Just joined from Dallas

I'm new to the forum. I was looking for info on the microphone which is very poor.
I can hear fine and the person on the phone can hear fine if I use my air buds.

I have a 2022 Whie with black package 4 Runner SR5. I have about 43k miles on the vehicle and I Love the vehicle but the microphone should be updated.

I'm in the process of changing my Pixel phone for an Iphone but I was told that didn't help with calls either.

Live in Dallas. I have only added cameras front and back. I'm still looking for a bully bar that will fit the front of the vehicle without blocking sensors etc.

 

Welcome aboard, neighbor!

1) It’s not just the mic, it’s the head unit too. I had poor mic quality until I upgraded my speakers and added an amp. When I did, the mic got much better. The only thing I had to adjust was the “Gain” on the amp. It was giving too much feedback and people would tell me they could hear an echo on their end when they talked. But they could hear me great and I could hear them great. Ear buds/Air Pods are probably a faster/cheaper route to go. But that’s up to you.

2) If you do go the iPhone route, make sure you get an Apple certified cable. If you don’t have one, then AirPlay or listening to music from your iPhone will get tricky. For some reason the 4Runner will lose its connection if it’s just a random cable. I just switched from an iPhone 14 to an Android.

3) Do you want a real bull bar, the kind that juts out and looks like buck-teeth on a vehicle, or do you want a steel front bumper (which may require cutting into the existing bumper)?

Oh, and since you’re in Dallas, you know how crazy the drivers can be. GET A DASHCAM immediately.

Oh yeah, post up pics of your ride. We’d love to see it.

 

Welcome from another Dallas resident.

I have an Iphone and I've never had a complaint on the mic quality using carplay in my 2022. (although I've never heard it) I do use it frequently though

I have noticed everything seems to work better with a genuine apple cable. I'd go ahead with the phone upgrade and revisit if needed.

 

Welcome from Dallas here too!

I've taken to just not using the mic. Headunit is straight trash.

I would shy away from a bullbar. They are not terribly useful and you can get a proper low profile bumper add-on with a bar that actually will protect better. As an old pickup owner, bull bars seemed very useful...when I had an actual bumper. Nowadays if you are really concerned getting bumped or bumping into something, get a real replacement/add-on.

 

Welcome aboard..

 

welcome. Yes on the dashcam!!!

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

+1 for avoiding a bull bar. Most of them are pretty cheap and flimsy.
C4 fab makes a proper low profile steel bumper. The high bull bar option works with the camera and TSS sensor.
It's not as much protection as a full steel bumper, but it weighs less and looks pretty sleek imo. Id recommend adding a winch if you go this route.

Expensive, but very good stuff

 

To Borracho's comment, here is what I went with for dashcam. Easy peasy.

$35 Dashcam Power Adapter 10-Pin (Model B) for Toyota, Lexus – Fits Tundra, Sienna, 4Runner & More – GPS, Radar, Mirror, Dash Cam Adapter – Connects to Auto-Dimming Port

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYZQ1VMC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

$150 Vantrue E1 Pro 4K Mini Dash Cam Front, STARVIS 2 PlatePix™ HDR Night Vision Car Camera, Built-in 5G WiFi GPS, 1.54'' IPS Screen, LTE Support, Voice Control, 24/7 Buffered Parking Mode, Support 1TB Max

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSKXJV3H?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

Welcome!

 

21 ORP, never had any complaints about the mic.

 

welcome

 

Welcome