Aftermarket head unit for model 2 2016 Prius

Hi. I am replacing my head unit and I will try and do it myself as I am getting all the parts needed. However, I have no clue of how to remove the dash to get to the radio and cables. Anyone has any suggestions/tutorials/schematics? Thank you.

 

@Rodrigo It is generally more acceptable to post a question in just one thread. We are all ready to help where we can, but asking the same question on multiple threads will lead to more confusion and some of us ( but me of course) are already in a confused state!

 

Apologies. This task has been driving me crazy so was shooting in all directions.

 

No apology necessary. We are all learning new things as we live each day, so no offence was taken in the first place.

 

I have just had Sony XAV 100 CarPlay head unit installed in my 2017 Gen 4 Prius Four and it is wonderful, but due to a miscommunication with the installer, the steering wheel controls were not connected. I have ordered the Metra Axxess ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface and will have it installed next week.

What concerns me is that the steering wheel trip odometer button and the multifunction display controls are disabled as well as the radio controls and phone controls. Not sure about the lane departure warning button or collision protection button, superstitious about pressing them to test! I am hoping that someone out there can definitively answer the question as to whether the ASWC-1 can handle this or if there is another workaround necessary?

 

That sounds like something got disconnected that shouldn't have, or maybe there was actually an incompatible interface installed in there?

The multi-information display and trip odometer buttons should fully work even without any radio installed at all, based on Toyota selling the cars without radios in Japan.

 

Wow, thanks, that is good to know. I will talk it over with the installer.

 

Oy!

This is what my installer writes: "The oem radio controls that all so yes unfortunately it will not operate through the after market radio."

Looking for the definitive answer; as much as I love CarPlay and hate the OEM radio, I cannot live with disabling the odometer and MFD.

 

He's wrong. Everything will work if you have the right cables. Even the backup camera can be wired to an aftermarket head unit with a voltage adapter.

I'd get a 2nd or 3rd opinion.

 

I'm interested to see how this gets resolved. Do you have pictures of the installed new head unit?

 

Do you have a picture of it installed? That unit looks awesome!

 

Here it is. Uncanny resemblance to Darth Vader, don't ya think?

 

I will definitely be keeping a close eye on this and the progress of trade-offs and issues.

 

Taking the Axxess ASWC-1 to the installer tomorrow. Fingers crossed all steering wheel controls resume functioning afterwards.

 

Does the backup camera work? From what I understand this should work with most aftermarket head units. I think you lose the "CAR" screen and it's info which contains a couple menus.

 

Back up camera works just as it should. And the aftermarket microphone that was installed performs better with CarPlay Siri than the OEM radio and microphone did with an iPhone.

 

Is the installation for something like this pretty costly, or is it pretty reasonable? Are you just using a local shop, if so what should I look for?

 

Good news. My anxiety about the SWC for trip odometer and MFD was unfounded, as some forum members had suggested. After the belated Axxess ASWC-1 installation all steering wheel controls work as originally designed, back to full function. The USB adapter purchased from Autoharnesshouse.com activated the existing USB port between the seats. I am very happy to have CarPlay in the head unit.

I found a local installer by comparing Yelp reviews. The Sony XAV-AX100 was $350 at Creative, and the harnesses from Autoharnesshouse.com were $100. The ASWC-1 is $45 at amazon.com. eBay has the appropriate piano black double DIN face plate for $15. The installation labor was $125.

The Sony was top-rated by Wirecutter.com recently, but their second choice (JVC KW-M730BT) was tempting because it can be found for around $300. BestBuy occasionally packages Geek Squad installation in a bundle, seems worth checking out if convenient.

 

Kudos, you were quite right. My installer is better with his hands than his words. He mistook my question to mean controls that were specific to the OEM radio when I was talking about SWC. A lot of angst for nothing!