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Media upgrade, is that an option?

petroscf

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Jan 5, 2016
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greece
So now I have my Prado, (or J120?) and I am trying to make it a bit better, more comfy and (as possible) up to date

I am interested of upgrading the ICE system
The car has built in navi (from factory) tape player/radio and a 6 cd changer (in the glove box)

I 'd like to know if there are any upgrade options available for the monitor, in order to have a more modern navi (existing one is not so user friendly) and a Bluetooth/usb port/mp3 playing possibility would be also quite interesting

However, some car functions, such as the A/C-clima and some maintenance info etc. can be only operated from the monitor, so an after market one should be compatible I guess

Has anyone done something similar or has any experience with this?

Any info or tip is more than welcome, thanks in advance
 
Hi
Not yet. Of course I haven't had the time up to now to look adequately into the matter, I only did some questions to various persons, such as ICE profs. The answers up to now were negative mainly, except for the maps update -which I guess is available.
When I say "negative", I mean, taking into account that I want to still be able to use the car connected functions on my monitor.
Next week I am taking the car to Toyota in order to have a look into the airbag dash light matter (it stays on most of the time- have posted this in another thread) so I will also ask about media upgrades options/availability .
 
I think your stuck because of the climate control functions. integrated through the screen. i have the LC4 and changed over the head unit for a dvd/satnav/bluetooth. but my climate control was separate. i can upload a picture if you want me to. not sure if you can get the dash parts from a lower spec prado and integrate the wiring.
 
I think @Gary Stockton looked into this a while back as he had the LC5. I think his conclusion was also that you're stuck with it.

If you're feeling adventurous maybe try buying the whole centre console off ebay and seeing if they can swap?
I know @TonyP tried the reverse - getting the LC5 radio to fit into the LC4 was a non-starter as the looms were different. I think he sold it on with minimal loss on the deal.
 
There are some guys out in China who make 1:1 drop in replacement units for the LC5 (or they claim to ). This includes the GPS and canbus and aircon control etc. Having investigated it a bit, I too decided it was better to just stay with the OE kit.

Only concern is that if it fails, Toyota repair prices are seriously eye watering.
 
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Yeah was a non starter for upgrading from the std lc4 radio to the lc5 setup. Sold the bits on in the end
 
Emailed an ICE shop here in Athens
I have been told that these guys can find solutions for everything.
They came back to me immediately, they said they can do it (upgrades) without replacing OE monitor. (Or this is what I understood) I will go and ask them (they said they will need to see the car before answering to me)
Also will ask a Toyota authorized service, to see whether some later edition might be a compatible option?
At least will look into updating the maps-for sure they are veeery old!
 
Emailed an ICE shop here in Athens
I have been told that these guys can find solutions for everything.
They came back to me immediately, they said they can do it (upgrades) without replacing OE monitor. (Or this is what I understood) I will go and ask them (they said they will need to see the car before answering to me)
Also will ask a Toyota authorized service, to see whether some later edition might be a compatible option?
At least will look into updating the maps-for sure they are veeery old!
Hiya, any news Petroscf?
 
Hiya, any news Petroscf?
Oh, it's been some time indeed...
News are yes and now actually... I haven't yet visited these ice specialists I was talking about - hopefully I will do this before summer comes lol
However, during my couple of visits back and forth to the dealer, I decided to ask them to update my maps, which they did, and now I have the latest version (which is as crap as was the old one)
Something that holds me from doing such a swap is that I 've heard (they told me at the dealer) that whoever did such an ice replacement from the factory system they regret it because it created more problems than what was upgraded-and I am a bit afraid because on that screen there's the a/c. Does anyone have any opinion on this matter? (of course a question to these guys is always for free)

Anyway, (although here is the wrong thread to mention this), it seems that the car's issues have been solved, as it's been some time now the car is fantastic to drive, and smooth as I remembered it when it was new (or almost)

I will for sure come back to this thread when I have some news from these guys
 
Hi

I too looked into upgrading my 120 audio system, I wanted most was a solid Bluetooth connection to my phone, so I could listen to my podcast and music.

Upgrading the system it self if very complicated due to the integrated climate climate control.

So I ended up getting a TomTom and a Parrot MKi9200.

The TomTom is great, the traffic control is brilliant. Only down side not being able to set vehicle size, which is a bit of a drag for me as I have a caravan.

The Parrot MKi9200 is also great, has a good reliable connection to my Andriod phone. The only issue I have is that the interface wiring loom is post the system control. This means there is no control of speaker position and Eq. So the sound is coming from all speakers. Would appreciate if anyone has a solution for this.

Hope that's of use.

Gary


 
Hi

I too looked into upgrading my 120 audio system, I wanted most was a solid Bluetooth connection to my phone, so I could listen to my podcast and music.

Upgrading the system it self if very complicated due to the integrated climate climate control.

So I ended up getting a TomTom and a Parrot MKi9200.

The TomTom is great, the traffic control is brilliant. Only down side not being able to set vehicle size, which is a bit of a drag for me as I have a caravan.

The Parrot MKi9200 is also great, has a good reliable connection to my Andriod phone. The only issue I have is that the interface wiring loom is post the system control. This means there is no control of speaker position and Eq. So the sound is coming from all speakers. Would appreciate if anyone has a solution for this.

Hope that's of use.

Gary

Hiya, thi is the cheapest fastest and best quality solution i have found for this problem... http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/182244421744?_mwBanner=1
 
Hiya, thi is the cheapest fastest and best quality solution i have found for this problem... http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/182244421744?_mwBanner=1

Hi

I have tried lots of these type of interfaces, There ok outside London, where there less radio channels but in London I was having to constantly re-tune due to all the stations here. Also I think the audio quality not as good as the parrot.

They are a cheap solution.

Gary
 
Hi

I have tried lots of these type of interfaces, There ok outside London, where there less radio channels but in London I was having to constantly re-tune due to all the stations here. Also I think the audio quality not as good as the parrot.

They are a cheap solution.

Gary
Well I used the same one for 3 years in central london, didnt have any problems mate. And the quality is the same to my company car which has the parrot. Well if you have money to spend and you think this is a cheap solution go ahead. Your loss. Btw i have tried numuros fm transmiters and this is the best. Read the reviews.
 
Well I used the same one for 3 years in central london, didnt have any problems mate. And the quality is the same to my company car which has the parrot. Well if you have money to spend and you think this is a cheap solution go ahead. Your loss. Btw i have tried numuros fm transmiters and this is the best. Read the reviews.


Sorry I didn't mean to offend. I should have chosen my words better.

I'll give it a go on your recommendation.

Regards
Gary
 
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