Wanting to upgrade head unit questions..

Factory unit garbage, we all know.
I am looking on Crutchfield and have questions, many of the units I am seeing show the following will happen with installation:
No factory Bluetooth
No factory nav
No factory vehicle settings
No fade control

How many of you experienced this after installing new units? Are any of these features a big loss, will I notice them?
My biggest problem with the factory is I’m using a wireless adapter (forgot brand) for Car Play. 1 out of 15 times the truck has no audio, nothing. Reset the radio, nothing. Turn the vehicle off/on, nothing. Arrive home/work and let the truck sit for an extended amount of time, everything is fine.

 

Need more information
What year model is your truck?
Jbl or non jbl factory radio?
Are you wanting to just replace the headunit or a full audio upgrade?

 

Ugh, I’m the worst with posts
2021 limited with JBL
Already upgraded everything ie: amp, DSR, full speaker swap, 12” sub

 

In order to retain factory controls through the HU, you typically need an interface like the Maestro along with some adapters to PnP your XM, Nav, etc.

 

I have the Maestro installed with my upgraded amp/speakers. My question is more geared towards what i will lose replacing the unit. Factory nav i don’t care about. My biggest concern is the “loss” of vehicle factory control settings.

 

You shouldn't lose anything.

 

You can add your truck info into your profile and save a few steps down the road.

 

I’m guessing it depends on the model i buy? I was looking at a JVC which started you would loose factory controls.

 

Eh. You get what you pay for.

 

Well that’s kinda why I’m here, suggestions?

 

Most ppl here have gone with Kenwood or Pioneer albeit the aforementioned seems to edge out the latter in popularity. A few others have Alpine and the Sony XAV-9500ES

 

Now that’s helpful! Thank you

 

If you're really tired of the addons needed for OEM compatibility and continuity, the Sony XAV touts PnP right outta the box.

 

So no additional harnesses from Crutchfield, just the mounting plate?

 

Check it out

 

What is your max budget for the headunit?

Jvc and kenwood are the same company


I went with the jvc kwz1000
Great headunit but also a little expensive $1249 on crutchfield
I did not like the look of the volume knob on the kenwood.

Some people on some of the car stereo forums are using android units. Joying. Teyes
I thought about trying the Joying. It has optical output that my dsp has as an input option

 

Pioneer 8600 here I lost nothing and gained so much more much much better sound and a bunch of different gauges to monitor, I didn't upgrade any speakers or subs yet and I have non jbl

 

Why would you have a Maestro for stock HU?

The iDatalink Maestro is an interface to retain steering wheel controls with an aftermarket HU..

 

I gotta stay under 1k

 

Not a stereo expert. I upgraded everything in the truck but the head unit. I get a little confused between Maestro, DSR, etc.

 

How is the stock HU connected to your DSR?
Does the DSR have speaker-level inputs or an LOC (line-out converter) to an RCA jack?

 

The JBL is a little trickier to upgrade, but since you already did the DSR, speakers, and sub, replacing your HU shouldn't be that hard.
Just get a decent HU, something with wireless carplay/AndroidAuto (whatever you use), and a Meastro for the steering wheel functions.

You should be able to retain all or most of your OEM functions.
You'll need to run another microphone, that should come with the new HU.
The OEM mic isn't compatible with aftermarket HUs.

I put mine up by the rearview mirror and I never notice it.



If I had to do mine over, I'd do something like @panicman did.
A lot of info in this thread on his install.

Newb installation thread- Pioneer DMH-WT8600NEX into a 2018 SR5 Entune Non-JBL | Toyota Tundra Forum (tundras.com)

 

99% sure speaker level outputs. I am a handyman, can fix anything. Car audio..I got nothing.

 

I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to these 2. Any thoughts?

 

Check out the link I posted above.
Although his installation wasn't JBL, it will give an idea of what you're getting into.
I'd guess your DSR would have RCA inputs, if you so you can run RCA cables from your new HU to the DSR for better sound.

Although with a decent aftermarket HU, it will have an EQ, crossovers, and time alignment and you may not even need the DSR.
Just go with RCA cables from the HU to the amp(s).

 

The Pioneer looks nice..
Although the Sony has an HDMI input if that is important to you..

If you use Sirus/XM you'll need a separate tuner.
But in all honestly, I run my Sirius thru the app on my phone and Carplay.
It sounds better than the satellite feed..

 

Call sonic electronics or crutchfield. Tell them what you want to keep and they will tell you the adapters necessary.

I did the

$1,399 kenwood dnr1007xr excelon 10.1" high definition navigation car stereo receiver with capacitive touch panel

kenwood dnr1007xr with the maestro accessories and have every function same as stock including nav. It’s more than you want to spend but if you want it all got to pay for it. Some of the other kenwood units under 1k will be fine but they have the double din sized screens. It’s all about the accessories in these trucks.

I tried to keep the stock hu and use a dsr1 but my headunit started doing what your is and died so I splurged and got the bigger screen. I have not regretted getting it a single time outside of the day I paid for it.

 

Coming in under $1k is gonna be tough, and none of the options will be 100% glitch free because of phone updates and HU product updates.

However, using Maestro, you shouldn't lose any native controls, and your ability to monitor vehicle data will increase, as will your ability to add cameras, better control higher quality sound output, etc...


Pioneer 8600NEX can be flush mounted or stand off of the dash.

1lowlife threw in a link to my installation above. If you have any questions, fire away!

 

I have the same unit installed which I am very happy with. From what I am told, the microphone doesn't come in very clear/loud. Is there anyway to adjust the volume?

 

Looks great. How/where did you install your microphone?