2013 4Runner SR5 - Apple Car Play Suggestions

Hello, I am new to 4Runners and I have a 2013 SR5. My stereo is glitching and the dealership is charging $350 for a software update. I would rather consider the possibility to upgrade to a system that has Apple Car Play. Would yall have any recommendations or experiences with a quality plug-and-play system or one that is not overly complicated to install.

 

welcome and pretty much any aftermarket radio will give you AA and Carplay these days. And anything will go into a 13 with the correct install harness. So it's all going to depend on your budget and what you want a radio to do.
I suggest going to crutchfield website and filter down what you want and searching the interwebs for the best prices on it.

 

Appreciate the welcome. I am not a full on DIY guy, so I was hoping I could gather others suggestions based on past experiences. I have shopped around on crutchfield, I am just not that knowledgable to know which one would require having to purchase new connections or require to cut and soldering new ones.

 

For $350 you can get a few of the stereo's listed on this site and they all have Apple Car Play.


https://www.sonicelectronix.com/201...rqWiI8Getu-Wp6FAPf8c5NMwWmV9epmdNkSughqUfm7Nm

 

Thats what I am saying! dealership cost for "Software" update is ridiculous. Do you have any experience with the installation or quality of any of those on the list?

 

Sorry, I don't. I have a 2023 SloRunner, and it came with all that, not that I used it. I think you can retro fit a later model into your 2013. Check the buy/sell/trade section of this site. That's if you want an OEM look to your radio.

If you don't, go aftermarket. Aftermarkets are always hit or miss. I have had horror stories and I've heard stories "I installed it 8yrs ago and had zero problems". I always have a car stereo play do the install for me. I don't want to risk blowing a fuse or not connecting something correctly.

 

Yep, I am hoping to avoid being one of those horror stories.

 

Crutchfield as mentioned should have good resources on where to start based on what you want to retain as going aftermarket can result in a wide variety of changes ranging from losing microphone, steering wheel controls, etc. depending on what harness and head unit you pick out.

They can certainly walk you through a lot of thinking and I would want to shop there but since DIY doesn’t seem up your alley you could take that info to a shop?

Their phone tech support is top notch.

 

now days cutting and soldering isn't always needed. Another option is Trail grid pro that makes the harnesses for those radios for you. but they are more expensive due to that.

anything less than 350 you will be doing SOME kind of work yourself. OR you can just get a replacement radio of marketplace and an external carplay device.

 

Any Chinese unit off Amazon will give you what you need and would be plug and play. Plus they look like OEM units for most part. Though realibility is questionable.
You can also get units from Sony/Alpine etc that look out of place but are more reliable. You get harnesses for everything to make it plug and play.
Lastly you can get an android box and use it
with your USB. The box will give you AA and other features.
The best way is to get an OEM unit from 2020+ 4runner, get the compatible harness and you good. This will cost you over $1000 depending on how much you can source the OEM unit for. I did this in my 2011. Depends how much you like the OEM look, I do.

 

Well if anyone has a 2020+ 4Runner stereo that they would like to sell! I would love to be considered for the purchase.