Highlander Carputer Factory Install

qckfrze · 12-01-2005, 08:52 PM

Greetings!

I've done a search, but it seems that I can only find 2 highlander carputer installs (a third by the guy with FTS in his profile I can't open his website to look at pics). Both installs use a single-din flip up screen.

I'm looking at installing into a 2004 highlander, which had a factory option to install a nav system. But seeing as how it's going to take almost 8K to bring in OEM parts versus the 2k factory option at purchase time (shoulda bought in. *kicks self*), carputer is looking to be the way to go.

So the kicker is this: the nav system from toyota replaces the top A/C controls with a nav screen and a few A/C buttons. Ideally, that's where I would want to put the screen, 'cuz it's the closest to normal eye height and will look factory.

But I can either:

1. remove the really nice 6 cd changer and stereo unit from the bottom, move down the A/C control panel (if it's possible), install the screen there and take it from there, making the carputer the audio system.
2. leave the audio system, remove the A/C control panel, make a program to interface with teh A/C system and control it, etc, like they have it on the factory nav system.

Well, option 2 doesn't look like a lot of fun. Option 1 i'm not sure can be done. I don't want a flip up LCD, cuz it defeats the purpose.

Anyone seen a highlander with an in dash LCD? Suggestions?

tejesh83 · 12-01-2005, 09:40 PM

post some pics of the dash

qckfrze · 12-01-2005, 10:19 PM

Here's a pic of the 2006 highlander hybrid. The car was redesigned in 2004 model with the same center console.

This pic shows what's i'm trying to achieve:

http://hybridcars.about.com/od/highl...derhybri_7.htm
http://hybridcars.about.com/od/highl...derhybri_8.htm

Here's what the original pannel looks like (with the A/C controls):

http://www.autobytel.com/content/res...s_id_int/38420

This pic above is exactly what's on my center dash.

What do you guys think?

qckfrze · 12-02-2005, 03:31 PM

Here's a preliminary solution i think:

There are a lot of similar buttons that can simply be rewired into the navigation dash panel:

Auto
Off
Front (defrost)
Rear (defrost)
Info button (button to rocker)

Then there's the "similar" function buttons:

Recirculate on/off ---> Recirculate and Fresh air

Then there's the ones I think can be remapped:

Temp dial ---> Temp up/down button

Then there's the ones that I might have to redo:

Fan dial
A/C on button
(last button upper right)

Some leftover buttons on the dash that I want to move to:

Map
Dest/Menu (rocker)
Display
Audio (1/2 rocker)
Climate

I guess in this respect, the old buttons can be mapped directly to:
Fan Dial: rocker switch for Dest/Menu
A/C button: Climate Button (straight replace the button)
Mystery button

After the last button is mapped, there's the issue of the display software: How to get the LCD display transferred onto the new panel, either with
1. GUI built and daughter board input (messy and time)
2. Transfer the whole LCD itself with a dash cutout

Thoughts?

qckfrze · 12-02-2005, 03:37 PM

Anyone know where I can get a highlander book that tells me what part number that dash face and button set is?

Thanks!

BoraXP · 12-02-2005, 05:58 PM

goto the dealership and goto parts and tell them what you need

qckfrze · 12-03-2005, 06:58 AM

Ok, last button is the "mode" button, which I can map to the "Audio" rocker button, 1/2 of which is already being remapped.

I guess for the LCD screen, I'm wondering if it's just a straight one-wire-to-one-image mapping on the LCD display, since everything is already there and is just "lit up". Anyone know?

As for the book, I'm actually looking for something that will tell me how to take apart the dash and everything, like a Chilton book. I heard there are some that are $75 that are supposed to be pretty good.

MatrixPC · 12-05-2005, 10:15 AM

You may also search the forum for other Toyota (4Runner, Sequoir, Rav4, Camry, Avalon ... ) installed as well. You may find some that similar to yours.

qckfrze · 12-05-2005, 02:40 PM

Yeah, i searched, but in the above post I found only 2 that were comparable, and both used motorized single DIN LCD's that filpped up in front of the A/C panel.

I think the A/C buttons can be remapped, and I can probably write the software and make the hardware to convert the A/C controls for used with the carputer.

I won't be able to find out much more until I either get my hands on a chilton book, or I take apart the dash to look at the wiring. Ideally, I can just move the whole A/C control unit down, since the radio is easier to replace, just like the one BMW install I saw.

I guess not too many people are doing highlander installs.