mstlc

I currently do not have navigation on my 2001 RX300 but I am looking into installing the factory radio/stereo unit with the navigation screen/monitor. Has anyone done this before, and if so, how hard was it to do and what were the costs and what other components did you need?

Any help or comments are appreciated.

salimshah

It will be simpler and cheaper to sell your non-navi RX and buy one with factory Navi.

A resonable alternative would be to buy one of those portable nav units, which are now free of cables. Look inot TomTom, Garmin (nuvi), Sony etc.

Salim

mstlc

Thanks for your response.

If possible, I would like the look of the original, not an add-on which always looks like an afterthought. Besides, I really doubt I could find a better deal than I did for the AWD RX that I have: dark blue (which I looked high & low for) with all the interior wood options, a 5yr, 100,000 mile, no deductible warrantee that started after the original warrantee expired for 16k in January '06 and he even threw in a set of new tires.

rxdriver

The factory nav comes in way too many pieces to install after-the-fact. In addition to the LCD screen, there's another ECU (computer), the GPS antenna, and the DVD drive. I believe the ECU goes behind the dash, but the antenna goes in the headliner and the DVD drive goes under the cargo area. I'd bet it's also cost-prohibitive to acquire.

The small portable nav units (like Garmin, Magellan, and TomTom) function well, and they make versions with decent size screens. Aftermarket stereo replacements with nav might be an option, such as the Pioneer AVIC series. Search the forum for more details.

Tammy

Agreed, replace the RX... Impossible to get all the correct parts and the wiring harness.

tuandang79

iTrader: (1)

To all you RX300 owners.. I just finish my buddies car.. and i thought i show u guys what i did to give you guys options... instead selling your car. Pics wil explain it all.. enjoy.. any questions pls email me tuandang79@aol.com or AIM kustomwerkz79



Set. Kenwood Double din...

I relocated the face plate of the stereo that i cut out.. and place it on the bottom drawer of the center console. so that he can still be able to access his Heater a/c controls. All the wires from the factory screen to the factory stereo was extended all the way down to the bottom of the center console. this way u can control your heater control, get the info on gas etc...

witmaRX

Tuan, great job!!!

i have never such a good pro, i am thinking of doin it too... where did u mount the GPS antenna
and also how much did u guys spend on the whole setup!

tuandang79

iTrader: (1)

My friend didnt want GPS.. all he wanted for was the DVD option on it.. but the GPS antenna on these vehicles can easly put in the center towards the front of the car on the dash and it would pick up just fine.. I work at a shop in the BAY AREA , CA and i do that most of the time unless you can hide it under the dash if theres space without having any aluminum or metal blocking the signal then you would be good to go.. I modified the factory piece and filled in plastic filler.. Dont try bondo. it will crack and shrink over time.. best product to use is Duramix 40/40 the stereo is mounted with the factory holes on the bracket itself.

The most difficult part of this is probably extending the 20 wires . You will have to Solder the wires to the circuit board . and bypass the factory ampifier which is located in the trunk.. right behind the back seat.. if you lift up the carpet and unbolt the 10mm bolts on the black plate you will see it on the passenger side. plugs are facing down so it is a lil difficult to get to .. once you get access to it.. you can use a Toyota stereo wire harness and plug it in.. that way you dont cut the wires. and go by the color..

Once you get that.. you can run all those wires back up to the front. and go directly into the stereo if no amplifier is added. You only need to grab the 4 speaker wires. which on the harness is wht/whiteblack- grey/greyblack - green/greenblack - violet/violetblack


good luck

mstlc

Wow tuandang79, you really did do a great job. This does look like much more than I want to bite off. Thanks everyone for your input.

Deezy2020

How do you control the ac and heating unit?