Jap saloons/estates/minivans, what's good?
Discussion
TommoAE86 said:
Entertainment
This has it's own section because it does need it really, another bit of fun with the Crowns is that these can't easily be replaced. There are 2 options both involved Beatsonic kits. One is a VTR cable which means you can connect a phone to it and then the full conversion that puts a double din system where the cd/minidisc stacker is and you'll have 2 screens showing the same info.
You can leave it as is, it's what I've done. I have a phone mount for satnav and I use the CD player/Hard drive to listen to music along with a regular FM expander. Almost all functions will work except the satnav and some of the G-book (like a connected service) features, things like the calendar etc will work. Bit of fun - when you turn it on it'll tell you the date and time (in Japanese), it'll also wish you Merry Xmas and Happy New Year at the appropriate times too biggrin
This section interests me in particular. I can't remember the last time I bought a CD, I'm spoiled by a modern work van with integrated bluetooth, I use to play spotify through my android phone. This has it's own section because it does need it really, another bit of fun with the Crowns is that these can't easily be replaced. There are 2 options both involved Beatsonic kits. One is a VTR cable which means you can connect a phone to it and then the full conversion that puts a double din system where the cd/minidisc stacker is and you'll have 2 screens showing the same info.
You can leave it as is, it's what I've done. I have a phone mount for satnav and I use the CD player/Hard drive to listen to music along with a regular FM expander. Almost all functions will work except the satnav and some of the G-book (like a connected service) features, things like the calendar etc will work. Bit of fun - when you turn it on it'll tell you the date and time (in Japanese), it'll also wish you Merry Xmas and Happy New Year at the appropriate times too biggrin
In the past I've used one of those FM bluetooth radio tuners to get the music, but I'm fed up of it, so would likely be trying to plug something into this car, to either give me an auxiliary port, or bluetooth connection, or something. Any ideas if the cheaper beatsonic option would work?
No problems if I have to go double din screen, but I'd rather avoid if possible.
I’d have a search for beatsonic vtr cable. I believe this will give you an aux connection for any phone to plug into, and you wire it into the TV part of the Crown stereo. There is only one lighter point so if you don’t want wires then you’re going to need to plumb something in to charge your phone.
The stereo system is very well integrated, if you replaced it then you lose all the air con controls which is why the beatsonic guys get away with charging so much as they are practically the only way round the standard setup.
Apparently there is also a resistor mod that can do something to allow other media to play but with mixed success.
Failing that - got any minidiscs???
The stereo system is very well integrated, if you replaced it then you lose all the air con controls which is why the beatsonic guys get away with charging so much as they are practically the only way round the standard setup.
Apparently there is also a resistor mod that can do something to allow other media to play but with mixed success.
Failing that - got any minidiscs???
I used a cheap VTR cable in my crown to just run my phone through as Aux
Was the simplest option in the end.
I cant remember but I also think I managed to get screen mirroring working too, it wasnt so hard in the end but served no real purpose to me and I ended up settling on the standard JDM nav with a band expander and the £15 VTR cable giving spotify etc through my phone
This was the older shape Crown but Id say Aux-in will be easy enough certainly
Was the simplest option in the end.
I cant remember but I also think I managed to get screen mirroring working too, it wasnt so hard in the end but served no real purpose to me and I ended up settling on the standard JDM nav with a band expander and the £15 VTR cable giving spotify etc through my phone
This was the older shape Crown but Id say Aux-in will be easy enough certainly
Edited by Axeboy on Tuesday 17th November 20:12
Axeboy said:
I used a cheap VTR cable in my crown to just run my phone through as Aux
Was the simplest option in the end.
I cant remember but I also think I managed to get screen mirroring working too, it wasnt so hard in the end but served no real purpose to me and I ended up settling on the standard JDM nav with a band expander and the £15 VTR cable giving spotify etc through my phone
This was the older shape Crown but Id say Aux-in will be easy enough certainly
Aux in Via VTR cable does seem reasonably straight forward. After about 2 days solid research on every forum and facebook group, I think I'll either do that or just use a Blutooth FM tuner. Screen mirroring, custom double din set ups and various other things owners have done seem like a big faff. Was the simplest option in the end.
I cant remember but I also think I managed to get screen mirroring working too, it wasnt so hard in the end but served no real purpose to me and I ended up settling on the standard JDM nav with a band expander and the £15 VTR cable giving spotify etc through my phone
This was the older shape Crown but Id say Aux-in will be easy enough certainly
Edited by Axeboy on Tuesday 17th November 20:12
Ultimately I'm buying the car for the engine, looks inside and out, and the waftability. I've never had a car with working built in Nav before, so I'll hardly miss it.
I've just got to sell my car and bike now, but will likely wait until spring.
Any pics of your Crown? If the 170 series ones with the 1JZ were not so expensive I'd probably be after one of them, but I do love the later 3.5 180 series.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Tuesday 17th November 22:06
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