Android Headunit Install help.

What would be really cool is if someone could make aftermarket wiring harnesses for stock 2010-2015 JBL and non-JBL head units based on how they would configure to Alibaba units. For example, most of the main connections are similar, but wouldn't be cool if the dongles where tagged with words such as "use this if your OEM was a JBL" or "use if from stock 2010-2013 non JBL" or "use if from stock 2014-2015 non JBL" , or "use with current rear camera connector". You get where I am coming from?

I bet all of us would buy a harnesses that saves us all this unnecessary time. Would some of the dongles be unnecessary? Of course, but at least I would know I have all the dongles needed and if they are labeled, its a win-win. I would pay an additional $30 to $50 dollars for a harness like this. I am so on the fence in buying an aftermarket head unit. But reading about the steering wheel and microphone and rear camera re-wiring and front speakers not working, etc, etc. Is there truly an aftermarket head unit for a 2015 type 2 Prius that will install without spending days of monkeying around trying to make all the things work?

I consider myself a pretty good do-it-yourself person. I have built all my computers in my house. This is because they truly are "plug and play". You start with the type of motherboard you want and go from their. Compatible items/accessories are listed as "plug and play" (memory, PCU's, video cards and sound boards all work on specific motherboards. Why can't we find an aftermarket head unit we like and buy the harness that is compatible for it and the current dongles we would plug into? I can promise you, I can spend around 460 dollars for a kickass motherboard, memory and CPU and it all will plug in no problem. I don't want to spend $450 for an aftermarket head unit with a wiring harness that I have splice here, cut there, add here, test there. It should just be "plug and play" as they advertise.

 

Crutchfield...

 

Thank you ASRDogman. Went to their site and I am looking at the different types they have available. The harnesses are based on the type of vehicle you put in. They also have contact phone numbers where you can call and ask questions. I will take pictures of my steering wheel, Head unit and rear camera, send it to them and see what they recommend. Gonna take my time with this. Perfect! Thank you again!

 

Follow up. I am settling on an Alpine iLX-W650 Unit. A few weeks away from buying it. Crutchfield has online and phone help and they actually have a office within close proximity to me. This one seems to have all the things I want and they stress that their harness will work with my car. Complete cost (including harness) will probably be just under $440. I have researched this a lot and Crutchfield comes with complete, thorough and easy to understand instructions. After seeing many postings, their call center seems to be very familiar with 2010-2015 Prius cars. The main thing I would pass on to all is that the brands that Crutchfield covers seem to weather time. Meaning they don't go bad after two years. Yeah, I am sure you may get lucky buying from one of those overseas sites, but there is a reason their units are $100 to $200 dollars lower than Crutchfield. I have read in Priuschat and other websites that these units don't take the heat that happens inside our cars very well. Here is the link to where I found my unit:

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-08sMHj9sVWy/p_500ILXW650/Alpine-iLX-W650.html?awcr=625418371344&awdv=c&awnw=g&awug=9031600&awkw=kwd-648977291745&awmt=p&awat=&gclid=CjwKCAiA3pugBhAwEiwAWFzwdT-EZsYykqlTOUIo4DBWpbSiWZcNcARRxapUi88EnRA428Rbak9IVRoC_RAQAvD_BwE

 

Just made the purchase! Did you know that you can pay Crutchfield to custom make your harness for your head unit? This option will essentially make it truly "plug and play" No one has mentioned that Crutchfield offers this! It's a $24 dollar game changing time saving option which I went for. Unit to be delivered on or around the 20th of March. I will take pictures of the process and post here.

 

$24 is well worth it for sure!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Guys! Take a look at what Crutchfield does for $24. You take a picture of your head unit, tell them you want them to add their custom made harness, and here it is when you get the kit. One end plugs into the old sockets, the other end into the new HU and the one end into the socket for the OEM rear camera. They already spliced and and made the OEM camera feed convert to 6 volts. They also attached the steering wheel controller into their harness!!This is truly "plug and Play"! And each end is labeled to where it goes! Just like I wanted it to be!!! It doesn't get any easier than this. I highly suggest you go to Crutchfield for the simple reason that they know their business!!

I will be working on the install tomorrow and will take pictures. Thank you ASRDogman!!

 

That's great. Glad they were able to take care of you.

 

My bluetooth is out and I am considering doing something similar, but I have the navigation head unit with all the car settings etc. Let us know how it works after it's complete - are you able to access all the car setups and settings, what added gauges are available on the Maestro RR thingy, how well does the bluetooth connection and android auto work, etc.

Having difficulty making up my mind to do this or not since I'm retired on a limited budget and have over 170,000 miles on a 2014... your results may push me off the fence!

 

Hi Prius Maximus, I would go to Crutchfield's website and give them a call. Tell them exactly what car you have, the accessories, etc. They have the harnesses that will meet all of your car settings. It also depends on the Head Unit you have or plan to buy. Yes, they have options for cars with Navigation.

 

Guys, it is pouring torrential rain here today with 25 miles per hour wind gusts! My garage is not accessible at this time so I will have to wait until the storm is gone. May not be able to do this until Thursday or Friday this week. The suspense is killing me.

 

Ok, here it is. Simply put guys, buy from Crutchfield, order the harness, plug it in!! Took less than 45 minutes, once the rain stopped. Enjoy the photos:

 

And yes, the steering wheel buttons worked!

 

One other note! When you in remove the parking sensor, you will have to reset it after you are completely done with installation. How? Simply push the power button WITHOUT putting your foot on the brake. This resets the parking sensor and will eliminate the "Check Hybrid System" that comes up.

 

Added this 200 watt 10" Subwoofer to the stereo. Alpine unit has enough to push the stock speakers, but really doesn't offer much in the low frequency range. This made the difference. hook up was a snap, thanks to the Alpine unit having RCA output jacks available.

 

Update: The Alpine unit is absolutely the best. Setting up the 15 bar equalizer that comes with the software really makes it sound better than the stock head unit did. I still have the original stock speakers.

 

That's great!
What it louder than the stock radio?

 

Yes, I have to play it at a lower volume. The sound is so much more balanced.