Low end stereo options

[CharlieS]

My 80 doesnt have a sound system. I'm thinking about putting in a cheap stereo and a couple of speakers in the dash. My door cards are abs, and I don't want to cut in speakers.

I'm not a audiophile, basic sound is fine.

I'd like something with Apple carplay (so I can use gaia and onx maps) and bluetooth to make phone connection easier.

I'd also like to throw in one of those modules that lets my gmrs or ham radio cut in. But I think they work with pretty much any radio.

Any guidance on a cheap solution? I see some ~$100 carplay radios on amazon. I imagine I'd need a pair of 4" speakers for the dash locations.

Any tips or guidance?

 

[greentruck]

The original Lexus system in the LX was still somewhat working, but the only thing the CD changer would do was shuffle 'em, not play 'em. I picked up a Kenwood DPX505BT in the $150 range from Best Buy and it does everything you ask for except maybe Apple Carplay. The Bluetooth works with my iPhone, but not sure if that's sufficient to do Carplay. It does have a separate BT Audio setting, so that might work for Carplay. The AUX input hooks up with my SiriusXM. The only thing I didn't like is the antenna power comes on whenever the unit is on, instead of only when the radio is selected as a source.

 

[kendgray]

You can't beat Atoto for the price. I have their S8 MS installed in my HDJ81 and its great. The S8 MS is their best headunit and is above your budget but if you want around $100 bucks check out their F7 WE on aliexpress. Ships from the US of A and is about to go on sale for $96. Can't get a better radio for that price.

 

[mudgudgeon]

If spending a little as possible is the goal, do a search on Amazon, then filter results by review star rating and price.

 

[CharlieS]

I ordered a Autoto F7 WE. Now to find some cheap 4" speakers for the dash.

 

[CharlieS]

In and working. Less than $120 for head unit, wiring adapter and cheap dash speakers. I have carplay now. Yay. The sound isn't great, but good enough for me. Thanks all.

 

[mudgudgeon]

In and working. Less than $120 for head unit, wiring adapter and cheap dash speakers. I have carplay now. Yay. The sound isn't great, but good enough for me. Thanks all.

This post is useless without pics



So, you still have factory speakers?
Did you bypass the amp?

 

[CharlieS]

This post is useless without pics



So, you still have factory speakers?
Did you bypass the amp?

Not too much to see.

I only have dash speakers and the cargo speaker. I took the door speakers out. I wouldn't necessarily recommend that, but for my lo-fi needs it's good enough.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Not too much to see.

I only have dash speakers and the cargo speaker. I took the door speakers out. I wouldn't necessarily recommend that, but for my lo-fi needs it's good enough.

View attachment 3726583View attachment 3726584View attachment 3726586

Let us know what you think after you've used it some more?

Tempting to throw something like this into the work truck

 

[CharlieS]

This made it very easy:

 

[mmajsw]

I used to use only the dash speakers for the front but recently added some 5-1/2" door speakers, bypassing the dash units. The difference is a lot more dynamic range when listening. I know you do not want to cut the door cards but keep it as an option for much better sound at little cost.

 

[kendgray]

Let us know what you think after you've used it some more?

Tempting to throw something like this into the work truck

I've had 3 Atotos, the S8 MS in my HDJ, an F7 WE in my old FZJ, and an F7 XE in my wife's car. I have prefered the Atotos over the Sony XAV-AX6000 thats in my pickup that cost 3-6x more. Only downside I've come across with them is occasional connection issues with wireless andriod auto and carplay. Hitting the reset button sorts that out quick though. Same thing happens with my Sony so nothing unique to the Atoto. The Android based Atotos are basically just a tablet that mounts in your dash so you can put any app you want on it. On my S8 I've got OnX, Garmin explore, a bluetooth switch pannel controler, youtube, netflix, HBO, and a speedometer app which are all super nice to have just built in.

 

[mudgudgeon]

I've had 3 Atotos, the S8 MS in my HDJ, an F7 WE in my old FZJ, and an F7 XE in my wife's car. I have prefered the Atotos over the Sony XAV-AX6000 thats in my pickup that cost 3-6x more. Only downside I've come across with them is occasional connection issues with wireless andriod auto and carplay. Hitting the reset button sorts that out quick though. Same thing happens with my Sony so nothing unique to the Atoto. The Android based Atotos are basically just a tablet that mounts in your dash so you can put any app you want on it. On my S8 I've got OnX, Garmin explore, a bluetooth switch pannel controler, youtube, netflix, HBO, and a speedometer app which are all super nice to have just built in.

Good to know.

I have a sony xav-ax5000 in my cruiser.
I like it, but glitches occasionally. I think I need to update the firmware.

 

[LandLocked93]

You could'a out-of-phased your front drive shaft for free and got better range than those 4" dashers.

Admittedly tho the tempo would be, "...creative at best." - Simon Cowell (in a good mood)

 

[kgrove]

You could look at Boss head units as well. I think they go for as little as $200 for their more basic CarPlay units. They have capacitive touch screens so they actually work decently for navigating screens. I usually have used Alpine, but they are a little more pricey at $300 and up. I experimented with my first Boss unit recently and it's working well. It's less buggy than some of the even cheaper brands I've played with in other cars, never my own. In roughly 6 months of use, I haven't ever had a software glitch like some of the cheaper ones do. It's slightly inferior to the Alpines I usually use, the differences being smaller stuff like quality of the radio reception (cant receive station from as many miles out of town), lower powered USB ports (longer charge times for connected phones)... little stuff really. Don't sleep on the benefit of the volume knob though. It's much faster / easier to quickly change the volume (e.g., pulling up to drive through window) with a knob than tiny + and - buttons.

Stay away from the tiny Boss speakers, however. I installed a set of 4" in the dash of my Prado maybe a year ago and they sounded worse than the 25 yr old paper speakers I was replacing. I had to pull the dash back apart and replace the replacements.

The front door speakers are way more important than the dash speakers. You could always replace the front door speakers and save the dash speakers as dedicated speakers for your radio.

 

[mudgudgeon]

@CharlieS Any further thoughts on this unit?

I'm now driving and fielding calls for work.

Definitely missing Android Auto

 

[CharlieS]

It works well. The limitation on mine is the minimal speaker setup that I'm running. With more speakers I imagine it would be pretty decent.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Thanks. Will keep it on the short list then

 

[mudgudgeon]

Found the Atoto F7 listed on Amazon for $69. Basic pack, no extra options like reverse camera, steering wheel control etc.
A bezel kit, and harness adapter later, I have a new Android Auto stereo in my work truck for under $100.

Really happy with it. Easy install. Sound is decent. Better than what it replaced. User interface is good. Have had no issues with functionality.

Will probably put one in the wife's car too

 

[kendgray]

Found the Atoto F7 listed on Amazon for $69. Basic pack, no extra options like reverse camera, steering wheel control etc.
A bezel kit, and harness adapter later, I have a new Android Auto stereo in my work truck for under $100.

Really happy with it. Easy install. Sound is decent. Better than what it replaced. User interface is good. Have had no issues with functionality.

Will probably put one in the wife's car too

That's a heck of a deal you got, nice find!