Installing the OEM NAV on a non-NAV equipped Prius

[green curry expert]

Originally Posted by royrose

It looks like the swap of the physical units would be easy. In one of the threads in the general 2010 forum, someone describes installing the ipod controller which requires pulling the head unit and plugging it controller cable in to the back of the unit.

All they did was carefully pull off the plastic surround from around the head unit, then undo 4 bolts and pull it out. I assume that both units would slide into the same mount.

The bigger question is where the GPS antenna is located and how hard that is to remove and reinstall. I looked at a Prius V with nav and didn't see an obvious gps antenna on the roof or windshield.

Agree. I installed an ipod interface in my 2002 Corolla and it involved removing the radio and plugging the interface into the CD changer port. The most difficult part was getting the right cables and knowing where to plug them (fortunately the kit included all the cables and instructions).

I wonder if the GPS antenna is shared with something else (eg: satellite radio), as all cars are "pre-wired" for it.

[green curry expert]

Here are more things I discovered after driving the car for a month and interacting with users in this forum:

The dealer will install the NAV but it's not the same as the OEM nav. It's a Toyota unit that fits in a standard double-DIN slot. They are still awaiting the bracket for the 2010 Prius.

There IS information on the TIS site on the harnesses behind each head unit (JBL, non-JBL, NAV, etc). The folks doing the speed sensor mods were able to get info on which pin to tap. Someone close to me is moving to the states so he'll finally be able to sign up for a TIS login for me.

The same speed sensor wire is present in my car. My headunit can sense the speed of my car and adjust the volume automatically. Hopefully the harness that it comes in is the same as the one on a NAV equipped Prius.

There is a voice command button as well as bluetooth call and hangup buttons on the steering wheel (the same set of buttons on a NAV equipped Prius). Hopefully the connectors are the same so I don't have to cut any wires. In addition, the microphone is located near the rearview mirror and is present in all bluetooth equipped cars (NAV or non-NAV).

There is a GPS antenna located under the top dash cover. This needs to be installed and the dash has to be disassembled for this. The GPS antenna must be located very close to the bottom edge of the windshield because the roof of the car affects reception. Therefore alternate locations to install the antenna is out of the question.

The dash is easy to disassemble and reassemble. The people who installed aftermarket subwoofers can testify this.

So the following questions are still pending:

Is the backup camera interface on a Canadian non-NAV Prius the same as a NAV equipped Prius (on Canadian cars, the backup camera display is built into the rearview mirror). I wonder if it's possible to re-route it to the NAV once it's installed.

The same question about the harnesses which I look forward to finding out once I get access to TIS.

[Tideland Prius]

So you're gonna install the Toyota "lite" nav?? The one found on the Yaris/Corolla/Matrix? Or a full one but just happens to be 2-DIN like the Tundra?

Hmm, the feed shouldn't be any different. I don't see a "stretching" issue with the image if it were to be displayed on a 7" screen instead of a 3.5" (or whatever the size of the mirror camera is)

[chancejd]

GC Expert:

Please keep us posted on any updates with Toyota! Did they tell you if it will interface with the Radio (Audio controls via display)?

Chance

[jwalker]

give me the url address for the technical information website and i will be happy to ask the question for you. i am going to have the Nav added to my mod 4 which came without it so i am very interested in this also. i am also told that some govt moron came up with the idea that you have to stop to change the gps route. i have one idea to override that problem

Originally Posted by green curry expert

I've looked all over PriusChat and the web for an answer to this:

Are there any technical barriers to installing the OEM NAV headunit to a non-NAV equipped Prius?

I tried to find this information on the Toyota Technical Information System website, but I don't have a US address, which is needed to register . If anyone has accessed this site I hope to know if it's possible and what parts (eg: harnesses, hardware) are required. If I can track these parts down (perhaps from someone who is putting in an aftermarket sound system), it would be a nice weekend project.

I really like the the look and function of the OEM NAV but couldn't justify the Tech Package here in Canada (the only package where you can get NAV in Canada). I have the Premium Package which includes JBL. I read from elsewhere on the web that it's easy to swap the headunits on JBL equipped Toyotas because the amplifier is external and the same amp is used for NAV and non-NAV equipped cars. So the only difference is the headunit itself.

Anyone considered this and have information they can share?

[barbaram]

I would not bother. If you are going to the expense of getting NAV I would buy a Garmin or something that works better. I hate this unit. I dislike it so much I am going to send Toyota a rant.

[rrolff]

Originally Posted by barbaram

I would not bother. If you are going to the expense of getting NAV I would buy a Garmin or something that works better. I hate this unit. I dislike it so much I am going to send Toyota a rant.

Could you kindly explpain *what* it is you so hate about it??? Also, what car have you put it in - from your list, it does not appear you own a Camry (???) Sorry if I am missing something here!

[green curry expert]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

So you're gonna install the Toyota "lite" nav?? The one found on the Yaris/Corolla/Matrix? Or a full one but just happens to be 2-DIN like the Tundra?

Hmm, the feed shouldn't be any different. I don't see a "stretching" issue with the image if it were to be displayed on a 7" screen instead of a 3.5" (or whatever the size of the mirror camera is)

Definitely getting the original OEM one (provided the harnesses are the same and I don't have to cut too many wires). Just love the look and function of it.

The display on the mirror is very high res (I was pleasantly surprised). So I suspect the resolution is the same. Hopefully the wiring is accessible inside the dash and the harness is the same.

[green curry expert]

Originally Posted by chancejd

GC Expert:

Please keep us posted on any updates with Toyota! Did they tell you if it will interface with the Radio (Audio controls via display)?

Chance

Yea, it also has radio and audio controls, since it replaces the original stereo. I'm not sure about steering wheel controls though.

[green curry expert]

Originally Posted by barbaram

I would not bother. If you are going to the expense of getting NAV I would buy a Garmin or something that works better. I hate this unit. I dislike it so much I am going to send Toyota a rant.

I know it won't be as good as my Garmin. But for finding addresses in the city and checking where I am, it's good enough. I also look forward to installing the iPod interface (the new one which includes USB drive support, requires the NAV headunit, and doesn't disable satellite radio). And if that's not enough, I can always bring my Garmin just in case.