Cheap Android Head Unit Retrofitting!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 586
Likes: 267
From: Austin
1. The unit doesn't have CarPlay which I thought it did. I don't use Android. Is it possible for me to download Apple Carplay?
2. Next - the volume isn't as loud as the stock radio. Mine is a Bose system and has the optical amp controller. Before I pulled out the old radio I maxed the volume and then turned off the radio. I'm guessing that I was supposed to max the volume and then turn off the car(as opposed to the radio)?
3. The CAN-BUS must not be connected somehow because the dash display still shows "Radio Off" when the stereo is playing.
4. I bought 3D printed mounting rails and none of the holes line up. Does anyone have a picture of what these are supposed to look like mounted on the unit?
Can anyone offer suggestions to help with these? Thanks in advance!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 142
Likes: 102
From: Austin TX
On the factory menu my parameters that may be related to rear cam are the following:
Video format AHD ON (I have tried to change this one with no success)
Cancel the reverse into the front view OFF (what is it?)
Local Reverse switch ON (what is it?)
Reverse power supplier OFF (?)
Camera Switch DEFAULT (no option to change)
Video Output Settings 1024x600 (I assume it is not for the rear cam)
360 switch OFF
Backup Test OFF
Any idea ?
Video format AHD ON (I have tried to change this one with no success)
Cancel the reverse into the front view OFF (what is it?)
Local Reverse switch ON (what is it?)
Reverse power supplier OFF (?)
Camera Switch DEFAULT (no option to change)
Video Output Settings 1024x600 (I assume it is not for the rear cam)
360 switch OFF
Backup Test OFF
Any idea ?
only relevant if a front camera is installed
> Local Reverse switch ON (what is it?)
enables or disables switching to the reverse camera. disabled = unit does nothing when put into reverse
none of the other settings are relevant. Since your unit switches to reverse properly, it's either an issue with power or signal, assuming your camera type (AHD or CVBS) is set properly under factory settings
OK - I think that I have everything plugged in and ready to slide back into place. I mostly have 4 issues now:
1. The unit doesn't have CarPlay which I thought it did. I don't use Android. Is it possible for me to download Apple Carplay?
2. Next - the volume isn't as loud as the stock radio. Mine is a Bose system and has the optical amp controller. Before I pulled out the old radio I maxed the volume and then turned off the radio. I'm guessing that I was supposed to max the volume and then turn off the car(as opposed to the radio)?
3. The CAN-BUS must not be connected somehow because the dash display still shows "Radio Off" when the stereo is playing.
4. I bought 3D printed mounting rails and none of the holes line up. Does anyone have a picture of what these are supposed to look like mounted on the unit?
Can anyone offer suggestions to help with these? Thanks in advance!
1. The unit doesn't have CarPlay which I thought it did. I don't use Android. Is it possible for me to download Apple Carplay?
2. Next - the volume isn't as loud as the stock radio. Mine is a Bose system and has the optical amp controller. Before I pulled out the old radio I maxed the volume and then turned off the radio. I'm guessing that I was supposed to max the volume and then turn off the car(as opposed to the radio)?
3. The CAN-BUS must not be connected somehow because the dash display still shows "Radio Off" when the stereo is playing.
4. I bought 3D printed mounting rails and none of the holes line up. Does anyone have a picture of what these are supposed to look like mounted on the unit?
Can anyone offer suggestions to help with these? Thanks in advance!
2) unsure, never run into this
3) the DIS display requires the 2-wire canbus plug to be connected from the canbus box to the HU itself, and for the HU to have the correct canbus box type set. If the box weren't working or connected, your unit wouldn't power on, so that's not the issue.
4) you removed the factory metal guides, right?
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 26
Likes: 20
From: Sparta, NC
Yes, it's BOSE. I followed some guidance I had found in install videos, and turned the volume way up before uninstalling the factory unit. Not sure if it actually made a difference, but I do have plenty of volume available now with the new head unit. Sound quality is obviously a subjective thing, but I feel like it's quite good in my car, after tweaking things a bit. Better than I was expecting, actually.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
This is a very pedantic problem... But, I've fitted a license plate camera, which appears to be a nicely made item and fits well. This comes with a built in light as you'd expect, which is LED which clashes horribly with the factory light.
The easy answer is put an LED in the other side, however I really don't want to - the incandescent look is far more in keeping with the car, has anyone else solved this problem?
The easy answer is put an LED in the other side, however I really don't want to - the incandescent look is far more in keeping with the car, has anyone else solved this problem?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 142
Likes: 102
From: Austin TX
This is a very pedantic problem... But, I've fitted a license plate camera, which appears to be a nicely made item and fits well. This comes with a built in light as you'd expect, which is LED which clashes horribly with the factory light.
The easy answer is put an LED in the other side, however I really don't want to - the incandescent look is far more in keeping with the car, has anyone else solved this problem?
The easy answer is put an LED in the other side, however I really don't want to - the incandescent look is far more in keeping with the car, has anyone else solved this problem?
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 396
Likes: 365
Pro
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 586
Likes: 267
From: Austin
I have the same issue. After talking to @MattDevoCustoms , the 2 options are 1) install an aftermarket amp, or 2) wire the rear speakers directly to the head unit. Once I have some extra time, I'll do # 2.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 26
Likes: 20
From: Sparta, NC
Hmm, I wonder why some have this problem with the BOSE setup. I don't know that I did anything special to get mine installed, it was all pretty much plug and play.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 586
Likes: 267
From: Austin
Mine was fairly plug and play as well. The only issues that I've come across are that the rear speakers no longer work and the dash display still shows "Sound Off" instead of showing radio station, song, etc. Also, the people I talk to on the phone are getting an echo.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 586
Likes: 267
From: Austin
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 26
Likes: 20
From: Sparta, NC
Wow, you have a bunch of messages, btw. 
Yeah, I'm one of those folks that needs to have my text and voicemails zero'd out lol.
Yeah, I'm one of those folks that needs to have my text and voicemails zero'd out lol.