Toyota Crown Majesta UZS186 Series 1 – Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Integrated
- Naviplus
- Sep 21, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 14
About a month ago, we had a Series 1 Toyota Crown Majesta UZS186 come in for a CarPlay / Android Auto integration. The vehicle still seemed to be in the compliance process, drivable, but clearly not in the best condition.
Of course, the overall condition doesn’t really matter for us, as our work focuses entirely on the car’s audio system.
From what we know, this particular Crown Majesta was a Series 1 model, which did not feature internal HDD storage for music or video, and came with a relatively older UI compared to the 2006–2007 models
The main difference between the Series I and Series II models is that, as far as we know, the Series I used an external navigation module, while the Series II had the navigation unit built in and repurposed the external port for something else.
The image above should be taken as a reference rather than an absolute guide, as we are still exploring what can and can’t be done with these models. However, based on our experience with the 186 Series, the information provided so far has proven to be quite accurate
Sound Integration - using VTR Cable
We’re not entirely sure about other JDM cars, but none of the S180 Crowns came with an AUX or external audio source that could be used for sound integration. This may be due to the way many Japanese drivers preferred using the in-car video/TV functions rather than just audio. It was also common for owners to replace the lower CD player with a double-DIN AV receiver for added functionality
And to suit that purpose, this VTR Cable is probably the most commonly used & cheapest option.
It plugs behind the headunit, to provide RCA input that will controlled by the TV / Video player of the headunit.
Fortunately, we had a VTR cable available this time, which allowed us to complete the job after testing the sound.
The RCA end of the VTR cable connects to our device for sound integration, enabling audio playback when TV mode is selected. This setup bypasses the TV tuner’s own output, preventing it from producing unwanted buzzing noise
VIDEO INTEGRATION- Bypass the NAV
This information was actually a bit misleading, what follows is a more accurate explanation:
The TV function is used for sound integration, while the factory navigation is disabled (not that the original Sat Nav would be useful today), allowing our product to take over.
All you need to do is:
When you start the vehicle, press the TV button to set the sound source to TV, which is connected to our CarPlay / Android Auto device.
Then press the NAV/MAP button to bring it up on the screen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make use of the existing factory display. While these screens are far from the best by today’s standards, they still get the job done.
Our product works through an HDMI to GVIF connection. Even though the signal is HDMI, it does not reach 720p HD quality. However, considering most infotainment displays of that era were only 480p resolution (for 7" and 8" screens), it is more than sufficient for the Toyota Crown.
What you do need to keep in mind is the slow and unresponsive nature of the resistive touchscreen, as these panels are now over 15 years old. It’s not as smooth as modern capacitive touchscreens, but it remains functional for CarPlay and Android Auto
Steering Wheel Controls and Compatibility
When it comes to steering wheel controls, most aftermarket integration products are generally not compatible with buttons beyond the volume keys. Since the system is hooked through the AUX or TV source, the volume buttons continue to work regardless.
This limitation exists because most integration kits focus on touchscreen or control pad input (as seen in Audi, BMW, Mercedes, etc.) rather than steering wheel functions.
To address this, we developed a way to integrate controls—similar to using an SWC ISO adapter—to enable the track buttons above MODE to function within CarPlay and Android Auto media apps.
This is an optional add-on with an additional cost, but it isn’t an essential requirement for the system to work.
Product Link:
Get in Touch: 📞 03 9546 0452 ✉️ sales@naviplus.com.au 🌐 www.naviplus.com.au
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