I am a new owner of a 2003 model and am beginning the process of personalizing my new toy. For 'infotainment' upgrades, I'm planning the following:

- GTA Car Kits Pure Bluetooth kit: adds AUX and Bluetooth
- NavTool 3.0 kit: allows NAV screen to be used for iPhone mirroring and back-up camera
- Bluetooth microphone
- Back-up camera
- iPhone mount

I've read through several of the threads covering similar projects and learned a great deal. One thing I didn't see much on was integration between 'sound' and 'video' kits. Installing the individual kits seems straightforward enough, but running cables between them (and the iPhone) looks like it will be more of an ordeal. @ShawnOk described running an HDMI cable the length of his car in this thread. Has anyone else done something similar? If so, any tips or things you wish you did differently?

A couple other questions:

- I noticed the holes next to the map lights. Has anyone tried putting a microphone in there? I think that would look nicer than the more common/obvious A-pillar mount.
- I've attached a rough diagram of what I'm planning. Does anyone see any obvious problems with this approach?

Thanks!

Patrick

 

I thought it may be worth sharing some of the notes I compiled while researching this project. If you're new to upgrading the A/V systems, this may help you get a lay of the land:

'Poor Man's Aux'
Supplies
- 5+7 pin Y cable
- 3.5mm aux cable
Skills
- Simple wiring
What it does/how it works
- Adds a physical aux port for less than $20.
- Tune radio to empty station and audio source plugged into the aux port will play over silence.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Simple
Cons
- Headphone output is weak so volume needs to be raised (or install pre-amp).
- Sound is processed as cassette mode (lower quality than CD mode)
Threads
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...aux-input.html

Android Radio
Supplies
- Android radio
- AUX solution (for sound)
Skills
- Intermediate fab work
- Simple wiring
What it does/how it works
- Replaces stock LCD screen with modern screen (brighter, better resolution)
- Adds modern features like apps, USB, etc.
Pros
- Retains door functionality on upper head unit
- Sound plays through stock speakers
Cons
- Requires AUX solution for sound
Threads
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...k-monitor.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...l#post10755060

Tablet
Supplies
- Tablet
Skills
- Advanced fab work (if replacing stock NAV module)
What it does/how it works
- Replaces stock LCD screen - either by keeping door closed and affixing tablet to outside or removing entire NAV unit and building new housing for tablet.
- Adds modern features like apps, BT, cellular data, WiFi, etc.
Pros
- Better resolution screen
- More and modern functionality/interoperability
Cons
- Lose door functionality
- Some tablets not rated for temperature extremes
Threads
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...-headunit.html

Direct input of external audio source
Supplies
- Various cables, connectors and switches
Skills
- Advanced wiring work
What it does/how it works
- Splices in an external audio source. A switch is used to flip between the stock audio sources and the external source.
Pros
- Line in quality playback from an external audio source.
Cons
- External audio source must be controlled directly or with a remote (steeering wheel buttons won't work)
Threads
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...s-at-last.html

Naviks/Navtool
Supplies
- Navinks/Navtool kit
- AUX solution (for sound)
Skills
- Simple wiring
What it does/how it works
- Provides screen mirroring from a phone to the stock NAV screen
- Provides display for backup (or other) camera(s).
- Offers Android Auto/Apple CarPlay integration (for additional cost)
Pros
- Plug and play
Cons
- Needs an AUX (or Bluetooth) solution for audio
Threads
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...ur-choice.html

USASPEC BT45-TOY
Supplies
- USASPEC BT45-TOY kit
Skills
- Simple wiring
What it does/how it works
- Plays sound from external source at CD quality over Bluetooth
Pros
- Plug and play
Cons
- Not supported for the SC 430 so some functions won't work
- Can't select source with head unit or steering wheel controls
- Steering wheel controls can only be used for volume and mute (mode button)
- Phone calls need to be accepted on the phone
- Need to place phone call to switch into AUX
Threads
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...o-02-04-a.html

VAIS SL3U
Supplies
- VAIS SL3U kit
Skills
- Simple wiring
What it does/how it works
- Adds physical AUX input with CD quality sound.
Pros
- Plug and play
Cons
- External source connected through AUX cannot be controlled by head unit or steering wheel controls.
Threads
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...onnection.html

BeatSonic MVA-12L
Supplies
- BeatSonic MVA-12L kit
Skills
- Simple wiring
What it does/how it works
- Mirrors aftermarket head unit display to stock NAV screen.
- Allows steering wheel controls to adjust volume, control fade and activate screen mirroring.
Pros
- Plug and play
Cons
- Expensive ($430)
- Requires replacement of stock head unit

GTA Car Kits Pure Bluetooth with AUX
Supplies
- GTA Car Kits Pure Bluetooth with AUX
- USB cable for charging
Skills
- Simple wiring
What it does/how it works
- Plays sound from external source at CD quality over Bluetooth. Creates new 'CD1' mode.
- Adds physical AUX
Pros
- Plug and play
- Bluetooth device can be controlled with dash and steering wheel buttons.
- Adds AUX and USB charging ports
- Relatively inexpensive ($155)
Cons
- Only works with 05-10 models and certain 02-04 models (need to remove radio to confirm).
Threads
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...d-working.html

By no means a comprehensive list and I'm sure I missed or left out some key threads. Additions and corrections are quite welcome.

Best,

Patrick

 

This is what I'm starting with for the phone mount (Goxt magnetic). For now it's just pinched between the trim panels, I haven't committed to the adhesive. I'm also looking at Kuda mounts but this was less than $15 so I figured I'd try it first. I like the location and small footprint. Any have any long term experience with these?

I'm planning to place a Lightning/HDMI adapter inside the console, fit a grommet through the carpet and run a Lightning extension cable through it. I'll add some sort of 'flip cap' to cover the grommet and cable when not in use.

 

Carlaoer Android Installation Android car install replaces navigation display. Deletes navigation door. Maintains steering wheel controls. Adds wireless Apple Carplay. Uses direct audio injection to feed audio into ML amp.

 

See post below.

 

Why? Why? Why? Why not keep it simple?

For less than 30 bucks, you’d have everything from your Iphone/IPad (Android/Tablet) at your finger tip. The sound quality is as good as your amp can provide.

1. Mount your cassette adapter, run the wire thru your astray. Close the radio door, no one know what you got.

2. Mount your magnetic phone holder using 3M super double sided tape.

3. Mount your Iphone or IPad.

Done.

 

CD adapter is easy and simple. However, the audio quality through the adapter and cassette equalization DNR system reduces bandwidth and dynamic range. It's simply not as good a sound as possible with a more direct audio injection and the ML amp set to CD mode audio processing. If it's good enough, then sure go simple and be done with it. If you want better sound from the ML amp, it's not the way.

 

How does cassette adapter sound quality compare to using an FM transmitter?

Placing an adaptor in the center storage console cigarette lighter/ power outlet also provides USB for powering the phone. Also easy (and certainly not as good as direct audio jack).

 

Found answers at Crutchfield (which I highly recommend for purchases due to their tech support).

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-pWQd6l...ic-player.html

 

Well, to me, the sound quality as good as playing the CD. That’s super.

 

I suppose it comes down to personal preference. I want the best quality sound, for things to look/feel as integrated as possible and prefer for it to all be as reversible as possible should I change my mind or sell the car to someone with a different vision. I also want to use the OEM NAV screen and it's retractable door. I really like the ability to close everything up and look at wood paneling vs screens/*****/etc.

Your system is certainly simpler and cheaper. Glad it's working for you.

 

So the GTA kit showed up but doesn't want to play nice with my 2002 radio. I checked with the manufacturer ahead of time and they thought it would work based on the ports in the back of my unit. Apparently there are software differences between (at least some) 02-04 radios and those manufactured in 05 or later. I found an 05 on eBay and will try swapping that in as Retroplay did on his 03 car. I should be able to sell the 02 radio for about the same price so this may only cost me a few days and some S/H fees.

In the meantime, I replaced the foam gaskets on both front door speakers and that produced a noticeable improvement. The left side was in particularly bad shape and had noticeable distortion on bass notes. That has disappeared and, to my ear, the whole thing sounds better. I'll re-foam the rear speakers and woofer when I pull the seats out to run cables from trunk to cockpit.

I also took the opportunity to fix a jammed CD issue. The 'slapping' method wasn't working so I opted to open the unit up to see what the problem was. 2-3 of the CDs looked out of place and I was able to recenter them by gently pushing them back into place. It took me a bit to figure out which screws/bolts to remove and I posted a separate pictorial on that here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...l#post11033938

 

Just curious, does it even work? like hearing any sound?

 

I can pair it with my phone but it won't generate the 'CD1' mode so no audio through the Mark Levinson system from Bluetooth or Aux.

 

Sure. Valued your opinion. Good luck with your project. Do let us know the finale.