Android Auto on an old car

Nerfherder

Nerfherder

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As per the title... has anyone done this before ?

My wife and I have cars that are 10 + year old cars, both with built in radios.
Currently we use the Aux cable to play music etc but I'd like to swap these old radio's for a modern media unit that can connect with Android auto.

Do car radio shops even exist anymore ? I have seen some Android auto units online but how do I know what is good ?

Any recommendations or experiences welcome
 
did a bunch of research on the best Chinese brands and joying auto units came the most recommended by other people..

There are companies like OneNav in SA who provide after market options too, but you will be paying 2-3 times the price of a Joying unit.. Likewise for the likes of Sony, Pioneer and Alpine, where you are looking at 10-12k for the head unit with android auto capability..

My Joying unit was great, easy to install and came with all the required harness adaptors for my car.. Ordered direct from their website and was courier delivered if I recall correctly, with the accompanying duties I had to pay of course..

If they don't have a specific unit for your make and model, they also offer universal options..

They also provide firmware updates and email support as well..
 
I have an old 2010 Chery, I upgraded the headunit, got if off temu.

Check autostyle, takealot for others. Custome installs, I am not too sure abuot.
 
If your wife's car has a double DIN then you can fit a aftermarket unit no problem.

You can get facia come adaptor plates from any car audio shop to make it all fit EG Autostyle, Rivonia Car Sound or Temu, some come with the CAN BUS box.

Go and do your homework on no name android units on youtube, Spend the extra money and get brand name EG Pioneer or Sony

I put in a Starsound in my Caddy, it was Okayish. Then I put in a Pioneer AVH-Z5250BT with Android Auto, wired, wow what a joy Android Auto is, so easy to use and voice commands work great.

I'm in the process of removing the Pioneer from the Caddy and putting it into my Amarok, putting a Pioneer DMHAP6650BT in the Caddy, it has Android Auto Wireless and CAN BUS. CAN BUS is used for integrating your cars reverse camera, parking sensors, steering wheel controls and various readings and functions into your car radio.

I paid for either of the Pioneer radios R 5500.00 at the East Rand Flea Market
 
Knowing the car model might help. For some Fords, there are aftermarket parts that fit into the built-in screen.
 
Have you considered a Wireless Android Auto Smart Display?

Something like this:
1780988203809.png

www.geewiz.co.za

Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Smart Display (10.26) - Mirror Your Phone Wirelessly

CarPlay & Android Auto: Connect wirelessly for voice control & automatic future connections (iPhone/Android phones with Android Auto). Easy Setup: Cigarette lighter power & rear camera included, minimal wiring. Large Display: 10.26" HD touch screen for clear view. Bluetooth: Hands-free calls &...
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za
 
geezer said:
Have you considered a Wireless Android Auto Smart Display?

Something like this:
View attachment 1913664

www.geewiz.co.za

Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Smart Display (10.26) - Mirror Your Phone Wirelessly

CarPlay & Android Auto: Connect wirelessly for voice control & automatic future connections (iPhone/Android phones with Android Auto). Easy Setup: Cigarette lighter power & rear camera included, minimal wiring. Large Display: 10.26" HD touch screen for clear view. Bluetooth: Hands-free calls &...
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za
Click to expand...
They aren't that great, plus trying to mount it is a pain
 
Claymore said:
Knowing the car model might help. For some Fords, there are aftermarket parts that fit into the built-in screen.
Click to expand...
2013 Honda ballade and the other car is a 2009 Suzuki SX4

It looks like you could just take out the current unit and replace it but the built in nature of it looks like you would need to get a custom trim for the gaps around the media unit.

So it looks like this currently:

1780989690635.png

and needs something like this:

1780989888292.png
 
geezer said:
Have you considered a Wireless Android Auto Smart Display?

Something like this:
View attachment 1913664

www.geewiz.co.za

Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Smart Display (10.26) - Mirror Your Phone Wirelessly

CarPlay & Android Auto: Connect wirelessly for voice control & automatic future connections (iPhone/Android phones with Android Auto). Easy Setup: Cigarette lighter power & rear camera included, minimal wiring. Large Display: 10.26" HD touch screen for clear view. Bluetooth: Hands-free calls &...
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za
Click to expand...
The problem with this is it uses FM transmission to connect to the radio... and I have really struggled with that in the past.
 
Lupus said:
They have Aux as well
Click to expand...
Ok then that is potentially a cheaper option. Both radios have aux but its the constant in and out of the adapter that is causing problems. We have to change the cable every few months and the MIC ports on the phones get clogged up.

I could also use something like this: (perhaps there is a non sh1tty temu option)

Temu BT to AUX connector

The one car actually has a Dennon version of this installed which is what is perhaps causing the issues. It connects to the radio as a secondary CD player using RCA (I hope) and gives you a AUX port to connect to. It was OK for years but now the wifes phone only has USB-c and had to get an adapter to AUX so that it could connect.
Its now too many adapters and nothing really works well.
 
Nerfherder said:
The problem with this is it uses FM transmission to connect to the radio... and I have really struggled with that in the past.
Click to expand...
I got one for my son as a birthday gift to use in his Golf 5 GTI. It does not integrate with your current car radio but mirrors your Android based phone via Bluetooth. Basically, a bigger screen ad-on for your phone.
 
Nerfherder said:
Ye, that's the obvious problem.

Who even needs a car radio nowdays. Just need a phone dock that connects to the speakers.
Click to expand...
But are they going to sell you on those big displays in the middle of the car?
There were some cheaper cars a few years ago that just did that.
 
Yes, I did it with my 2013 A class, bought a separate unit that fitted the factory fittings as well as mountings and integrated with Steering wheel, contact this guy a Carplay Solutions 063 876 0044.

It allowed me to use some of the cars functionalities like volume forward and back takes some getting used too but was happy. Sold the car last year with it. I added a reverse camera as well.

I also suggest connecting with a cable wireless has issues, kept dropping
 
Last edited:
geezer said:
Have you considered a Wireless Android Auto Smart Display?

Something like this:
View attachment 1913664

www.geewiz.co.za

Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Smart Display (10.26) - Mirror Your Phone Wirelessly

CarPlay & Android Auto: Connect wirelessly for voice control & automatic future connections (iPhone/Android phones with Android Auto). Easy Setup: Cigarette lighter power & rear camera included, minimal wiring. Large Display: 10.26" HD touch screen for clear view. Bluetooth: Hands-free calls &...
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za
Click to expand...

Get this and leave the car factory. Better resale if you ever sell it
 
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