New to me 2020 HE. Couple questions.

[steffen]

Just purchased this 2020 HE and am looking for some input or recommendations. It’s difficult to search the forums via my phone.

1) id like to add Apple CarPlay, via a search I found BloggerL added a naviplus unit, but that was an older post, is there a newer better solution?

2) I’ll have two car seats in the back at times and I’d like to protect the seats. I had Headhunter covers in an older tundra that were great, but he doesn’t do the newer LCs. Any good Rex’s on a protective seat cover for the rear? That looks good?

3) any quick hit upgrades you’d recommend?

This is my 7th cruiser and is quickly becoming my favorite.

 

[Sandroad]

My only advice is that it’s easy to spend WAY too much on rear seat covers. I use really nice and very inexpensive covers from Wayfair (think $50ish) in all my vehicles to save the seats from the dogs. Their stock varies frequently, so I can’t give you a specific cover link, but check out wayfair.com. They don’t have the panache of the snobby ones, but they work well at 1/4 the cost.

 

[gasman4u]

Tech comes from factory outdated in these things for sure. There's several threads for carplay options, but I don't have direct experience installing them.

I got a ramtrack and (gasp) drilled into the center front speaker cover to allow for additional ram mounts for my cell phone. It keeps it held like (insert inappropriate comparison here) and doesn't block appreciable airflow from driver center vent, line of sight, airbag deployment, make for difficult plugging in to the USB charging port, etc. Apple products are frustrating due to their initial ability to use the Qi charging stuff, then not. Apple products are also frustrating due to being able to use aftermarket usb-c cables to charge plugged into whatever power port you have, then not. It's playing whack-a-mole to figure out how to charge my d@mn phone sometimes.

EDIT: There's a cool option if you want to go the center speaker mounting route by Gamiviti. If I hadn't already taken the liberties of mine, I would jump on that product. It's still an option if I end up surpassing the mounting capacity of my ramtrack.

EDIT 2: I didn't put anything below my car seats. Resale/rear seat impact took a distant secondary concern vs having anything potentially making the car seats less anchored than adding another (albeit small) layer.

 

[pdosescu]

I have 2 car seats in the back as well and wanted some kind of protection but didn’t want to compromise seat installation/safety. My car seats only allow for a towel between themselves and the seat according to their design. So thats what I uses. A beach towel laid across the bench. Would my car seats install just fine with some kind of additional protection? Probably…? But that’s not a risk I’m willing to take on.

Beautiful ride! My 2016 non-HE Cruiser is jealous of yours.

 

[mindcrash]

1) id like to add Apple CarPlay, via a search I found BloggerL added a naviplus unit, but that was an older post, is there a newer better solution?

I bought a 2021 HE recently myself and based on a detailed thread here I settled on the BeatSonic unit. I installed it in a couple of hours with no issues and have been very satisfied with the function of it. Is it perfect? Nope, but it’s pretty close to what a factory CarPlay experience would be like in my opinion.

 

[bloc]

Very nice @steffen congrats!

If you haven’t already read this, any time your rig is at the dealer for service lock your glove box and keep the key blade with you. Dealers are very bad about breaking the recirc flap while checking or changing the cabin filter, and that is the only 100% guaranteed way to avoid damage.

It’s even worth double checking the operation of yours

Apple products are frustrating due to their initial ability to use the Qi charging stuff, then not. Apple products are also frustrating due to being able to use aftermarket usb-c cables to charge plugged into whatever power port you have, then not. It's playing whack-a-mole to figure out how to charge my d@mn phone sometimes.

This is a big part of why I’m leaning in on magsafe charging. I’ve had to buy three of the pucks between home/work/car but as long as you give it enough power it just works.

This also meant getting into 3D scanning and printing to develop good mounting solutions for the pucks, but that is something I had been interested in for a while.

 

[cp44]

I used these when my kids were toddlers:

It did a good job in protecting the seats.

Mods that I did were adding the suspension spacers up front to make it more level. I added back the stock running boards. The cup holders upfront are terrible, so I got the 3d printed ones from a member here.

 

[Nothinghead]

2) I’ll have two car seats in the back at times and I’d like to protect the seats. I had Headhunter covers in an older tundra that were great, but he doesn’t do the newer LCs. Any good Rex’s on a protective seat cover for the rear? That looks good?

I have this that I bought from uncle Jeff and it has been okay. The zippers for the center section tore a long time ago and my kids (now 4 and 7) like to have the center console down anyway. It has kept most of the garbage they generate off of the leather but there is a non-slip mesh on the back that seemed to start rubbing off onto the leather so now there are carwash towels between the seat protector and the seats. It seems pretty crazy but overall it works and is easy enough to remove when I do have to pull the kids' seats out.

These were also necessary once we moved to a booster and started to use the seat belt.

 

[steffen]

I bought a 2021 HE recently myself and based on a detailed thread here I settled on the BeatSonic unit. I installed it in a couple of hours with no issues and have been very satisfied with the function of it. Is it perfect? Nope, but it’s pretty close to what a factory CarPlay experience would be like in my opinion.

Excellent, I’ll look into it! Whats your biggest frustration? Lag? Hows the audio translate from iTunes?

 

[mindcrash]

Excellent, I’ll look into it! Whats your biggest frustration? Lag? Hows the audio translate from iTunes?

Audio sounds great. Every now and then my phone and CarPlay will disconnect on long trips but it has always reestablished the connection within a minute or two. Also the volume indicator doesn’t display in CarPlay. But overall I’m happy with it.

 

[steffen]

Audio sounds great. Every now and then my phone and CarPlay will disconnect on long trips but it has always reestablished the connection within a minute or two. Also the volume indicator doesn’t display in CarPlay. But overall I’m happy with it.

How was the install? Directions fairly straightforward? Just ordered it

 

[mindcrash]

How was the install? Directions fairly straightforward? Just ordered it

Yeah just watch the video on their site it walks you through everything. There were a few differences due to product updates but it was clear enough.

 

[goldwater58]

Upgrades-Michelin Defenders and some step sliders.

Even if you don't off road, the sliders will serve as a step into the vehicle and protect your doors from dings.

 

[gasman4u]

+1 for sliders. I have BB sliders and can't recommend them enough. I KNOW they have saved me from eating the door edges of all sorts of sedans, etc in parking garages/lots. Quite the negative reinforcement mechanism for parking lot inconsiderate people.

 

[04UZJ100]

What did you pay?

 

[Umbrarian]

I use this one, very rugged:

Amazon.com

 

[steffen]

Upgrades-Michelin Defenders and some step sliders.

Even if you don't off road, the sliders will serve as a step into the vehicle and protect your doors from dings.

What size Defenders did you go with? Stock? Pic?

 

[Sandroad]

What size Defenders did you go with? Stock? Pic?

Lots of Defender pics and discussion of which versions work best for different uses.

So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us)

I wanted to talk about function over form and my opinions on why I think the Michelin Defender LTX is one of the best "all-terrain" tires out these for a majority of 4wd enthusiast/Overlanders... Before I begin let me cite a few sources on why I have these opinions. Sources/References - My use...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[goldwater58]

What size Defenders did you go with? Stock? Pic?

I personally went for stock size. It was a tough decision though.

 

[steffen]

I personally went for stock size. It was a tough decision though.

I’m leaning towards staying as is also.