Installing a Joying 7" Android Head Unit in an 80

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sbman

sbman

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I wanted to upgrade the head unit in the landcruiser. I looked at the big names, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc... but all too expensive for the features I want:

  • Hands free kit w/ external microphone
  • Google maps navigation
  • 6-7" screen
  • Rotating volume knob
  • Streaming music
  • Touchscreen interface
  • Backup camera input
  • Drive video to external monitors
I found these features in the sub $300 JOYING Quad Core HD 1024x600 resolution 7" head unit.

This is a double DIN, quad core android device with an internal Amp and radio tuner, along with a good number of inputs and outputs.

I started by making up a wire harness adapter. Using a Metra 70-8112 adapter and the harness that came with the JOYING unit, I soldered up an adapter cable. This adapter includes breakouts for the RCA so that you can use the existing amp in the Landcruiser.

IMG_6238-M.jpg
 
Next up was physical mounting. I removed the original head unit and set them side by side to consider mounting options.

IMG_6240-M.jpg


The mounting holes do indeed line up. Looks like the bracket can just be moved over.

But not so much. The bracket doesn't sit flat, because of some extra plastic on the side of the JOYING.

IMG_6241-L.jpg
 
Back at the truck, the unit would not quite sit all the way in due to the RCAs sticking out of the back. I carefully trimmed the strain relief off so I didn't need so much clearance.

IMG_6246-M.jpg


With that, just plug in the freshly made harness right into the LandCruiser, plug in the antenna, run the GPS antenna out to wherever you like it ( I put it on the dash for now), extend the two 4' USB cables (you can plug in thumb drives or other devices to those ports) so they stick out somewhere, ( I made them come out by the center console).

Four OEM screws to secure it. I had to trim the dash bezel just slightly with a knife so the JOYING would fit through the hole. I did not use any additional bezel. Turn the key on and start JOYING!

IMG_6255-M.jpg
 
I threw a hotspot in the car, so I've got 4G Wifi. I used a carrier that includes free music streaming with a cheap $20 plan. I created a new google account for the landcruiser. It's got it's own email address now.

Open up the play store and install anything you like. :)

Navigate with google maps:

IMG_6253-M.jpg


Use the TORQUE app with your OBD bluetooth device:

IMG_6249-M.jpg
 
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You can also listen to the radio via it's tuner. I do not find the tuner to be that great, it works fine, but the reception isn't as good as the OEM stereo was. I don't plan to use the radio much at all, if ever. I mainly use Spotify or play music on thumb drives/sd cards.

It has an input for a backup camera and an input for your reverse switch so it will display backup when you put the vehicle in reverse. It did not include a camera, it's just standard yellow RCA plug. It did include a microphone to install near the headliner and the device functions as a hands-free kit for your phone over Bluetooth but I haven't installed that yet. There is also a microphone on it's face that can do hands free. You can stream music over the Bluetooth connection from your phone or other device. It has a generic video input, and dual outputs for driving external monitors.

So far I like it, I've put several trips on it and it works well.
 
Nice setup. Do you know version of Android it's running? Would you mind posting pics of the FM/AM tuner app for everyone too?
 
etarasoff said:
Nice setup. Do you know version of Android it's running? Would you mind posting pics of the FM/AM tuner app for everyone too?
Click to expand...

It runs 4.4.4 and is available here. All things considered, this is a fairly cheap way to drag your early-to-mid-nineties truck kicking and screaming into 2015. You can also install off-road (and offline) navigation apps, and probably pipe in a few more cameras for fun if you're so inclined. This has been on our radar for a long time, so thanks, OP, for assuaging our concerns about fit.
 
Very nice. I've been thinking of an upgrade. Since its Android, does that mean its incompatible with an Apple phone? Could the poor tuner performance be fixed with an antenna upgrade?
 
Where did you purchase the item? I've seen a lot of those for sale and can understand why it's so appealing. I've thought about doing it myself. I'd like to know how one would choose a model for reliability.
 
I bought it off amazon. I figured that way if it was complete rubbish I could just return it. For $279 it's a reasonable risk to me. I read a lot of reviews on the various units and this one got decent reviews, had the best processor and highest resolution screen. I was concerned about the touchscreen not working well as this is usually a weak point with cheap android devices, but it's responsive and works fine.

http://www.amazon.com/Resolution-Au...ive-steering-wheel/dp/B00XGEYU26/?tag=ihco-20

I've had it installed for a week now, and have had one issue with it. Sometimes Spotify won't launch. This seems to be a common problem with Spotify, not necessarily the Head unit.

The other thing is simply that the FM reception isn't that strong. The app works fine and seems reliable, but the tuner isn't as sensitive as it could be, so stations that were a little fuzzy with the OEM unit are more fuzzy with this. I might open it up and see if I can do some surgery on it to improve the FM reception, but I'm not really concerned about it because I hate listening to the radio anyways.
 
Thanks. How would one improve the FM sensitivity?
 
Wow, I really like that. Usually not a fan of aftermarket stereos, but I like the fact that it isn't branded at all on the exterior so it almost looks OEM. I wonder if one could plug a USB GPS dongle into that to use the navigation without having to have a service plan?
 
Very cool. Nicely done!
 
Also - Does that app "Torque" feature more things to monitor through the OBD? Is it comparable to having the ultragauge?
 
thetoyotaman said:
Thanks. How would one improve the FM sensitivity?
Click to expand...

You have to get inside the radio, find the FM tuner circuit and analyze it to find cheap/crappy components. Desolder the crappy ones and put some better ones. YMMV.

DDabs said:
badass. can you use waze on it?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can use any app that you want on it from the Play store, or load up APK files.

DDabs said:
Also - Does that app "Torque" feature more things to monitor through the OBD? Is it comparable to having the ultragauge?
Click to expand...

It is comparable and very configurable. It can show any OBD II data, plus some calculated values. If you know of any custom PIDs that the toyota ECU is ouputting, you can display those too.

PZLCruiser said:
Does the antenna still function? Go up and down?
Click to expand...

Yes, the head unit has an output for antenna control.
 
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