tangles

First up - if you'd like to see how to remove the head unit from a 2016 corolla - click HERE where I have made a how-to. So I recently picked up a 2016 Corolla with the new Toyota Link head unit in it. Date of manufacture says March 2016. Being me, I want to modify it! Being realistic though, it looks nearly impossible and Toyota don't share any source code so it would be a huge project and only applicable to this model of car. One option I am considering is to install an Android tablet using the existing faceplate in place of toyota's offering. Coupled with an off-the-shelf amplifier this could offer greatly improved sound quality and access to the Google Play store and a whole range of nifty apps (as well as opening up other app development possibilities). Couple of things I've found out: They use the standard Toyota harness connectors for the 'normal' stuff (power and speakers) The head unit talks to the body module to enable / disable the indicator flash upon lock / unlock The head unit talks to the ECU for eco / fuel consumption info It may be possible to communicate with the ECU and body module to retain this functionality, either through interfacing with the existing bus or through the use of one of those bluetooth ECU tools. Obviously having access to Google maps is much more useful than the Toyota navigation apps but the "Fuel Finder" toyota app is amazing - it would be nice to retain similar functionality where possible. I have a Samsung galaxy tab 8" which seems about the right size for a replacement... so I'll start there! Couple of requirements: The tablet will have to be set to turn off the display and all radios when the key is off to keep it charged It'll have to wake back up when the charger is connected Display will have to be always-on Adjusting display brightness based on real time would be nice Easy to use UI - Maybe the "Car Dashdroid" app would do nicely? I'll post back as I figure stuff out :)

Hi all, I'm Tim, I just bought a new pearl white 2016 Corolla Ascent Sport auto. Nice car! Can't wait to fiddle with the gadgets. I work in IT and am a self-taught mechanic with experience on various Toyotas. I've owned 3 80 Series cruisers, a 2008 corolla (i upgraded from that to the new one), and a whole heap of other cars and motorbikes. Cars are life!!! :) I love to hack and mod so guaranteed I'll be doing something nifty with the head unit... it's a quality piece of kit as I found out during a full tear-down so making it do more than show some boring interface will be very rewarding. I'll be putting up a few how-tos for the new corolla, including removing the head unit from the dash and making modifications :) Sneak-peak attached! See you round