the car's Wi-Fi, effectively bypassing the Wi-Fi connection for data services.

1. Connect to CarPlay wirelessly.
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the information icon (the i in a circle) next to your car's Wi-Fi network name.
4. Tap Configure IP and change it from "Automatic" to Manual.
5. Note the IP Address and Subnet Mask shown on the screen before making the change.
6. Enter these same IP address and subnet mask values into the corresponding fields.
7. Leave the Router field blank.
8. Save the changes.

This workaround helps the iPhone realize that the car's Wi-Fi cannot provide a valid internet connection and will then fall back to using cellular data for CarPlay services.

 

[Artie]

I have not had this problem myself, but here is some information from an AI search related to the problem. Please post back if this is helpful.

To force CarPlay to use cellular data,
disable "Auto-Join" for your car's Wi-Fi network in your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings, or configure the car's network with a static IP address (by filling in the IP address and subnet mask while leaving the router blank) in the Configure IPsettings. This prevents your phone from using the car's network for its internet connection.
Method 1: Disable Auto-Join
This is the simplest method for preventing your iPhone from automatically using the car's Wi-Fi for internet.

1. Connect to CarPlay as usual.
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the information icon (the i in a circle) next to your car's Wi-Fi network name.
4. Turn off the Auto-Join setting.
5. Do not tap "Forget This Network"; just disable auto-join.

This video demonstrates how to disable Wi-Fi auto-join for a specific network:
View attachment 3992012View attachment 3992011YouTube• Cars Unlocked

59s


Method 2: Configure a Static IP Address
This method forces your iPhone to always use cellular data when connected to the car's Wi-Fi, effectively bypassing the Wi-Fi connection for data services.

1. Connect to CarPlay wirelessly.
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the information icon (the i in a circle) next to your car's Wi-Fi network name.
4. Tap Configure IP and change it from "Automatic" to Manual.
5. Note the IP Address and Subnet Mask shown on the screen before making the change.
6. Enter these same IP address and subnet mask values into the corresponding fields.
7. Leave the Router field blank.
8. Save the changes.

This workaround helps the iPhone realize that the car's Wi-Fi cannot provide a valid internet connection and will then fall back to using cellular data for CarPlay services.

Cool, I’ll run through this next time I’m driving it. I think I’ve finally hit the age where tech is beginning to annoy me… kinda sad but it’s great I can find answers from those younger than I here on mud.

 

[Artie]

Who has made the jump to iOS 26 and what does your display now look like? I upgraded a few days ago but today was my first drive in the Cruiser with it and the icons are tiny and it’s completely unusable now. Does anyone have a solution for this?

 

[sadovnik]

Who has made the jump to iOS 26 and what does your display now look like? I upgraded a few days ago but today was my first drive in the Cruiser with it and the icons are tiny and it’s completely unusable now. Does anyone have a solution for this?

View attachment 4002427

Same thing happened to me and I almost freaked out... The fix is to go into your phone and remove the current association then add it back again. Specifically, go to Settings> General> CarPlay > zjinnova-xxxx and remove that. Mine actually looked even worse than yours BTW. Now it looks awesome with iOS 26. I hope this helps.

 

[Artie]

Same thing happened to me and I almost freaked out... The fix is to go into your phone and remove the current association then add it back again. Specifically, go to Settings> General> CarPlay > zjinnova-xxxx and remove that. Mine actually looked even worse than yours BTW. Now it looks awesome with iOS 26. I hope this helps.

Dang, thanks for this. It took 2 removals but it’s good to go now. I should have tried before running for help…