Replacement Head Unit

[Dave Robinson]

hi all

first post on here as the good old Rav (2004 2.0 XT4) has been pretty reliable

looking at changing the standard double din head unit for something a bit snazzier (with a USB port)

was wondering what anyone else has done and my main concern is that will an upgrade mean I will lose the on board computer display - which i would like to keep

also any recommendations of head unit w.r.t fitting in with the rest of the dash

thanks in advance

Dave

[Hoovie]

#1 - If you want to keep the on-board computer (OBC) display you have to stay with Toyota head units - so forget anything snazzy with a USB Port

#2 - You can fit any just about single or double DIN unit in place of the standard head unit. You just need to buy the side fillers (the Toyota unit is a a 2DIN-WIDE unit) - these are available on eBay for around a tenner, plus a 1-DIN to 2-DIN adapter if going for a 1-DIN unit.  Also best to buy the Toyota-to-ISO lead adapters to save cutting wires etc and for when you want to put the old unit back in at sale time maybe?

#3- OBC is pretty poor in reality - if you like the info it gives but you want it actually be me meaningful, get a Scangauge and you will have reliable data

In terms of what you could fit, once you have sorted out #2, you can fit just about anything.   I and other people have fitted a Kenwood SAT-NAV unit which works very nicely and it is a very good value full-function system.  It is also possible to get an adapter to allow the steering wheel controls to control the Kenwood unit.  similar adapters are available for a other makes but if this feature is important, check what is available - it is not THAT common a feature!

The only thing I miss from the original head unit is the external temp display, plus I did miss the steering wheel audio controls until I obtained the adapter to allow them to work.