Lexus GX470 Modern Head Unit Install 

Awesome! Stay tuned for my next video where I show you the updated version (it has a physical volume knob which is so much nicer)

@@lexus_offroad_adventures Yes, the updated version is what I want for my 2006 gx non nav, non ML. Looks like the site has the updated version.

@lexus_offroad_adventures Do you have another source for this unit? The link in your description is a dead end.

Thank you! 🙏

Thank you!

Thanks for watching! 🙏

Great! There is an app in the head unit that allows you to calibrate the steering wheel controls and program them to do whatever functions you want

Thank you

Nice install video. Let us know how it holds up over time.

How’s the infotainment system holding up??

Thanks! Here is the updated video with the unit I went with. It’s basically the upgraded version from Joying. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Pd8q3eVOuvY.html

This is a non nav gx470 so I installed an aftermarket camera

@@lexus_offroad_adventures gotcha, appreciate the info! Keep up the great videos … thanks again!

Yes I have a nav GX as well (my wife’s car). Here is my CarPlay solution for that one: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fjHxRfWRZSk.htmlsi=LxTjAO2IzABHB8D5

I wouldn’t be the best source of information on that to be honest. Good question for the GXOR forum though!

As for whether I’m swapping speakers: I think the previous owner of my GX may have upgraded the speakers because they sound very strong with plenty of low-end so I’m probably going to keep mine as-is.

Sounds like a nice rig! So far, the only thing I miss is the simple volume knob but I just use the steering wheel controls. Everything is just like using an android tablet. No complaints as of yet.

I would say it depends on the costs involved. For me it would be worth another 2 maybe $300 to have the joying but I’m not sure how much a non nav conversion would cost. The ac controls are fetching a premium right now.

@@lexus_offroad_adventures wait so if I have nav I can't use this?

@@alexwhiteman2628 correct. Unless you source non-nav ac controls

This is for non- nav GX so the AC controls are the physical ones from Lexus. Holding up great! I’ll hopefully do a full review soon, maybe compared with the Grom VLine I have in my GX with Navi

Ah thanks for reminding me! I owe you guys a comparison video of those two

Adonis told me to select the Pioneer. Hopefully it applies to all years for non-nav but unfortunately I’m not 100% sure.

@@lexus_offroad_adventures awesome thanks! Yea since asking this question I kept poking around, seems like ML is a JBL and all others are Pioneer EDIT: Ignore my GPS question, just realized you said you didnt use it.. Ill check out adonis write up as well as some Joying instructional vids for the gps bits.

I did it based on the recommendation of the head unit guru in the GXOR forum for the functionality/price. I honestly don’t have any real complaints about the unit’s performance at all. The name brand competitors’ advantage is probably marginal at best but I can’t say for sure. Super happy with the setup. Can’t wait to get backup/trail cams installed.

That top portion was super annoying. Just remember that it won’t slot in nicely like it was on top of the radio. Look at where I put that white plastic pin on the upper unit in the bracket. I think as long as that is in the right place, it’ll fit.

No issues really, the screen points at a nice angle where it typically doesn’t reflect the sun

Nice. How does your phone link to the unit? is it bluetooth that allows for the Apple CarPlay sync? Or do you have to connect phone wifi to the head unit wifi. Thanks for all the great info@@lexus_offroad_adventures

@@stevejarrett6209 thanks for watching! It connects via Bluetooth just like any other modern head unit in a newer vehicle

This is a non-nav model, so I didn’t have a cd player to begin with.

@Lexus Off-Road Adventures oh ok, tx for the reply nice install may try looks so much more sleek than even 2023 radios in modern vehicles

thanks! I would definitely consider routing the mic up there if I had the darker interior but really didn’t want the black mic hanging out on the roof in my tan interior. Just personal preference. The gauge bezel is pretty level with my mouth when talking and the mic blends in since they’re both black. Adding the GPS antenna may only help if you get a sim for the headunit and use it like a 4G tablet. I haven’t tried using native apps while using CarPlay but I have been able to use my Siri function while on the native app screen. If your goal is to not have music/podcasts interrupted while driving, you could always tap the directions screen while driving using Apple Maps and it mutes voice guidance while maintaining turn-by-turn directions. If your goal is to use the Google maps app due to app preference, I’m pretty sure you can just download it onto your Apple CarPlay Home Screen and use it there. I guess I’m not sure why you want to run google maps so hopefully the above alternatives help. The only reason I can see having the GPS antenna installed is to have slightly extended range away from civilization but why not just connect your phone to a satellite GPS unit like the Garmin in-reach mini? Then you’re not limited to signal from the ground but can rely on global satellite capability. (This is my plan for what it’s worth).

@@lexus_offroad_adventures thanks for your reply. I have used google maps since before Apple maps existed and have used google mail and contacts since before the iPhone existed so they are my preferred apps even now. I have places saved in google. I am planning to have my phone hidden out of sight away from distraction in the centre console so thought using the GPS antenna would be better than my phone getting really hot struggling for a signal. Plus if my wife borrows the car and doesn’t connect her phone she could still use the native google maps on the head unit but would need the antenna on the head unit. So I would be interested in how Apple Music on my phone through car play and google maps guidance on the android OS work together and if there is any issue. If there is then I would just use everything on my phone and still have the GPS antenna as a backup in certain scenarios.

I believe it is the Pioneer

No, this unit wont work with that unfortunately. You have some other options like Teyes and Phoenix Tesla style screens

I mean it’s nothing like a tablet, but I’d say it’s the same as a normal OEM apple CarPlay unit in a 2023 model. Check the updated video I did on the new Joying head unit. That one has a volume knob which I love.

It comes with the head unit. I chose the Pioneer option. See description for a direct link to the head unit.

Yes! Loving it. I have had the cameras and wiring sitting in the glove box waiting for me to get the courage to try that install lol definitely coming in the future. Got a few more videos before then.

@@lexus_offroad_adventures Awesome! Subscribed and will be looking for the updates. I have had my finger on the buy button for about a month.

Mine is disconnected. I’d recommend a tablet for rear entertainment

Here you go: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-q-XqtwhIlVI.htmlsi=RHQNaNtgr4AylEKb

This unit is for a non-nav GX470 with no factory backup camera

Awesome! I don’t remember exactly but I think somewhere around 2weeks

@@lexus_offroad_adventures cool. I just brought my GX on Monday.

It is an Android unit that can run Apple CarPlay

Link is in description

It is on the Joying site.

@@lexus_offroad_adventures Thanks

Everything I needed came in the box..

Mine doesn’t connect either. Any suggestions?

Do you have non-nav? Most non-nav GXs came with the Pioneer amp so choose that harness. Joying customer service is also very responsive via email if you have any other questions

I have not had a single issue with audio quality. As long as you have a proper amplifier and wiring setup, I don’t think it will give you any of those problems.

Also, Joying released a new unit and I made an updated video. The volume knob and updated firmware is really nice ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Pd8q3eVOuvY.html

Yes, you can calibrate the steering controls in the settings to do different things. For example, I set my ‘Mode’ button to activate Siri on the Apple CarPlay

There’s a little more to it since you have to replace the actual interface. I think I was able to show where all the hard-to-reach screws and clips were. That knowledge alone should make it a lot easier than it was for me trying to find them all. Other than the interface replacement it’s mostly the same as the Grom install

Not when I got it, took 2 ish weeks

This one’s way better anyway: bcoffroadshop.com/products/lexus-gx470-cupholder-lexus-logo-large-diameter Let them know I sent you!

Yep! Check out the detailed video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-q-XqtwhIlVI.html

It’s an option on the site. I believe I chose the Pioneer harness per Adonis’ advice

@@lexus_offroad_adventures Thanks, Im really trying to find just the harness by itself because I wanna put regular double din in nothing fancy.

Which harness did you select when ordering the Unit? Pioneer?

It really does make things simpler, but there are some good options for nav-equipped GXs

Yes I believe so. It also has GPS antenna but I didn’t use it because I wasn’t going that route. I only wanted CarPlay.

All I had to do is connect the device to my phones Bluetooth and hit the android CarPlay app button when I get in the car and Apple CarPlay launches. Simple as that.

For sure thanks got it to work. Also how did you get youtube to work?

@@Andres-bx4tu just connect the unit to home wifi or your mobile phone hotspot, then launch the android RU-vid app

Yes, super happy with it. Best interior mod so far.

It’ll need to be a non-nav GX

@@lexus_offroad_adventures I have the non nav, but the one I ordered the wiring harness wasn't correct. which harness did you have to use? the jbl/pioneer or non-amplified?

@@noahheninger863 oh I see, I specified the Pioneer one (or JBL/Pioneer)

This fits all year (03-09) non-nav GX470s

I’d recommend the latest from Joying: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Pd8q3eVOuvY.html

@@lexus_offroad_adventures awesome thanks! Does this only work with a non nab GX470? I have a Nav with integrated AC and radio unit version. It looks a little different than yours?

🤫🤫🤫😁

@@lexus_offroad_adventures Just ordered my joying unit thanks to your video. Was worried how complicated it might be. Going to add a camera, thinking about finding somewhere inside to make it work 🤔

This unit is for a non-nav car without backup cam from the factory. You can add your own backup cam though. Stay tuned for more details on that!

@@lexus_offroad_adventures mine is nav with mark levinson sound and I am upgrading that here very soon.. like Sunday while I watch the game lol but does that mean there is a better one for that? Because on the website I see a plug on the back of the screen for a back up cam but don’t know if the stock one will work or not for my car. Also the Levinson is an 8ohm impedance but I am pretty sure that Joying shouldn’t impact that?

Do you have nav or non-nav?

@@lexus_offroad_adventures non Navi.

@@evanmalinowski6302 then i think it should. I would definitely reach out to Adonis San Juan on GXOR to confirm though.

Is the Apple car play wireless?

@@evanmalinowski6302 Yes!

This is better. Only catch is you have to have non -nav for this unit, or source non-nav ac controls.

@@lexus_offroad_adventures thanks m8

This one’s better and cheaper and from a fellow GXOR member: bcoffroadshop.com/products/lexus-gx470-cupholder-lexus-logo-large-diameter

That one has been discontinued. This one from BC Off-road shop is better: bcoffroadshop.com/products/lexus-gx470-cup-holder-lexus-logo Made by a fellow GX470 enthusiast @lunar_prado Let him know I sent you!

@@lexus_offroad_adventures Arrives in 2 weeks! Thanks bro 🤙🏼

Link is in the description

@@lexus_offroad_adventures looks very difficult but wow whatta upgrade need to know where can I get the system I have a Lexus GX470 2003

They’re not mine. Can try contacting the Ebay seller. I linked in description

It’s been a long time since this install so I don’t remember exactly, sorry about that: Look around 8:20. I believe I was only able to thread one bolt into the joying HU thru the metal bracket after clipping all the plastics together (A/C controls, HU, top computer). Then at 8:08 I show how got the top piece to fit into the metal bracket. Not factory fit, but it works great and I haven’t had any issues doing it this way.

Thanks, finally got it all in@@lexus_offroad_adventures

Instagram DM me @lexus_offroad_adventures