Head unit/stereo suggestions for cassette/radio replacement

The standard head unit is a double the brackets are what mount the head unit to the dash. DO NOT TOSS THEM. they are l shaped and screwed onto the side of the OEM unit

 

I also purchased a double din (Kenwood DDX5707S, open box) from Crutchfield. With the wire harness package, installation was a snap. Bluetooth phone, Android Auto, and much improved sound made it a worthwhile step up. Anybody mounted the USB in the center console? I've got it coming up to one of the oval shaped blanks and trying to figure out how to come through and mount without it looking like a hack job.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/howto-add-flush-mount-usb-aux-port-in-center-console.70236/

BTW, what's that weird stuff at the bottom of the screen?

 

There is a small gap at the bottom of the HU and I was experimenting try to cover it with some vinyl cord. Looked weird so I removed it. Thanks for the link.

 

Whelp one of the rear channels on my Kenwood BT 4channel mini amp in the Ferd done took a shit. Pshhh. I guess it overheated in the dash. Need some better cooling even though I don't push it very hard. The MB Quart mini amp chilling behind my Kenwood Double DIN in the Tundra is still rocking along. May have to go with the same amp in the Ferd. That is all. Carry on.

 

Anybody with the Alpine ILX have an issue with plugging in your phone but apple carplay not working? I plug it in, it charges, but won't connect to carplay and I have to unplug/plug it multiple times until it works.

 

Tried a different cable ?
If your Alpine is like Kenwood, it has 2 usb outs. One is to be used for carplay and other for charging. Also, will Alpine connect via bluetooth/wireless ?

 

Check Alpine website for Firmware updates.

 

Yes. @FirstGenVol had this, if I'm not mistaken. I setup a USB with new firmware along with update instructions, he updated the firmware, and I think it fixed it? Or maybe it was something with his bluetooth. I forget.

Anyway, I'd update the firmware. Details here and more explicit ones here.

 

I just checked again and firmware is up to date. I even did their suggestion of using a ziptie to keep cable in place.
I have an extension plugged in to the factory cable so it fits in the center console blank, and have tried removing that and using a fresh apple cable. No luck.
I was curious if others had this issue but seems like not. So there's something to fix, just have to figure it out.

 

I have

$280 alpine ilx w650 digital multimedia receiver with carplay and android auto compatibility

alpine ilx w650 and have no issues works well, i installed it like 3 or 4 months ago. Maybe you have a faulty unit

 

Honestly, I'd contact Alpine's support dept and see what they say if you haven't already. CarPlay kinda pisses me off sometimes, so I typically don't use it. Drove me f'n nuts on the Highlander we used for the 10 days we were in NorCal.

 

That's probably what I need to do. It took me so long to install after I bough it that I kind of gave up, but now it's really bothering me and I want it to work correctly.

 

If you bought it from Crutchfield, you may want to reach out to them and explain. But they'll likely send you to Alpine.

However, sometimes the warranties are 2+ years after purchase, so ...

 

I would try a complete reset of the headunit. Factory reset it as best you can and remove any and all traces of it from your phone as well. Reintroduce the phone and headunit and hope for the best.

 

Did this for the cheapo Boss CarPlay unit I got from crutchfield after it also crapped out just like @artsr2002 ’s did with the cable not doing what it’s supposed to do. They took it back no questions asked. Factory resetting the hell out of it and forgetting it from phone, etc., none of that worked.

 

So, on to the next phase of modestly upgrading my sound system. I have the non JBL amp located behind the HVAC controls. Any suggestions for a 5 channel amp that would fit in this location? I've purchased some Focal components to replace the fronts and an 8" Focal sub box to go under the back seat and fill in the bottom end. I've been looking at a MB Quart amp for around $270 with 50 watts to four channels and 350 for the Sub. Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

 

Alpine also has this amp with similar 4x50 specs but more closely matches the form factor of OEM (a bit smaller). I've had it physically in my hands. It's ballpark of a double-fin footprint, and approximately an inch tall.

I'm not saying Alpine is godlike or anything. They do make solid amps. They make great HU. They make OK speakers. They're not Focal, Morel, or MBQ by any stretch. But it may be worth looking into.

I'm not finding anything in MBQ's Reference lineup that's 5 channel @ 4x50 and 1x350 like your reply suggests. Am I misreading or just coming up short in the product line? Maybe it's 4x50, but mono 1x350?

 

I knowAlpine makes good stuff. Had many of their HUs and amps over the years. I appreciate the advice. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_049RA17105/MB-Quart-RA1-710-5.html this is the MBQ Amp. Seemed like a fairly attractive price point. I'm mostly concerned with getting something of good quality and that will fit in those tight confines, no matter the brand. 50 watts a channel would be more than enough for my needs.

 

The MB Quart mini 4ch behind my headunit has been rocking since the day I installed it no problems. The mini Kenwood in my Ferd however, has lost the rear right channel. I may replace it with a similar MB Quart as what is in my Tundra.

 

I’d keep the stock unit. Would love to have the scan function on my radio. Don’t know of an aftermarket or late model vehicle that has a radio with that feature. Sometimes it’s nice to just scan the airwaves. Stopped listening to the radio once I lost that feature.

 

My Kenwood has Seek mode. Isn't that the same as the scan feature?

 

Seek and Scan... IIRC, one of them jumps to the next viable station and stays there. The other jumps to the next viable station, stays there for a few secs so you can hear what it is, then jumps to the next and rinse/repeat until you tap the button again to make it stop.

That looks like it'll do it ... if it fits. If I wasn't such a JL head, I would've loved to try that MBQ. I ended up with a HD 900/5.

 

Do you have the model # of that amp handy? Thanks

 

I've had a couple of JL subs. They were great, especially the one that fit in my VW Jetta wagons spare when I had it. I'm liking the size of the Alpine amp. I can always send the Focal passive sub back and get a powered one to make up for the Alpine not having the sub amp.

 

That JL 900/5 Amp looks pretty awesome. We just use the Tundra for towing a camper trailer so I'm trying to stay on the modest end of upgrades to the sound system Shifty, dont tempt me!

 

I assume it was a Stealthbox? Those things are pretty awesome for a turnkey + lowkey option. I've used a few now, the one I had in my '03 Sierra a couple decades back hammered.

Yeah, you don't need all that extra. That MBQ at the pricepoint is stupid not to go that route. I actually was kinda kicking myself, it'll fit under a seat far more easily than this 900/5 I bought.

 

I used a

$160 Soundstream PN5.640d Picasso Nano 640 W 5-Channel Class D Digital Car Audio Amplifier

Soundstream PN5.640d which is a 5ch 640W class D amp. Not sure if it would fit in the space you desire as I have it in one of the under-seat storage compartments of my doublecab but it is pretty diminutive and can be had for a measly $175. I'm pushing an 8" sealed sub (4Ω) and 4 Infinity Kappa 6.5"(2Ω) component door speakers and it has plenty of power.

 

It was a stealth. Fit right in the middle of the spare and was the most accurate and powerful sub I'd heard to that point. I also had a JL amp, Alpine HU and Focal components front and rear. The model numbers escape me as this was in 2012. Then they recalled the VW diesels and it all went with the car. VW gave me good money for the car so I came out good, but I lament on that system often. Glory days.

 

Yep. MBQuart NA2-320.4 Compact purchase Sept 2019 from Amazon.

$94 MB Quart NA2-320.4 Compact Four Channel, 320 watt Powersports Amplifier, Black

https://www.amazon.com/MB-Quart-NA2-320-4-Powersports-Amplifier/dp/B06W53BFT5