Navigation Delete 07.2009 - 01.2012 (w Aftermarket Stereo & Amp Install)

[alta]

What do you use for your setup on this? I use a Hootoo TripMate, but it suffers from considerable lag.

I also use an old Hootoo Tripmate, but I have not experienced any notable lag. Admittedly, the UI is terrible, but that doesn't stop my 7 year old from using it without issue (my wife is a different story). However, we may not be comparing apples to apples. The problem is that there are so many different models, that it is a bit of a crap shoot. For the $25 I paid for mine, it has far exceeded my expectations.

That said, I have tried to find a suitable replacement and although there are lots of options, nothing stands out as a clear winner. If anyone else has a good experience with a hotspot or wifi router, it would be interesting to hear about it.

 

[tbisaacs]

Anything will sell for the right price...
I'll sell my foot if the price is right.

What’s the going rate for a TonyP foot? Asking for a friend.

 

[TonyP]

What’s the going rate for a TonyP foot? Asking for a friend.

$1.5M plus the cost of one of those robot bouncey feets.
I'll throw in a lightly used Nike for free

 

[Rinat]

Guys any other options for clock unit ? I think it cost too much. May be EU version? Or they are all the same ?
Would like to repeat same actions, but like to left JBL system. Is it possible anyhow with confirmed adapter/conveter to connect aftermarket head unit to 2008 JBL amp ?
Already have AC control unit, bought it used from European car.. and now on the step of searching right connectors.

 

[Rinat]

Additionally i would like to ask about functions that can be lost after this modification.
Will main functions remain the same as it was with original?
What about parking sensors ? Any possibility to leave it work (sound warning) ?

 

[alta]

I tried a non-US spec clock and the SRS (airbag) lights came on. Apparently the check failed due to the passenger airbag light in the clock. So no, you must use the correct clock for your vehicle.

Parking sensors will work fine. The visual interface will obviously not work with an aftermarket HU, but the audio will persist.

I have no idea if you can get the jbl amp to work with an aftermarket head unit. In general audio gurus like Crutchfield don't offer solutions, so I don't believe it is easy (or possible). You can add aftermarket amps and speakers to factory HUs using something like JL Audio's clean sweep, but the factory head units communicate differently that simply passing an analog signal to the amp.

One thing you might try is to contact Phoenix. They have an android head unit that is supposed to work with climate and possible factory amp. Products

One of my main goals was better sound, which I wasn't going to achieve with an android unit or the factory amp.

 

[Rinat]

Thanks, i found that solution for non US clock may be to use led light connected and hidden behind clocks (to not see light). In this case error wouldn't appear. I would like to have everything as it should be, most probably will order US clock (250$). Don't like those "Chinese" style HU, prefer to go with Pioneer or Clarion.
This is pity that devices like this Amazon product ASIN B00133RCCC are not possible to use.

 

[alta]

Earlier today I was having a conversation about the nav delete and mentioned my writeup. After reading through it, I realized I never included pictures of the new double-din bezel. Overall I am happy with it. The fit is very good and the system sounds great. I love having direct access to all climate controls. Next steps? I have been toying with the idea of glassing in a removable ipad, using the strangely-sized Toyota bezel I hacked up. Stay tuned...

 

[JtFSU]

Great write up! Actually think the dash looks better with the hard buttons than stock.

Just curious. For the price and complexity of this, how much is being gained over getting one of the Android Tesla style screens? With those they have pre-outs so you could run signal to an amp and new speakers.

Have been looking at options to upgrade stereo sound and UI. Seems right now the biggest complaint on the Phoenix units are the 20-30sec boot time.
Obviously if you are wanting hard buttons the Tesla screen is the wrong direction. But seems much easier than the amount of work and expense to do all the connector splices and whatnot.

 

[alta]

Just curious. For the price and complexity of this, how much is being gained over getting one of the Android Tesla style screens?

Fair question. Ignoring the softer facts that I just wanted to prove it could be done, and I HATED the look of the Nav unit... I was in search of better sound quality and I didn't like the idea of running critical system processes (like climate) through a cheap Chinese interface. If a reputable company made a high quality android unit, then I would have considered going that route (especially if it looked as good as the one the first page of this write up). However, I kept reading horror stories about random crashes, units suddenly dying and never coming back, susceptibility to heat, and the biggest gripe, terrible sound. The DACs in the android units are terrible, so you won't get good sound using the analog pre-outs, even sent to a high quality amp and speakers. If however the android units provided a digital out to a high quality DAC, that could be a reasonable solution.

I do have to say that I really love the hard-button climate control unit; it is so easy to use and always available.

But yes, for the cost and the work an Android unit might be a good option for some.

 

[Rinat]

Thanks to forum members, finally i finished transformation of my LC. Here it is. Still thinking what components to chose. But now i'm free, and can choose whatever i want ) As for speakers thinking about same Morel Tempo Ultra 692, and as headunit Pioneer Z9200bt.

 

[alta]

... finally i finished transformation of my LC. Here it is.

Congrats! I think you'll love it, and I am very pleased to see another member taking the plunge. Did you run into any issues or change things up, such that it might help the next brave soul wandering the path?

 

[alta]

One note on the Morel speaker + amp combo (not sure which amp you are planning to use)... the Morel amp w those speakers sounds very smooth and musical, not harsh at all (musical, even with lesser-quality recordings). However, they don't like to go beyond mid volume. I have been very satisfied with them, but if you want it to go really loud, you might look to feed them more power.

 

[Rinat]

Congrats! I think you'll love it, and I am very pleased to see another member taking the plunge. Did you run into any issues or change things up, such that it might help the next brave soul wandering the path?

Your write-up is detailed enough to follow without any problem. The only thing i did is checked your pinout and pinout from
TXSunDevil thread, found the difference and compared with TIS documentation. Nothing special but different pins used. (i also put it attach with column 2008 marked yellow) And pins i bought from jerryb. Thanks for help and support for everyone. I really like button style climate control.

Pinout for 2008 LC

 

[Rinat]

One note on the Morel speaker + amp combo (not sure which amp you are planning to use)... the Morel amp w those speakers sounds very smooth and musical, not harsh at all (musical, even with lesser-quality recordings). However, they don't like to go beyond mid volume. I have been very satisfied with them, but if you want it to go really loud, you might look to feed them more power.

Thanks for tip, i don't really like loud music. So, quality is on first place. Seems as it is something that fit me. Don't you think to add "mid frequency" speaker to the dash panel ? To the factory place ?

 

[alta]

Thanks for tip, i don't really like loud music. So, quality is on first place. Seems as it is something that fit me. Don't you think to add "mid frequency" speaker to the dash panel ? To the factory place ?

I chose not to, mostly because in my home hi-fi experience, it is best to keep things simple. A 3-way system would add cost and not necessarily increase performance. When I looked into it, I found I was almost doubling the cost. Not only are you adding 50% more speakers (good ones aren't cheap), but also crossover complexity and the need for a bigger amp. The LC is a big vehicle, but my 2-ways seem to fill the sound stage well. But if you are willing to spend the coin, I bet the 3-ways could be a great system; just make sure the larger amp fits under the seat.

What my system is lacking is low end punch. I'm not much of a bass bunny, but I will likely add a sub in the future, either in the original location or possible a small 8" sealed box under the passenger seat. Mostly 'cause I can...

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

@alta, I just want to say thank you for documenting this.

I know absolutely nothing about car audio, and I was always worried about what would I do if the head unit fails?

With this thread, and now having options, I feel makes long term ownership of a 200 not as worrisome with how expensive it can be.

 

[Rinat]

I chose not to, mostly because in my home hi-fi experience, it is best to keep things simple. A 3-way system would add cost and not necessarily increase performance. When I looked into it, I found I was almost doubling the cost. Not only are you adding 50% more speakers (good ones aren't cheap), but also crossover complexity and the need for a bigger amp. The LC is a big vehicle, but my 2-ways seem to fill the sound stage well. But if you are willing to spend the coin, I bet the 3-ways could be a great system; just make sure the larger amp fits under the seat.

What my system is lacking is low end punch. I'm not much of a bass bunny, but I will likely add a sub in the future, either in the original location or possible a small 8" sealed box under the passenger seat. Mostly 'cause I can...

Ok, i will stick to 2way system at the moment and may be later upgrade it. So far i found good deal for 6ways processor amp unit (really small size), and this can help to improve quality later. As for bass section, i would like to get your feedback in case if you will find solution to use stock area to install subwoofer. Same as you i'm not a fan of bass, but wouldn't mind to have something that will support sound system at the lower frequency.

 

[alta]

@alta, I just want to say thank you for documenting this.

I know absolutely nothing about car audio, and I was always worried about what would I do if the head unit fails?

With this thread, and now having options, I feel makes long term ownership of a 200 not as worrisome with how expensive it can be.

Thanks Taco! I hope folks find this thread useful, and we see more creative alternatives to the stock interface. Interestingly, I sold my stock Nav unit last week to a gentleman who had a '10 with a failed Nav unit. The guy mentioned a quoted $14k OEM replacement cost, which is absolutely crazy! This conversion isn't cheap, but with @jerryb's great contribution of info on 3rd-party terminal ends, the cost is becoming reasonable.

 

[alta]

As for bass section, i would like to get your feedback in case if you will find solution to use stock area to install subwoofer. Same as you i'm not a fan of bass, but wouldn't mind to have something that will support sound system at the lower frequency.

The Alpine PWE-S8 is the unit I was considering putting under the front passenger seat. I saw it done in a custom install in a 200 series and apparently fits fine. However, I believe the installer cut the carpet and pad to do so. Reviews seem split on overall effectiveness, but many of the complaints are from people putting the unit in their trunk. Here is a similar sealed Focal unit on a RHD LC.

The factory location might be the best option, but the box is very proprietary, so it would take some experimentation to see if you can get it right. According to Crutchfield it is 8". From their intall instructions, it looks like there is some descent depth. Although I have not had the time to remove the rear seat, plastic fascia, etc to explore further. I will say that the instruction from Crutchfield are pretty good at showing how to get to all the speakers, remove door panels etc.