Head Unit replacement/upgrade

[chefbige09]

I feel like the nav screen on my ‘18 LC 200 is useless! I would like to be able to use Apple CarPlay. I have seen a few threads about a “Tesla” screen upgrade but not sure I want to go that route. I also have seen lots of Android replacements but not any Apple replacements. Anyone have any suggestions? Thank you

 

[greynolds]

I feel like the nav screen on my ‘18 LC 200 is useless! I would like to be able to use Apple CarPlay. I have seen a few threads about a “Tesla” screen upgrade but not sure I want to go that route. I also have seen lots of Android replacements but not any Apple replacements. Anyone have any suggestions? Thank you

The options are pretty much the Tesla style that replace the entire Infotainment unit including the screen or Android modules from EC Offroad, Grom, Naviplus, etc. that allow you to switch back to the factory infotainment unit and use the (low res) factory screen. All of these options will give you Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Do some searches and you should find threads for all of these. There are pros and cons to each option.

 

[chefbige09]

The options are pretty much the Tesla style that replace the entire Infotainment unit including the screen or Android modules from EC Offroad, Grom, Naviplus, etc. that allow you to switch back to the factory infotainment unit and use the (low res) factory screen. All of these options will give you Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Do some searches and you should find threads for all of these. There are pros and cons to each option.

Thank you for the info! I will do more digging and hope to find a fix for the worst part on the best vehicle on Earth!

 

[greynolds]

Thank you for the info! I will do more digging and hope to find a fix for the worst part on the best vehicle on Earth!

I don't have any direct experience with anything other than the EC Offroad module that retains the factory display and use of the factory infotainment system on my 2020. But I can say that it works pretty well overall. The poor resolution of the factory display is probably the biggest issue as the map detail in Google Maps and Apple Maps is MUCH better when my brother uses CarPlay in his 2020 RAV4 because despite being smaller the display is higher resolution.

Here's a thread that has a ton of info on the EC Offroad module that I have: EC Offroad CarPlay Solutions For 2016+ 200 Series LC (NEW SEPT 2020 MODEL)

I would love to find a way to swap out the factory display with one that is higher resolution and works with both the factory infotainment (there's a side of me that doesn't want to give up the ability to adjust custom settings without having to use something like Techstream...) and an Android module like the EC Offroad unit that I'm using. I'm tempted to try one of the Tesla style units, but I haven't seen enough feedback on them yet to be comfortable with relying on them to take over the climate controls AND give up access to custom settings. I'm not really concerned about giving up the factory Nav, Radio, SiriusXM, etc. functionality as the replacement unit would give me what I need there.

 

[RidgieWagon]

I did a fair bit of research on the tesla-style android HU and decided I wanted carplay more than factory XM capability. You can always use the XM app too. I have a 2017 LC and haven't found many people who have done the install. Only did the install yesterday and I'm in the process of doing a firmware upgrade. I'll do a write-up on my experience when it's all said and done and I've put in some drive time. Here's a picture of the unit installed...

 

[stevopike]

I did a fair bit of research on the tesla-style android HU and decided I wanted carplay more than factory XM capability. You can always use the XM app too. I have a 2017 LC and haven't found many people who have done the install. Only did the install yesterday and I'm in the process of doing a firmware upgrade. I'll do a write-up on my experience when it's all said and done and I've put in some drive time. Here's a picture of the unit installed...

View attachment 3032165

What phone mount is that?

 

[RidgieWagon]

What phone mount is that?

Another Aggie !

The mount is a Nite Ize Steelie Freemount Steelie® FreeMount® Dash Kit - https://niteize.com/steelie-freemount-dash-kit

I have it mounted just above the air vent so I can move the phone up or down depending on how hot the phone gets. It's worked really well!

 

[greynolds]

I did a fair bit of research on the tesla-style android HU and decided I wanted carplay more than factory XM capability. You can always use the XM app too. I have a 2017 LC and haven't found many people who have done the install. Only did the install yesterday and I'm in the process of doing a firmware upgrade. I'll do a write-up on my experience when it's all said and done and I've put in some drive time. Here's a picture of the unit installed...

I'm looking forward to the write up, especially about how the HVAC controls and cameras work compared to the factory system. And yes, the Android SiriusXM app works well as does the SiriusXM CarPlay app, though there are times when the factory SiriusXM via satellite is advantageous (poor cell signal).

 

[chefbige09]

I did a fair bit of research on the tesla-style android HU and decided I wanted carplay more than factory XM capability. You can always use the XM app too. I have a 2017 LC and haven't found many people who have done the install. Only did the install yesterday and I'm in the process of doing a firmware upgrade. I'll do a write-up on my experience when it's all said and done and I've put in some drive time. Here's a picture of the unit installed...WOW!! That is killer! How much did u spend? Also do you mind sharing where you bought the screen? I don’t really care about any of the factory

I did a fair bit of research on the tesla-style android HU and decided I wanted carplay more than factory XM capability. You can always use the XM app too. I have a 2017 LC and haven't found many people who have done the install. Only did the install yesterday and I'm in the process of doing a firmware upgrade. I'll do a write-up on my experience when it's all said and done and I've put in some drive time. Here's a picture of the unit installed...

View attachment 3032165

Wow!! That is killer!! How much did you spend? Where did you buy it from? Are you using Apple CarPlay? Did you need to add a CarPlay adapter? Thank you!

 

[RidgieWagon]

chefbige09 - I'll include it all when I have time to sit down and do a proper write up. Quick and dirty answers: $780 total w/shipping, ZhiFang Electronics on Alibaba, yes and it works great, no adapter needed.

 

[chefbige09]

chefbige09 - I'll include it all when I have time to sit down and do a proper write up. Quick and dirty answers: $780 total w/shipping, ZhiFang Electronics on Alibaba, yes and it works great, no adapter needed.

Ok great! Thanks

 

[Cincodemustache]

Subscribed for more info and write-up. This is super interesting.

 

[chefbige09]

chefbige09 - I'll include it all when I have time to sit down and do a proper write up. Quick and dirty answers: $780 total w/shipping, ZhiFang Electronics on Alibaba, yes and it works great, no adapter needed.

RidgieWagon,
Just curious if you can give me an update on your ZhiFang head unit. Been since Jan ‘22 since we chatted last. I am still interested in one or something similar. Hope all is well!
Best,
E

 

[RidgieWagon]

RidgieWagon,
Just curious if you can give me an update on your ZhiFang head unit. Been since Jan ‘22 since we chatted last. I am still interested in one or something similar. Hope all is well!
Best,
E

So overall I'm 90% happy I did the switch. I use Carplay everyday and the large screen makes navigating all the menus so much easier. Love using maps with such a big display. The AC controls take a minute to get used to and the rear temp shows up as something wonky like 145...no idea what that's about but adjusting up and down works.
I did the Sergey upgrade and it made the unit more reliable. I've also started dabbling in some streaming apps so I can play Peppa Pig for my 2 yo on the rear screens lol. The equalizer is way better on the unit and you can adjust more than just high-mid-low like the stock. I swapped out the stock sub for an aftermarket one and whoa...the side mirrors now shake!
The radio reception was crap so I got a powered antenna adapter off of amazon and installed that to boost the signal which now works. It reminds me just how bad radio stations are in the DFW!
I have gotten a few "that's not stock" comments as they gaze at the size of the screen!

The other 10%: Sometimes Zlink (the wireless interface for carplay app) just reboots or looses the bluetooth connection. It'll either reconnect after a minute or I have to open my phone's bluetooth settings and reconnect to the unit. Sometimes it just spends minutes on the connecting screen so I reboot the whole unit. It's annoying but luckily the uptime is way more than the disconnections. It also makes some horrible thumping noises when rebooting.
It uses the stock 360 cameras ok but with the screen resolution better than the stock unit it really shows how low-rez the cameras are on the car. I put some time into looking for HD cameras and then rethought the whole process since it seemed pretty intense and you couldn't go back to stock easily if something quit working. Figured I'd just deal with what I have which isn't terrible.
I had high hopes I would use the SiriusXM app and listen to satellite radio that way but the interface is clunky and annoying while driving. Also, if you're in bad cell reception areas it cuts out. I do miss just touching a button and XM is there easy to navigate and change channels quickly.

It's a good unit and there are things I wish it did better but can't have everything, right?

 

[greynolds]

What exactly did you go with for the antenna amp and where did you source power for it?

 

[RidgieWagon]

What exactly did you go with for the antenna amp and where did you source power for it?

I used this one

https://a.co/d/7vmePRa

There was a second wide plug coming from the back of the radio that went unused so I used a wire tap on the 12v. I cannot remember if I used the ACC 12v but probably did. Was pretty easy to install.

 

[chefbige09]

So overall I'm 90% happy I did the switch. I use Carplay everyday and the large screen makes navigating all the menus so much easier. Love using maps with such a big display. The AC controls take a minute to get used to and the rear temp shows up as something wonky like 145...no idea what that's about but adjusting up and down works.
I did the Sergey upgrade and it made the unit more reliable. I've also started dabbling in some streaming apps so I can play Peppa Pig for my 2 yo on the rear screens lol. The equalizer is way better on the unit and you can adjust more than just high-mid-low like the stock. I swapped out the stock sub for an aftermarket one and whoa...the side mirrors now shake!
The radio reception was crap so I got a powered antenna adapter off of amazon and installed that to boost the signal which now works. It reminds me just how bad radio stations are in the DFW!
I have gotten a few "that's not stock" comments as they gaze at the size of the screen!

The other 10%: Sometimes Zlink (the wireless interface for carplay app) just reboots or looses the bluetooth connection. It'll either reconnect after a minute or I have to open my phone's bluetooth settings and reconnect to the unit. Sometimes it just spends minutes on the connecting screen so I reboot the whole unit. It's annoying but luckily the uptime is way more than the disconnections. It also makes some horrible thumping noises when rebooting.
It uses the stock 360 cameras ok but with the screen resolution better than the stock unit it really shows how low-rez the cameras are on the car. I put some time into looking for HD cameras and then rethought the whole process since it seemed pretty intense and you couldn't go back to stock easily if something quit working. Figured I'd just deal with what I have which isn't terrible.
I had high hopes I would use the SiriusXM app and listen to satellite radio that way but the interface is clunky and annoying while driving. Also, if you're in bad cell reception areas it cuts out. I do miss just touching a button and XM is there easy to navigate and change channels quickly.

It's a good unit and there are things I wish it did better but can't have everything, right?

That’s great! Thank you very much for the update! I think its time for the upgrade. Interesting that the XM is clunky but it seems like every time I listen to XM i cant find anything I like. Have been considering canceling it. I have seen a couple other options out there but seems like the one you have is the best.
Thanks again and Ill report back when I get it.
Best,
E

 

[greynolds]

SiriusXM via CarPlay is reasonably easy to use. SiriusXM via the native Android app is kind of clunky as it isn’t designed for use while driving. Both are susceptible to your cell reception, which definitely results in more dropouts than the satellite version of SiriusXM that comes with the stock head unit. Some of these Android head units have started to include satellite SiriusXM capability, but the ones that work with our Land Cruisers do not.

 

[Kanterror]

I did a fair bit of research on the tesla-style android HU and decided I wanted carplay more than factory XM capability. You can always use the XM app too. I have a 2017 LC and haven't found many people who have done the install. Only did the install yesterday and I'm in the process of doing a firmware upgrade. I'll do a write-up on my experience when it's all said and done and I've put in some drive time. Here's a picture of the unit installed...

View attachment 3032165

So you lose your disc capability right? I'm looking to replace ours as the volume and DVD module the buttons all stopped working. It plays the DVD but I can't eject or adjust volume except for steering wheel.

 

[RidgieWagon]

So you lose your disc capability right? I'm looking to replace ours as the volume and DVD module the buttons all stopped working. It plays the DVD but I can't eject or adjust volume except for steering wheel.

Correct, no more DVD player BUT now you have a way to play videos from your phone or usb drive. I’ve streamed shows to the back screens for the kids. Only problem is that it plays up front too so you can’t split the sound out.