3rd Gen (XU50) Kluger new aftermarket radio install

[jc614]

Hi everybody,

 

This is my first contribution to the forums; I installed a new radio into my 2016 Grande yesterday. It's a pretty straightforward process.

 

I wanted smartphone connectivity (Android Auto for myself and Apple CarPlay for my wife), retain as much original functionality as possible and an upgrade that is reversible.

 

Parts required:

* Aftermarket receiver - I chose the Pioneer DMH-ZF8550BT

* Harnesses - Aerpro CHTO15C, Aerpro APP9* (*this will differ depending on your choice of radio)

* Fascia - Aerpro FP8341

Optional parts:

* Factory GPS and DAB antenna adapters

 

TLDR

Pros: I now have Android Auto (for me) and Apple CarPlay (for my wife), 9" screen fills out the cavity nicely, true plug and play - no wire splicing at all, retention of main factory functions (SWC, back-up camera)

Cons: Omissions of instrument MFD for navi and factory vehicle customisation

Additional: Fascia needs modification to be complete

 

Tools Required:

* Something flat and broad or interior pry tools - either will work, I suggest to tape the end of the tool of choice to prevent damaging any factory panels

* Ratchet with extension and 10mm socket

 

It's a pretty straightforward process to remove the factory trims. I started with the long panel at the air vents and gently pried at the trim until it released from the dashboard, repeat with the trim above the clock. The air vent registers are next, I pulled at the bottom of the air vents and gently pulled them away from the dashboard. Then all you're left with is the factory radio, which is fastened with 4x 10mm bolts and held in place up top with 2x tabs.

 

The two Aerpro harnesses together. The loose wire (Lt.Green) is the parking brake wire and has to be pinned into the 28P connector (not connected in the photo below). The loose wires of the Aerpro head unit and vehicle harnesses need to be connected together (there will be a spare 12v trigger wire - I'll be using that as for remote-in for an amplifier).

For factory wiring details I referred to this website: https://pinoutguide.com/Car-Stereo-Toyota-Lexus/Toyota_Highlander_2013-2019_Navi_pinout.shtml

.

 

*** RADIO ASSEMBLY OMITTED *** This will all vary depending on your choice of radio, but if you are using a fascia kit you just line it up to suit; refer to your radio install manual. For me, see below; the interface module is placed under the main unit of my radio.

From here, follow the instructions for your interface for installation into the vehicle. Again, it will vary depending on choice of radio and interface. As stated above, in my case I'll need to modify the fascia to complete the look - if you have a standard 2DIN you're essentially done.

I freaked out a little when I first started it up as I didn't have SWC nor back-up camera working. However, going through the settings on the new radio had it sorted out quickly. This may not be the case for other brand of radios but in my case both had to be set.

Having a larger, fixed (as opposed to floating) screen with instant wireless smartphone connectivity far outweighs the additional work of modifying the fascia to suit. Also the fact that not one factory wire had to be modified in any way makes it a breeze to remove if I ever decide to sell the car.

I still have some other parts on the way to finish it off (factory GPS and DAB tuner antenna adapters, some plastic sheet to finish it off. Also, I'm planning to mount the microphone into the fascia, should look near factory when done.

 

I hope this helps out anyone looking to upgrade their radio to a new unit with current tech. It's been most definitely worth the cost and effort.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Jose

Edited February 11 by jc614
Additional info, spelling error

[diggily]

Thanks for all this info.

We have a 2018 Rav I'd like to do the same too. Does the reversing camera guidelines still move when you turn the steering wheel? Do the parking sensors still work? Did you get the DAB working?

[jc614]

On 3/17/2024 at 10:42 PM, diggily said:

Thanks for all this info.

We have a 2018 Rav I'd like to do the same too. Does the reversing camera guidelines still move when you turn the steering wheel? Do the parking sensors still work? Did you get the DAB working?

Hi there sorry for the late response,

 

The reverse guidelines are on the factory camera itself (the guidelines are turned off on the Pioneer unit as it doubled up over the factory camera lines) and if I remember correctly they still retain the angle prediction. Everything else (excluding DAB) works***. But instead of using DAB I've downloaded RadioApp which has all of the DAB stations on it and is accessible by Android Auto (not sure on Apple CarPlay though) so no biggie. I also used an adapter to retain the original GPS antenna, works flawlessly.

*** EDIT *** The info on the instrument cluster may or may not show, depending on what interface you end up using. In my case I've lost the audio and navigation info on the centre screen and fuel economy/vehicle customisation screens from the factory head unit but I'm not fussed by it as there are other ways to access them on a Kluger. I think it's all retained if you use iDatalink Maestro and a compatible head unit (it will be marked as such) but besides that and DAB all other functions are still operable.

Edited June 17 by jc614

[jc614]

Update, yes it does retain the reversing guide

[jc614]

Hi all,

Finally got around to modifying the fascia kit.

Not super happy about it - basically a hugely overpriced piece of plastic for what I thought would've been designed for RHD and is literally the cheaper brand I was going to originally buy (for LHD Highlander), might as well have bought it from Amazon or the like. The fit is off in relevance to the centre air vents.

I might try a MkII version and modify a factory radio fascia if it really gets to me.

 

I digress...

 

Let's start with removal of the screen from the head unit. I love that this Pioneer radio has a separable screen for custom installations.

Here is the Aerpro fascia after trimming. I should've just bought the Metra version if I knew that they were the same. The part behind the fascia kit is a bezel that I designed and printed to suit.

I also ended up rerouting the microphone next to the clock as I couldn't find a solution to make the factory microphone play nice with the aftermarket radio - I trimmed away the mounting lug & drilled a hole to suit in the trim bezel, so far it's the only original Toyota part that needed to be modified, still holds securely and the mic is tucked away as much as possible. No negative difference in call quality so far either.

There is still much clean up to do but was keen to see how it looks like fitted so please excuse all the epoxy. 

 

Hopefully I will get it finished soon; it should look close to OEM as possible when I'm finished. Next will be to install an amplifier I have lying around, new speakers and subwoofer and finally have a stereo with some form of depth and quality.