Smarty Trend Head Unit

[Bluetribal]

Is trying to connect a Non-Nav GX climate control proved to be a no go? Or again no one with Nav has attempted to pull the *Climate* controls out of a junk yard GX and give it a try?

One of these days one of you Nav guys need to pull the trigger on one of these two options. And the stock climate controls seems to me it would be cheaper.

*Correction*

 

[langsen]

Looking at that video further, I don't think that integration was plug and play. I suspect there is an arduino layer behind the unit that's linking it into the climate controls. I downloaded the manual and all the screens for the unit, and there is nothing like what is shown in the video. I am guessing that the user made the video to show off his custom integration.

It looks like the head unit is wired directly into the CANbus, so no Arduino layer necessary (although that would let you control other stuff, like auxiliary lighting, etc. with the headunit). Page 15 of the manual shows how to program the custom functions. I assume HVAC is controlled by CANbus on the GX with nav, and possibly even on the non-nav.

 

[deejayoh]

Ah - I was guessing that it might need a layer between the unit and the Can bus to control the HVAC. That's the roll of the dice...
If you did have to put a controller in there, boards (like a LiLo) are not expensive - but you need to know how to sniff the codes and program it.

would be nice if it is relatively plug and play.

I think it's cheaper than the stock climate controls. Just the beat sonic dash adapter is $380, plus a new head unit, plus ~$100-150 for the climate controls. A $600 head unit doesn't look bad - and it would be able to run anything you run on your phone.

 

[langsen]

...Just the beat sonic dash adapter is $380...

Whoa, I had no idea they were charging so much for that. Looks like it's just the Toyota part 55412-60250 plus a wire harness adaptor. Is there more to it that I'm missing?

 

[deejayoh]

Toyota part 55412-60250

I can't find a pic of that -

but I *think* if you want a double-din opening with the manual climate controls - this one is the only game in town

Beat Sonic SLA-81

$180 for the plastic bits
$200 for the harness to get everything connected to steering wheel controls

Seems like you would need to replace the whole center console to change out the climate controls. And even at that, there may be more wiring to do.

 

[Bluetribal]

No, I have a surround piece off of Amazon for less than $30. If the Beatsonic came the correct silver color to match everything else in the dash then maybe it would be worth that much. But it is black just like the cheap ones.
Anyway there are large Android screens that take up the entire space so you don't even need a surround piece anymore.

 

[deejayoh]

OK - I think I figured out what is going on with the video. I don't think the HU has plug and play support for the HVAC Controls. What he's done is reversed engineered the CAN bus codes for the HVAC controls using an arduino board. Plenty of examples of this on the web.

Then it looks like he just added some buttons to the Android desktop that are basically hyperlinks that execute the CAN bus commands for the HVAC. Thats why it looks so rudimentary. One could write a simple android app with 3 buttons in less than an hour to do the same thing. Once that app is written, all you would need to do is install on the HU and theoretically, it should work in every NAV vehicle.

Basing this on finding his posts on 4PDA.ru and translating. This one is where he posted the video and refers to using Arduino

http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=707069&st=6340#entry55239898

Right click and hit translate

 

[burtoncr]

Whoa, I had no idea they were charging so much for that. Looks like it's just the Toyota part 55412-60250 plus a wire harness adaptor. Is there more to it that I'm missing?

I just came across a picture of a Prado with that center console trim the other day and thought about researching the Toyota part number. You are correct, it looks like BeatSonic doesnt even make the trim, they just buy the stock Prado pieces and sell it for 3x the cost ($55 total form partsouq.com). Here are the part numbers:

55412-60250 - Center trim panel
5541260250 Toyota PANEL, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FINISH, CENTER Price: 39.73$, Weight: 0.266kg - PartSouq - Auto Parts Around the World

86221-52050 - double DIN gap filler
8622152050 Toyota PANEL, RADIO RECEIVER Price: 7.73$, Weight: 0.013kg - PartSouq - Auto Parts Around the World

86221-52060 - double DIN gap filler
8622152060 Toyota PANEL, RADIO RECEIVER Price: 7.73$, Weight: 0.013kg - PartSouq - Auto Parts Around the World


Продается в Питере - рамка 2DIN OEM + накладки

 

[deejayoh]

Heard back from vendor this morning. Asked about GX470 with Nav. According to response, they do not support climate control Plug & Play. Video is definitely a custom mod. My verdict: It can be done, but requires knowledge of Android, Arduino, and CAN Bus.

Good morning. Thank you for your interest in our products. I am sorry to tell you, but our head units wouldn't be working in car configuration that you have.
Feel free to contact me if you have some additional questions.
Have a nice day.​

 

[little_joe]

I got confirmation today my Macchina M2 shipped (early Kickstarter supporter + a perk). They've already reverse engineered Toyota/Lexus CANbus. I am hoping this is the answer to full customization w/ or w/o nav - can't wait to get started!

Macchina

 

[deejayoh]

I think with that, once you know the command structure - any Android HU will do the trick. There are plenty on Aliexpress for $250.

The only issue I see with the ?NAV unit is how you work around the lower radio unit. You'll need some of the wires for the harness, I would think

 

[langsen]

That Macchina M2 is interesting. It looks like it will spoof OBD2 data, which is good for doing custom projects like engine swaps or just adding more sensors, but could also be misconstrued as an "emissions defeat device". I'm not sure how they will work around the Clean Air Act, or if they just haven't had any issues yet. The fines for selling a product like this can be over $4500 per sale, although I doubt there will be much enforcement going on for the next couple years.

Regarding the Beatsonic kit, it looks like in addition to the trim panel, it comes with an adaptor box that allows an aftermarket head unit to turn on the factory amp. Arduino could easily do this as well, and could probably go a step further and even allow the front/rear fader to work. The aliexpress Android head unit seems to use the same type of interface with the factory amp as the Beatsonic, since it also does not have a working fader control.

 

[Webguy]

I got confirmation today my Macchina M2 shipped (early Kickstarter supporter + a perk). They've already reverse engineered Toyota/Lexus CANbus. I am hoping this is the answer to full customization w/ or w/o nav - can't wait to get started!

Macchina

@little_joe - did you ever explore this issue after you received your Macchina?

 

[al3xh]

I got confirmation today my Macchina M2 shipped (early Kickstarter supporter + a perk). They've already reverse engineered Toyota/Lexus CANbus. I am hoping this is the answer to full customization w/ or w/o nav - can't wait to get started!

Macchina

Any luck with the Macchina M2? Or where I can find info on their reverse engineering Lexus CANBus work?