2nd Gen Tacoma Head unit

I have a 2011 Tacoma and am looking to upgrade my head unit. I don’t need anything fancy just something with Apple car play. Does anyone have recommendations on head units and mounting plates? Also what do I need to hook up the steering wheel volume controls?

 

It's a rabbit hole! Looking at pioneer and kenwood plus xm, fortunately I have a lifetime subscription for that. Let me know what you decide on and I will do the same. Look at Crutchfield lots of info on units.

 

Check the reviews as many of the new wireless Carplay units seem to have quality issues. I'm a loyal Pioneer customer but they seem to have system boot failures. Best of luck.

 

Joying

 

Highly recommend Joying! I have one myself and love it. Wireless Apple Carplay amongst other awesome features, very reasonably priced considering capability. Check it out: 2nd gen Joying Head Unit Thread | Tacoma World

 

Kenwood DDX5707S DVD receiver at Crutchfield

been pleased with mine. has a CD player option, because on occasion my kids are in my truck and come home with songs, they are supposed to learn for school, or on occasion my wife needs to listen to her newest Taylor Swift album. Has Apple car play and Android auto, and can take an input for a camera, so if you wanted to you could add a cam to the front if you already have a rear facing camera.

 

I like that the newest one is full 1080hd,8gb ram,and 650nits.
This will probably be my next deck.
https://www.joyingauto.com/joying-a...coma-2005-2015-with-11-6-inch-big-screen.html

Don't know if I'm willing to do the full Tesla style one with integrated hvac controls.
Seems like an easy way to lose control of your hvac...due to update/bug.

 

Have a Pioneer AVH-2550NEX for about 6 months now. No issues with it. Added Carlinkit 3.0 to make CarPlay wireless…so far has worked flawlessly.

 

I’m going to recommend calling the good folks at www.Crutchfield.com . Tell them things like year/make/model, what you want, and what you’d like to have. They will set you up, include a dash kit for install, and for a small fee solder up your harness for a true plug-n-play experience.

Personally, I have a KENWOOD DMX906S that I’ve had for 3 years… going strong.

 

Crutchfield's website is the place for all things car auto. Their search and filter options really let you drill down into what's out there with head units, and all of the accessories needed to make it all work. I suggest you start there to narrow down what you are looking for.

 

Would definitely rec the joying units. I personally use an aliexpress 10" display android tablet with mine, has enough power for my infinity Kappas to ear bleeding volume at just 50W power, and has wireless carplay and android auto(im an android person) for $200. been running it over a year with no qualms. Has full offline gps maps also if that matters.

 

That Joying unit looks appealing. I like that you can get it with the volume knob. The choices on Crutchfield with volume knobs are slim and expensive from the last I looked. I've been through enough headunits to know I need a knob. And steering wheel controls.

 

I got the

$280 alpine ILX-W650 7" double DIN touchscreen digital multimedia receiver with bluetooth, apple carplay and android auto

alpine ILX-W650 back in January I love it!

 

I am looking at that same unit. Did you get the amp that piggybacks on the back of it?

 

Hey guys. Sorry I know this is an old thread but I'm thinking about getting that same alpine head unit and am wondering if anyone did the piggyback amp as well? Also did your back up camera work with this new head unit?

Thanks

 

Get a real amp and add a sub

 

I didn't get an amp, and I was able to get the stock camera to work on it, but there was some special wiring involved.

 

Sorry to bring an old thread to life, but what size are you guys running in regards to android headunits on your 2nd Gen's?

9.5"? 10.36"? Other?

 

I have an ilx 259 and it’s been great i should have gotten a newer unit though so I could have taken advantage of vehicle info as I had to get a maestro anyway for steering wheel controls

 

I installed a PLZ 902W headunit in my '09 back in January of 2024. So far, I LOVE it. Look at my older posts for the updated PLZ unit. Cost, including the headunit, bezel and plug & play harnesseS is <$200.



Edit: adding a few links to get you started;

• https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/looking-for-carplay-recommendations.833759/#post-29874520
• https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eo-unit-for-2009-tacoma.834130/#post-29889051
• https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stinger-audio.823117/#post-29801301