Factory Mic w/Aftermarket Head unit?

According to Crutchfield, there is no way to use the factory (built-in) microphone with an after market head unit. Is this true? How come?

 

Doesnt work in a 2019 4Runner, I know that much.
It is pretty freaking stupid

 

I did some research on this recently because I was installing my Kenwood DNX996XR. From what I have read and put together from a few places, the factory microphone connection has wires that goes from the radio up to the headliner, and connect in to a small powered amplifier that is connected to the microphone. So the factory mic is a powered/amplified microphone and after market head units need a non-powered microphone signal. So to use the factory mic, you need to remove the factory mic from the headliner/ceiling and cut the wires off of the mic & amp, and then solder on two new wires to bypass the amp and go directly from the factory wires to the mic connection. Once that is done, then you can tap into the factory wires at the radio and wire those up to the aftermarket head unit. (But I don't know yet which wires those are).

Eventually I might try this, but for now I used the mic that came with the kenwood radio.

For reference, this is where I got most of the info:
https://www.tundratalk.net/forums/t...605-adding-aftermarket-stereo.html#post980855

 

No the stock mic has a built-in amp and won’t work, it’s been tried on another Tundra forum. I did solder an aftermarket mic and tunneled the wire, behind the pillar, to the visor.

 

Thanks for the info yal! Sucks it's not possible, but at least I understand why now.

 

I pulled the factory mic out and put the aftermarket mic in its place. Turned out great

 

Got any pics? I don't even know where the factory mic is

 

Which mic did you go with?

 

A cheap but well-reviewed Kenwood replacement mic off Amazon Canada.

 

unplug/remove factory mic, install the aftermarket mic in the factory location. position is not ideal, but at least its not sticking out like eyesore. (DDX9904S)

 

Looks like some folks got the factory mike to work by by-passing the mike amp. Check it out @ Tundra Solutions...

 

I had the same dilemma when I gutted the JBL system out of my Platinum. In the end, I used the Kenwood supplied mic and installed it in my instrument cluster trim ring by drilling a hole and using a rubber grommet. Looks factory and voice reception is fantastic. Just an option that is quite easy to do:

 

That looks sharp. Doesn't that trim have to come off to get the old hu out?

 

That particular trim does not...that's the trim around the speedometer.

 

Was it hard to pop off? On a Corolla I flexed it and ran the wire through the gap then used double sided tape. your install is much cleaner.

 

To just pull it loose, there are two push-pin style clips in the top of the "hood" of that trim. You push in the center of the pin with a #1 phillips screw driver, and then the clip will drop out, and then you can pop that trim loose (but not remove it fully). To fully remove it, you need to also free up some clips along the top of the steering column that hold in a vinyl "skirt" between that trim and the steering column. BUT FIRST there are other trim pieces that need to come out as well...

If you go to the Hypertech website and download their instructions for the speedometer calibrator for the Tundra, it actually gives a great walk through on how to pull that time (because you need to get to it to install their calibrator).

 

Thank you soo much. Pictures make it easy.

 

I'm using the factory Mic, however, it does taking some rigging. I bought a universal microphone with a 3.5MM male Jack and ran the cable to the factory mic. Clipped off the microphone head off the universal cable off exposing the bare wires inside. Pulled the factory mic apart, unsoldered the microphone off the factory microphone amp and soldered the two wires to the universal microphone cable bare wires.

 

I did this Hardwire mod to my 2014 Tacoma. Cut out and off the factory amp for mic and wired alpine mic wires to factory mic. Worked flawlessly, about to do to my 2019 tundra, I’ll let you know how it goes and drop a photo or two.

 

Did this work out for you? I have a 2020 and hoping to keep the factory mic.

 

This would be amazing

 

Here's an idea...
https://youtu.be/_GO2Zyr7Ecg

2x taped my mike to the upper corner of the windshield for the meantime.
Been there for 2yrs.

 

Funny story, guy sent my new head unit without the mic and mic plug (alpine) I hooked it up anyway using an IdataLink Maestro and it incorporates the factory mic, or so I believe because it works and I connected nothing but the Maestro and Toyota specific harness. Not going to waste my time at this point to see if the tundra mic is the same as the Tacoma but I’m sure it is.

 

So the iDatalink Maestro incorporated the factory mic?? That’s great, especially since I have the Maestro coming with my radio. Hopefully it works with a Pioneer. I guess I will try to hook it up without the mic and see what happens.

 

How did you do this? I have a 2020 with Pioneer and Maestro and the sheets do not show that the factory microphone as being retained. I am not aware of any cable that retains it either. I have the retention cable for the factory USB, so the mic is the only thing that I lost.

 

I just posted on this. I have a Pioneer with Meastro RR and I am not aware of keeping the factory mic. The data sheets even say that it is not retained. Did you order the USB retention cable too?

 

Yep, I did order the USB retention cable. I even got the PacVS41 camera switcher. It should display the view from a side camera when you turn a blinker on.
I get everything tomorrow and hoping I have tine this weekend to install everything.

 

You have side cameras? Interested in that mod....

 

I dont have them yet but thought it would be a good mod.