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I wanted to update everyone that has been interested in upgrading their factory 8" radio with some of the 14" aftermarket options that are popping up. From what I can tell, they are mostly all the same with some minor differences in specs and operating systems.
After researching all of the options, I personally felt that the system from TPXINXIN on AliExpress was the best bet in terms of quality.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mP4RCjr
Below are my thoughts, experience, and some struggles/quirks that I recall in no particular order. I will do my best to get some better photos added to this post in the next couple of days but wanted to write it down before I forgot.
I paid $1,133 in total for the 8 Core 8GB/256GB model with 360 Cameras. The unit took less than 2 weeks to arrive at my door and I didn't have to pay any import tariffs outside of $80 on AliExpress. Customer support has been moderately OK but don't expect much help.
The unit came very well packaged and the build quality seems to be pretty good. It's not the most robust system, as it's constructed of mostly plastic, but it definitely feels durable.
The wiring harness ends up being a rats nest - I really don't see a clean solution but maybe someone with more patience than me could clean it up.
To be able to use any of the native apps while running Android Auto, you must have a dedicated 5G data SIM card. You can disconnect Android Auto and use Wi-Fi but must disconnect from Wi-Fi to reconnect to Android Auto because wireless Android Auto uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to connect.
The head unit uses an integrated CANbus module which relays a lot of information from the vehicle. The Volume and Prev/Next steering wheel controls work but the Back button and the Phone button do not. I am still trying to see if I can resolve this issue.
The whole unit is only press fit mount in the dash with clips. It does not use screws like the original screen.
You must harvest some of the clips and the factory USB port from your original screen.
The whole package comes with poor instructions. Luckily, most of it is dummy proof. A lot of connectors are unique. One particular issue I ran into was that they did not note that you must connect the orange Amp wire to the blue Remote wire in their wiring harness. If you are running an aftermarket amp, you will connect it to the same remote wire.
The system is not able to use your factory cabin microphone for calls, they provide an aftermarket mic. I really dislike this solution and am researching how to integrate the factory microphone.
There were one or two loose pin connectors in the wiring harness. A simple fix by just pressing them into the connector securely.
The native OS dashboard lacks customization but there is an option to buy themes. I haven't played with this much.
The built in DSP is pretty good from what I can tell. I'm not an audiophile so take that with a grain of salt.
If you do not opt for the 360 Cameras, it does use the factory backup camera - but you must select this within the settings.
If you opt for the 360 Cameras, they require calibration with a specific calibration mat that you can also buy on AliExpress for around $30.
The 360 Cameras were a pain in the ass to install. I had to jerry rig my own mounting solutions for the front and back cameras - but they do use the factory cutouts. You must drill into your sideview mirror housing to mount the side cameras - it's daunting at first but came out pretty decent looking. Running the wire from the door to the cab is an absolute nightmare.
Calibrating the cameras was pretty easy with the mat I ordered. Overall, the 360 view is pretty sweet and I feel like I could spend some more time perfecting the calibration to get it to look really good.
There is a lot more to this system that I still have to explore - I just haven't had the time to really dig in yet.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the purchase and feel like it's a great value. If it shits the bed in 2 years, I'll be singing a much different tune.
Here are some photos. The 360 view looks much better while driving but can be dialed in better with another calibration.
After researching all of the options, I personally felt that the system from TPXINXIN on AliExpress was the best bet in terms of quality.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mP4RCjr
Below are my thoughts, experience, and some struggles/quirks that I recall in no particular order. I will do my best to get some better photos added to this post in the next couple of days but wanted to write it down before I forgot.
I paid $1,133 in total for the 8 Core 8GB/256GB model with 360 Cameras. The unit took less than 2 weeks to arrive at my door and I didn't have to pay any import tariffs outside of $80 on AliExpress. Customer support has been moderately OK but don't expect much help.
The unit came very well packaged and the build quality seems to be pretty good. It's not the most robust system, as it's constructed of mostly plastic, but it definitely feels durable.
The wiring harness ends up being a rats nest - I really don't see a clean solution but maybe someone with more patience than me could clean it up.
To be able to use any of the native apps while running Android Auto, you must have a dedicated 5G data SIM card. You can disconnect Android Auto and use Wi-Fi but must disconnect from Wi-Fi to reconnect to Android Auto because wireless Android Auto uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to connect.
The head unit uses an integrated CANbus module which relays a lot of information from the vehicle. The Volume and Prev/Next steering wheel controls work but the Back button and the Phone button do not. I am still trying to see if I can resolve this issue.
The whole unit is only press fit mount in the dash with clips. It does not use screws like the original screen.
You must harvest some of the clips and the factory USB port from your original screen.
The whole package comes with poor instructions. Luckily, most of it is dummy proof. A lot of connectors are unique. One particular issue I ran into was that they did not note that you must connect the orange Amp wire to the blue Remote wire in their wiring harness. If you are running an aftermarket amp, you will connect it to the same remote wire.
The system is not able to use your factory cabin microphone for calls, they provide an aftermarket mic. I really dislike this solution and am researching how to integrate the factory microphone.
There were one or two loose pin connectors in the wiring harness. A simple fix by just pressing them into the connector securely.
The native OS dashboard lacks customization but there is an option to buy themes. I haven't played with this much.
The built in DSP is pretty good from what I can tell. I'm not an audiophile so take that with a grain of salt.
If you do not opt for the 360 Cameras, it does use the factory backup camera - but you must select this within the settings.
If you opt for the 360 Cameras, they require calibration with a specific calibration mat that you can also buy on AliExpress for around $30.
The 360 Cameras were a pain in the ass to install. I had to jerry rig my own mounting solutions for the front and back cameras - but they do use the factory cutouts. You must drill into your sideview mirror housing to mount the side cameras - it's daunting at first but came out pretty decent looking. Running the wire from the door to the cab is an absolute nightmare.
Calibrating the cameras was pretty easy with the mat I ordered. Overall, the 360 view is pretty sweet and I feel like I could spend some more time perfecting the calibration to get it to look really good.
There is a lot more to this system that I still have to explore - I just haven't had the time to really dig in yet.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the purchase and feel like it's a great value. If it shits the bed in 2 years, I'll be singing a much different tune.
Here are some photos. The 360 view looks much better while driving but can be dialed in better with another calibration.
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