Awesafe Factory Radio replacement

Has anyone replaced their factory radio 2016-19 with the AWESAFE radio? There's a bunch of expensive radios and this brand I've used before to replace my gf 2006 Honda civic radio and it's worked perfectly with wireless apple CarPlay and looks oem. Was surprised they make one for Tacoma and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this specific radio? If not I'm most likely going to order it and track how it goes. Sub $500 as of now. Got it on sale at Walmart for $280 all in

 

First time I've seen it mentioned here (but I don't read every post)
Joying has a following https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-joying-head-unit-thread.706997/
Atoto has some installs as well

Please report back if you go this route

 

I see a bunch for second gen Tacoma but not for the third gen. I sent my order should get it in a week or so. I can include pics for the Civic if anyone wants to see how oem it looks on that. Hopefully same quality

 

You will be the first!!
Post pics and let us know how it works and how you like it.

 

Finally got it set up. I thought I got a defective unit but turns out I blew a couple fuses got it to work and it also has wireless CarPlay

 

Nice work! Looks pretty darn good. How did you handle the wiring harness? Steering wheel controls? Backup camera? Everything working with wireless Car Play like Maps, your music app, etc.? How does it sound?

 

The only issue is currently the backup camera doesn't work but I think that's more of a user error but other than that CarPlay actually works really well. The maps while navigating on CarPlay isn't as smooth as I would like it but it has accurate location just a lil jittery. It sounds a lot louder than the oem radio. I also have to figure out the wheel controls. You're supposed to be able to hook them up and so far I got volume up and down plus mute to work

 

It comes with the wiring harness you need but the big problem is that it doesn't really come with instructions. They have a video of them installing it on Amazon but even on that video they're like 3 connections with no current plugs for them and I'm not sure what they hook up to since I've already hooked up all the wires. Will take some time to see if I can get the backup camera to work. I do see they have a whole hookup for multiple cameras and it essentially works like an tablet where it has its own interface but you can go into google store and download apps like YouTube,Netflix etc. You're supposed to be able to mirror your phone wirelessly or with a connection but I've yet to try that

 

All good to know @NYK. The wiring harness may be designed to fit more than one application, so there could easily be unused elements. There's a lot to be said for buying "name brand" products from folks like Crutchfield who also include specific wiring harnesses and very good directions. However I always enjoy hearing about "mavericks" doing their own thing and getting it all sorted out in the end. There's some fun in that if you have the time and patience. That setup certainly saves a lot of money up front. Best of luck and keep us posted!

 

I wanted one with more of an oem type of look but couldn't find one I liked so I went with this. Was able to get it done might make a video on the install if anyone interested. I think it'll help a lot with the radio if it has an actual person doing an install. Got to iron out all the quirks before that so I Atleast know what I'm talking about lol

 

@NYK did you ever get the stock reverse camera to work? I've messed with several of these Chinese Android head units over the years with mixed results. Walmart has the 2gb/32gb unit for $165 right now. I emailed Awesafe and they said it would be plug and play with the stock camera. I figured fur $165 I'd give it a shot as the 10" screen on the one I put in my commuter has spoiled me.

 

Yes I was able to get the backup camera to work, it was a user error on not understanding the harness setup but once I got it corrected it worked no problem. My main issue with the head unit is the Bluetooth/ wireless CarPlay has like a couple second delay on it. Doesn't sound like much but when you're talking on the phone and the person can hear themselves it really becomes noticeable. I usually just put my phone on speaker mode. Paying music and stuff it doesn't bother me that much but you get what you pay for. Overall. It looks really nice and does the job.

 

@NYK thanks. What was the user error so I don't make the same mistake? I don't talk much on the phone while driving so that shouldn't be an issue. Steering wheel controls all good? I ordered one this morning.

 

It was mainly making sure all the plugs were in correctly and making sure all fuses weren't blown. Once I replaced a couple fuses and make sure all the cables were secure it booted up and worked like normal. I was able to get the steering wheel controls working like normal and you're able to override what they do. For example I have the "Talk to speech" button set to pause or play once pressed

 

Cool. That's how the one I put in my Accord works I can make any stereo button on the wheel do any function. Maybe I'll be able to make my volume the up and down buttons as logic dictates.

 

I just received mine and have tried multiple ways of plugging it and it pops my fuse every time. What’s the secret?

 

it popped my fuse as well. I just kept it plugged in and replaced the fuse and it turned on no problem. I would say double check the cables and make sure to use the right pack and fuse amp. Does the fuse pop every single time after replacing them and keeping the device plugged in? I had to replace the fuses that were under the steering wheel and the one next to the battery

 

I didn’t think to check the fuse by the battery and sure enough it was blown. Picking up some replacement fuses after work. The one under the steering wheel would pop every time I get the unit plugged in and go turn the truck on accessory mode. The unit came with 2 major wiring harnesses and only 1 fits. Ill keep the thread updated if I have any progress.

 

Update, I kept blowing fuses because there is a little square box that was on the harness I couldn’t use. Once I realized that box needed to be plugged in to the harness I can use, everything worked perfect and booted right up. Like OP said, I had to troubleshoot the back up cam, but once I found where to plug it in, it worked.

 

Just got done reading all your posts. I have a 2018 trd sporr. I bought the radio and, scared to install it again.

Did ended up using all the harness that came with the radio? If not, Can you post pictures of the ones you didn't use?