1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

What not to do when installing a new head unit (HU)...

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by Beerdude77, May 19, 2018.

  1. May 19, 2018 at 7:51 PM
    #1
    Beerdude77

    Beerdude77 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13448
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Sky Tundra Limited TRD CM
    Linex bed, "Toyota" Console Safe
    1) Buy RCA's that are too short (covered in an earlier thread)
    2) Trust butt connectors without heat shrink added
    3) Assume you have everything you need to keep factory controls in place (See #1)
    3) Accidentally throw away a bag of screws required to put your dash kit together
    4) Realize after you button everything up you forgot to plug in the aftermarket bluetooth mic
    5) After you uninstall new HU and plug in new BT mic...scratch your new dash kit...
    6) Reinstall new HU again and figure out your Android play won't work because you didn't attach the parking brake sensor wire because nothing you read said to do that
    7) Go to insert a CD to test the sound quality of new HU...and realize you left the CD in the old HU :facepalm::annoyed::frusty::rant:
     
  2. May 19, 2018 at 8:05 PM
    #2
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2017
    Member:
    #9321
    Messages:
    4,721
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 White Tundra SR5
    For a while, I would get really worried if something didn't go wrong during a project/install.....but dayummmm......that's a lot to go south.
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  3. May 19, 2018 at 8:14 PM
    #3
    Beerdude77

    Beerdude77 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13448
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Sky Tundra Limited TRD CM
    Linex bed, "Toyota" Console Safe
    Yeah and I left out that the only steering wheel control that the maestro retained was the volume buttons, the seek forward and reverse on that same side doesn't work and the controls on the right side don't work at all, the center screen on the instrument panel is just blank....
     
  4. May 19, 2018 at 8:31 PM
    #4
    BIGUGLY

    BIGUGLY I the SheepDog. I have the capacity for Violence.

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2017
    Member:
    #9982
    Messages:
    702
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited
    Wow, that sounds so familiar, weird. Just breathe, and remember you saved some money, then wish you had just but the bullet and had a pro do it. And wonder why you spent a day off torqued.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  5. May 19, 2018 at 8:44 PM
    #5
    040Tundra

    040Tundra Teddy 2013-2019

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2016
    Member:
    #5188
    Messages:
    3,809
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Aaron
    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    040 '16 CM LTD 4x4
    A little of this and a little of that.
  6. May 19, 2018 at 8:48 PM
    #6
    Grumpy Uncle

    Grumpy Uncle Pushing string down the hall SSEM #10

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2017
    Member:
    #8801
    Messages:
    12,888
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Pat
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2016 Black CM Tundra TRD Off Road
    4:88s and Auburn LSD, dealership faux Pro, 35" BFGs on XD wheels, OME Lift with Dakars
    Sounds like you had some character building recently.
     
  7. May 20, 2018 at 1:09 AM
    #7
    Les7311

    Les7311 Look up, what do you see

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    Member:
    #5738
    Messages:
    1,215
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 Blue Tundra TRD 4x4
    Was this a hurry up and get out of town mod?
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  8. May 20, 2018 at 3:55 AM
    #8
    Diverguy

    Diverguy Breathes under water

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2017
    Member:
    #10081
    Messages:
    315
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Leon
    PA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra Limited TRD Offroad-Inferno
    Windows tinted, window visors. Bedrug, led bedlights, Nfab nerf step bars, Lund toneau cover, Evo One remote start, BAMufflers 8"
    ...and this is why I just tolerate the inferior JBL sound system that came with the truck. The system in the '13 I traded had at least 50% more volume and power. Not sure why the engineers at Toyota down-graded it so much.
     
    Viper3G likes this.
  9. May 20, 2018 at 4:04 AM
    #9
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    Oh...man.....that sucks. Of course....none of us have ever had that happen! I'm positive there was cussing involved at some point...haha
     
    Twilson and Sunnier like this.
  10. May 20, 2018 at 4:06 AM
    #10
    Beerdude77

    Beerdude77 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13448
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Sky Tundra Limited TRD CM
    Linex bed, "Toyota" Console Safe
    Yesterday was a frustrating day for sure. But the sound improvement is undeniable, it sounds incredible. All of the issues I listed are correctable I was just needing to vent and hope that this list helps someone else doing this. I would still do it all over again myself because I easily saved a minimum of $1000 in install fees.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  11. May 20, 2018 at 4:10 AM
    #11
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    I'm curious about the parking sensor wire???
     
  12. May 20, 2018 at 4:24 AM
    #12
    Beerdude77

    Beerdude77 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13448
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Sky Tundra Limited TRD CM
    Linex bed, "Toyota" Console Safe
    Currently searching online for it. I may just be able to splice into the wiring harness ground wire but I want confirmation before I do that. Needless to say I have a list of things to do the next time I have time to work on it. I also have to figure out which USB harness to buy for the idatalink as James from Tech12 says the UTO2 doesnt work and I saw on a Youtube video an installer saying that even though the idatalink website says it will work they had to use another one in a Highlander install to retain factory USB. I also need to buy a harness for the FM radio connection as the idatalink does not retain that either...
     
  13. May 20, 2018 at 4:37 AM
    #13
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    Fun.... Haha..At least you are documenting things. Will make it easier knowing these things. At least you haven't sold a head unit with your favorite dvds in it. Don't ask haha....
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  14. May 20, 2018 at 4:59 AM
    #14
    Beerdude77

    Beerdude77 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13448
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Sky Tundra Limited TRD CM
    Linex bed, "Toyota" Console Safe
  15. May 20, 2018 at 5:31 AM
    #15
    Beerdude77

    Beerdude77 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13448
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Sky Tundra Limited TRD CM
    Linex bed, "Toyota" Console Safe
    Oh there was plenty that went down after I called it a day. When the lowest abv beer I have is in the 7-8% range its best I don't mix them with work lol
     
    Sunnier, Watt maker and Black Wolf like this.
  16. May 20, 2018 at 6:00 AM
    #16
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Member:
    #8
    Messages:
    7,645
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Don
    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    Haha it's wouldn't be fun if everything always went according to plan!
     
  17. May 20, 2018 at 6:19 AM
    #17
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    [​IMG]
     
  18. May 20, 2018 at 10:23 AM
    #18
    B737

    B737 Throbbing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2015
    Member:
    #976
    Messages:
    721
    Gender:
    Male
    Jersey Shore
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra Double Cab Limited
    All the SWC should function. Center dash should be totally normal and all the instruments should populate to the HU. and FM radio antenna is retained with the harness. Sounds like it wasn’t flashed properly and you didn’t get the right harness?

    How is the Scosche dash kit?
     
  19. May 20, 2018 at 7:22 PM
    #19
    Beerdude77

    Beerdude77 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13448
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Sky Tundra Limited TRD CM
    Linex bed, "Toyota" Console Safe
    So today once I started the engine and went to drive the center dash stuff worked fine, not sure why it didn't last night. I realized what mistake I made with the left side controls, I left the up as "next widget" instead changing it to "seek +" and down the opposite. I think all the late nights working on this project while the fam slept took its toll on me. That said I still have to add the USB harness, not sure why James says it doesn't work with my set up when the idatalink website says it will. Thanks for the heads up on the FM antenna, I meant to check it out today but I didn't. Overall I'm very happy about the sound upgrade on the USB source I have used so far, but gotta get rid of having a plug hanging out of the dash...

    In regard to the scosche kit, it's pretty good in terms of fit, in fact prior to this project I hadn't realized the factory one was off but the new one was better, the color looks about the same as the Metra's I've seen so slightly off from factory but it doesn't stand out as bad...now if only I hadn't scratched it...
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  20. May 21, 2018 at 8:49 AM
    #20
    B737

    B737 Throbbing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2015
    Member:
    #976
    Messages:
    721
    Gender:
    Male
    Jersey Shore
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra Double Cab Limited
    Great news man good work.
    Yes the factory usb will definitely work

    Keep us posted. Looking forward to pix
     
  21. May 21, 2018 at 8:54 AM
    #21
    fisherman951

    fisherman951 MT dreams

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2017
    Member:
    #9616
    Messages:
    5,345
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tony
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2017 crewmax 4x4
    Lol just like when the indash stereos.came out. All you had to do is ground the parking brake cable and u could watch movies any time.
     
  22. May 21, 2018 at 9:22 AM
    #22
    parker44

    parker44 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2018
    Member:
    #12700
    Messages:
    588
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tundra - Desert Sand Mica
    How much stuff did you throw in the process???? Haha
     
  23. May 21, 2018 at 11:02 AM
    #23
    Beerdude77

    Beerdude77 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13448
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Sky Tundra Limited TRD CM
    Linex bed, "Toyota" Console Safe
    @B737 when you said the FM was retained did you mean after using the metra harness or the idatalink sat radio/GPS harness? I just checked mine and I can not pick up FM with just the TOY2 harnedd
     
  24. May 22, 2018 at 2:40 PM
    #24
    B737

    B737 Throbbing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2015
    Member:
    #976
    Messages:
    721
    Gender:
    Male
    Jersey Shore
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra Double Cab Limited
    i used the additional idatalink harness to keep them
    i might be crazy, but my radio reception is a little worse with the new set up.

    did you get it all dialed in?
     
  25. May 22, 2018 at 3:48 PM
    #25
    Beerdude77

    Beerdude77 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13448
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Sky Tundra Limited TRD CM
    Linex bed, "Toyota" Console Safe
    Not yet just ordered the 2 datalink harnesses and metra FM adapter, I'll let you know after I install them. I will say the fit of the Scoche is pretty darn good, I'll try and post pictures later
     
    B737[QUOTED] and Watt maker like this.
  26. May 29, 2018 at 2:40 PM
    #26
    SMK Shoe

    SMK Shoe Not New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2017
    Member:
    #9822
    Messages:
    539
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Central North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra TRD DC
    Step Bars, Rear Swaybar, 2,000 Watt Amp, 2-10" Subs, new door speakers, De-Badged, Hondo vent mounts, Calipers, 6112/5100 shocks, SPC UCA's, Front bumper, Bed Bars, bed rack, Fuel Rims
    I was going to install a new Alpine HU myself. Once I opened up the box and seen the 8 gazillion wiring adapters, I slowly put it back in the box and searched for a local installer. Found one two miles from work. It took a Professional almost 5 hours to do the install ( Headhunt, control box, all new RCA cables and tune the amp). it was so worth it. I am pretty good at this stuff ( I did all speakers, amps, matting, subs and box) but the HU was beyond my comfort level.
     
    Beerdude77[OP] likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top