So, I've ordered the android head unit interface which has climate control functions and all that(see pic)



My nav screen isn't working(black screen that has power) and the center speaker display is off an on (jiggling brings it on so I suspect loose contacts somewhere), and I'm considering my options here.

I don't want to keep the stock nav screen since it's circa 2005 tech, and I figure I will replace it with a Garmin that interfaces with a wifi backup cam.

Question is, what do I need to keep in order for the center speaker display to work properly? Would be nice if the aftermarket head unit above, designed specifically for this model, would interface with the display, but I'm not pretending I would get that lucky (would be nice though, especially since it's lit up in the pic from manufacturer).

Anyway to run the aftermarket stuff and have this display continue to work? I'm thinking it's got a pretty cool look to it that I'd love to keep.

 

Ok, a little updated info...figured out that the Garmin Drivesmart 65 is the right height and just a little bit too narrow for the opening for the nav screen, and it will interface with Garmin's wireless camera options.

Figure I could set it into a plastic surround and mount a hinged "button" to turn the gps on and off (button is on back) with the charging cable routed behind the dash.

Problem I see with that is that I can't seem to find a Garmin camera option that is able to be powered off the car, as most require batteries. I don't feel like getting down there and changing batteries all the time so I'd love a solution that offers powering the system via stock wiring.

Whatever solution I use, I def want to keep the display under the center speaker, so I'm wondering if it requires the nav screen or the box in the trunk to interface with the head unit, or if there's another box somewhere in which it interfaces?

 

Have the factory service manual on it's way...should be able to unravel some of this with it when it gets here, but would be awesome if somebody could save me some time and brainpower, l would def appreciate it.

 

lets see some pics of this project.

 

Hardly a project, but it's in process...





Need to figure out what's up with how I can enter the nav codes without an actual nav screen functioning. I have a junkyard nav player (bottom right of last pic) and got codes for it from the dealer but scared it's not going to work and somehow disable the car via security system..

They didn't have an answer for how to enter it without a functioning screen and said they farm out all of their radio problems to stereo shops...pretty messed up to me that they don't even know their own equipment.

I'm gonna wrap the unit and the shifter gate plate in carbon fiber because I hate plain grey and it should work with the black leather/woodgrain interior.

Worried about losing function on the speaker display, although I saw that it was working with their demo pic( although they do retain the stock nav display).

Maybe I'll keep the box plugged in in the trunk just for that if it has to do with it. Otherwise I think I'm just gonna run a cheap android tablet touchscreen in place of the nav and start running my home internet via my cell provider to put a hotspot in for both android units. Again top would be dedicated nav and backup camera, bottom would be everything else.

​​​​​Others complain about how high on the dash that nav screen is for touchscreen, but I'm 6'2" and reach it quite easily.

 

Update: just got confirmation from their chat support that the aftermarket unit does allow for the nav codes/radio codes...baby steps, lol...

https://www.zwnav.net/

I got mine via AliExpress but that's their site.

 

Ok, manual downloaded...language barrier with Chinese customer support...little sparse at 13 pages.

 

Ok, manual downloaded...language barrier with Chinese customer support...little sparse at 13 pages.

They're claiming to have an update to android 12...we will see.