Little background: 1st ever Toyota, my wife and I are expecting our first child (already own 2 dogs) so we decided to go for a "little bit" more room then we had with our 2008 Suzuki SX4 Crossover. We're both absolutely in love with the vehicle. We were originally looking at an SE trim but on the day we went to go test drive it, we saw a base that had everything we wanted, thus, we are brand new owners of a 2011 Toyota Highlander.
Now onto my question; the only thing we we kind of wanted was the navi in the SE, it wasn't a deal breaker that our Highlander didn't have that option but we were a little disappointed. I've done some looking around and have found the same model Navigation unit on Amazon for approx. $950, anyone know if it's possible to just buy the unit and install it yourself? If taking it to a professional would be more prudent, does anyone how much the installation would cost? Did some searching and was unable to find an answer. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Reply 1 : DIY Nav Install
My advice is to steer clear of the Toyota Nanny Nav. It is a piece of crap. Now I am not positive that the one you are looking at is identical in it's lousy function, but for the price you can get a Garmin or TomTom installed professionally and it will function 10,000x better.
Reply 2 : DIY Nav Install
Check out http://www.autodvdgps.com for gps units. I got mine there and quite happy with it. Search the forum for installation notes.
Reply 3 : DIY Nav Install
Quote:
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Originally Posted by USAFAirman 
Little background: 1st ever Toyota, my wife and I are expecting our first child (already own 2 dogs) so we decided to go for a "little bit" more room then we had with our 2008 Suzuki SX4 Crossover. We're both absolutely in love with the vehicle. We were originally looking at an SE trim but on the day we went to go test drive it, we saw a base that had everything we wanted, thus, we are brand new owners of a 2011 Toyota Highlander.
Now onto my question; the only thing we we kind of wanted was the navi in the SE, it wasn't a deal breaker that our Highlander didn't have that option but we were a little disappointed. I've done some looking around and have found the same model Navigation unit on Amazon for approx. $950, anyone know if it's possible to just buy the unit and install it yourself? If taking it to a professional would be more prudent, does anyone how much the installation would cost? Did some searching and was unable to find an answer. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! |
1) Double din kit:
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
or go to this site and check parts: http://www.metraonline.com
Installation is a breeze. Just follow the instructions that came with these parts. removing the trim requires "guts" as it will feel like you'll break them. I used another members instructions to remove the trim. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...hp?t=294263%22
Put the installation cost to a better hu and install it yourself. let me know if i can help.
Good luck.
Reply 4 : DIY Nav Install
I don't think you can install factory navi on your own as you may be missing things like a hidden antenna, wires, etc.
On the other hand I've installed an aftermarket one by myself (Pioneer) with bluetooth, rear view camera with guide lines, ipod integration. It's not hard, just need to get the right connectors/adapters and spend a few hours routing the cables through all the plastic trim.
Reply 5 : DIY Nav Install
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Originally Posted by whitecab
I have a Kenwood dnx9140 from my previous car. this aftermarket headunit (hu) is amazing. navi, bluetooth, xm, ipod, dvd player, cd/am/fm.
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Reply 6 : DIY Nav Install
Garmin all the way, why bother to install a built in unit? What about built in cell phone as a next upgrade?
Reply 7 : DIY Nav Install
Because Garmin units look castrated when compared to full featured head units.
I do agree that portable would be best, which is why i went with Pioneer F500BT. It has a permanent mount in highlander, but can be released to be used on a suction cup mount in another car.
Otherwise full sized built-ins are the way to go for those who need many features besides the navigation.
My unit will play movies for wife and kid on a long trip, it will play music videos from iPod or SD card, will place music, will turn off the radio when a call comes in or navigation guidance is given, it has bluetooth, MSN traffic/weather/movie times/gas prices and of course the backup camera so my wife has less trouble parking the HL (she normally drives mini cooper convertible, which is much smaller).
Reply 8 : DIY Nav Install
consider yourself LUCKY by not Buying the factory NAV. (sorry not try to down play the factory NAV with current user, just want to share my opinion)
We have NAV on our Avalon Limited and we only used it when the car was new (to us, bought it used) After that 1st week, we barely use the Nav. Luckily we didn't pay premium for that. We use our iPhone or portable GPS (even the protable is used less and less now because of the iPhone)
But as for Nav DIY, it can be done. I did a couple on my old Camry and it was kind of easy. If you buy it from Crutchfield, they even send you the instruction on how to remove the head unit, also comes with all plugs so it makes it easy for DIYer.
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