Add on Carplay screens

In my 2003 Porsche 911, I got a Pioneer AVH P8400BH system installed, which included Carplay.

It works great, but I've had it for over five years, so I'm sure some upgraded systems are available.

I've thought about putting a new head unit in my 4Runner for carplay but I hate all of the blank space left on either side. Also, I like knobs for volume and that seems to be harder to find than you would expect.

To start, go to Crutchfield.com and use the product selector to see your options.

Then, go find a car audio place and schedule an appointment. I used to install my own car audio in the 90s, and the game has changed. I had the grand idea of replacing the head unit in my 2015 F-150 to get CarPlay, and spectacularly failed. I put the dash back together and got the head unit installed for under $200 at a car audio shop.

Rather than permanent mounting a screen, I’d buy a cheap magnetic vent mount or cup holder mount for my phone and just use my phone as the touchscreen. You mention CarPlay, so you probably have an Apple phone. There are magnetic mounts that work with their MagSafe cases, and you can grab a charger + aux combo adapter for cheap and leave it plugged in all the time. Then you just toss the phone on the magnetic clip + plug in either when you get in the call or want to use the “smart” features like gps, streaming.

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so if I do play podcasts or use Spotify I have to do it from the phone

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On a company car I would keep doing what your doing

I installed a Sony XAV-5500 a couple years ago in my son's 2013 Silverado. I bought it from Crutchfield. If you plan to DIY, there's no better vendor.

I originally bought an Alpine unit, but I couldn't not get the steering wheel controls to work and it took about 10 seconds to boot up when I started the vehicle. This startup delay rendered the backup camera almost useless, as it wouldn't not display the backup camera image until the unit fully booted up. I swapped it for the Sony and it comes on almost instantly.

I also like the the Sony's control buttons are at the bottom of the bezel and it has a very clean, factory look when installed.

I also drive a company car that only has Bluetooth. Since it's a company car I'm not going to install a new radio but i did find something that works for me mostly.

LINK

The only downside is when I get an actual phone call. My phone will Bluetooth to the unit and aux audio or FM out to the radio but the person you are talking to can never here you without you yelling so you have to either unplug the thing or kill your Bluetooth and reconnect after the call.

I bought mine from one of those discount bin store (Amazon returns) places that have popped up in the last year or so. I think it was $8 or so. Would I like it as much if I paid $80, I guess that depends on the number of calls I get. But switching from audiobooks to music to podcasts has been great. My wife's car has apple play and Android audio and this is the exact same thing.

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Since it's a company car I'm not going to install a new radio

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Depends on how long the lease is. We used to do 13 month leases but now it's 48. I tinted the windows. My radio is decent but I would have upgraded my stereo for the GPS alone to have Aplle Play. Get a cheap $200 after market unit and swap it when it's time to get the next car.

There's portable ones you can add on it out on the dash