I have an 01 TL which I am planning to sell, and an 02 TL Type s that I want to keep. The 01 has the navigation, the extra wood trim by the gauges and shifter knob, and a spoiler. Would I be able to move all of this stuff a(I would probably need to move the climate control) to the type s by just swapping the parts?the navigation screen looks like it has an internal screen protector that crumpled up or something but it still works. I just figure it should work seeing as how they do have models of the type s that come with navigation that I have seen before. The spoiler isn't even that important, I just thought it might be an interesting extra. And if the navigation couldn't be swapped in natively, would I at least be able to pull off the wood around the gauges?

 

Do you REALLY want to swap in a 20 year old nav system? Swapping in a modern radio, especially one with CarPlay or Android Auto would seem a better bet. You can even put in a backup camera at the same time. Just a thought.

 

As an owner of a 02 type-s w/Navi I have to agree. the navi screen is nice, but technology is severely outdated and the maps can only be updated to 2013. I keep mine for nostalgia, but run my navigation from my phone through my aftermarket head unit for any meaningful guidance.

I have seen other users do this: keep the navi models trim, place an aftermarket unit with screen in it's place, purchase the non-navi models analog HVAC control and relocate that below using a 3D models mounting kit like others on here have done.

 

+1 on aftermarket head unit

 

Another +1 on aftermarket head unit

 

Nice and clean look with CarPlay!

 

If you've got access to a 3D printer, you could do something like this and run Android Auto/Apple Carplay on a third-party headunit:

Note that this is on a '99 TL-P that originally did not have the NAVI unit. I've got a thread here with more information if you're curious.

 

+1 on Arkady's 3D Print

 

yep! Arkady's print is exactly what I was referring to. you can put an updated Navi control in place of the old outdated and retain full control of the HVAC through the non-navi style dials. win-win.

 

I have a couple questions regarding replacing/upgrading the head unit only:

1. I'm aware that replacing everything is "better", but want to do this in phases. Will a head unit only, other than functionality and aesthetics, provide an improvement in audio quality?
2. Other than the head unit and likely a harness adapter, is the installation something one can relatively easily perform on their own?

Thanks for the help.

 

1. Yes - there’s been a lot of car audio tech advances in the past 20 years. You may want to upgrade the speakers at the same time.
2. Yes - very easy DIY project. Just read as much as you can on this forum and order the parts from Crutchfield. Definitely read up on retaining the stock subwoofer.

 

+1 on keeping the stock subwoofer - I completely forgot about that. If you're not swapping in your own subwoofer and amplifier for it, you'll need to short a wire or two to get the stock amp/sub working with your aftermarket headunit. Definitely worth the extra couple minutes of work to keep the lower tones present in your soundstage