I am not an audiophile or professional stereo installer. But I've put Android head units in my last 3 vehicles. They are very affordable and have performed flawlessly. They run both Carplay for iPhones and Android Auto for Androids. With all the same functions as the $1500+ US units. Like Kenwood, Pioneer etc.
If you can use a screwdriver and a ratchet you can also do it yourself. Installation runs anywhere from $200-$450. But any stereo shop can put one in. Or you can do it yourself.
They come with the exact correct wiring harnesses for your make, model, and year. That are basically plug and play. A few tweaks in the settings menu is necessary. Like to set up your steering wheel controls. But nothing more complicated than menu selections in an cellphone.
I just put in this $350 unit in my 2012 Jeep Wrangler JKU.
They make exact size replacements. That don't require any new dash parts. But the 10.1" and larger units come with three dash replacement pieces. That for the most part match perfectly. And only require a few screws to replace. Going above 10.1" does sort of drastically change the look of the dash. But they match and are doable. For me the 10.1" in a Jeep JK is the best upgrade size wise. And it is light years better than the POS stock stereo.
I paid $350 for the head unit. Which came with all the correct wiring harnesses, backup camera, dash kit, gps antenna, microphone and everything you need for a complete install.
eBay is your best option. Amazon is over priced and has a smaller selection. I found a 8gb/256gb android 12. Mine upgraded to Android 13. For $350.
I'll let you read the specs at the link. It even does split screen flawlessly. It's basically like a cellphone in a 10.1" screen. It connects with my phone immediately upon starting the car. You can add as many apps that you want. And has both Carplay for iPhones and Android Auto for Androids.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3868294569...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
I did receive one dash piece that had been returned and was missing the clips. I contacted the seller. And they sent me a new set within a week.
They also gave me all the info I needed to set up steering wheel controls in the factory menu. It's in the "Original Car" settings menu. You just have to have the password and select your vehicle make and model. And then another menu allows you to map your steering wheel buttons to whatever function you want them to operate. Simple. Like select volume up on the screen and hold your steering wheel volume up button for one second. Then close and save. Done. If you own a cellphone you can do this.
A couple of the dash pieces did not fit perfectly. Some small grinding and extra non visible screw fixed it. Could have been sun warp in my existing dash. Didn't spend a lot of time trying to figure it out. One clip on one dash part wouldn't stay in place. So I placed a small sheet metal screw under the dash. Not visible.
One thing to keep in mind is if you have the common dark grey dash color. It is actually two tone from the factory. The top half is jet black and the bottom half is dark grey. At first glance I thought the new dash pieces did not match. But then realized they don't match to begin with. Lol. But it's pretty subtle. The new dash pieces are reshaped to allow for the larger screen size. But the redesign is perfect. As is the texture and color.
The only two items I plan to replace are the gps antenna (maybe) and the backup camera. I've had a couple times while driving where Google Maps turned a couple times. Like the antenna wasn't quite accurate enough to tell which way my vehicle was facing at a stand still. But that could have been anything. Other than that it's worked flawlessly.
The backup camera, which I barely use - I prefer to actually turn my head - isn't bad but a little grainy. And the mount wasn't the best for the Jeep license plate. I found this well reviewed backup cam with two different license plate brackets for $20.
eRapta ERT01 HD Backup Camera Rear View License Plate Reverse Camera Universal for Pickup Truck Car SUV 149° Perfect Angle Night Vision IP69K Level Waterproof https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074KZSVD6?tag=jkforum-20
I have not looked for a gps antenna yet. But those are cheap too. No more than $20 for a good one.
I also replaced all the speakers for less than $150. I bought these two JBL sets:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00881CT3E/?tag=jkforum-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S9L5S55/?tag=jkforum-20
One set comes with tweeters and a crossover and is for the front. The other set is for the sound bar. I did not replace the subwoofer. I am not that into bass. Although the bass seems sufficient. I wanted clarity. And this has improved the sound SIGNIFICANTLY.
There are other reasons why these android systems are actually better than the typical US systems costing $1500+. These use their own CPU. Thus the large 8gb/256gb and 8 core processor is important. My understanding is that the expensive US units rely on your cellphones processor. And have no CPU of their own.
I have not found anything this android system can not do that a $1500 US system can. Compare the specs.
For around $500 I put a completely new stereo system in with a large 10.1" hi res screen. That rivals anything I could find for $1500 from major manufacturers. I can't vouch for other android head units. (You can spend even less. But older 4 core units with lower GB are not as fast. And for a $100 savings I would stick with the latest units like this one.)
This one and the last two have performed flawlessly in a GMC Yukon, Jeep TJ and now Jeep JKU.
If you can use a screwdriver and a ratchet you can also do it yourself. Installation runs anywhere from $200-$450. But any stereo shop can put one in. Or you can do it yourself.
They come with the exact correct wiring harnesses for your make, model, and year. That are basically plug and play. A few tweaks in the settings menu is necessary. Like to set up your steering wheel controls. But nothing more complicated than menu selections in an cellphone.
I just put in this $350 unit in my 2012 Jeep Wrangler JKU.
They make exact size replacements. That don't require any new dash parts. But the 10.1" and larger units come with three dash replacement pieces. That for the most part match perfectly. And only require a few screws to replace. Going above 10.1" does sort of drastically change the look of the dash. But they match and are doable. For me the 10.1" in a Jeep JK is the best upgrade size wise. And it is light years better than the POS stock stereo.
I paid $350 for the head unit. Which came with all the correct wiring harnesses, backup camera, dash kit, gps antenna, microphone and everything you need for a complete install.
eBay is your best option. Amazon is over priced and has a smaller selection. I found a 8gb/256gb android 12. Mine upgraded to Android 13. For $350.
I'll let you read the specs at the link. It even does split screen flawlessly. It's basically like a cellphone in a 10.1" screen. It connects with my phone immediately upon starting the car. You can add as many apps that you want. And has both Carplay for iPhones and Android Auto for Androids.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3868294569...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
I did receive one dash piece that had been returned and was missing the clips. I contacted the seller. And they sent me a new set within a week.
They also gave me all the info I needed to set up steering wheel controls in the factory menu. It's in the "Original Car" settings menu. You just have to have the password and select your vehicle make and model. And then another menu allows you to map your steering wheel buttons to whatever function you want them to operate. Simple. Like select volume up on the screen and hold your steering wheel volume up button for one second. Then close and save. Done. If you own a cellphone you can do this.
A couple of the dash pieces did not fit perfectly. Some small grinding and extra non visible screw fixed it. Could have been sun warp in my existing dash. Didn't spend a lot of time trying to figure it out. One clip on one dash part wouldn't stay in place. So I placed a small sheet metal screw under the dash. Not visible.
One thing to keep in mind is if you have the common dark grey dash color. It is actually two tone from the factory. The top half is jet black and the bottom half is dark grey. At first glance I thought the new dash pieces did not match. But then realized they don't match to begin with. Lol. But it's pretty subtle. The new dash pieces are reshaped to allow for the larger screen size. But the redesign is perfect. As is the texture and color.
The only two items I plan to replace are the gps antenna (maybe) and the backup camera. I've had a couple times while driving where Google Maps turned a couple times. Like the antenna wasn't quite accurate enough to tell which way my vehicle was facing at a stand still. But that could have been anything. Other than that it's worked flawlessly.
The backup camera, which I barely use - I prefer to actually turn my head - isn't bad but a little grainy. And the mount wasn't the best for the Jeep license plate. I found this well reviewed backup cam with two different license plate brackets for $20.
eRapta ERT01 HD Backup Camera Rear View License Plate Reverse Camera Universal for Pickup Truck Car SUV 149° Perfect Angle Night Vision IP69K Level Waterproof https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074KZSVD6?tag=jkforum-20
I have not looked for a gps antenna yet. But those are cheap too. No more than $20 for a good one.
I also replaced all the speakers for less than $150. I bought these two JBL sets:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00881CT3E/?tag=jkforum-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S9L5S55/?tag=jkforum-20
One set comes with tweeters and a crossover and is for the front. The other set is for the sound bar. I did not replace the subwoofer. I am not that into bass. Although the bass seems sufficient. I wanted clarity. And this has improved the sound SIGNIFICANTLY.
There are other reasons why these android systems are actually better than the typical US systems costing $1500+. These use their own CPU. Thus the large 8gb/256gb and 8 core processor is important. My understanding is that the expensive US units rely on your cellphones processor. And have no CPU of their own.
I have not found anything this android system can not do that a $1500 US system can. Compare the specs.
For around $500 I put a completely new stereo system in with a large 10.1" hi res screen. That rivals anything I could find for $1500 from major manufacturers. I can't vouch for other android head units. (You can spend even less. But older 4 core units with lower GB are not as fast. And for a $100 savings I would stick with the latest units like this one.)
This one and the last two have performed flawlessly in a GMC Yukon, Jeep TJ and now Jeep JKU.
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