Apple Car play 2014 Taco

I'm wanting to add apple car play to my 2014 Tacoma. What units have you guys tried and what would you recommend? Also, are new units like that easy to install? If the whole installation is pretty straightforward and easy it's definitely something I would like to purchase. Thanks!

 

I put in a Pioneer 1500NEX and it works great. You do have to use a cord to connect phone, it’s not totally wireless. Very reliable for a year so far.
I like having a physical button to hit for volume on the head unit.

 

Crutchfield is your best bet. It will give you a chance to figure out what features you want for the price point you are willing to go. Really you are looking at low 3-400 all the way up to almost 2K for a the top end of the spectrum.

keep in mind as well as soon as you update the head unit it will open up the rabbit hole of the rest of your speakers.

I’ve always been an Alpine guy. I have an ILX-259 I really like but part of me wishes i went all in with the 309 so I could use the idatalink car information display. As well as the accessory module to allow for future ability to add software switch’s to the head unit

 

Pioneer AVH-2500NEX was in my rig when I bought it a few months ago. I like it a lot.

 

Totally agree. It'll let you pick up any wiring or other modules you need. I put a Sony in mine, but my only advice is get one with a physical volume knob.

 

It's the first thing I did on my 2013. Used Crutchfield and went with a Pioneer 6800NEX w/ Maestro RR to add gauges and steering wheel controls. Also popped a little 400W amp under the seat and replaced all the door speakers with 125W component Kickers, as well as deadening mat.

Very happy with the whole package. Only thing to note is that Critchfield doesn't have the right speaker brackets for Tacomas. They work, but the screw holes don't line up. Also, you'll need some tweeter mounts if you go that route, the OEM mounts can't be reused. I had a friend 3D print some for me, or Taco Tunes sells some.

Someone above mentioned the phone has to be plugged in. That's true for the majority of head units, but there are very high-end head units ($600+) that allow for wireless Carplay.

 

I really don’t see the need for wireless CarPlay. I always want to charge my phone while I’m driving, so I don’t mind plugging it in.

 

@RedTaco68 and @DavesTaco68, Does the factory backup camera work with your aftermarket head units?

 

It does, but I left my backup cam in my rear view mirror, I find it’s more natural when your backing up, than looking down.
I am thinking about adding front facing cam though and that will go to the head unit.

 

I'm running a Kenwood excelon headunit with wireless CarPlay in my 2012. I also installed a maestro for gauge display on the stereo and steering wheel controls. I have a dash cam and the factory backup cam, both display on the stereo. I ordered every through Crutchfield, including the harness and bezel.

 

I have a Kenwood Excelon DDX9907XR which has wireless CarPlay but it cuts out and I've been using it wired recently.

 

https://cartrimhome.com/Android-Car-Multimedia-Navigation-Tacoma-2005-2015

I have this one installed in my 2019 wouldnt trade it for any other headunit

 

Mine also appears on the mirror.

 

Not to derail this thread too badly, but I’m wondering if the wireless CarPlay is effected by the new “headphone safety” feature added in iOS 14.3.

I can connect my phone via Bluetooth to my Kenwood head unit for music, but have found the phone will kill the volume after a while to protect my hearing. The phone sees the volume at a high level on the phone itself and is not intelligent enough to understand I am moderating the volume using the stereo volume control. The phone sees every Bluetooth connection as “headphones” (car head units, external sound bars, speakers, etc.).

It was pretty frustrating to have to pick up the phone while driving to swipe away the notifications (not to mention technically illegal and arguably dangerous). It is a very poorly implemented “feature” IMO.

FWIW, the only way I’ve found to quasi-disable this new “feature” is to turn the phone volume way down (meaning you have to turn your stereo volume way up) and delete the volume data daily in the health app on the phone.

 

I just installed one like this in my 2013. There are a few issues with how most of them hold the hazard switch on the 2011-2015 trucks. I had to buy a pre-2011 stereo and steal a bracket from that stereo for it to fit.

 

@Ryeguy, I have 14.3 and volume when streaming to the stereo at home using Bluetooth or in the car via wireless CarPlay hasn't been impacted like you describe. Also, the phone can recognize that it's a CarPlay connection and not just Bluetooth headphones.

 

Most carplay systems use a cord. just too much data to push over bluetooth.

 

I've been using wireless CarPlay for over a year now...even when playing music and streaming directions/navigation the amount of data hasn't been a problem over Bluetooth.

 

Weird. It happened to me twice on Friday and it seems to be effecting a ton of folks according to what I’ve researched online. There isn’t any way to disable the “feature” in 14.3 either. I’m using an iPhone12, but others have reported across other devices running 14.3.

The Health app on the phone counts the minutes your phone plays at volume over the course of a week, and when it reaches a limit, it mutes the volume. Maybe you haven’t hit the week’s limit, or maybe your phone’s volume is lower (again, the phone only looks at the phone volume, not the stereo’s volume), or have just been lucky?

I’ve reset my data and not connected via Bluetooth to anything recently. I’m going to experiment to see if CarPlay volume is incorporated into the “health” dataset.

 

Maybe...or maybe the difference is using AirPlay/CarPlay instead of a straight Bluetooth connection.

I listen to music most of the day when working and at least 3 days a week it is playing in the living room cranked very loud so I can hear it in the office. I used AirPlay to play through our receiver in the living room or Bluetooth when using the HEOS in the office. I don't turn it up as loud when using the HEOS...maybe 25% volume on the phone...any louder that that will make your ears bleed.

I have an 11P with 14.3.