Upgrading 2004 Prius with Navi

Zeuser · 12-06-2007, 03:14 PM

I'm really looking at a 2004 Prius these days but it doesn't have the factory navigation. I was wondering how hard it would be to mod it wit ha factory navi. My friend did it with his M3. It's a pretty difficult job but it's doable. It just takes a lot of elbow grease and time *IF* you know how to do it. So... "how" is it done on a Prius?

firepa63 · 12-06-2007, 04:38 PM

I think your best hopes for NAV with a non-NAV 04 Prius is to get a portable device. Trying to add the OEM system would be cost prohibitive.

Zeuser · 12-06-2007, 05:15 PM

Really? I would think it's a lot less cost prohibitve considering the Prius already comes with the LCD screen. In other retrofits, like my buddy's M3, you have to change major pieces of the dash just to get that LCD screen in there. since that job is already done on the Prius, I would think it would actually be VERY reasonable in terms of pricing. Oh... and if I wanted a portable navi, I wouldn't be asking for the factory install. Portable navi is out of the question. I already 2 portables anyway and neither is going in the Prius.

firepa63 · 12-06-2007, 08:53 PM

There are several components required including a computer. Not an easy or inexpensive job.

Bear68 · 12-06-2007, 08:55 PM

In order to install factory nav, you would have to replace, among other things, the entire dash wiring harness, the MFD screen, you would have to add the nav ECU, you also would need the antenna...... Might almost be cheaper and easier to simply find a different Prius with factory nav....

hobbit · 12-06-2007, 09:17 PM

and the aftermarket units totally kick the factory nav's butt.
.
_H*

Bob Allen · 12-07-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeuser

I'm really looking at a 2004 Prius these days but it doesn't have the factory navigation. I was wondering how hard it would be to mod it wit ha factory navi. My friend did it with his M3. It's a pretty difficult job but it's doable. It just takes a lot of elbow grease and time *IF* you know how to do it. So... "how" is it done on a Prius?

Skip the factory GPS; as others have said, the aftermarket Garmins, etc, are much better and you can use them in other vehicles (or airplanes). One nifty thing about an add on is that you can have GPS running at the same time as the normal MFD functions, AND, you can program the GPS without having to stop the car. This latter disfunction is one the main gripes Prius owners seem to have for the OEM system.

acdii · 12-07-2007, 05:02 PM

This is one of the reasons cars with nav have a lower resale value than non nav. Its cheaper to buy an aftermarket that is easily updated than the builtin ones that are not and dont have as many features. Something to keep in mind the next time your out looking for a new car.

N3FOL · 12-08-2007, 01:36 AM

I just got my Prius a few weeks ago and my '08 (I think) has navigation capability, but it appears that it is not activated. What is the easiest way to get this navigation feature activated and ready to use?

agile pagile · 12-13-2007, 05:48 PM

Why is it that all the complaints about the navigation in the Prius, are from people that didn't get the navigation package. Having the OEM navigation is a wonderful thing because you don't have to worry about removing the unit when you park or hiding it. People have said that the suction cup marks on the windshield are a welcome mat for thieves. With OEM navi there are no worries if you forget or don't have time to hide the unit. As far as resale values for packages having navi being lower than ones without, where is your proof? See, you should have gotten OEM navi in the first place.

12-06-2007, 03:14 PM	#1
Zeuser Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Upgrading 2004 Prius with Navi I'm really looking at a 2004 Prius these days but it doesn't have the factory navigation. I was wondering how hard it would be to mod it wit ha factory navi. My friend did it with his M3. It's a pretty difficult job but it's doable. It just takes a lot of elbow grease and time IF you know how to do it. So... "how" is it done on a Prius?

12-08-2007, 01:36 AM	#9
N3FOL Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stewartstown, PA. Posts: 687 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Navigation I just got my Prius a few weeks ago and my '08 (I think) has navigation capability, but it appears that it is not activated. What is the easiest way to get this navigation feature activated and ready to use?

12-13-2007, 05:48 PM	#10
agile pagile Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Benicia, Ca Posts: 46 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Navigation Why is it that all the complaints about the navigation in the Prius, are from people that didn't get the navigation package. Having the OEM navigation is a wonderful thing because you don't have to worry about removing the unit when you park or hiding it. People have said that the suction cup marks on the windshield are a welcome mat for thieves. With OEM navi there are no worries if you forget or don't have time to hide the unit. As far as resale values for packages having navi being lower than ones without, where is your proof? See, you should have gotten OEM navi in the first place. __________________ 2005 Seaside Pearl #6

12-06-2007, 04:38 PM	#2
firepa63 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 297 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I think your best hopes for NAV with a non-NAV 04 Prius is to get a portable device. Trying to add the OEM system would be cost prohibitive.

12-06-2007, 05:15 PM	#3
Zeuser Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Really? I would think it's a lot less cost prohibitve considering the Prius already comes with the LCD screen. In other retrofits, like my buddy's M3, you have to change major pieces of the dash just to get that LCD screen in there. since that job is already done on the Prius, I would think it would actually be VERY reasonable in terms of pricing. Oh... and if I wanted a portable navi, I wouldn't be asking for the factory install. Portable navi is out of the question. I already 2 portables anyway and neither is going in the Prius.

12-06-2007, 08:53 PM	#4
firepa63 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 297 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	There are several components required including a computer. Not an easy or inexpensive job.

12-06-2007, 08:55 PM	#5
Bear68 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, FLA Posts: 244 My Car: Package: Nominated 3 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	In order to install factory nav, you would have to replace, among other things, the entire dash wiring harness, the MFD screen, you would have to add the nav ECU, you also would need the antenna...... Might almost be cheaper and easier to simply find a different Prius with factory nav....

12-06-2007, 09:17 PM	#6
hobbit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bahstahn Posts: 2,825 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	and the aftermarket units totally kick the factory nav's butt. . _H*

12-07-2007, 05:02 PM	#8
acdii Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 348 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	This is one of the reasons cars with nav have a lower resale value than non nav. Its cheaper to buy an aftermarket that is easily updated than the builtin ones that are not and dont have as many features. Something to keep in mind the next time your out looking for a new car.